This Week in Monster Truck Racing - August 18-24, 2026

=== This Week in Monster Truck Racing ===

* Steven Thompson sweeps gold in Gaithersburg

** Mike Christensen wins twice in Watford City

*** Ian Jones blasts his way to UK Nationals Racing Championship

CURRENT STANDINGS and WEEKEND RESULTS (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/mtroc260825

BLOG POST RECAP: https://www.mtroc.com/blog

===== WEEKEND RECAP FOR AUGUST 18^th – 24^th, 2026 =====

Steven Thompson and Hurricane Force blew through the competition in Gaithersburg on a big six-jump Chicago-style track and gained 11 spots in the rankings. Mike Christensen won twice in a huge 8-truck field in Watford City. Daron Basl gained 9 spots by winning the 9-truck bracket in Edmonton with Throwdown.

Abroad, Ian Jones bettered his runner-up finish in the 2025 UK Nationals by beating out Podzilla to claim the 2026 UK racing crown at Santa Pod Raceway. In Brazil, the Hot Wheels Tour hosted 5 big brackets with Rick Steffens and Cameron Tweedy each taking two wins.

Weston Anderson continues to lead the Monster Jam Summer Arena Series after 2 wins and 4 finals this weekend in Fresno and is back into the Top Ten.

This was another very busy week for monster trucks with 57 events in the books. We are having a great year with over 94% of known events reported! We currently have 1040 scored events, 1610 reported events, and 1706 total events in the schedule. We still have 5 weeks remaining in the 2026 season.

Thank you to everyone who has helped us with reporting events this week: Bryan Anger, Kirk Nagy, Nick Kraemer, Bryan Wagner, Lee Collins, Phil Vicinanza, Mark Werner, Nick Migues, Kaley Engstrom, Josh Baumgartner, John Brown, Nate Bay, CJ Burress, Colton Fowler, Preston Perez, Pat Paquet, Dillon Fenley, Connor McNeil, J.r. Rouse, and everyone who posted videos and photos online!

===== CURRENT STANDINGS =====

RANK : DRIVER : PTS/AVG : SCORE : RACES/WINS

-----------------------------------------------------------

1 ) Jon Zimmer Jr - 14048/195.11 : 1+6=7 : 72/29

2 ) Tyler Menninga - 8793/293.1 : 8+1=9 : 30/14

3 ) Coty Saucier - 9654/205.4 : 6+5=11 : 47/18

4 ) Bill Payne - 9804/175.07 : 4+11=15 : 56/28

5 ) Donald Epidendio - 6233/230.85 : 16+2=18 : 27/17

-----------------------------------------------------------

6 ) Blake Granger - 11411/158.49 : 3+15=18 : 72/23

7 ) David Olfert - 7270/177.32 : 12+9=21 : 41/20

8 ) Alex Bardin - 12571/141.25 : 2+20=22 : 89/22

9 ) Weston Anderson - 7673/170.51 : 11+12=23 : 45/17

10) Ryan Anderson - 5841/224.65 : 21+3=24 : 26/5

-----------------------------------------------------------

11) Camden Murphy - 5884/217.93 : 20+4=24 : 27/10

12) Armando Castro - 9695/142.57 : 5+19=24 : 68/20

13) Adam Anderson - 5969/186.53 : 19+7=26 : 32/7

14) Tristan England - 5989/181.48 : 18+8=26 : 33/5

15) Triton Robbins - 8825/137.89 : 7+21=28 : 64/9

-----------------------------------------------------------

16) Jimmy Creten - 6035/167.64 : 17+14=31 : 36/22

17) Dalton Widner - 6289/157.23 : 15+16=31 : 40/5

18) Zack Garner - 5811/176.09 : 22+10=32 : 33/4

19) Montana Robbins - 7925/121.92 : 10+25=35 : 65/12

20) Colt Stephens - 5283/170.42 : 24+13=37 : 31/7

===== BIGGEST IMPROVEMENTS =====

+11 - Steven Thompson (Hurricane Force) – 51^st 

+9 - Daron Basl (BlockHead) – 61^st 

+5 - Weston Anderson (Grave Digger) – 9^th 

+5 - Colton Fowler (T-Rex) – 78^th 

+4 - Roger Gauger (Bigfoot) – 48^th 

+4 - Eric Swanson (Obsessed) – 55^th 

===== NEWLY RANKED =====

87^th - Jared Vogel (Crude Behavior)

90^th - Austin Minton (Brutal)

95^th - Mike Worsley (Wadded Up)

===== ALBUQUERQUE, NM =====

8/22 Sat Aft: JEFF MURPHY [Shark Attack] defeated Colton Fowler [T-Rex]

8/22 Sat Ngt: COLTON FOWLER [T-Rex] defeated Justin Murphy [Loco Motive]

The Monster Truck Wars ran three series this weekend in Albuquerque, Ann Arbor, and Lebanon. Colton Fowler was in his 4^th consecutive final rounds and, like last week, they were against Jeff and Justin Murphy. This time Jeff got the best of Colton in the afternoon race, but Fowler put T-Rex back on top in the night race.

===== ANN ARBOR, MI =====

8/22 Sat Aft: DEVIN JONES [T-Rex] defeated Brandon Pezo [Outlaw]

8/22 Sat Ngt: JERRY FURAJTER [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]

Ann Arbor looked more like a harbor as heavy rains had both trucks and fans swimming on Saturday. Devin Jones managed a win and runner-up despite the slick conditions in the afternoon and a torrential downpour that erupted during the finals later that night.

===== BAKERSFIELD, CA =====

This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded

===== BATH, NY =====

This event did not meet the minimum of 4 trucks scheduled to compete and so points were not awarded. Jon Zimmer Sr in Uproar beat teammate Frostbite and got a bye through the finals when Behind Bars could not return.

===== BLACK CREEK, BC =====

8/22 Sat Aft: We do not have results from this event

8/22 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event

8/23 Sun Aft: We do not have results from this event

Unfortunately, we do not have any results from the three Malicious Tour events this weekend. If you have any information, please share!

===== CARP, ON =====

8/22 Sat Mrn: MIKE WORSLEY [T-Rex] defeated Jim Pigeon [Outfoxed]

8/22 Sat Aft: MIKE WORSLEY [T-Rex] defeated Jim Pigeon [Outfoxed]

The All Out tour returned to action in Carp and Mike Worsley won both times on the grass drag racing track.

===== COLUMBUS, OH =====

This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded

===== DUBUQUE, IA =====

8/22 Sat Aft: KORY KINAL [Jekyll & Hyde] defeated Dan Dahlgren [Shark Bite]

After four consecutive runner-up finishes, Kory Kinal got back into the winner’s circle with a victory in Dubuque. Dan Dahlgren advanced out of the loser’s bracket when Roarin’ Rex failed to return for the finals.

===== EDMONTON, AB =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: DAVID OLFERT [Dirt Crew] defeated Chris Koehler [Mayhem]

8/22 Sat Ngt: CHRIS KOEHLER [Mayhem] defeated Jim Koehler [Avenger]

8/23 Sun Aft: DARON BASL [Blockhead] defeated Jared Vogel [Crude Behavior]

Monster Truck Throwdown brought 9 trucks to Edmonton this year including the debut of Dustin Stacey’s Disasterpiece early-model sedan. The racing on the large St Louis style track was intense with different winners every day. David Olfert won on Friday over Chris Koehler in Mayhem. He lost in the semi-finals on Saturday due to missing a jump which put Jim Koehler into the finals, but Chris took the win this time. On Sunday, Canadian driver Jared Vogel broke the American’s grip on the final with a come-from-behind win in the semi-finals, but came up short to Daron Basl in Blockhead who picked up his 3^rd win and gained 9 spots in the rankings.

===== ERIN, ON =====

This Monster Madness event did not meet the minimum of 4 trucks scheduled to compete and so points were not awarded, but it was Pat Paquet taking the win on a dusty hole shot track. Originally the win was given to Richard Bernier in Hellion due to all the dust, but video replay confirmed that Psycho Pat took the win and the call was reversed the following day.

===== FRESNO, CA =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: ALEX BARDIN [Earth Shaker] defeated Weston Anderson [Grave Digger]

8/22 Sat Aft: WESTON ANDERSON [Grave Digger] defeated Alex Bardin [Earth Shaker]

8/22 Sat Ngt: WESTON ANDERSON [Grave Digger] defeated Tim Hall Jr [Jurassic Attack]

8/23 Sun Aft: TIM HALL JR [Jurassic Attack] defeated Weston Anderson [Grave Digger]

The Monster Jam Summer Arena Series continued in Fresno and points leader Weston Anderson stayed on top with 2 wins and 4 finals. Alex Bardin and Tim Hall Jr each split their times in the finals with 1 win and 1 loss each. Weston gained 5 spots and is back inside the Top 10. Tim Hall Jr (93) and Alex Bardin (89) have competed in more racing brackets this season than any other driver.

===== GAITHERSBURG, MD =====

8/18 Tue Ngt: STEVEN THOMPSON [Hurricane Force] defeated Cory Snyder [Toxic]

8/19 Wed Ngt: STEVEN THOMPSON [Hurricane Force] defeated Jordan Fisher [Air Mail]

The annual Gaithersburg event always had great racing and a big field of trucks. This year the Renegade Tour ran a giant Chicago-style track with six jumps and three turns. The Marylanders were cheering on their favorite truck Toxic in the finals, but Steven Thompson was a bit faster and got the win. He showed that it was no fluke by winning again on Wednesday night, getting his first back-to-back win since Du Quoin in February. He gained 11 spots in the rankings this week which was the biggest gain of any driver this weekend. He is now about 385 points outside of the Top 50.

===== HAMBURG, NY =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: BUDDY TOMPKINS [Razin' Kane] defeated Brandon Derrow [Bad News Travels Fast]

Buddy Tompkins and Brandon Derrow each suffered losses in their trip to the finals in Hamburg. Derrow lost out to Tompkins in the first round on the large Chicago-style track, but returned as fast loser to beat MissFire. Tompkins lost out to Triton Robbins in Krazy Train in the semis, but Robbins could not return. In the rematch, Tompkins once again got past Derrow and pick up his first win since January 2023.

===== LANCASTER, WI =====

8/20 Thu Ngt: KURT KRAEHMER [Ramdemption] defeated Daniel Agosh [Raminator]

Kurt Kraehmer beat out teammate Cheech Agosh for the first time this season and scored his 3^rd win of the season. Kraehmer has 19 recorded events and needs just one more to join the rankings. He has scored 1354 points so far this year.

===== LEBANON, TN =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: KALEY ENGSTROM [Shark Attack] defeated Alec White [Locomotive]

8/22 Sat Ngt: KALEY ENGSTROM [Shark Attack] defeated Alec White [Locomotive]

Kaley Engstrom won her 23^rd and 24^th races this season as she swept the racing weekend in Lebanon at the Tennessee State Fair. The Monster Truck Wars tour welcomed Alec White (Locomotive), Dalton VanSkyock (Stomper), and Ed Eckert (Full Boar) to the tour this weekend as they ran events in three cities this weekend.

===== MORRISON, IL =====

8/20 Thu Ngt: ROGER GAUGER [Bigfoot] defeated Bryant Rogers [Black Widow]

Roger Gauger continued his winning streak with the Full Throttle tour by winning the four-truck drag racing bracket in Morrison. Gauger has been in the finals in Morrison four years in a row and last year lost to Bryant Rogers in the finals.

===== NORTH PLATTE, NE =====

8/22 Sat Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Johnny Davenport [Ghost Ryder]

8/23 Sun Ngt: JOHNNY DAVENPORT [Ghost Ryder] defeated Dillon Fenley [King Krunch]

Johnny Davenport finally got past Dillon Fenley on Sunday night in North Platte, using super tight turns on the Chicago-style track to beat Fenley for only the 2^nd time this season. Fenley took the earlier win on Saturday and has 27 wins this season which is the 3^rd most of all drivers.

===== POWELL, WY =====

This Insanity Tour event did not meet the minimum of 4 trucks scheduled to compete and so points were not awarded. Josh Baumgartner and Jacob Ladwig met in the finals both nights with Baumgartner in Mechanical Mischief taking both wins. He is 2-2 against Ladwig in head-to-head racing this year.

===== REXBURG, ID =====

8/22 Sat Aft: PAUL CRAIGHEAD [Hammertime] defeated James Owens [Killswitch]

8/22 Sat Ngt: PAUL CRAIGHEAD [Hammertime] defeated James Owens [Killswitch]

The Monster X Tour debuted new truck identities to replace some of the legendary names they had been campaigning from Triple B Motorsports. Fans in Rexburg got the first look at Killswitch (formerly Rampage), Brainrot (formerly Wild Thang), and the return of Hammertime (formerly Carolina Crusher) in addition to series regular Werewolf driven by Stanley Hernandez.

Paul Craighead had his 8-race winning streak broken when the Bear Foot chassis was sold. After six consecutive runner-up finishes in Rampage and Carolina Crusher, he got back into the winner’s circle in Hammertime, beating out James Owens both events. That gives him 20 wins this season and moves him up 2 spots in the rankings. He becomes the 12^th driver this season to reach 20 wins.

===== SANDY CREEK, NY =====

The racing at the Great American Truck Jam was timed runs and so points could not be awarded.

===== SÃO PAULO, BRAZIL =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: RICK STEFFENS [Gunkster] defeated Rebecca Schnell [Bigfoot]

8/22 Sat Mrn: DARRON SCHNELL [Rhinomite] defeated Travis Groth [Mega Wrex]

8/22 Sat Ngt: RICK STEFFENS [Gunkster] defeated Cameron Tweedy [Bone Shaker]

8/23 Sun Mrn: CAMERON TWEEDY [Bone Shaker] defeated Kristen Migues [Mega Wrex]

8/23 Sun Ngt: CAMERON TWEEDY [Bone Shaker] defeated Kristen Migues [Mega Wrex]

The Hot Wheels Live Tour went racing again on a big Chicago-style track in Brazil. Big thanks to Nick Migues for keeping track of all five of these 11-truck events! Rick Steffens grabbed two wins in Gunkster in his 3 racing appearances. His only loss was in the Saturday morning first round to eventual winner Darron Schnell. Cameron Tweedy competed in all five brackets and worked his was further through each time, settling for a first round loss on Friday, the semi-finals at race 2, and was runner-up on Saturday night. By Sunday, Tweedy had a feel for the truck and track and picked up his first back-to-back wins since June 2024. Kristen Migues also advanced to the final round for the first time in her Open career, doing it twice on Sunday for Team Mega Wrex.

===== SPRINGFIELD, IL =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: ROD SCHMIDT [Redneck Rampage] defeated Aaron Basl [Night Life]

Rod Schmidt missed out on qualifying for the Monsters of Destruction races in Springfield but he made up for it with fast passes on the large head-to-head St Louis style course. He won over fast qualifier Aaron Basl in their first head-to-head meeting of the season.

===== SUNRISE, FL =====

This Monster Jam Arena event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded

===== VERNAL, UT =====

This All Star Tour event did not meet the minimum of 4 trucks scheduled to compete so points were not awarded. Caden Morris in Dragon Slayer won in the finals over John Havemeier in Unnamed & Untamed. A fourth truck was scheduled for the event but was not present at the event, so that is why we could not count this one for points.

===== WASHINGTON, PA =====

Racing at this Washington County Agricultural Fair event was contested as solo timed runs rather than side-by-side

===== WATFORD CITY, ND =====

8/21 Fri Ngt: JIMMY CRETEN [Bounty Hunter] defeated Dawn Creten [Scarlet Bandit]

8/22 Sat Ngt: MIKEAL CHRISTENSEN [Vendetta] defeated Eric Swanson [Obsessed]

8/23 Sun Aft: MIKEAL CHRISTENSEN [Vendetta] defeated Eric Swanson [Obsessed]

Team Throttle Monster brought together some of the top western racers in the sport for a big 8-truck, 3-day tournament on a tight and challenging U-turn track. On Friday night, Mike Christensen went hard into the turn racing Dawn Creten in the first round, but spun too quick and took out the turning pole. Creten later advanced past Eric Swanson before falling to her husband Jimmy in the finals. For Jimmy, that was his 22^nd win and gained him 3 spots in the rankings. For Dawn, it was her 19^th final and gained her 1 spot.

Mike Christensen learned from his early mistake and then went on a tear, winning the next six straight heats, beating Preston Collins, both Jimmy and Dawn, and Eric Swanson three times. That gives Christensen 7 wins this season and moved him up 1 spot in the rankings. For Eric Swanson, it was his 17^th final round of the season and moved him up 4 spots. Bam Christensen also had her best weekend of her career, earning 3 semi-final round appearances and 258 points.

===== WELLINGBOROUGH, ENGLAND =====

Ian Jones in Blaster was runner-up last year at the UK Nationals in Santa Pod but this year he came out on top, beating hometown hero Garry Anderson in Podzilla with a strong return leg pass over the challenging out-and-back course. As usual, the racing finals were established based on timed trials rather than a bracket and so points could not be awarded for this event.

===== WOODSFIELD, OH =====

8/24 Mon Ngt: ROGER GAUGER [Bigfoot] defeated Logan Vessels [Dirt Crew]

Roger Gauger won his 4^th consecutive event on the Full Throttle Tour and 9^th in his past 12 events after beating out Logan Vessels in Woodsfield and evens his head-to-head series against Vessels at 3 wins each.

===== EVENTS THIS WEEKEND =====

Brasília, Brazil (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event International)

Cedarville, CA (Monster X Tour)

Ed, Sweden (Monsterrace)

Edmonton, AB (Monster Jam Arena Summer Series)

Glen Rose, TX (Monster Truck Wars)

Hancock, MI (Monster Truck Throwdown)

Mandan, ND (2X Monster Trucks Live)

Medicine Hat, AB (Monster Madness & FMX World Tour)

Monroe, WA (Malicious Monster Truck Tour)

Mount Gilead, OH (Monster Truck Bash)

Petoskey, MI (Monster Truck Throwdown)

Philadelphia, PA (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)

Quarryville, PA (Monster Truck Back to School Bash)

Trumansburg, NY (Monster Truck Show)

Xenia, OH (Monster Truck Wars)