Smart, beautiful, down to Earth, and not afraid to get dirty. For most guys, that’s the perfect girl. Becky McDonough is one of those down-home country girls that you just can’t get out of your head. She also happens to drive a 10,000-pound Monster Jam Truck called El Toro Loco.

Oh wait, it gets better. Becky is a well-educated mechanic who began her career with Monster Jam on the ground floor as a truck technician. She eventually worked her way up to Crew Chief for Nitro Circus, which by the way, was the first truck to cleanly land a back flip in a Monster Jam freestyle competition.

Then, after four years of proving herself as chief wrench on a truck, Becky finally landed (and deserved) the driver’s seat in her first Monster Jam Truck – fulfilling a dream that all started in the 9th grade, after attending her first Monster Jam show. Since embarking on her driving career in 2010, Becky has been able to show fans all over the world that hard work does, in fact, pay off.

Off Road Xtreme was able to catch up with #MizzElToroLoco (as she calls herself on her Facebook page) in the midst of moving shops.

Off Road Xtreme: What made you want to go to school to be a mechanic?

Becky McDonough: “My father was a mechanic, so I grew up around the mechanic scene. Also, all of my buddies were into cars, so I was always hanging around while they tinkered on old junkers or fixed up their race cars.

“When I was in 9th grade I went to a Monster Jam show with some of my friends – I completely fell in love with the trucks. I always loved big trucks and all sorts of racing, and here they were, all in one! I walked out of that event knowing I was going to be behind the wheel one day. But first, I wanted to know what was going on under all of that fiberglass.

“When 10th grade rolled around, I jumped head-first into a car services and welding class. The welding course was great and I thoroughly enjoyed it. In the car services class I felt pushed around a bit. Being the only girl, the guys always gave me the simple mindless “girl” jobs.

“Things turned around one day when WyoTech came in and spoke to us about courses they offer. The representative mentioned High Performance Engines and Chassis Fabrication. There was my chance.

“At that moment I became dead-set on going to school to become an engine and chassis pro. After nine months in Wyoming, I was out the door, ready to chase my dreams.

“A few short months later, I contacted Feld Motorsports, introduced myself and told them that I wanted to crew on monster trucks and someday be a driver. I started off turning wrenches for Travis Pastrana’s 199 (turned Nitro Circus) Monster Jam Truck.

“Courtney Jolly was driving it at the time, so it was a perfect fit for a girl team. All the guys had bets on how many weeks I would make it. I was just some 18-year-old blonde girl, claiming to have a passion for Monster Jam Trucks.

“After our first tour of three months, I became the crew chief for that truck. Mind you, there is only one person per truck, two if you’re lucky. The entire truck is that one person’s responsibility. It’s not like other forms or racing where there are multiple techs for different areas.

“Everything from setting up shocks, motor swaps, body damage, tire-ing it up and down, rear end housings, gear changes, everything, is all up to the crew chief. Of course, other teams jump in and help one another if something goes wrong. There’s only so much time to get everything done, and you can’t beat them if they’re not out there! We’re a pretty tight-knit family.

“After four years of working crew, I was given the opportunity to drive. There’s no way to describe the feeling and adrenaline rush. I get so giddy! Driving has been an awesome experience, and definitely a lot of fun!

Working crew, however, makes me feel very accomplished. Believe it or not, there’s all sorts of adrenaline in that role, too. Imagine slinging out axle shafts and rear ends in record time to make sure your truck is 100-percent, so your driver can go out and entertain the fans. It’s very rewarding.” 

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ORX: Becky, you’ve had to move around a lot, but are now working in a brand-new Feld Motorsports Shop.

Becky: “There have always been two shops, one in North Carolina, and one in the Chicago area. Recently, Feld Entertainment bought a massive building in Florida to house all the different divisions (Disney on Ice, Barnum and Bailey’s Ringling Brothers, and the Motorsports).

The Chicago shop was closed and relocated to the new facility. I worked out of the North Carolina shop for five years, and then relocated to Chicago to be closer to my family. After two years there, I’ve packed up again and headed to the new shop in Florida.”

ORX: How long have you been with Monster Jam, and what’s it been like?

Becky: “Four years working on crew, and this coming January will mark my fourth year driving. Unbelievable! The people I’ve met, things I’ve seen, opportunities I’ve had, it’s just unreal. These past eight years have been quite an adventure!”

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ORX: Who is your favorite Monster Jam driver, and why?

Becky: “There are quite a few, to be honest. But, the one that really sticks out is Cam McQueen.

“He started driving the Pastrana 199 truck when I was wrenching on it. I have watched how far he’s come in his driving career since day one – walking in with all sorts of nerves, to becoming a World Freestyle Champ in just a few short years.

He’s someone that I used to give advice to on driving, and now I go to him for driving advice! If I had to pick Cam or the legendary Dennis Anderson (driver of Grave Digger) for a race, I would pick Cam in a heartbeat! He’s one that I really gun for. We’ve become great friends over the years, so it feels good to defeat him any chance I get! (Becky laughs)”

ORX: Who do you look up to?

Becky: “I look up to all of the drivers with tech experience. Someone that knows and understands what going on, and can relate it back to the crew, makes it much easier to diagnose and fix a problem. It’s amazing how some of the guys can get out and pin-point what’s going bad.”

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Becky is in love with her fans. She especially likes meeting the kids that come to shows.

ORX: How many days a year do you drive?

Becky: “Not enough! Our main tour is January-March, every weekend all over the states and Canada. The shows become a little more sporadic throughout the rest of the year.

However, every year we add new shows and become busier. I would say, the average for me by the time 2013 is over will be roughly 30 days. I did a lot of weekends with two or three day shows, which seems like a lot, but each driver is really only racing for about 5 minutes at a two hour event, so there’s not much seat time.”

ORX: Are you on an international tour? How many countries?

Becky: “I’ve traveled across the U.S in what seems like countless times, and been to over 10 different countries, it’s been an incredible journey!”

ORX: What do you like to do in your free time?

Becky: “When I’m not out gallivanting around the world, I like to go home and visit my family and friends. I have a ridiculously large family and we’re all really close.

I enjoy being out on the lake, boating, fishing, going to mud bogs, four wheeling, and horseback riding – basically anything outdoors. Oh, and ice fishing and snowmobiling! Although our season cuts right into those activities and I don’t get to go very often anymore.”

ORX: Got any advice for aspiring Monster Jam drivers?

Becky: “If it’s something you really want to do, stick to your guns and do it. Don’t let anybody tell you that you can’t. No matter what it is.

For years I was told that my dream of racing Monster Jam trucks was far-fetched and unrealistic. Had I listened to them, I would not be where I am today. If you have the passion, the willingness, want and drive, you can do anything.”

For more photos of El Toro Loco and Becky check out our Gallery below!