Dan Runte, Legendary Monster Truck Driver, Dies in Motorcycle Accident

The monster truck community is mourning the loss of one of its greatest icons. Daniel Geral Runte, better known as Dan Runte, passed away on September 5, 2025, following a tragic motorcycle accident. He was 61 years old.

According to reports, Runte was riding his Harley-Davidson when a Chevrolet Traverse made a left turn and collided with him, resulting in fatal injuries. The news has left fans, colleagues, and the entire motorsports world in shock.

The Toughest Monster Truck Tour released an emotional statement following his passing:

“We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of Dan Runte. Dan was a 5X Toughest Tour champion, Hall of Fame inductee, record holder, true sportsman, a living legend, and our friend. Our thoughts go out to his wife, family, and the whole BIGFOOT 4X4, INC. group at this difficult time. Dan’s contributions to the monster truck world will likely never be matched.”

A Career Defined by Greatness

Born on May 30, 1964, in Freeport, Illinois, Dan Runte devoted his entire career to Bigfoot 4X4, becoming one of the most accomplished drivers in the history of monster truck racing. He began with the Bigfoot team in 1989 as a crew member before stepping behind the wheel in 1991. From that moment on, his career skyrocketed.

Throughout the 1990s and 2000s, Runte dominated the sport, earning eight MTRA Driver of the Year awards, multiple championships, and setting records that redefined what monster trucks could do. His biggest claim to fame came through his long jump world records, which he set four times during his career. In 1999, he famously jumped over a 727 airplane, a stunt that etched his name into motorsport history.

In 2012, Runte reclaimed the distance world record with a jump of over 214 feet, officially recognized by Guinness World Records. That same year, he began an incredible run of success on the Toughest Monster Truck Tour, winning five consecutive championships from 2012 to 2016.

Even beyond his championships, Runte’s accomplishments read like a highlight reel of monster truck history:

• 8x MTRA Driver of the Year (1992–1995, 1998–1999, 2008, 2011)
• 5x Toughest Monster Truck Tour Series Champion (2012–2016)
• 4x CFP Series Champion (1999, 2002, 2003, 2007)
• 2x PENDA Points Champion (1995, 1996)
• 2001 ProMT Series Champion
• 2007 MLMT Series Champion
• 2011 4-Wheel Jamboree Series Champion
• 2019 International Monster Truck Hall of Fame Inductee

A Living Legend

Dan Runte wasn’t just known for his achievements behind the wheel—he was admired for his sportsmanship, humility, and dedication to his team. Fans and colleagues alike remember him as someone who always took time to connect with supporters, offer advice to young drivers, and carry the Bigfoot name with pride.

He continued to play an active role in the sport well into recent years, even making appearances behind the wheel at Bigfoot events. In 2025, he drove Bigfoot 24 at the team’s 50th anniversary Open House event, a fitting tribute to his decades-long connection with the brand that defined his career.

Legacy

Dan Runte’s influence on the monster truck industry is immeasurable. From world records to championships, his career set the standard for excellence. But more than his accolades, it was his passion and love for the sport that made him a true legend.

He leaves behind his wife, family, and a grieving motorsports community that will forever remember his legacy.

As the Toughest Monster Truck Tour said, “Dan’s contributions to the monster truck world will likely never be matched.”