BIRTHPLACE  OF LEGENDS

For nearly three decades, Monster Jam has grown to be the birthplace of legends and the pinnacle of the monster truck industry.

The Monster Jam Hall of Fame seeks to honor the extraordinary men and women who shaped Monster Jam into a phenomenon around the globe. The inaugural class was announced in 2020 and additional recipients will be named annually for years to come.

GARY PORTER

Gary Porter carved himself a place in history, over a 32-year career that saw him win multiple championships, that few will ever match. It all began in 1981 when Gary took out a loan from a local bank to turn his 1972 Chevy truck into a monster truck and on July 22, 1985, the Carolina Crusher was born. What started as a way to promote his brother’s shop turned into a career that would span over three decades.

Porter drove Carolina Crusher until 2001, but after its sale, he found himself behind the wheel of another monster truck owned by his longtime friend Dennis Anderson - the iconic Grave Digger 12. He continued to dominate in arenas in the black and green wrecking machine for another decade before returning to Carolina Crusher in 2015. His retirement in 2017 ended on a high note, with Gary winning Arena Championship Series 6 as well as the event championship in his final competition at the historic Hagerstown Motor Speedway.

He left Monster Jam, the same way he arrived… as a winner. 

MIKE  WALES (1957-2016)

Mike Wales took an early interest in street rods and custom cars. This would lead to a friendship with the owner of the Liquidator monster truck, Bob Fisher, and in 1992, that friendship led to Mike finding himself behind the wheel of Liquidator. After a 5-year career as a driver, Mike climbed out of the driver’s seat for good to pursue a career helping produce Monster Jam events.

Beginning as competition manager, Mike climbed the corporate ladder on his way to becoming the Senior Director of Operations for Monster Jam. Known to have a brilliant mechanical mind, he was responsible for developing groundbreaking enhancements that made monster trucks safer, stronger, and more durable. He was instrumental in discovering and training World Finals Champions Charlie Pauken, Madusa, and Todd LeDuc among many other notable names. Mike continued to work for Monster Jam until his passing in 2016. His contributions to the sport helped turn Monster Jam into the worldwide phenomenon it is today.

Driver. Manager. Leader. Friend. Hall of Famer.

The 2021 Induction Ceremony of Mike Wales and Gary Porter, from NRC Stadium in Houston, Texas on October 23, 2021.