BIGFOOT 50x50 Day 6, 2019: “ Debuts, Reunions, and Goodbyes”

The Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live Tour started on January 18 at the Bert Ogden Arena in Edinburgh, Texas with Darron Schnell in BIGFOOT 19 and Christian Norman in Hot Wheels Racing 18. Christian would go on to win the racing portion for the debut event.

After 11 years, 2019 would end up being Larry Swim’s swan song as a monster truck driver. The eight time champion would win the 2019 Toughest Monster Truck Tour Championship, his ninth as a BIGFOOT driver, tenth overall and second consecutive with the series. His last show would be on June 15th in Mansfield, Ohio at Mansfield Motor Speedway driving Summit 21.

On July 26th, Bob Chandler would receive his fourth hall of fame induction. This year, into the SEMA Hall of Fame Class of 2019. He would be joined by: Automotive aftermarket and motorsports industry executive, and 2012 SEMA Person of the Year, Marla Moore. And with aftermarket innovator and founder of Crower Racing Cams & Equipment Company, Bruce Crower.

Bob Chandler and BIGFOOT 1 would meet up with Everett Jasmer and USA-1 on August 2nd for a 40th Anniversary of their first meeting during the Toughest Monster Trucks Tour’s stop in West Plains, Missouri. The hall of famers would be on hand to sign autographs and meet with fans, and have an old-fashioned face-to-face with their trucks in the center of the track.

In November Dan Runte would join his fellow BIGFOOT and monster truck alumni and be inducted into the International Monster Truck Hall of Fame Class of 2019. He would be inducted alongside: Michigan Ice Monster Jr. and Playn’ For Keeps creator and driver Jesse Birgy. Frankenstein, Monster Vette, Wild-Stang creator and driver Cliff Starbird. And promoter, announcer, and Thunder Nationals founder Aaron Polburn.