This Week in Monster Truck Racing - March 27-29, 2026

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

* Paukens pile on wins at home and abroad

** David Olfert wins Toughest Tour points championship

*** Cliff Turner gets first Arena Series win

CURRENT STANDINGS and WEEKEND RESULTS (PDF): https://tinyurl.com/mtroc260403

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

===== WEEKEND RECAP FOR MARCH 27^th – 29^th, 2026 =====

Both Charlie Paukens on tour (father and son) got wins this weekend and were amongst our biggest improvers. Father Charlie had a win and runner-up in Arnhem, Netherlands and gained 6 spots in the rankings. Son Charlie won once in 3 trips to the finals in Green Bay, Wisconsin and gained a huge 15 spots in the rankings!

David Olfert had his winning streak broken last week by Daron Basl, but he got back at that BlockHead by beating him twice in the season finale bracket in Grand Forks, North Dakota, which helped Olfert claim the 2026 Toughest Tour Championship! Blake Granger also won his championship this weekend, once again being crowned the Monster Jam International Tour champion.

Cliff Turner scored his first career Monster Jam bracket on Sunday in Vancouver during a weekend where he advanced to the finals 3 out of 4 times. He moved up 5 spots into the Top 50.

Ryan Anderson beat Tyler Menninga in the Birmingham Stadium final after losing both finals to Menninga last week in El Paso. On the Stadium East Tour, Adam Anderson’s run of consecutive finals came to an end as Tristan England and Camden Murphy prevailed in San Antonio.

This weekend also saw Jon Zimmer Jr get back on track with 2 wins and 4 finals; Brooke Pagliarulo pick up her 3^rd career win on the All Star tour; Jerry Furajter and Colton Fowler each swept their respective Monster Truck Wars weekends; and former two-time Open Champion Mark Hall picked up the win in Enid. There’s more below so keep reading!

Thank you to everyone who has helped us with reporting events this week: Brett Mason, Nick Jones, Devin Jones, Colton Fowler, Bryan Wagner, Nate Bay, Phil Vicinanza, Tyler Groth, Nicholas Kraemer, Andrew Thornton, and everyone who posted videos and photos online!

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

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

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1 ) Tyler Menninga - 6659/317.1 : 5+1=6 : 21/10

2 ) Coty Saucier - 8118/208.15 : 3+6=9 : 39/16

3 ) Jon Zimmer Jr - 8405/195.47 : 2+9=11 : 43/17

4 ) Blake Granger - 10587/173.56 : 1+13=14 : 61/23

5 ) David Olfert - 4315/239.72 : 14+2=16 : 18/12

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6 ) Camden Murphy - 4546/227.3 : 12+4=16 : 20/8

7 ) Bill Payne - 5747/185.39 : 6+10=16 : 31/15

8 ) Adam Anderson - 5117/196.81 : 9+8=17 : 26/7

9 ) Ryan Anderson - 4352/217.6 : 13+5=18 : 20/4

10) Zack Garner - 4112/205.6 : 15+7=22 : 20/1

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11) Weston Anderson - 4624/184.96 : 11+11=22 : 25/11

12) Alex Bardin - 7697/148.02 : 4+18=22 : 52/13

13) Donald Epidendio - 3453/230.2 : 24+3=27 : 15/9

14) Tristan England - 3763/171.05 : 19+14=33 : 22/3

15) Colt Stephens - 3897/162.38 : 18+17=35 : 24/4

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16) Bari Musawwir - 3685/167.5 : 21+15=36 : 22/1

17) Armando Castro - 5398/112.46 : 8+28=36 : 48/7

18) Jimmy Creten - 3325/175.00 : 25+12=37 : 19/13

19) Dalton Widner - 3622/164.64 : 22+16=38 : 22/1

20) Brandon Arthur - 4044/130.45 : 17+21=38 : 31/9

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

+15 – Charlie Pauken III (Classroom Crusher) – 64^th

+8 – Chris Koehler (Mayhem) – 28^th

+7 – Jerry Furajter (Shark Attack) – 34^th 

+7 – Cole Venard (Black Pearl) – 40^th 

+7 – Rob Poutre (Carolina Crusher) – 53^rd 

+7 – Brandan Tulachka (Zombie) – 70^th 

+6 – Charlie Pauken (Grave Digger) – 23^rd 

+6 – Dawn Creten (Scarlet Bandit) – 24^th 

+6 – Colton Fowler (T-Rex) – 81^st

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

94^th - Chris Whatley (Mississippi Nightmare)

95^th - Athena Kozel (Lil' Miss Dangerous)

104^th - Alan Fenstermaker (Outlaw)

===== ANTIOCH, CA =====

3/28 Sat Aft: DAWN CRETEN [Scarlet Bandit] defeated Kory Kinal [Jekyll & Hyde]

3/28 Sat Ngt: JIMMY CRETEN [Bounty Hunter] defeated Kory Kinal [Jekyll & Hyde]

Kory Kinal was runner-up for the 3^rd consecutive time as both Dawn and Jimmy were able to get past him in the finals in Antioch. That gives the Creten 20 wins this season, 13 to Jimmy and 7 to Dawn. Kory has 12 runner-up finishes and moved up 3 spots in the rankings.  

===== ARNHEM, NETHERLANDS =====

3/28 Sat Aft: MICHAEL VATERS II [Megalodon] defeated Charlie Pauken [Grave Digger]

3/29 Sun Aft: CHARLIE PAUKEN [Grave Digger] defeated Brandon Arthur [Earth Shaker]

A pair of semi-final appearances from Blake Granger helped him secure another Monster Jam International Series championship. Veteran Charlie Pauken was the top racer for the weekend, however, with a win and runner-up behind the wheel of Grave Digger. He gained 5 spots in the rankings and is now inside the Top 25.

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

3/28 Sat Aft: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Donald Epidendio [Titan]

3/28 Sat Ngt: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Gavin Sell [Mixed Up]

Bill Payne has been in the final round in the last 18 events that we have reports for. He picked up both SoCal style wins in Bakersfield, including a big win on Saturday afternoon against rival Donald Epidendio in Titan who spun into one of the freestyle jumps on the final turn.

===== BIRMINGHAM, AL =====

3/28 Sat Ngt: RYAN ANDERSON [Son-Uva Digger] defeated Tyler Menninga [Grave Digger]

After losing both times to Tyler Menninga in the finals last weekend, Ryan Anderson got revenge in Birmingham with his 4^th win of the season. He is now 2-3 head-to-head against Menninga, who continues to lead the 2026 Open Championship.

===== CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA =====

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

===== CORINTH, MS =====

3/28 Sat Aft: We do not have results from this event

3/28 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event

===== COUNCIL BLUFFS, IA =====

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

===== ENID, OK =====

3/28 Sat Ngt: MARK HALL [Raminator] defeated Eric Swanson [Obsessed]

Former two-time Open Champion Mark Hall got his 3^rd win of the season in 7 races as he beat out Eric Swanson at the MEGA Promotions event in Enid, Oklahaoma.

===== FARMINGTON, NM =====

3/28 Sat Aft: ROB POUTRE [Carolina Crusher] defeated Tyler Groth [The Veteran]

3/28 Sat Ngt: ROB POUTRE [Carolina Crusher] defeated Paul Craighead [Bear Foot]

Rob Poutre had the Carolina Crusher flying in Farmington and sailed into wins 5 and 6 this season. He has won half of his 12 events and moved up 7 spots this week.

===== FISHERVILLE, VA =====

3/28 Sat Aft: DANIEL DONNELLY [Illuminator] defeated Cliff Vowell [Virginia Giant]

3/28 Sat Ngt: CORY SNYDER [Toxic] defeated Daniel Donnelly [Illuminator]

The Renegade Tour kicked off their 2026 season at the historic Augusta Expoland in Fisherville, Virginia. Daniel Donnelly was a winner and runner-up during the two brackets of straight-line drag racing. He won the muddy afternoon race over local favorite Virginia Giant driven as always by Cliff Vowell. The track dried off for the night race and it was teammate Cory Snyder in Toxic taking the win.

===== GAINESVILLE, GA =====

3/28 Sat Aft: JERRY FURAJTER [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]

3/28 Sat Ngt: JERRY FURAJTER [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]

3/29 Sun Aft: JERRY FURAJTER [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]

Devin Jones has been a finalist in all 24 of his reported events this year, but Jerry Furajter took all the wins this weekend in Gainesville. Furajter gained 7 spots in the rankings and now has a 4-race winning streak with the Monster Truck Wars tour.

===== GRAND FORKS, ND =====

3/28 Sat Aft: DAVID OLFERT [Dirt Crew Dozer] defeated Daron Basl [Block Head]

The Toughest Monster Truck Tour series finale was held this weekend in Grand Forks, North Dakota. The trucks raced on a wide Chicago-style track on the huge floor of the Alerus Center. Points leader David Olfert had been winner of 7 consecutive races before his final round loss in Lafayette to Daron Basl in Block Head. Those two met in the first round in Grand Forks and Basl led at the halfway mark, but a slower second turn let Olfert catch up and pass for the win. Basl returned with the fast loser position and beat former series champion Jerry Beck to set-up a rematch with Olfert in the finals, but the result was the same as Olfert found even more speed and led the whole way. That win helped Olfert clinch the 2026 Toughest Monster Truck Tour championship!

===== GREEN BAY, WI =====

3/27 Fri Ngt: WESTON ANDERSON [Grave Digger] defeated Charlie Pauken III [Classroom Crusher]

3/28 Sat Aft: FERNANDO MARTINEZ [El Toro Loco] defeated Weston Anderson [Grave Digger]

3/28 Sat Ngt: WESTON ANDERSON [Grave Digger] defeated Charlie Pauken III [Classroom Crusher]

3/29 Sun Aft: CHARLIE PAUKEN III [Classroom Crusher] defeated Mikayla Tulachka [Megalodon]

While his father was winning in Arnhem, Charlie Pauken III was winning Green Bay, Wisconsin, and puts both of the Pauken family members on our biggest movers board for this week. Charlie III was our biggest improver, as his win and 3 final round appearances gained him 15 spots in the Open rankings. Weston Anderson had 2 wins, which gives him 11 wins this season and the 11^th ranking. Mikayla Tulachka advanced to her first final round in Milwaukee at the beginning of February.

===== HARTWELL, GA =====

This SC Monster Truck Madness event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded

===== LAKESIDE, CA =====

3/28 Sat Aft: COLTON FOWLER [T-Rex] defeated Kaley Engstrom [Shark Attack]

3/28 Sat Ngt: COLTON FOWLER [T-Rex] defeated Kaley Engstrom [Shark Attack]

Colton Fowler has won 4 of the last 5 races with the Monster Truck Wars tour. He swept both brackets of straight-line racing at Barona Speedway and moved up 6 spots in the rankings.

===== LEEDS, ENGLAND =====

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

===== MARYVILLE, TN =====

3/28 Sat Aft: JACOB LADWIG [Rat Attack] defeated Athena Kozel [Lil' Miss Madness]

3/29 Sun Aft: BROOKE PAGLIARULO [MissFire] defeated Athena Kozel [Lil' Miss Madness]

The All Star Monster Mashers point series is coming down to their final rounds. Points leader Nick Pagliarulo in Kraken failed to advance out of the first round in either event in Maryville this weekend, which gave second place Jacob Ladwig in Rat Attack a great opportunity to make up ground. He started strong with a win on Saturday, but then calamity struck on Sunday. While repairing a broken axle suffered during introductions, a broken tool got wedged in the housing and prevented the team from competing in any event. Instead, it was Athena Kozel advancing to her second final round of the weekend but coming up short to Brooke Pagliarulo, who laid down a fast lap to grab her 3^rd win of the season. She is one of only 3 women (Kaley Engstrom, Dawn Creten) to have more than 1 win this season.

===== NORTH CHARLESTON, SC =====

3/27 Fri Ngt: JON ZIMMER JR [Terminal Velocity] defeated Coty Saucier [Dragon]

3/28 Sat Aft: JON ZIMMER JR [Terminal Velocity] defeated Montana Robbins [Plane Krazy]

3/28 Sat Ngt: MONTANA ROBBINS [Plane Krazy] defeated Jon Zimmer Jr [Terminal Velocity]

3/29 Sun Aft: TRITON ROBBINS [Krazy Train] defeated Jon Zimmer Jr [Terminal Velocity]

March has been a tough month for defending Arena Series champion Jon Zimmer Jr: he had 3 first round loses in Hampton and only 1 win in 8 bracket races. But he ends the month in North Charleston back on top, picking up two wins and qualifying for the final round all 4 events, giving him 17 wins (2^nd most in the world) and putting him back into the Top 3 in the Open Championship. Montana and Triton Robbins each picked up a win, as well.

===== SAN ANTONIO, TX =====

3/28 Sat Ngt: TRISTAN ENGLAND [JCB DIGatron] defeated Jim Koehler [Avenger]

3/29 Sun Aft: CAMDEN MURPHY [Classroom Crusher] defeated Cynthia Gauthier [Lucas Stabilizer]

Camden Murphy won for the 3^rd time in 4 races on Sunday afternoon, taking out Cynthia Gauthier who was in her first Stadium final of the season. Murphy was eliminated early on Saturday night by Jim Koehler who advanced to his first final round of the season. But it was Tristan England taking the first win of the weekend and his 3^rd win of the season. Adam Anderson’s four-race final-round streak came to an end with back-to-back quarter-final loses, but Chris Koehler had a strong weekend with two semi-final round appearances.

===== VANCOUVER, BC =====

3/27 Fri Ngt: MATT CODY [Grave Digger] defeated Cliff Turner [Velociraptor]

3/28 Sat Aft: ARMANDO CASTRO [El Toro Loco] defeated Matt Cody [Grave Digger]

3/28 Sat Ngt: ARMANDO CASTRO [El Toro Loco] defeated Cliff Turner [Velociraptor]

3/29 Sun Aft: CLIFF TURNER [Velociraptor] defeated Alex Bardin [Earth Shaker]

Matt Cody continued his final round streak for the first two Monster Jam Arena West races in Vancouver, posting a win and runner-up finish. He beat Cliff Turner in both of those brackets, but Turner won the next two against Digger which helped give him the Sunday afternoon win, his first career Monster Jam racing win! His 3 final round appearances are also his best weekend performance in Monster Jam. The last time he was a triple finalist was when he swept the Monster Truck Nitro Tour races in Lake Perris, California last October.

Armando Castro posted two wins this weekend. He has had at least 1 racing win in each of the last 4 tour stops.

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

Albany, NY (Monster Jam Arena Series Central)

Chandler, AZ (2X Monster Trucks Live)

City of Industry, CA (Monster Truck Wars)

Clear Brook, VA (Renegade Monster Truck Tour)

Lebanon, TN (Monster Truck Wars)

Liverpool, England (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)

Merced, CA (Malicious Monster Truck Tour)

Oakland, CA (Monster Jam Arena Series)

Tupelo, MS (Monster Jam Arena Series East)

===== YOUTUBE COVERAGE OF EVENTS =====

Monster Jam Races: https://www.youtube.com/@MonsterJam (Monster Jam)

Antioch, CA Race 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-3cAh6iimU (California Monster Trucks)

Bakersfield, CA Race 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nZ9e4CuADf4 (

Elizabeth Mark (and Joe Briggs))

Farmington, NM Race 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BwVvxeC1dGE (Coleman)

Fisherville, VA Race 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcETtY-ZTMg (fourwheelerjock)

Fisherville, VA Race 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0GPblL9mpDE (MonsterTruckCrazed)

Grand Forks, ND: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIK3-1U1b70 (Zacher59)

Hartwell, GA: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGSH5sTbAW0 (Hantas Campbell)

Marysville, TN Race 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbcrPFjyK_M (Knouffogen)

Marysville, TN, Race 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nMxQiM4pLcc (Knouffogen)