Tony Farrell has been involved in monster trucks for years, first driving his own Wild Thang truck, then working his way into the Sting truck and finding a permanent home behind the wheel of Blue Thunder in 2001. He is a mainstay at the Monster Jam® NGK Spark Plugs World Finals and the only driver to come within a tiebreaker score of a freestyle championship there. We caught up with Tony for a short interview recently and discussed his thoughts on freestyle, this year’s Monster Jam NGK Spark Plugs World Finals, and more.

Tony, you had a pretty bad crash during the racing portion in St. Louis a couple weeks ago. Tell us what went through your mind during that.

Well, all I was prepared for when the truck first started twisting in the air was a bad bounce; I was just planning on preparing for a bad bounce and reacting to that, but it happened so quickly, I knew I was in trouble. There wasn’t much I could do; with stuff like breaking a four-link bar, it’s about a fifty-fifty chance on saving it. I have never broken a four link bar completely in half, but in St. Louis, that’s what happened. We had a lot more damage than I originally thought. We broke the four link bar, both drive shafts, the brake caliper and rotor, three shocks, and the front ring and pinion. I have my crew, Bill Easterly Jr. and Coty Saucier, as well as my son Ethan and some help from the Monster Mutt and Suzuki crew guys also. They were amazing, and I was shocked that I got back in time. (Farrell was able to make it back to the track for freestyle just minutes before his time was up)

What are your thoughts on having Linsey Weenk as a teammate and driver?

Linsey’s been doing a good job, and he’s especially good in racing. Don’t get me wrong, he’s always been okay in freestyle, but Jimmy Creten couldn’t have both trucks torn up every weekend, so he had some reigns on him in freestyle. He has less reins on him now in freestyle, and he’ll get used to that. I think it’s good though, because I’m honestly more of a freestyle guy anyway, in a lot of respects.

Do you consider yourself stronger in racing or freestyle?

I am a freestyle guy. Don’t get me wrong, I love racing, but when the kids walk through the autograph lines at the end of the night, they don’t remember racing as much. They’ll be able to tell you everything that every truck did in freestyle, though. When I built my original Wild Thang truck, I had freestyle in mind. I love hearing the crowd cheer when I have a good freestyle. When we started freestyle, it was just for the fans, but now it’s for points and some money. I like racing, but I love freestyle.

For freestyle, what are your thoughts on the bonus and super bonus time being put into the shows?
At first, when we started in Houston, I wasn’t really sure what to do; it was a little unclear how it was explained to me. I went through my time, then lasted the bonus and super bonus, and when it was started in Houston, you only got two more points total. I like it how it’s been at the later shows where you are actually judged on the bonus time 1-5 for each of the extra 30-second periods. If it had been that way in Houston, I would have blown everyone away. I think once we get the drivers and the fans all on the same page about it, it will work well and everyone will be rewarded for running the full time and running hard all the time, not just saving the truck for bonus points.

Do you have a favorite obstacle to hit in freestyle? If so, what is it?
In Vegas, I really liked it if I was the first person to go through one of the big trailers they had. Freestyle has evolved so much lately that it’s crazy! The rock pile used to be one of the biggest things, and now the rock pile with an ice cream truck is actually one of the smaller things on the track. I really like the double ramp with the buses in between also. They should change the angle of the launch ramp a bit though; I actually think they can make the jump longer and put more distance between the buses if they flatten the ramp angle a bit, and we wouldn’t nose dive as much on the ramp if we don’t hit it well.

What goals do you have for the future? How much longer will you drive?

I used to say that I’d be done when I was forty-five years old, and I’m going to be that old this year, but with the advancements that have been made in the trucks, I don’t get beat up in the seat nearly as much, and I’d love to drive as long as I can, as long as Ford will have me. Things are good with them; I’ve been driving for them for seven years now, and Speed has been a big help for us. I get recognized in places like airports and restaurants now, so I know they’re getting exposure and it’s good for everyone. I’ll drive as long as they’ll have me!