Through three weeks of Monster Jam action, some of the usual suspects are on course to Monster Jam World Finals XXV in Salt Lake City. Familiar names like Ryan Anderson, Camden Murphy, and Jon Zimmer Jr. are at the top of the series leaderboards. However, as the action continues to heat around the sport, some underdogs have emerged as viable candidates to take over the top spots. Here are five drivers to watch as they continue to climb the ladder.
Tim Hall Jr./Jurassic Attack – “The Cadillac Kid” is off to an incredible start in his second full season behind the wheel of Jurassic Attack, which was on display for fans in Tacoma, WA, last weekend when Hall Jr. won two Overall Event Championships. Team Throttle Monster has found themselves an absolute warrior and the early success has led the Jurassic Attack driver to the third position in the Arena Championship Series West points standings.
Chris Koehler/Mayhem – Mayhem has taken over Stadium Championship Series East where Chris Koehler has been as consistent as ever through the first three events. The second-generation driver took home a Freestyle win in his first career start in St. Louis and is currently third in the season point standings. After winning Rookie of the Year, Chris has shown flashes of brilliance and if he continues to perform at this level, it could be the best season of his career and lead the second-generation driver back to the main field at World Finals.
MJ Solorio/El Toro Loco – MJ Solorio put the league on notice a year ago in Salt Lake City when he went from alternate to the podium in the Utah Sports Commission 2-Wheel Skills Challenge and his star has been ascending since. After a solid sophomore campaign, Solorio is now seasoned enough to be a serious threat for the Arena Championship Series East title where he currently remains in 2nd. Last Saturday afternoon in Baltimore, El Toro Loco took both the Freestyle win and Overall Event Championship inching the California native closer to the series points lead.
Dalton Widner/Jurassic Attack – Dalton Widner has a new identity in 2026, bringing Shell Shock’ed to Stadium Championship Series West. But, even with a new truck, Widner has kept the same veracity on the track that has made him one of the fastest rising stars in Monster Jam. 2025 was a banner year for Dalton as he posted one of the best stadium racing records in the sport and his consistency early so far this season has the Tennessee native holding on to the fourth spot on the leaderboard and pushing to move up in the standings.
Tony Ochs/JCB Digatron – Tony Ochs isn’t necessarily an underdog as he has come close to championship gold before, but he should be on this list because he has taken the Freestyle Mania Championship Series by storm with his FMX teammate TJ Tiffany where they have Team JCB sitting pretty in that number one position. Ochs earned another event win last weekend in Nashville and has needed no time to adjust to his brand-new ride, JCB DIGatron. More strong showings from Tony Ochs and Team JCB could lead the popular driver to his first series championship and that elusive bid to Monster Jam World Finals that comes with it.