Unlike other truck categories, stadium trucks are designed primarily for one thing: winning races. Designed to run on temporary off-road tracks built on stadium field, they combine characteristics of both the buggy and monster truck categories, the former for the fast run times and the latter for the durability. Being a representative mix of speed and toughness makes them one of the most popular racing classes around.
Note: Consider this list as one opinion that you can take into account, rather than an absolute rating of the best the platform has to offer.
1. Traxxas Jato
Even without the latest 3.3 engine, the 1/10th-scale 2WD Jato is a ridiculously fast beast. With it, it's just scary. Posting a 0 to 60 of 4.2 seconds and a top speed upwards of 65mph, the power is so immense, it makes normal jumps look like you're scaling it with a rocket booster. Sporting two-speed torque, Revo-spec GTR shocks, and zero-bump steer-suspension, it's one of the most versatile stadium racers around, able to deliver as well on dirt and grass with a little fine-tuning (some height adjustment and, perhaps, a new set of tires for the same nasty quickness).
2. Traxxas Rustler
Geared for intermediate drivers, the Rustler is a powerful 1/10th 2WD truck, pairing impressive top speeds (upwards of 50mph for the nitro version) with excellent handling. Sporting a wide chassis and a low center of gravity, it makes for some of the most stable maneuvering in the platform. It's also highly upgradeable, allowing you to fashion it into a real beastly performer (honestly, though, all I'd do is get new wheels and, maybe, a wing because the stock is good enough).
3. Schumacher Menace 21
Too fast for its own good, we've heard too many stories of broken RC parts with the Menace 21, a 1/10th-scale 4WD with a 3-speed gearbox and a 3.5cc engine. Contributing to the unfortunate accidents is the fact that it comes with plenty of plastic stock parts, putting it near the bottom end of the scale when it comes to durability. Reaching top speeds closing in at 70mph (for real), a lot of beginning and intermediate racers are just taken aback by the kind of power it brings. My advice? Get one and upgrade it to aluminum parts (it's an easy truck to fix). Yes, it will be very costly, but well worth it. This much power in a durable ride brings so much potential.
4. Associated RC10 GT
Don't let the cheap price fool you. The RC10 GT is a highly-competitive 1/10th-scale 2WD stadium truck, despite being one of the most affordable models in the category. Fast and dependable, it's a ride you can count on in terms of unfaltering performance and durability. Much of the truck is impressively lightweight, allowing it to run lightly on its toes, taking straightaways swiftly and landing jumps in a smooth manner.
5. HPI Nitro Rush Evo
An excellent vehicle for beginners, the Rush Evo is far from being the fastest, best-performing stadium truck on the market. In fact, it tends to lose stability once it hits jumps, although it does make up for it with excellent ground performance. It's very rugged and easy to maintain, making it an excellent vehicle to get your feet wet in the nitro scene. You should get a better truck for serious competition, but for bashing and absorbing all the beating that models receive from relatively new drivers, this fits the bill perfectly.
