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DRIVER INFORMATION
Driver name:	Daron Basl
Residence:	Magnolia, TX
Birthplace:	Staton, OR
Date of birth:	November 10, 1980
Years competing:	Since 2000
Marital status:	Single
Children:	None
DRIVER HISTORY
One of the busiest multi-task drivers in the sport, Daron Basl has made an impact both underneath the truck, turning the wrenches most notably for World Finals regular King Krunch®, while also becoming a top-flight driving talent behind the wheel of El Matador. Basl, whose twin brother Aaron is also a driver and Crew Chief on the Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam® circuit, began his career driving in 2000 when he piloted the legendary Bearfoot monster truck. Basl also served as the Crew Chief for King Krunch, El Matador’s teammate for the outfit based in Spring, Texas. Q&A with Daron Basl MonsterJam.com: How did you get started competing on the Monster Jam circuit? Daron Basl: I started out driving Bearfoot for Jimmy Creten. Then, in 2005, I joined up with David Smith and his team. My addition mandated them to change their second truck to El Matador prior to my debut. MonsterJam.com: What’s it like to have your brother Aaron also competing in Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam? Daron Basl: I call him every once in a while. We’re so busy that when he’s doing a show, I’m doing a show. So I can’t just talk to him whenever, but we have a house in Texas that when I’m not there he is there, and so on. When we do get to race against each other, it’s more fun because we really want to beat each other. And I always ask him for tips because he hits stuff different than I do, and I do stuff different than he does. If he’s at a race that I’m at, before my run, I ask him what he would do just to see if that’s what I was thinking of doing. It’s fun and we learn a lot from each other. MonsterJam.com: What is your greatest memory as a monster truck driver? Daron Basl: First, there’s the St. Louis win on Speed – we wouldn’t want to forget that. Then, I’d go back to when I first started running with David Smith, which was the first big asphalt race in Utah and one that we do every year. During my run, I actually barrel rolled the truck down the track, ripped the transmission out of it, and still won a trophy for it. That has to be one of the most memorable moments for me. MonsterJam.com: Your team’s trucks stand out in the pit party as well as on the track, and you and David Smith are often complimented on how clean and beautiful both El Matador and King Krunch look. So, what’s the secret? Daron Basl: It’s all about taking pride in how our stuff looks. If it doesn’t look good, no one is going to want to come see it. Also, the cleaner they are the safer they are, because you can catch problems before they actually occur on the track. The cleaner they are, we think, the safer they are. MonsterJam.com: Where do you most enjoy competing at in Advance Auto Parts Monster Jam? Daron Basl: Mainly, Houston because our sponsors are there and we don’t get to run in front of them often. So, when we get Houston on the schedule that’s one of our best times. MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite food? Daron Basl: Lasagna. I could eat that stuff until I blow up! MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite movie? Daron Basl: Transformers. MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite television show? Daron Basl: Deadliest Catch. I love that show. MonsterJam.com: What’s your favorite color? Daron Basl: Red. TRUCK INFO • Truck Name: El Matador • Body: 2005 Chevrolet, RaceSource designed, team built • Engine size: 540 or 565 • Transmission: Hughes 2-Speed Sponsors: Spectra Oil, TX7, Awesome Racewear, NGK Spark Plugs, Polydyne, Motorsports Communications