Rod Schmidt has been behind the wheel of Grave Digger 7 for years, traveling all over the nation in perhaps one of the best truck and driver combinations in the sport-a truck that is set up for awesome sky wheelies in freestyle, and a driver who loves doing them.

"Number seven is the wheelie truck," claims Rod. "It's the best feeling in the world when you stand it straight up and down!"

Rod's rise through the ranks of monster trucking began some fourteen years ago when he raced in his older brother Rick's truck, Witch Doctor. From there, Rod and his brother decided to purchase a truck together, naming it Deep Fear. It was eventually named Temporary Insanity, and driven for five more years. He also did some mud racing with his brother during that span of time. "From there I went on to drive Monster Patrol and then to Grave Digger, which I've been driving for seven years now," said Rod.

Rod claims that there is nothing like hearing the fans go wild and crazy while performing.

"The fans drive me!" says Rod. "It's awesome to hear the fans screaming for GRAVE DIGGER, and I try to give them the best I can."

During his free time, he enjoys spending time with his wife Brandi, and painting and customizing things. "I like to be a bit different from everyone else," says Rod. "The fan appreciation is incredible. The way the people see you as a superstar and a mentor is great."

Rod is extremely interested in physical fitness and realizes the drastic beating the body takes when behind the wheel. He tries to stay in peak condition and tends to plot out his movement on the track prior to show time. "I love to lift weights, and I am big into fitness," said Rod. "As for preparation, I try to choreograph a routine and get a picture in my head of what I would want to see if I were a fan."