This Week in Monster Truck Racing - October 1-11, 2026
===== THIS WEEK in Monster Truck Racing =====
* 2027 Open Championship season is underway!
** Coty Saucier dominated Mexico City for 3rd consecutive year
*** Dillon Fenley begins 2027 season with 5 straight wins
Current standings will be posted beginning in January 2027
WEEKEND RACING RECAP: https://tinyurl.com/mtroc261017
BLOG POST RECAP: https://www.mtroc.com/blog
===== WEEKEND RECAP FOR OCTOBER 1st – 11th, 2026 =====
The 2027 Open Championship season is underway! We are now two weekends into our 9th season so we’ve got two weeks of events to cover. As usual, we will not be posting new standings until January. This is because our rankings are a combination of Total points and Average points, and in order to get an accurate Average, we need to give drivers time to accumulate a few events.
Dillon Fenley starts the year with 5 consecutive wins on the Maniac Tour. Reigning champ Jon Zimmer Jr won the toughest independent field at the Buck last weekend to begin his title defense. Coty Saucier dominated the Monster Jam races in Mexico City for a third straight year. And Brandon Arthur comes out of Australia with 3 wins on the International tour.
This weekend (that we’re current in already!) has the re-scheduled Renegade event on the Wildwood Beach, the Toughest Tour in Loveland, Colorado, and the star-studded Stadium Series in Houston, Texas.
Thank you to everyone who has helped us with reporting events this week: Chuck Plumlee, David Rife, Dillon Fenley, Andrew Thornton, John Brown, Stanley Hernandez, Nick Jones, Bryan Wagner, Nick Davis, Preston Perez, Gabriel Lee, Paul Craighead, Pat Paquet, Phil Vicinanza, Tyler Davidson, Jeremy Otto, Brett Mason, Kory Kinal, Gage Bursey, Mike Barth, Kaley Engstrom, Tim Manchester, J.r. Rouse, Andrew Thornton, Carson Williams, and everyone who posted videos and photos online!
===== ARLINGTON, TX =====
10/3 Sat Ngt: TYLER MENNINGA [Grave Digger] defeated Fernando Martinez [El Toro Loco]
Tyler Menninga is on the hunt for an unprecedented 4th Open Championship and he starts on a good food with a Monster Jam Stadium win in Arlington. This was Tyler’s first career racing win in Arlington and the hometown crowd’s first time seeing El Toro Loco in the finals since 2023.
===== AUSTIN, TX =====
10/3 Sat Aft: We do not have results from this event
10/3 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event
10/4 Sun Aft: DEVIN JONES [T-Rex] defeated Kaley Engstrom [Shark Attack]
The Monster Truck Wars started their fall schedule with three races in Austin at the Travis County Exposition Center. For the second year in a row, we only have results from Sunday afternoon at this event and also it was Devin Jones defeating Kaley Engstrom.
===== BAKERSFIELD, CA =====
10/2 Fri Ngt: We do not have results from this event
10/3 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event
10/4 Sun Aft: We do not have results from this event
If anyone has results from Bakersfield, there is still plenty of time to report it. If there was no racing in Bakersfield, then that would be good to know, too.
===== BARTON, VT =====
10/10 Sat Aft: We do not have results from this event
10/10 Sat Ngt: MASON RIFE [Outlaw] defeated Jeff Murphy [Shark Attack]
No info on the Monster Truck Wars afternoon race in Barton, but we know that Mason Rife took Outlaw to the drag racing win during the nightcap.
===== BUTLER, IN =====
This Hall of Fame event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== CLOVIS, NM =====
10/9 Fri Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Chris Davis [Nitro Hornet]
10/10 Sat Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Chris Davis [Nitro Hornet]
Dillon Fenley tied for the most wins in the sport last season and is on his way to another strong showing in 2027 with 2 wins in Clovis.
===== DAYTON, PA =====
10/3 Sat Aft: MICHAEL VATERS I [Black Stallion] defeated RJ Turner [War Wizard]
Exciting three jump drag racing in Dayton, Pennsylvania and for the second year in a row, Mike Vaters takes the racing win over RJ Turner.
===== EDINBURG, TX =====
This Monster Jam Arena Series event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== ELDON, MO =====
10/3 Sat Ngt: THOMAS BORDERS [Monkey Business] defeated Colton Kiser [Gone Fishin']
The Full Throttle Team raced on a big, fast Chicago-style track in Eldon, Missouri and series regular Thomas Borders in Monkey Business took the win. Runner-up Colton Kiser had upset wins over both Dirt Crew and Bigfoot on his way to the finals.
===== ENNIS, TX =====
10/11 Sun Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Chris Davis [Nitro Hornet]
Dillon Fenley closed out the 3-race, 2-city weekend with his 3rd win over Chris Davis in Ennis, Texas.
===== FONDA, NY =====
10/10 Sat Aft: GREG WINCHENBACH [Crushstation] defeated Steven Thompson [Hurricane Force]
10/10 Sat Ngt: GREG WINCHENBACH [Crushstation] defeated Zach Winchenbach [Lumberjack]
Greg Winchenbach was fast qualifier and winner both races in Fonda, New York with the Versus Tour. He outpaced the competitors on the tight, two-jump drag racing track and was undefeated through the weekend.
===== GONZALEZ, LA =====
10/10 Sat Aft: KORY KINAL [Jekyll & Hyde] defeated Dan Dahlgren [Shark Bite]
It was the second year for the 2X Live Tour to visit the Lamar Dixon Expo Center and Kory Kinal once again came out on top.
===== HILLSDALE, MI =====
This Monster Truck Bash event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== HUNTINGTON, QC =====
10/3 Sat SN1: JIM PIGEON [Outfoxed] defeated Kevin Lubsen [Bucking Bronco]
10/3 Sat SN2: MIKE WORSLEY [T-Rex] defeated Sharon Lubsen [Roboshark]
All four of the All Out drivers qualified for the final round in Huntington with Jimmy Pigeon and Mike Worsley taking wins on the holeshot course in Quebec.
===== IMPERIAL, PA =====
10/10 Sat Aft: KALEY ENGSTROM [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]
10/10 Sat Ngt: KALEY ENGSTROM [Shark Attack] defeated Devin Jones [T-Rex]
Kaley Engstrom picked up both Chicago-style wins over Devin Jones on the front stretch of Pittsburgh’s Pennsylvania Motor Speedway as the Monster Truck Wars tour made their first visit to the Keystone State since 2021.
===== KANSAS CITY, MO =====
This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== KINGSTON, ON =====
10/1 Thu Aft: We do not have results from this event
10/4 Sun Aft: We do not have results from this event
===== LANCASTER, CA =====
10/3 Sat Aft: PAUL CRAIGHEAD [Hammer Down] defeated Juan Munoz [Thunder Chicken]
10/3 Sat Ngt: STANLEY HERNANDEZ [Werewolf] defeated Paul Craighead [Hammer Down]
Paul Craighead had the longest final round streak of all drivers last year and he keeps it rolling with 2 finals on the big Chicago-style track in Lancaster, California. Stanley Hernandez beat Craighead in the nightcap to pick up his first win of the season.
===== LONG BEACH, CA =====
This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== MARYSVILLE, CA =====
10/9 Fri Ngt: MYLES PARKER [Identity Theft] defeated Nick Jones [Spitfire]
10/10 Sat Ngt: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Nick Jones [Spitfire]
Nick Jones scored runner-up points in both Marysville race with the Malicious Tour. Bill Payne finished in the Top 5 for the first time last season and was tied for the most wins of all drivers in 2026. He’s off the block with a win in 2027, too.
===== MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA =====
10/3 Sat Aft: BRANDON ARTHUR [Power Rush] defeated Peter Nyman [El Toro Loco]
10/3 Sat Ngt: BRANDON ARTHUR [Power Rush] defeated Michael Vaters II [Megalodon]
Brandon Arthur had an incredible season on the Monster Jam International tour last year and is off to a great start this year, too, as he comes out of Melbourne undefeated through 6 rounds.
===== MERIDIAN, ID =====
10/10 Sat Ngt: JACOB LADWIG [Rat Attack] defeated Leroy Latham [Midnight Panic]
Jacob Ladwig raced to a win on the Insanity Tour on a slick out-and-back style course.
===== MERRITTVILLE, ON =====
10/10 Sat Aft: RYAN COMO [Rat Nasty] defeated Mat Briand [Train Wreck]
10/10 Sat Ngt: RICHARD BERNIER [Hellion] defeated Kristal Carey [Sabotage]
Mat Briand was crowned the 2026 Edge Motorsports Monster Madness tour as the concluded their season in Merrittville, Ontario. Ryan Como and Richard Bernier got the wins in the holeshot racing, however.
===== MEXICO CITY, MEXICO =====
10/2 Fri Ngt: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated MJ Solorio [El Toro Loco]
10/3 Sat Aft: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Colt Stephens [ThunderROARus]
10/3 Sat Ngt: MATT CODY [Grave Digger] defeated Jamie Sullivan [Sparkle Smash]
10/4 Sun Aft: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Colt Stephens [ThunderROARus]
10/4 Sun Ngt: COTY SAUCIER [Dragon] defeated Matt Dummer [Pirate's Curse]
Monster Jam has been racing in Mexico City the past three seasons and Coty Saucier has dominated in that city. He won 4 of 5 during his Open Championship winning 2024 season. He won 3 of 5 last year. This year he takes 4 of 5 and is already above 1000 points for this year. Colt Stephens was the only other driver to make the finals more than once, but had to settle for 2 runner-up finishes.
===== MONAHANS, TX =====
10/2 Fri Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Chris Davis [Nitro Hornet]
10/3 Sat Ngt: DILLON FENLEY [King Krunch] defeated Chris Davis [Nitro Hornet]
Dilllon Fenley started off the 2027 season with 2 wins in Monahans with the Monster Trucks Maniac tour. He went on to add 3 more wins this past weekend and is already up to 5 consecutive wins.
===== NAPANEE, QC =====
10/10 Sat SN1: SHARON LUBSEN [Roboshark] defeated Jim Pigeon [Outfoxed]
10/10 Sat SN2: MIKE WORSLEY [T-Rex] defeated Sharon Lubsen [Roboshark]
Sharon Lubsen had a great weekend in Napanee, gaining her first win of the season and following that up with a runner-up finish that afternoon.
===== NORTH HAVEN, CT =====
10/3 Sat Aft: JEFF MURPHY [Shark Attack] defeated Justin Murphy [Loco Motive]
10/3 Sat Ngt: GABE MONTOYA [T-Rex] defeated Mason Rife [Outlaw]
Four different finalists with the Monster Truck Wars as they raced in Connecticut for the first time.
===== OKLAHOMA CITY, OK =====
This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== ORRVILLE, OH =====
10/10 Sat Ngt: DAVID RIFE [Awesome Kong] defeated Shane Grunseth [Metal Monster]
David Rife came back as fast loser to advance to the finals and beat Shane Grunseth for his first win of the season and added another victory to the legendary Awesome Kong name.
===== PHOENIX, AZ =====
This All Star Tour event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== QUARRYVILLE, PA =====
10/3 Sat Ngt: JON ZIMMER JR [Terminal Velocity] defeated Jon Zimmer Sr [Uproar]
Reigning Open Champion Jon Zimmer Jr kicked off his title defense with a big win at the Buck Motorsports Park south of Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This was no easy win, either, as he went head-to-head with Jimmy Creten, Cory Snyder, and Jon Zimmer Sr on his way to the victory and the 303 points. This was the second highest rated event of the season so far behind on Monster Jam’s Stadium event in Arlington.
===== RED BLUFF, CA =====
10/2 Fri Ngt: ALEX BARDIN [Jurassic Attack] defeated Preston Collins [Shell Shock'ed]
10/3 Sat Ngt: JACOB LADWIG [Rat Attack] defeated Travis Hall [Kamikaze]
10/4 Sun Aft: DAVID OLFERT [Velociraptor] defeated Alex Bardin [Jurassic Attack]
The annual West Coast Nationals in Red Bluff, California started the Open Championship season with three days of more excellent monster truck racing. Last year, Alex Bardin won once in 3 trips to the finals. This year, he added another win and runner-up as he looks to improve on his 8th place finish in the 2026 Open Championship. He was the only driver to make the finals more than once, as Jacob Ladwig and David Olfert each had wins and Preston Collins and Travis Hall were runners-up. Tim Hall Jr had a four-race final round streak in Red Bluff but was not in attendance this year.
===== SAFFORD, AZ =====
10/10 Sat Ngt: We do not have results from this event. We know that James Owens in Killswitch won racing, but we do not know where everyone else finished. If you know, please share so we can count this result.
===== SCORESBY, AUSTRALIA =====
This South Coast Monster Trucks event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== SIMCOE, ON =====
10/8 Thu Ngt: PAT PAQUET [Psycho Pat] defeated Ryan Como [Rat Nasty]
Pat Paquet and Ryan Como aired it out on a steelwall holeshot course in Simcoe to start off the 2027 Open Championship north of the border.
===== SOPHIA, NC =====
10/3 Sat Aft: TRITON ROBBINS [Krazy Train] defeated Montana Robbins [Plane Krazy]
10/3 Sat Ngt: TRITON ROBBINS [Krazy Train] defeated Montana Robbins [Plane Krazy]
Montana Robbins got the better of older brother Triton last season in the Open Championship, but it was Triton’s weekend with the All Stars in Sophia as he beat Montana in both final rounds on the asphalt Chicago-style course.
===== STOCKTON, CA =====
10/3 Sat Aft: DONALD EPIDENDIO [Titan] defeated Gavin Sell [Mixed Up]
10/3 Sat Ngt: BILL PAYNE [Rock Star] defeated Myles Parker [Identity Theft]
Top 5 finishers Donald Epidendio and Bill Payne each picked up a win with the Malicious Tour in Stockton. The Titan had won the past 5 consecutive Malicious Tour racing events in Stockton dating back to May of 2025 before breakage kept him out of the competition on Saturday night.
===== SWANZEY, NH =====
10/10 Sat Aft: TYLER MORCOMBE [Towasaurus Wrex] defeated Jeff Hauserman [Aggravated Assault]
Tyler Morcombe scored a win for the Towasaurus Wrex team at the SC Monster Truck Madness Fall Fury event in Swanzey, beating out Jeff Hauserman and 5 other trucks.
===== SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA =====
10/10 Sat Ngt: BRANDON ARTHUR [Power Rush] defeated Peter Nyman [El Toro Loco]
Brandon Arthur finally faced defeat Down Under when Peter Nyman defeated him in the semi-finals on the center-start Chicago-style track. But breakage from both Son-Uva Digger and Grave Digger kept both of them out of the finals and let Arthur return under the Break Rule. He made good use of the second chance to barely edge out Nyman for the second weekend in the row and continue his winning streak on the Monster Jam International tour.
===== TEXARKANA, AR =====
10/10 Sat Aft: PAUL CRAIGHEAD [Hammer Down] defeated Stanley Hernandez [Werewolf]
The Nitro Tour welcomed in Crazy Heifer, El Matador, and Wicked Sickness to take on the series regulars at 67 Speedway in Texarkana. But the newcomers were not able to get past tour regulars Paul Craighead and Stanley Hernandez and it was Craighead once again coming out on top.
===== TREMONTON, UT =====
10/10 Sat Ngt: DAVID OLFERT [Velociraptor] defeated Ashton Jensen [Jurassic Attack]
David Olfert had a great season last year, winning the Toughest Tour championship and finishing inside the Top Ten in the Open Championship. He’s got one win down in his pursuit of the 2027 Open Championship after beating out his Team Throttle Monster teammates in Tremonton.
===== TYLER, TX =====
10/2 Fri Ngt: NO POINTS; This event did not meet the minimum of 4 trucks scheduled to compete
10/3 Sat Mrn: THOMAS KIMMONS [Evil Leprechaun] defeated Andrew Thornton [El Matador]
David Smith in Crazy Heifer won Friday night racing with the Monster X Tour in Tyler, Texas, but since timed runs were used to determine the finalist, we could not award points for this one. Andrew Thornton was runner-up both nights, but lost out to Thomas Kimmons in Evil Leprechaun who won for the first time since January.
===== WINSTON-SALEM, NC =====
This All Star Tour event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== WORCESTER, MA =====
This Hot Wheels Live event did not include side-by-side racing and so points were not awarded
===== YAKIMA, WA =====
10/3 Sat Aft: ROB POUTRE [Farmageddon] defeated Preston Pérez [Geronimo]
10/3 Sat Ngt: ROB POUTRE [Farmageddon] defeated Preston Pérez [Geronimo]
Last but not least in this long recap was Rob Poutre taking Farmageddon to two wins over Preston Perez in Yakima.
===== EVENTS THIS WEEKEND =====
Elkton, MD (Monster Truck Wars)
Eureka, CA (Malicious Monster Truck Tour)
Findlay, OH (Monster Truck Bash)
Houston, TX (Monster Jam Stadium Series)
Kansas City, KS (2X Monster Trucks Live)
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event International)
La Plata, MD (Monster Truck Wars)
Louisville, KY (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)
Loveland, CO (Toughest Monster Truck Tour)
Mississauga, ON (Monster Trucks All Out Tour)
Morganton, NC (Monster Truck Nitro Tour)
Portland, ME (Hot Wheels Monster Trucks Live: Glow-n-Fire Event)
Spokane, WA (Monster Jam Arena Series)
Wildwood, NJ (Renegade Monster Truck Tour)
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