{"id":11109,"date":"2024-03-08T20:19:38","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T20:19:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.xtremediesel.com\/blog\/?p=11109"},"modified":"2024-03-08T21:16:38","modified_gmt":"2024-03-08T21:16:38","slug":"a-tribute-to-dave-radzierez","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.xtremediesel.com\/blog\/2024\/03\/08\/a-tribute-to-dave-radzierez\/","title":{"rendered":"A Tribute To Dave Radzierez"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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XDP lost a longtime friend and member of the XDP Family, Dave Radzierez. Dave was the driver of the XDP sponsored Diesel Monster Truck. His passion for monster trucks and diesel motorsports was unrivaled. Most importantly, Dave loved captivating fans as an entertainer and racer. His loss is not only felt here at XDP but throughout the entire diesel performance industry.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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XDP Remembers Dave Radzierez<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Members of the XDP Family took time to share stories on how they remembered Dave:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n“I worked closely with Dave at many events. I still remember my first year with the company and first interaction with Dave. He put on a private freestyle show for the staff after our Open House had ended.  He saw me taking pictures out of the corner of his eye and started doing<\/a> donuts that threw wood chips all over me. He ended his run and came over to me immediately, to let me know he got me. We shared a good laugh about it, and I brushed myself off. In hindsight, after over 10 years of working with him and getting to know him personally, I feel it was sort of my proverbial “welcome to the family” moment. That’s how he treated everyone he interacted with, like family.\u201d \u2013 Joel | XDP Creative Director<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\u201cI remember one time when Dave was living in upstate NY, he came down the night before to Atco NJ for an event that was cancelled due to the rain. I remember the whole race team standing there at the gates after the track cancelled the event. Dave had the idea of taking the team out to breakfast. It was a great time just sitting back, talking about stories from the road.  As we walked out of the diner a few hours later the sun was shining, and we couldn\u2019t help but laugh\u201d \u2013 XDP Member<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Dave Radzierez’s Legacy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dave\u2019s legacy in the diesel industry and monster truck circuit is unparalleled. From being the first diesel monster truck to successfully complete three backflips, to his unforgettable appearances at Monster Jam, Dave\u2019s awards and accomplishments will always be remembered. But those aren\u2019t the only aspects of Dave that define his legacy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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First was Dave\u2019s passion for diesel motorsports, as he dedicated many hours on the road, and even more wrenching on the XDP Monster Truck. Second was Dave\u2019s presence and vibrant personality, making him larger than life.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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<\/p>\n\u201cI\u2019d travel around the country for these diesel events in the early days. Dave always made being on the other side of the country not feel as far. When I got to whatever track or fairgrounds and saw the rig and the monster truck out, I knew I had reached our home away from home, our support team if you will. Whether it was Dave cracking jokes, talking about life, or teaching you something about monster trucks, it was always good to spend a weekend trackside with Dave.\u201d \u2013 Jeff | XDP Web Content Manager<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

Lastly, but certainly not least, was Dave\u2019s love and support for all his fans who would come from all over to support him. Throughout his years participating in 4-wheel Jamborees and the Monster Jam Series, Dave wouldn\u2019t leave an event until he made friends with every fan, young or old, that wanted an autograph.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Giving Back<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dave\u2019s personality and passion extended beyond just competing and putting on a show for his fans! It was important to not only innovate and keep the diesel industry moving forward, but to also give back to the community. In 2017, Dave gifted a 2-year-old boy Jackson an XDP wrapped KidTrax Dodge Ram 3500 Dually<\/mark><\/a>. After hearing Jackson\u2019s incredible story of undergoing a second open heart surgery, Dave knew he had to do something special to show his gratitude for the young fan and share with him a moment he would never forget.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The Beginning of Dave and XDP’s Partnership<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Dave was born with a passion for diesels. From an early age he was surrounded by diesel trucks, as his family runs an excavating business in Henryville, Pennsylvania. This helped Dave naturally transition into building his own trucks and eventually joining the monster truck circuit. (1)<\/sup> Dave\u2019s relationship with XDP started as a customer, as he would buy the parts he needed for his monster truck while participating in monster trucks exhibitions. Shortly thereafter, talks began between Dave and XDP to take this truck to the next level.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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