For over 40 years, monster trucks have been thrilling motorsports enthusiasts with their massive wheels and the amazing stunts they perform. One of the most iconic stunts that monster trucks perform is a backflip, and many people have asked who was the first to perform one.
The history of monster truck backflips goes back to 2003, when Paul Shafer Jr., a veteran stunt driver, and his son Paul Shafer III became the first to successfully pull off this feat. At the time, they were driving a truck called “Backdraft”—a customized Ford F-250 built by Shafer Sr.
When it came time for the stunt, no one was sure if it would work or if the truck would be able to pull off such a dangerous trick. But in true daredevil fashion, Shafer Jr. went ahead with the stunt anyway and much to everyone’s surprise, he managed to complete an impressive backflip in his truck without any major issues.
The crowd went wild and cheered as Shafer Jr. pulled off the incredible feat—a moment that would become cemented in history as one of the most impressive monster truck stunts ever performed. Following this success, many other drivers were inspired to attempt backflips in their own trucks and eventually it became a regular part of most monster truck shows.
Today, many drivers have attempted backflips in their own monster trucks but Paul Shafer Jr. will always be remembered as the person who first successfully pulled off this incredible feat.
In conclusion, Paul Shafer Jr., along with his son Paul Shafer III, were the first people ever to successfully pull off a backflip in a monster truck in 2003 – making them both legends in motorsport history!
