9th Place - Bill Payne - 2025 Monster Truck Racing Open Championship

Congratulations to BILL PAYNE for his 9^th place finish in the 2025 Monster Truck Racing Open Championship! Bill had a Top Ten finish in 2019 during the first year of the Open Championship and has finished the last three seasons around 20^th overall. His 31 wins this season gives him 120 wins in the past 4 seasons. The 10769 points he scored this season through 72 events was the highest in his career and also one of the deciding factors in the championship race.

By our count, I believe Bill Payne is the most veteran driver in the Top Ten this year. He started racing in the mid-2000s running the truly old school leafer Jeeps built by Jeff Bainter back in the 1980s. Despite the trucks being wildly outdated, Payne raced them hard and made a name for himself with wild freestyle runs. Now more than 20 years later, Payne races with his custom-built rock-crawler style truck where he continues to thrill in freestyle but now also dominates in racing.

Bill played a HUGE role in the point championship this year, too. The points he earned in the final week of the season in Lakeport, California with the Malicious Tour gave him more points than Tristan England and Tyler Menninga, which dropped those two drivers down in rank score and put Coty Saucier back into the #1 spot. Payne finished the season with 10769 points and could have had even more except that we did not have reports on 28 of his events.

Payne’s 31 wins were 2^nd most in the sport behind on Jimmy Creten. His 58 final round appearances were the most of all drivers. And even with 28 events missing, his 120 heat wins (approximate) is second only to Weston Anderson’s 125.

The only guy who truly gives Bill Payne trouble is arch rival Donald Epidendio in Titan. Payne was 5-26 against the Titan this season, but had winning records against all the other regulars. He was 32-15 against Gavin Sell; 23-15 against Nick Jones; 18-5 against Garrett Gramps; 11-10 against even-more-veteran Marvin Anderson; 11-3 against Myles Parker; 7-2 against Dallas Glenn-Rogers; and 5-3 against David Tucker.

Bill has raced in over 50 brackets for each of the past 4 years, but this was his first time reaching 70 events which was the 7^th most of all drivers this season. Straight-Up Racing and the Malicious Tour have carved out a nice West Coast presence for themselves within the sport and a loyal following across lots of cities, so Bill will have plenty of opportunities to rack up points and wins against in 2026 as he looks to defend his Top Ten finish.

===== BILL PAYNE 2025 SEASON RECAP =====

10/4 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Stockton, CA = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

10/5 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Stockton, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

10/11 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

10/11 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

10/12 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

10/12 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

10/19 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Roseville, CA = *** WINNER *** (212 pts)

10/19 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Roseville, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

10/19 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Roseville, CA = RunnerUp (178 pts)

10/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Eureka, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

10/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Eureka, CA = Lost in first round (0 pts)

10/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Eureka, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

10/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Eureka, CA = Lost in first round (0 pts)

1/31 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Winnipeg, MB = *** WINNER *** (183 pts)

2/1 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Winnipeg, MB = *** WINNER *** (189 pts)

2/1 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Winnipeg, MB = *** WINNER *** (189 pts)

2/8 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Penticton, BC = *** WINNER *** (183 pts)

2/9 Sun Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

2/9 Sun Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

2/14 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/14 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/15 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/15 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/15 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/15 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Cranbrook, BC = [no report]

2/21 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Saskatoon, SK = *** WINNER *** (225 pts)

2/22 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Saskatoon, SK = RunnerUp (126 pts)

2/22 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Saskatoon, SK = (did not compete) (0 pts)

2/22 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Saskatoon, SK = RunnerUp (150 pts)

2/28 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Edmonton, AB = RunnerUp (78 pts)

2/28 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Edmonton, AB = (did not compete) (0 pts)

3/1 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Edmonton, AB = Lost in semi-finals (76 pts)

3/1 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Edmonton, AB = *** WINNER *** (228 pts)

3/2 Sun Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Edmonton, AB = RunnerUp (152 pts)

3/7 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/7 Fri Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/8 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/8 Sat Aft : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/8 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/8 Sat Ngt : RAM Spectacular @ Medicine Hat, AB = [no report]

3/14 Fri Ngt : Bianchi's Monster Trucks @ Winnemucca, NV = RunnerUp (142 pts)

3/15 Sat Ngt : Bianchi's Monster Trucks @ Winnemucca, NV = RunnerUp (142 pts)

3/29 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Bakersfield, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

3/29 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Bakersfield, CA = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

4/5 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Merced, CA = RunnerUp (85 pts)

4/5 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Merced, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/6 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Merced, CA = RunnerUp (85 pts)

4/6 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Merced, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/11 Fri Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = RunnerUp (85 pts)

4/11 Fri Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/12 Sat Aft : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = Lost in first round (0 pts)

4/12 Sat Aft : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/12 Sat Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = RunnerUp (85 pts)

4/12 Sat Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/13 Sun Aft : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = RunnerUp (85 pts)

4/13 Sun Aft : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/13 Sun Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = Lost in first round (0 pts)

4/13 Sun Ngt : All Star Tour @ Phoenix, AZ = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/19 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = Lost in first round (0 pts)

4/19 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/19 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = *** WINNER *** (255 pts)

4/19 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

4/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

4/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

4/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Marysville, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

5/2 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Petaluma, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

5/3 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Petaluma, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

5/10 Sat Aft : Monster Truck Madness @ Stockton, CA = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

5/10 Sat Ngt : Monster Truck Madness @ Stockton, CA = Lost in semi-finals (84 pts)

5/16 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

5/16 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

5/17 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

5/17 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC =[no report]

5/18 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

5/18 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

5/23 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = *** WINNER *** (182 pts)

5/23 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

5/24 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = *** WINNER *** (182 pts)

5/24 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

5/31 Sat Aft : Malicious Tour @ Roseville, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

5/31 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Roseville, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

6/6 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = RunnerUp (85 pts)

6/6 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = (did not compete) (0 pts)

6/7 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = *** WINNER *** (186 pts)

6/7 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Cottage Grove, OR = Lost in first round (0 pts)

6/13 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Coos Bay, OR = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

6/13 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Coos Bay, OR = (did not compete) (0 pts)

6/14 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Coos Bay, OR = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

6/14 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Coos Bay, OR = (did not compete) (0 pts)

6/20 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ West Richland, WA = *** WINNER *** (212 pts)

6/21 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ West Richland, WA = *** WINNER *** (182 pts)

6/21 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ West Richland, WA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

6/27 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Chico, CA = Lost in semi-finals (84 pts)

6/28 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Chico, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

7/4 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

7/4 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

7/5 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

7/5 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Penticton, BC = [no report]

7/18 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Bremerton, WA = Lost in first round (0 pts)

7/19 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Bremerton, WA = RunnerUp (164 pts)

7/20 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Bremerton, WA = Lost in semi-finals (81 pts)

7/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Elma, WA = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

7/25 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Elma, WA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

7/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Elma, WA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

7/26 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Elma, WA = (non-points event) (0 pts)

8/1 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Post Falls, ID = *** WINNER *** (240 pts)

8/2 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Post Falls, ID = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

8/9 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Burlington, WA = Lost in semi-finals (71 pts)

8/9 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Burlington, WA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

8/10 Sun Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Burlington, WA = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

8/10 Sun Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Burlington, WA = Lost in first round (0 pts)

8/15 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Wenatchee, WA = *** WINNER *** (255 pts)

8/16 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Wenatchee, WA = RunnerUp (170 pts)

8/22 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = *** WINNER *** (246 pts)

8/23 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = *** WINNER *** (246 pts)

8/24 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Monroe, WA = RunnerUp (164 pts)

8/29 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

8/29 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

8/30 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = Lost in first round (0 pts)

8/31 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC = [no report]

8/31 Sun Aft : Malicious Tour @ Black Creek, BC =[no report]

9/5 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Roseburg, OR = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

9/6 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Roseburg, OR = *** WINNER *** (252 pts)

9/19 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Placerville, CA = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

9/19 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Placerville, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

9/20 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Placerville, CA = *** WINNER *** (170 pts)

9/20 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Placerville, CA = (did not compete) (0 pts)

9/26 Fri Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Lakeport, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)

9/27 Sat Ngt : Malicious Tour @ Lakeport, CA = RunnerUp (168 pts)