A lifetime of driving big Ford trucks has led to the ultimate ride: the top pilot’s seat in the Built Ford Tough Blue Thunder.

“I’m from a small country town,” said Farrell, from North Vernon, Indiana. “Everybody had a four-wheel drive. We used to show off and go out muddin’. Back then, if you got out of Indiana you were traveling. Today, 100 miles is close.”

This showing off led to a serious mud racing team. In fact, Farrell claimed the 1993 and 1995 World Championships in his Blue Ribbon Bandit mud car. It was then a natural progression to move into monster trucks. Farrell’s Blue Ribbon Bandit monster truck debuted on the USHRA Monster Jam tour in 1996. He wanted something different, though.

“I used to drive a school bus,” Farrell said. “I had a sophomore in high school draw some bodies and I hung them on my bus. The kids on my school bus chose [my new truck].”

They chose Wild Thang, one of the wildest custom 3D bodies ever made, featuring a skull wearing sunglasses. Farrell debuted Wild Thang in 1997.

Farrell ran the Wild Thang truck until it sold in 2001, and a call from wrestler Sting prompted him to take on driving duties of the Sting truck. Farrell ran the Sting operation for a year. Discussions with the top Blue Thunder pilot at the time, Lyle Hancock, led him to the Ford camp. He’s since become the top driver on the team.

“The funniest part is, my 1979 Ford used to be called Blue Thunder. All I’ve ever owned is Ford trucks.”

Farrell has brought the truck to its height. This past March, he tied Jimmy Creten’s Bounty Hunter for the freestyle win on a wet Sam Boyd Stadium track in Las Vegas. The tie-breaker system in place awarded Creten with the championship.

“If I got out [of the business] today, I’d miss the family more than I’d miss the racing,” Farrell said of the tight-knit bunch that travels around the world together.

At home, Farrell runs a trucking outfit and can be found spending time with his two children, Ethan and Alexandra.