Bad News Travels Fast and Crushstation crossed the line together in the finals, which would see Crushstation get the win by a claw on the straight-line drag race. RANSOMVILLE, N.Y. — The Versus Monster Trucks Tour launched its 2026 campaign Saturday night at Ransomville Speedway, marking the tour’s fifth consecutive visit to the Western New York facility. A near-capacity crowd filled the grandstands as seven trucks from across the United States and Canada stormed into town: Bad News Travels Fast (Brandon Derrow), Crushstation (Zach Winchenbach), Hurricane Force (Steven Thompson Jr.), Joe Fly (Jordan Healey), Loud and Dirty (Perry Como), Lumberjack (Greg Winchenbach), and Rat Nasty (Ryan Como). The program opened with side-by-side racing, eventually narrowing to a final between Bad News Travels Fast and Crushstation. In a tight finish, the Monster Lobster claimed the victory “by a claw,” giving Winchenbach the first win of the season. The Best Trick contest followed, with each truck receiving two attempts and the crowd determining the winner. Brandon Derrow earned the loudest response after carrying a slap wheelie down the frontstretch, securing the victory for Bad News Travels Fast. Intermission featured kids’ Power Wheels races and a three-race quad showdown between Team New York and Team New Jersey. New York won the first two races, New Jersey claimed the third, and a captain’s challenge was ordered to settle the dispute. In the two-lap runoff, New York prevailed after the New Jersey quad broke down. Freestyle closed the night with three-minute runs for each truck. Jordan Healey opened the segment with a backflip attempt that came up short, leaving Joe Fly turtled and ending the run early. Hurricane Force followed with Steven Thompson Jr. delivering a strong wheelie attack across the frontstretch. Loud and Dirty battled motor issues throughout the evening, and Perry Como’s truck finally gave out after only a few hits. The finale belonged to Crushstation, as Zach Winchenbach delivered the strongest combination of high air, momentum, and speed. His run earned the loudest crowd reaction and secured the freestyle championship. The Versus Monster Trucks Tour returns September 19 for two shows at Stateline Speedway in Jamestown, N.Y., before concluding the season October 10 at Fonda Speedway with a two-show championship finale. Gallery