The Insider: Good News for Bad News Fans

After a long search for a new owner to carry on the Bad News Travels fast name, Bruce and Jami Haney have officially announced the sale of the team to Brandon Derrow of Elkton, Virginia.

After nearly 15 years in the sport, Bruce and Jami leave monster trucks having created a great legacy as one of the most popular independent teams in the business. Bruce was a great racer, and despite not having the same budget as the bigger teams, you could always count on Bad News Travels Fast to pull off some big wins over the course of a season. More than the success on the track though, Bruce and Jami will be remembered for being some of the best people in the sport to be around, whether it be to lend a hand to a competitor or just shoot the breeze in the pits.

After nearly 15 years in the sport, Bruce Haney will ride off into the sunset.

For Brandon Derrow, the purchase represents an exciting new opportunity for a lifelong monster truck fan. Ever since attending his first event in Fishersville, Virginia in 1989 at the age of just 1 1/2 years old, Derrow’s dream has been to become a monster truck driver. With the love and support of a great family and a great group of friends, that dream will now be realized.

“My family and I had the awesome opportunity to purchase the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck from one of the best, if not the best husband and wife duos in monster truck racing,” said Derrow of the Haney’s. “The transaction went better than I ever could have imagined. Throughout the whole process, they were quick to answer any questions we had about the truck and teach us anything we wanted to know. Their patience and support was invaluable and it meant the world to us. I only hope in the coming years that my family and I can carry on the name and have as much success with the truck as they did.”

The "passing of the torch" - former owner/driver Bruce Haney holds the red Bad News while new driver Brandon Derrow holds the current orange Bad News.

The new chapter in the Bad News Travels Fast legacy begins October 29th in Swainsboro, Georgia where Derrow will compete for the first time against a field of trucks including Ballistic, Strait Jacket, Monkey’N Around and Outtacontrol at the Swainsboro Raceway. As Brandon Derrow prepares for his first on track adventures, he acknowledges all the people who have made it possible.

“Thanks to everybody who has helped my dream become a reality,” said Derrow. “Without the love and support of my parents who I am so grateful for, Sharon and Kent Derrow, my wonderful girlfriend of over 6 years Stephannie Turner, Mike and Ann Breeden, Chris Turner, the town of Elkton, other family, friends, and of course God, it would not be happening.”

The new driver with his new ride, Brandon Derrow and the Bad News Travels Fast monster truck.

All of us at TheMonsterBlog.com would like to thank Bruce and Jami Haney for all their contributions to monster trucks over the years and we certainly wish them all the best in their future endeavors. To Brandon Derrow and his great family, we congratulate you on becoming a part of this great industry and we wish you the best of luck on the track. We look forward to watching Brandon’s progress in 2012 as he competes for Rookie of the Year and we hope to cross paths soon!

(Article by Ross Z. Bonar, Photos by Ross Z. Bonar & the Derrow Family)