This Week in Monster Truck Racing - January 9-11, 2026

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

* Coty Saucier returns to #1 rank with 4-race sweep

** Tyler Menninga is the king of San Diego

*** David Olfert starts 2026 Toughest Tour on top

CURRENT STANDINGS and WEEKEND RESULTS (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/mtroc260114.pdf

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

===== WEEKEND RECAP FOR JANUARY 9^th – 11^th, 2026 =====

Reigning Open Champion Coty Saucier dominated the field in Kansas City, scoring four consecutive wins against tour rivals Triton Robbins and Jon Zimmer Jr. That big influx in points pushed Saucier back into the #1 ranking as he battles to defend his 2025 racing championship.

Tyler Menninga has not lost in San Diego since January of 2023! He has a 9-race winning streak at PetcoPark/Snapdragon Stadium after claiming two more brackets this weekend. He enters the rankings in the Top 5 as he begins to pursue an unprecedented 4^th Open Championship.

David Olfert bulldozed through all 6 heats to open up the racing series with the Toughest Tour in Prescott Valley. The Toughest field is well balanced again, though, with six very competitive racers, so he’ll have his hands full next week as the tour moves to Rio Rancho for rounds 3 and 4.

The Pagliarulo family had a great weekend of racing. Nick in Kraken was winner and runner-up on the All Star Tour and leaves the weekend in the lead on the Monster Mashers points series. His only loss was on Sunday to younger sister Brooke who won her first career racing bracket. Meanwhile in Orlando, father Matt made it to his first career Monster Jam Stadium Series final round.

Brandon Arthur continues to dominate racing on the Monster Jam International Tour, although Mikey Vaters and Charlie Pauken gave him strong competition. His previous rival Blake Granger is back in the United States and has entered into a new rivalry with Alex Bardin on the Arena Series, as Granger ended Bardin’s 3-race winning streak and won their weekend series 3-2 in Reno, Nevada.

This weekend also saw the first win for Thomas Kimmons’ new Evil Leprechaun truck; Dillon Fenley and Bill Payne each won twice on their tours; the Monster X crew got huge air in exciting holeshot racing in Georgia; and new faces on the Insanity Tour in Lebanon, Missouri. Keep reading to find out who they were!

Thank you to everyone who has helped us with reporting events this week: Colton Kiser, Dillon Fenley, Bryan Wagner, Paul Craighead, Lois Perry, Ewan Ford, and everyone who posted videos and photos online especially YouTubers Tirbert, Kaden Allen, Worthy Texas Videos, and Zona Monsters!

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

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

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1 ) Coty Saucier - 3172/244.00 : 3+3=6 : 13/9

2 ) Jon Zimmer Jr - 3222/189.53 : 2+7=9 : 17/8

3 ) Alex Bardin - 2898/207.00 : 4+6=10 : 14/6

4 ) Camden Murphy - 1888/377.6 : 10+1=11 : 5/3

5 ) Tyler Menninga - 2090/348.33 : 9+2=11 : 6/3

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6 ) Donald Epidendio - 2325/232.5 : 7+4=11 : 10/6

7 ) Blake Granger - 4347/173.88 : 1+10=11 : 25/10

8 ) Bill Payne - 2708/169.25 : 5+11=16 : 16/6

9 ) Weston Anderson - 1516/216.57 : 13+5=18 : 7/3

10) Jimmy Creten - 1674/186.00 : 12+8=20 : 9/6

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11) Brandon Arthur - 2477/145.71 : 6+14=20 : 17/7

12) Charlie Pauken - 2107/117.06 : 8+21=29 : 18/1

13) Nick Jones - 1476/134.18 : 14+18=32 : 11/3

14) Zack Garner - 912/182.4 : 27+9=36 : 5/0

15) Dawn Creten - 1429/119.08 : 16+20=36 : 12/5

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16) Bari Musawwir - 1058/151.14 : 24+13=37 : 7/0

17) Tim Hall Jr - 1802/100.11 : 11+27=38 : 18/4

18) Armando Castro - 1429/109.92 : 16+24=40 : 13/0

19) Kaley Engstrom - 995/124.38 : 26+19=45 : 8/4

20) Michael Vaters II - 1457/97.13 : 15+30=45 : 15/3

===== ALBANY, GA =====

1/10 Sat Aft: PAUL CRAIGHEAD [Bear Foot] defeated Stanley Hernandez [Werewolf]

1/10 Sat Ngt: JAMES OWENS [USA-1] defeated Paul Craighead [Bear Foot]

James Owens kicked off the 2026 Monster X Tour with a wild rollover on the first hit of the wheelie contest. That took him out of racing on Saturday afternoon, so it was Paul Craighead taking the win. Owens was repaired for the night race and he and Craighead met for a high flying finale with USA-1 coming out on top.

===== AUSTIN, TX =====

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

===== DALLAS, TX =====

1/10 Sat Aft: JERRY FURAJTER [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]

1/10 Sat Ngt: DEVIN JONES [T-Rex] defeated Justin Murphy [Loco Motive]

Devin Jones picked up a pair of final round appearances with Monster Truck Wars in Dallas. He’s been in the finals in 8 of his 11 events this season. Jerry Furajter is 3-for-3 in events he’s raced in. The Shark Attack was out with breakage on Saturday night, so we got to see Justin Murphy take the new Loco Motive truck into its first ever final round.

===== DOHA, QATAR =====

1/9 Fri Aft: MICHAEL VATERS II [Megalodon] defeated Charlie Pauken [Grave Digger]

1/9 Fri Ngt: BRANDON ARTHUR [JCB DIGatron] defeated Michael Vaters II [Megalodon]

1/10 Sat Aft: BRANDON ARTHUR [JCB DIGatron] defeated Michael Vaters II [Megalodon]

1/10 Sat Ngt: BRANDON ARTHUR [JCB DIGatron] defeated Charlie Pauken [Grave Digger]

With Blake Granger back States-side for the beginning of his Arena Tour, Brandon Arthur nearly dominated the Monster Jam racing in Qatar. Veteran Charlie Pauken knocked Arthur out in the first round on Friday afternoon on his way to his 8^th final round appearance this year, but Michael Vaters II ended up being the man to fill Granger’s place with a win and 2 runner-up apperances. 

===== GREENSBORO, NC =====

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

===== HIGHLAND HEIGHTS, KY =====

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

===== KANSAS CITY, MO =====

1/9 Fri Ngt: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Jon Zimmer Jr [Terminal Velocity]

1/10 Sat Aft: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Triton Robbins [Krazy Train]

1/10 Sat Ngt: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Jon Zimmer Jr [Terminal Velocity]

1/11 Sun Aft: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Montana Robbins [Plane Krazy]

Reigning Open Champion Coty Saucier is back on top after an impressive sweep of the racing action in Kansas City, Missouri. Expected rivals Jon Zimmer Jr and Triton Robbins each had two cracks at Saucier in the finals but neither was able to deliver the knock-out blow. Saucier now had 9 wins which is just 1 behind Blake Granger’s 10.

===== KELOWNA, BC =====

1/10 Sat Aft: MARVIN ANDERSON [Identity Theft] defeated Bill Payne [Rock Star]

1/10 Sat Ngt: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Marvin Anderson [Identity Theft]

1/11 Sun Aft: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Gavin Sell [Mixed Up]

The RAM Motorsports Spectacular kicked off their Canadian tour in Kelowna on a tight J-turn track at Prospera Place. Marvin Anderson and Bill Payne were once again the top finishers in racing as they split the prizes on Saturday. Breakage created a modified bracket for Sunday and placed Payne and Anderson together in the semi-finals where Payne won the tie-breaker. He then beat Gavin Sell in the brand-new Mixed Up cement truck for his 6^th win of the season. 

===== LEBANON, MO =====

1/9 Fri Ngt: COLTON KISER [American Scout] defeated Daniel Agosh [Raminator]

1/10 Sat Ngt: TRIPP JONES [Smashosaurus] defeated Daniel Agosh [Raminator]

The Insanity Tour was inside the Cowan Civic Center in Lebanon with a different looking line-up compared to their usual summer roster. Colton Kiser in American Scout and Tripp Jones in Smashosaurus each took wins with Cheech Agosh in Raminator picking up silver each night on the roundy-round course.

===== LONDON, ENGLAND =====

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

===== NAPLES, FL =====

1/10 Sat Aft: NICK PAGLIARULO [Kraken] defeated Dustin Spallone [High Tide]

1/11 Sun Aft: BROOKE PAGLIARULO [MissFire] defeated Nick Pagliarulo [Kraken]

The All Star Monster Mashers points series began in Naples, Florida at the historic Florida Sports Park with another Z-course. Nick Pagliarulo in Kraken came out of the weekend in first place in the series points total with a win and runner-up in the four-truck racing brackets. Younger sister Brooke Pagliarulo was the only one to beat him this weekend, as she took home her first ever career racing victory on Sunday, much to the delight of the Florida crowd. The first win was an emotional one for Brooke and shows that she’ll be a contender for the series championship.

===== ORLANDO, FL =====

1/10 Sat Ngt: CAMDEN MURPHY [Classroom Crusher] defeated Matt Pagliarulo [Jester]

While Nick and Brooke Pagliarulo were sweeping racing in Naples with the All Star Tour, father Matt found himself duking it out with Camden Murphy in the Monster Jam Stadium finals in Orlando! He first beat Mike Pagliarulo in Excaliber in the first round when the rear steer on Excaliber gave out. In the quarter-finals, 2025 series champion Tristan England was penalized for missing the final ramp (a very close call) which moved Jester into the semis.

There he beat out Colt Stephens in ThunderROARus to advance to his first Monster Jam final round since June 2021 at the Von Braun Center in Huntsville, Alabama! His opponent was one of the best in Camden Murphy and the Classroom Crusher showed mercy. Pagliarulo pushed hard and got into a bicycle entering the final turn which ended his chances of the upset and saw Murphy cruise to his 3^rd win of the season. Murphy joins the Open Championship rankings in 4^th place.

===== PENSACOLA, FL =====

1/10 Sat Aft: BRANDON PEZO [Outlaw] defeated Kaley Engstrom [Shark Attack]

1/10 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event

Brandon Pezo debuted a new Outlaw body for the Monster Truck Wars tour and took the win over Kaley Engstrom the first time out. We do not have any results from the evening race.

===== PRESCOTT VALLEY, AZ =====

1/9 Fri Ngt: DAVID OLFERT [Dirt Crew Dozer] defeated Jared Smith [Maximus]

1/10 Sat Aft: DAVID OLFERT [Dirt Crew Dozer] defeated Daron Basl [Block Head]

David Olfert dominated racing in the premiere event of the Toughest Monster Truck Tour 2026 season. He won all 6 heats against strong opponents and will look to keep the momentum going as the tour moves to Rio Rancho, New Mexico next week.

===== RENO, NV =====

1/9 Fri Ngt: BLAKE GRANGER [Monster Mutt Dalmatian] defeated Alex Bardin [Earth Shaker]

1/10 Sat Aft: ALEX BARDIN [Earth Shaker] defeated Blake Granger [Monster Mutt Dalmatian]

1/10 Sat Ngt: ALEX BARDIN [Earth Shaker] defeated Blake Granger [Monster Mutt Dalmatian]

1/11 Sun Aft: BLAKE GRANGER [Monster Mutt Dalmatian] defeated Alex Bardin [Earth Shaker]

1/11 Sun Ngt: BLAKE GRANGER [Monster Mutt Dalmatian] defeated Matt Cody [Grave Digger]

Alex Bardin had his 3-race winning streak snapped by Blake Granger on Friday, in Reno, Nevada, but responded with 2 wins over Granger on Saturday. The two met again on Sunday afternoon final with Granger tying the weekend series. Their final bout came in the semi-finals on Sunday night where Granger won their weekend series 3-2 and went on to claim his industry-leading 10^th race of the Open Championship season.

Alex Bardin moves into 3^rd place in the Open Championship which is his career best ranking (previously 7^th). His rank score (combination of Total Points ranking and Average Points ranking) is 10, which means he has Granger, Tyler Menninga, Camden Murphy, and Donald Epidendio all breathing down his neck with rank scores of 11.

===== SAN ANGELO, TX =====

1/9 Fri Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Richie Yatsko [Nitro Hornet]

1/10 Sat Aft: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Thomas Kimmons [Evil Leprechaun]

1/10 Sat Ngt: THOMAS KIMMONS [Evil Leprechaun] defeated Richie Yatsko [Nitro Hornet]

Thomas Kimmons debuted the new Evil Leprechaun truck at the Monster Trucks Maniac event in San Angelo and after sitting out the first night of racing, came back with a runner-up and win on the roundy-round course. Dillon Fenley was back behind the wheel of King Krunch after having driven Crazy Heifer to end last season. He won both brackets he raced in, which are his first two scored wins of the 2026 season.

===== SAN DIEGO, CA =====

1/10 Sat Ngt: TYLER MENNINGA [Grave Digger] defeated Zack Garner [Wild Side]

1/11 Sun Ngt: TYLER MENNINGA [Grave Digger] defeated John Gordon [Megalodon]

In his postrace interview, Tyler Menninga proclaimed himself the King of San Diego and it’s not bragging when it’s true. He swept the racing this weekend, first with a joyride past the ailing Wild Side and then taking advantage of a late race bobble from John Gordon. The three-time Open Champion is always a favorite to win, but that is especially true in San Diego.

Tyler won 1 of 2 races at then-Petco Park in 2022 (he lost in the semi-finals the first event), then won 3 of 4 in 2023 with his only lost being to John Gordon in Event #1. Menninga did not attend the racing in San Diego in 2024, but returned last year with a 4-race sweep with final round victories over Camden Murphy, Bari Musawwir, and Colt Stephens (twice). That gives Menninga a 9-race winning streak in San Diego.

===== TUCSON, AZ =====

1/10 Sat Aft: We do not have results from this event

1/11 Sun Aft: We do not have results from this event

Unfortunately we have not heard any news from the 2X Live Tour and their racing at the Tucson Raceway. If you have any brackets, please share!

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

Anaheim, CA (Monster Jam Stadium Series West)

Arcadia, FL (2X Monster Trucks Live)

Baltimore, MD (Monster Jam Arena Series East)

Clemson, SC (Monster Truck Wars)

Davie, FL (All Star Monster Truck Tour)

Duncan, OK (Monster Truck Wars)

Lexington, KY (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)

Mercedes, TX (Monster Truck Wars)

Munich, Germany (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event International)

Nashville, TN (Monster Jam Arena Series Central)

Newcastle, Australia (Mayhem Thrills and Stunt Show)

Nyora, Australia (Monster Trucks and Fireworks)

Rio Rancho, NM (Toughest Monster Truck Tour)

Saint Louis, MO (Monster Jam Stadium Series East)

Springfield, MA (Monster X Tour)

Tacoma, WA (Monster Jam Arena Series West)

Uniondale, NY (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)

Victoria, BC (RAM Motorsports Spectacular)