Monster Jam is an exciting monster truck racing series that features some of the biggest and baddest monster trucks around. With huge tires, powerful engines, and gravity-defying jumps, Monster Jam events are a thrill for fans around the world. But one truck stands out from the rest in terms of fame and popularity: Grave Digger.
What makes Grave Digger so famous?
Grave Digger has been racing since the early 1980s and is considered an icon in the world of monster trucks. Here’s why this truck has become so popular over the decades:
- Winning pedigree – Grave Digger has won numerous championships and events over the years. As one of the oldest and most experienced trucks on the circuit, it has remained competitive and successful for over 30 years.
- Distinctive design – The famous black graveyard theme with green fog and headstones makes Grave Digger instantly recognizable amongst fans. It’s a timeless look that pays homage to the truck’s origins.
- Driving talent – Top drivers like Dennis Anderson, Adam Anderson, Morgan Kane, and others have kept Grave Digger thrilling crowds with their skills behind the wheel.
- Showmanship – Flaming front tires, wild jumps, and epic crashes are all part of the Grave Digger show. They consistently put on one of the most entertaining performances.
- Multi-truck presence – With numerous Grave Digger trucks touring at once, more fans around the world get to see the icon in action.
Since its debut in the early 1980s, Grave Digger has built up a reputation unmatched by any other monster truck. It’s won multiple championships, wowed millions of fans, and spawned numerous successors to carry on its legacy.
Who created Grave Digger?
Grave Digger was created by a former truck mechanic named Dennis Anderson. Based out of North Carolina, Anderson built the first Grave Digger truck out of an old 1957 Ford pickup in 1982 and debuted it that year at an event in Ellerbe, North Carolina.
With a sponsership from Piedmont Interstate Fairgrounds, Anderson created the iconic black graveyard paint scheme to match the name. He quickly gained attention for his wild, rough driving style and willingness to crash the truck and push it to its limits.
After winning numerous events through the 1980s and becoming one of the most popular acts in monster trucks, Dennis Anderson made Grave Digger a family affair. His son Adam debuted his own Grave Digger truck in the late 1990s, eventually taking over as driver of the flagship truck from his father. Numerous other family members and proteges have since driven trucks under the Grave Digger name.
Dennis Anderson notoriously never wanted to sell out or give up ownership of Grave Digger, despite many lucrative sponsorship offers over the years. His commitment to keeping Grave Digger an independent family-run operation has added to the truck’s appeal and cult status.
Key Facts About the Creator of Grave Digger
- Name: Dennis Anderson
- Born: October 24, 1960 in Norfolk, Virginia
- First Created Grave Digger Truck in 1982
- Won first monster truck competition in 1983
- Inducted into Monster Truck Hall of Fame in 2004
What are some key specs of Grave Digger?
As a custom-built monster truck, each version of Grave Digger has its own technical specifications. But here are some of the common key specs shared across the most popular Grave Digger trucks:
- Weight – 10,000 to 12,000 lbs
- Length – 12 to 15 feet
- Height – 10 to 12 feet
- Wheel Size – 66 to 54 inches tall
- Tires – Custom cut and sculpted monster truck tires
- Suspension – Custom racing suspension with long travel shocks
- Engine – V8 gasoline engine up to 550 cubic inches and 1500 horsepower
These specs allow Grave Digger trucks to fly over jumps, crush cars, spin in donuts, and race at high speeds across dirt tracks. The huge tired provide traction and the long suspension travel absorbs massive impacts from jumps and crashes.
What are the most iconic moments in Grave Digger history?
With over 30 years of monster truck dominance, Grave Digger has racked up countless memorable moments and highlights. Here are a few of the most iconic from throughout the decades:
- First backflip in monster truck history (1991) – Dennis Anderson executed the first ever backflip in a monster truck at a show in Houston, TX. It was an incredibly daring and revolutionary stunt at the time.
- First two-wheel skills (1998) – Anderson again made history by performing the first monster truck wheelie on just the two rear tires along with other skilled tricks.
- First motorcycle jump (2008) – Adam Anderson jumped the Grave Digger truck over a speeding motorcyclist, taking monster truck stunts to the next level.
- 100th stadium event (2012) – Grave Digger became the first truck to perform for over 100 stadium shows, selling out huge venues.
- Two trucks racing (2014) – Son of a Digger vs Grave Digger was the first matchup race between two Grave Digger branded trucks.
Between these monster stunts and victories at events like Monster Jam World Finals, Grave Digger has created highlight reel worthy moments year after year. Fans still reminisce about seeing these history-making moments live and they cemented Grave Digger’s iconic legacy.
What merch and branded products has Grave Digger produced?
Part of achieving fame and popularity is clever marketing, and Grave Digger has produced tons of great merch and products over the decades:
- Toys – Mini Grave Digger monster trucks along with various figurines and playsets for kids.
- Apparel – T-shirts, hats, hoodies, and jackets featuring the Grave Digger graphics and logo.
- Video Games – Grave Digger has been featured as a playable truck in games like the Monster Jam video game series.
- Events – The Grave Digger Thrill Tour puts on live motor sports events at smaller venues year-round.
- Food – Sponsorships like the Grave Digger Griller burger available at Carl’s Jr restaurants.
For die-hard Grave Digger fans, you can decorate your whole home with official Grave Digger wall art, furniture, flags, collectibles, and more. There’s also rides like the Grave Digger themed Monster Jam Thrill Ride simulation attraction at amusement parks.
How many Grave Digger truck variations exist?
Dennis Anderson’s creations have spawned a whole fleet of Grave Digger trucks still touring to this day. The different variation trucks include:
- Grave Digger (the original truck driven by Dennis Anderson)
- Son-uva Digger (driven by Ryan Anderson)
- Grave Digger 2
- Grave Digger 3
- Grave Digger 4 Adam Anderson
- Grave Digger 5 (Chuck Werner)
- Grave Digger 6
- Grave Digger 7
- Grave Digger 8
- Grave Digger 9
- Grave Digger 10
- Grave Digger 11
- Grave Digger 12 (Morgan Kane)
- Grave Digger 13
- Grave Digger 14 (Tony Farrell)
- Grave Digger 15 (Cole Venard)
- Grave Digger 16 (Randy Brown)
- Grave Digger 17 (Jeremy Slifko)
- Grave Digger 18 (Charlie Pauken)
- Grave Digger 19
- Grave Digger 20
- Grave Digger 21
- Grave Digger 22
- Grave Digger 23
- Son of a Diggers (multiple)
That’s over 20 different Grave Digger trucks! It takes a whole fleet to meet demand for the iconic truck at Monster Jam events and other shows across the many live touring circuits. Some travel internationally to locations like Europe and Australia as well.
How much does a Grave Digger truck cost?
As a one-of-a-kind custom built monster truck, Grave Digger doesn’t have a set production cost or sales price. Each one can vary in expense. However, some estimated costs include:
- Chassis and frame – $150,000 to $200,000
- Body and paint – $20,000 to $60,000
- Engine – $25,000 to $40,000
- Tires – $6,000 to $10,000 per tire
- Labor – Hundreds of man hours for design and fabrication
Add in the electronics, suspension, safety gear and more, and the total build cost is likely $300,000 to $600,000 or more. These are million dollar machines when considering development and ongoing maintenance and repair costs.
Of course, being priceless icons to fans, Monster Jam doesn’t sell Grave Digger trucks. Dennis Anderson has never branded his creations for commercial production either. That preserves the custom, hand-built value and mystique of the trucks and brand.
Who are the current Grave Digger drivers?
The Anderson family is still closely involved with driving for Grave Digger’s huge fleet of trucks. The current drivers include:
- Dennis Anderson – The creator of Grave Digger still drives the flagship original Grave Digger at select events.
- Adam Anderson – Dennis’s son has driven Grave Digger since 1998. He drives the primary Grave Digger (often Grave Digger 4).
- Krysten Anderson – Adam’s wife drives Grave Digger 31, a purple and green version.
- Ryan Anderson – Dennis’s son drives Son-uva Digger. Ryan’s chassis was used to build the first Son of a Digger Grave Digger truck.
- Morgan Kane – Long-time Grave Digger driver of Grave Digger 12.
- Randy Brown – Veteran driver of Grave Digger 16.
- Tony Ochs – Drives the purple Grave Digger 35 truck.
Many other proteges and new drivers also pilot Grave Digger trucks at events around the country. The next generation continues driving Dennis Anderson’s creations into the future.
Who are Grave Digger’s biggest rivals and competitors?
As the most famous monster truck, Grave Digger attracts plenty of competition looking to dethrone the icon:
- Maximum Destruction – Tom Meents has driven Max-D to multiple world titles.
- El Toro Loco – Serving as the “anti-Grave Digger”, El Toro Loco is a brightly colored bull-themed truck.
- Monster Energy – Todd LeDuc has pushed this truck as a top competitor on the circuit.
- Zombie – Sean Duhon pilots the creepy themed Zombie to match Grave Digger’s horror motif.
- Bounty Hunter – Jimmy Creten’s Bounty Hunter has battled Grave Digger since the 1990s.
No truck has managed to consistently outshine Grave Digger stardom and success, but these rivals keep the icon’s drivers striving for more wins and championships while pushing the entire sport.
How has Grave Digger impacted the monster truck industry?
It’s impossible to overstate Grave Digger’s massive influence on monster trucks as both a competitive sport and form of entertainment. Here are some of the key ways this history-making truck changed the game:
- Mainstreamed monster trucks – Grave Digger helped take monster trucks from county fairs to sold out arenas and national TV broadcasts.
- Inspired innovation – Bold new stunts and designs sparked an “arms race” amongst teams to create bigger moments and trucks.
- Built the flagship brand – Grave Digger made monster trucks into story-driven sports with icons duking it out for championships.
- Made household names – Dennis Anderson, Adam Anderson and Grave Digger are recognizable names even to non-fans.
- Launched video games – Grave Digger’s popularity landed monster trucks major video game exposure and merchandising.
- Inspired generations – Future drivers grew up idolizing Grave Digger, cementing monster trucks as an All-American motorsport.
Love it or hate it, every monster truck team and young fan has had to reckon with Grave Digger’s excellence and fame over the past 30+ years. The entire sport owes this ghoulish truck a debt of gratitude.
Conclusion
With its menacing physique, smoke-spewing shows, and death-defying stunts, Grave Digger has haunted monster truck competitions since the 1980s. For fans both casual and hardcore, this black and green wrecking machine signifies everything that’s great about monster trucks – big thrills, louder noises, and demonic charm.
As the original bad boy of the sport, Grave Digger will continue leading the charge and inspiring future drivers. And like any great horror movie icon from Frankenstein to Dracula, this legendary truck will never die thanks to its beloved status amongst fans. So when the engines fire up and gravel flies at your next monster event, make sure to roar for the OG, the black and green beast itself – Grave Digger!