 | |
| Category | Short course off-road racing |
|---|---|
| Country |  United States Australia |
| Region | North America |
| Inaugural season | 2013 |
| Engine suppliers | Chevrolet |
| Tire suppliers | Toyo Tires Continental Tire |
| Drivers' champion | Robby Gordon |
| Official website | stadiumsupertrucks.com |
 Current season | |
TheStadium Super Trucks (SST), formerly known asSpeed Energy Formula Off-Road, also known as theBoost Mobile Super Trucks in Australia, is an Americanshort course off-road racing series created by off-road racer and formerIndyCar andNASCAR driverRobby Gordon in 2013. Sanctioned by theUnited States Auto Club (USAC) in America withtitle sponsorship from Gordon'sSpeed Energy brand, the series utilizes identical off-road trucks that originally competed primarily inAmerican footballstadiums, but in 2014 began racing mostly onstreet circuits androad courses, often in conjunction with theIndyCar Series race schedules.
From 2015 to 2021, the series also raced in Australia in support of theSupercars Championship. In 2020 and 2021, SST operated theBoost Mobile Super Trucks championship, which was sanctioned byMotorsport Australia and promoted byBoost Mobile.
As of 2024[update],Robby Gordon is themost recent SST champion.Matthew Brabham has the most titles with three, while two-time championSheldon Creed is the all-time leader in race wins with 39.
By 2011, there was speculation that after his NASCAR career was over, Robby Gordon would bring back the concept of stadium off-road racing thatMickey Thompson had invented.[1] Gordon announced the formation of the Stadium Super Trucks (SST) on May 29, 2012, modeling the series after Thompson'sMTEG stadium series;[2] early in his career, Gordon won the 1989 MTEG championship as a 20-year-old.[1] Gordon compared the concept of SST to that of theInternational Race of Champions; drivers and/or sponsors could take over a team for a year but the series provided everything else.[3] The trucks held an exhibition race atCrandon International Off-Road Raceway after the conclusion of the World Championship races on September 2.[4]
The Stadium Super Trucks began with a twelve-race season in2013.[5] The series held their first official race at theUniversity of Phoenix Stadium on April 6, 2013.[6] The race was won byRob MacCachren,Justin Matney finished second, and Gordon passed the flipped-over truck ofP. J. Jones on the final lap for third.[7] Gordon and MacCachren battled throughout the 2013 season, and Gordon won the championship by seven points.[8] As support events, the series scheduledmonster trucks, quad bikes andSide by Side UTVs.[9]
On December 11, 2013, Gordon announced the series would be among the events held at theX Games Austin in 2014.[10] On March 4, 2014, the series was renamed toSpeed Energy Formula Off-Road presented by Traxxas with the trucks retaining the SST name,[11] though the Formula Off-Road branding was quietly reverted by 2016.[12] The series' X Games final was held atCircuit of the Americas on June 8.[13]Apdaly Lopez won the gold medal;Sheldon Creed and Gordon earned silver and bronze, respectively.[14] The 2014 season also saw the series expand outside the United States and Canada by participating at theRace of Champions inBarbados.[15] In 2016, SST held the Mike's Peak Hill Climb Challenge at Mike's Sky Rancho inBaja California.[16] Beyond North America, the trucks had demonstrations in theMongolian desert in 2016 and 2019,[17][18] while the 2017 schedule included a race in China atBeijing National Stadium.[19]
On September 23, 2014, sponsorship marketing companyThe Elevation Group purchased a 40 percent stake in the series.[20] In 2015, the series entered a partnership withall-terrain vehicle manufacturerArctic Cat, which led to the creation of the Arctic Cat Stadium Side-by-Side (SXS) Racing Series as a support series to the SST.[21]
Although stadiums were gradually phased out in favor of street courses, SST returned to the former in December 2017 with the inaugural Stadium Super Trucks World Championship Finals in California'sLake Elsinore Diamond baseball park.[22] Although he did not compete in the weekend due to a rib injury,Paul Morris clinched the 2017 championship withJerett Brooks driving his No. 67 truck.[23] During the 2018 season, SST organized the Robby Gordon Off-Road World Championships atGlen Helen Raceway from November 30 to December 2.[24] To close out the season, SST returned to the Race of Champions in2019, now held in Mexico City, as both a competing category for ROC drivers and a standalone points race.[25][26]Matthew Brabham ended the season with his first series championship.[27]
In March 2021, SST partnered with the newly formedGreat American Shortcourse (GAS) series to organize a championship weekend and the Off Road Race of Champions (ORROC), the latter of which was to take place atKing of the Hammers; ORROC intended to have GAS class champions compete in stadium trucks with the winner receiving a full-time seat in SST for the 2022 season.[28] However, neither took place due to scheduling conflicts such as Gordon racing in theBaja 1000 and running his Speed UTV company.[29]
With the support of driverCraig Dontas and formerAdelaide 500 general manager Nathan Cayzer, SST expanded into Australia for the 2015 season.[30] In May, the trucks were invited to theGoodwood Festival of Speed in England.[31]
In May 2018, Gordon formed a three-year partnership withBoost Mobile to keep the series in Australia beyond 2019. As part of the agreement, the series' Australian operations were handled by Cayzer and Morris'Paul Morris Motorsport.[30] However, in September, theConfederation of Australian Motor Sport (CAMS, now known as Motorsport Australia) revoked their license over safety concerns, a decision particularly spurred by an incident in the May race atBarbagallo Raceway in whichMatt Nolan's truck's wheel came off during a wreck and hit a spectator bridge.[32][33] A court hearing overseen by theSupreme Court of Victoria took place a month later. The series' defense, led byQueen's Counselbarrister Stewart Anderson, said new wheels would be built with forgedbillet aluminium that makes them heavier and less likely to detach than the current cast alloy. Retired Supercar driverLarry Perkins also gave his support after inspecting them earlier in the year, comparing the trucks' safety to the Supercars. Anderson further stated CAMS and SST had formed an agreement in February in which the former expressed satisfaction at the series, yet CAMS made the decision to suspend the series in May and did not inform SST officials until July, which Gordon stated was a breach of contract.[33] On October 11, judgeJohn Digby ruled in favor of CAMS.[34] Six days after the ruling, the series aligned with theAustralian Auto Sport Alliance'sAustralian Motor Racing Series (AMRS) to remain in the country. The AASA, which is not affiliated with CAMS, and theNSW Sport and Recreation approved SST for competition in AMRS events following a risk assessment.[35] The trucks' first race weekend under the AMRS banner took place nine days later at theSydney Motorsport Park.[36]
On August 20, 2019, CAMS and SST announced they had reached an agreement to lift the ban and form a three-year commercial rights contract.[37] Six days later, Adelaide 500 officials confirmed the series would make its return at the 2020 edition in February with safety improvements like smaller ramps.[38] SST's first race in Australia since the ban's conclusion took place in October 2019 with theGold Coast 600 weekend atSurfers Paradise Street Circuit.[39]
Following the series' return, the trucks' identity in the country became known as theBoost Mobile Super Trucks.[39] As part of the new branding, starting in 2020, SST split into American and Australian championships called the Speed Energy Stadium Super Trucks and Boost Mobile Super Trucks, respectively. While both divisions had their separate standings and champions, they also conducted a co-sanctioned weekend together at Adelaide.[40] The Boost Mobile Super Truck operations were based at Paul Morris Motorsport's Norwell Motorplex inNorwell, Queensland.[41]
Supercars was acquired by Race Australia Consolidated Enterprises in 2021, and the new ownership failed to reach an agreement with the Boost Mobile Super Trucks to continue supporting the series for 2022. Boost Mobile head Peter Adderton, who attempted to buy Supercars, criticized RACE and claimed the consortium saw little value in the trucks despite their popularity. 12 stadium trucks were returned to the United States on January 19, 2022.[42] Conversely, new Supercars CEO Shane Howard toldAuto Action in February that he believed the trucks were sent back due toATA Carnet import laws, but he was open to bringing them back in 2023.[43]
A return was secured for the 2024 Adelaide 500. SST and Motorsport Australia clashed again during the weekend when two accidents in practice led to a hearing with the federation. The series was eventually cleared to proceed with the round, though with its four-race slate reduced to two.[44][45] The series did not return to Australia in the 2025 season.
The series typically features drivers who are familiar with off-road racing; during the inaugural season, off-road racers included Robby Gordon,Championship Off-Road Racing driverRob MacCachren,TORC driverSheldon Creed and motocross riderJeff Ward. The 2013 season also featured those from other disciplines, likeArie Luyendyk Jr. andPaul Tracy (IndyCar),Nick Baumgartner (Olympicsnowboarding) andTraxxas ownerMike Jenkins. Two-wheel riders such as Moto X bikerJeremy Stenberg and four-timeAMA Supercross Championship winnerRyan Villopoto also have experience in SST,[46][47] while other off-road competitors who have dabbled in the series includeDakar Rally championToby Price.[48]
Like Gordon, other NASCAR drivers have competed in the series. AtX Games Austin 2015, among the NASCAR competitors were1989 NASCAR Winston Cup Series championRusty Wallace,[49]road course ringerBoris Said,[50] and formerNationwide Series driver and eleven-time X Games medalistTravis Pastrana.[51]P. J. Jones also made starts for Gordon'sRobby Gordon Motorsports team in NASCAR,[52][53] whileJustin Lofton raced in NASCAR with Speed Energy sponsorship.[54] Other NASCAR veterans who have raced in the series includeCasey Mears, the son of off-road and stadium truck racerRoger Mears,[55] andGreg Biffle.[56]
Gordon's other former discipline IndyCar has also seen crossovers into SST. In addition to those with experience in stock cars like Jones,Champ Car veteranMax Papis and2003 championPaul Tracy have run races; the2016 Honda Indy Toronto round featured all three drivers.[57][58] Former IndyCar driverE. J. Viso, who led the most laps and finished second in his SST debut,[59] has seven wins.[60]
When racing in Australia, SST and Boost Mobile Super Trucks events also feature those from the Supercars Championship and its support series. SST's first race in the country at Adelaide in 2015 saw Supercar driverNathan Pretty make his series debut,[48] while2014 Bathurst 1000 victor Paul Morris won the SST championship in 2017.[61][62]Russell Ingall, winner of the2005 V8 Supercar Championship Series, began competing in the trucks in 2018.[63] Drivers from the support level includeAussie Racing Cars'Matt Nolan and theSuper2 Series'Jake Kostecki.[64][65]
In 2016, motocross riderSara Price became the first female driver in series history when she made her debut at Toronto.[66]
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During its first season, the series raced predominantly in football stadiums, such asUniversity of Phoenix Stadium, theLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum, and theEdward Jones Dome, with a dirt track laid out on the field while also running onstreet circuits as a supporting event for the IndyCar Series. The trucks also ran a race atCrandon International Off-Road Raceway.[67]
Eventually, SST focused almost exclusively on street courses like theLong Beach Grand Prix,Honda Indy Toronto,Detroit Belle Isle Grand Prix, andGrand Prix of St. Petersburg. Gordon explained in a 2017 interview that the transition to street circuits "brings [the trucks] to a completely different fan audience."[68] On the street courses, aluminum ramps are placed on the track;[9] the ramps are 17 feet, 6 inches long and 2'8" high, and trucks enter them at speeds of 70 miles per hour (110 km/h).[69] In June 2017, the series made its debut on anoval track atTexas Motor Speedway, running as a support event for IndyCar'sRainguard Water Sealers 600.[70] Although stadiums decreased in hosting races over time, SST continued to occasionally race in such venues. For instance, in July 2017, the first Chinese-based SST event was held withMonster Jam atBeijing National Stadium.[19][71]
The series' Australian racing began in 2015 with rounds at theAdelaide Street Circuit as a support for theV8 Supercars'Adelaide 500.[72] Further Australian events were held at theSurfers Paradise Street Circuit with theGold Coast 600,[73] theValvoline Raceway for theUltimate Sprintcar Championship,[74] and theHomebush Street Circuit for theSydney 500.[75] In 2017, SST ran atBarbagallo Raceway as an undercard for thePerth SuperSprint, marking the first time the series raced on a permanent circuit.[76] Later in the season, the series raced at theHidden Valley Raceway inDarwin as part of the Supercars'Darwin Triple Crown weekend.[77] In 2020, the trucks joined the Supercars'Auckland SuperSprint round atPukekohe Park Raceway, their first time in New Zealand.[78]
SST has also supported NASCAR events. In 2017, they began racing atRoad America alongside the Xfinity Series'Johnsonville 180,[79] while they supported theNASCAR Cup Series'O'Reilly Auto Parts 500 weekend at Texas Motor Speedway in 2019.[80]
Powered by a 600 hp (450 kW)ChevroletLS V8 engine,[81] the trucks weigh 2,900 pounds (1,300 kg) and are built with a steel-tube frame and fiberglass body. The trucks are 13'5" (4.09 m) long and 5'2" (1.57 m) high, feature a three-speed transmission and can reach speeds as high as 140 mph (230 km/h).[69] A portion of the frame protects the driver from rolls. Next to the driver is a 5-US-gallon (19 L) jug that catches fluids which may have spilled from damage that the truck sustains.[82] Each truck may race with tires fromToyo Tires orContinental Tire,[83][84] whileHawk Performance providesbrake pads.[85] During the series' inaugural season, Toyo was one of three tire brands alongsidePro Comp andYokohama.[86][87][88]
The trucks are identical to each other, though drivers are allowed to change some aspects of their trucks, such as thespring rates, ride heights andcamber.[89] Drivers receive their trucks on race weekends via random draw, which ensures they do not have the same vehicle for each race, but they may swap with others if they are unsatisfied with their current one.[2][90] Gordon, who departed NASCAR with the belief that the top teams had a large advantage over the smaller teams due to the amount of money spent, designed the trucks as such as he wanted SST to be a "drivers' series".[91] He described the stadium trucks as resembling Monster Jam trucks for their size and NASCAR and IndyCar vehicles for their ability to handle in corners.[18]
The 2013 SST events were televised tape-delayed onNBC andNBC Sports Network;[92] seven were televised on NBC and five on NBC Sports Network.[5] Most of the twelve races in 2013 were televised on Sunday afternoons.[93] In 2014, NBCSN returned to broadcast the season's races, but was later replaced byCBS Sports Network in September.[94][95] The X Games events were aired nationally onABC.[51][96]
Races are streamed live on the series' website andFacebook page. When the series races in Australia, viewers in the country andNew Zealand are prohibited from watching online and instead watch onFox Sports.[97]
The trucks have been featured in various video games as playable vehicles. Gordon's No. 7 Speed Energy truck appears in anexpansion pack for the 2014 gameForza Horizon 2.[98] In 2020, the SST was included inProject CARS 3.[99]
A race weekend is three days long, with qualifying on the first and two races on Saturday and Sunday. Races are split into either 12 laps or 20 minutes depending on which is completed first, while competition cautions are used at the halfway point to group the drivers together for closer racing to the finish. Astanding start is used to begin a race, while restarts utilizerolling starts.[100]
American SST races are sanctioned by theUnited States Auto Club (USAC), with racing decisions being overseen by a race control unit.[101][102] Radio communication between the two and drivers is one-way, which allows for messages from the former to be available for all drivers, though competitors cannot respond to Race Control nor USAC.[100] In Australia, Motorsport Australia served as the sanctioning body.[37]
Points are awarded based on finishing position, with bonus points given for the fastest qualifier, heat race winner, the driver who leads the most laps in the main event, and for each position gained in a race. A driver may also earn points on behalf of another by racing with their number plate.[103] At the end of a race weekend and season, the driver with the most total points is named the overall weekend winner; ties are broken based on wins followed by the best finish in the final event.[104][103]
The Boost Mobile Super Trucks had their own points system that provided just one bonus point to the fastest qualifier. If a race was suspended after 50–75 percent of the duration had been completed, half points were to be awarded. A full payout would be given if more than 75 percent of the race had been completed.[104]
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North America[edit]
Australia[edit]
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Figures correct as of the2025 Stadium Super Trucks race weekend at theGrand Prix of Long Beach (April 12–13, 2025).[60]
| * | Champion |
|---|---|
| # | Driver competed in the2025 Stadium Super Trucks |
The other Canadian in the trucks race, Russell Boyle of Toronto, finished 10th Sunday in a field that included ex-NASCAR/CART star Robby Gordon, Max Papis and former Indy car pilot P.J. Jones, son of 1963 Indy 500 winner Parnelli Jones.
(Joe) Liguori has stepped out of his own No. 4 to wheel the Fred Gormly-RPM No. 98 after regular driver Davey Hamilton, Jr. got the call for a drive this weekend in Beijing, China with the Robby Gordon Stadium SUPER Truck Series.
She currently works as the field reporter for "SPEED Energy Formula Off Road Presented by Traxxas" (Stadium Super Trucks) which airs on "CBS Sports Network" (previously shown on "NBC Sports Network").
