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Fernando Martinez
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Fernando Martinez

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Fernando Martinez

2024 Truck

El Toro Loco

2024 Tour

Arena Championship Series Central

Hometown

Rialto, California

Birthday

February 19

A lifelong Monster Jam fan, Fernando Martinez helped out at various events hoping to one day make it as a Monster Jam driver. He graduated Monster Jam University in 2023 and made his debut in Nampa, ID, in October. Martinez describes his driving style as “a mix of smooth technical moves, spiced up with a healthy dose of jaw-dropping moments.”

about

  • What are some of your interests/hobbies/favorite pastimes?
    I love doing anything that allows me to create: painting, sculpting, video production, etc., listening to music or watching documentaries.
  • Who are your role models?
    Oh man, so many, for various reasons: Chris Bumstead, Travis Pastrana, Will Tennyson, Ozzy Osbourne, and I’m probably missing so many more.
  • Do you have any pre-event rituals you run through?
    Grounding is key for me. I take a walk, find a quiet spot to reflect, and practice gratitude. It brings me peace and gets me ready to hit the track with a mindset focused on having as much fun as I can.
  • What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?
    Only about 17% of the world’s population can wiggle their ears, and I’m one of them.
  • What is your favorite memory on or off the racetrack?
    Going to events in Anaheim with my dad come to my mind. He introduced me to Monster Jam and essentially helped me find my life’s passion. Going to events with him was and still is very special.
  • What is your most prized possession?
    When I was a kid, I found a car key to a Saturn vehicle in a ditch. Not sure why, but I always made sure to keep it around.

life on the road

  • What is the best and worst thing about being on the road every weekend with Monster Jam?
    Best: sightseeing, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people; Worst: increased amount of Christmas cards I have to send out with every new friend I make!
  • While on tour, what is your favorite thing to do during your free time?
    There’s so much to do that when I get tired out, I find myself a mellow spot to listen to music or talk with friends and family from back home.
  • How do you keep fit?
    Simple. 10,000 steps daily. No steps? no donuts.… balance.
  • What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam?
    Headphones and a comfy hoodie sweater
  • What is your favorite city to travel to? Why?
    Undecided, but I will say, whichever city gets the most wild and crazy for Monster Jam will always have my vote.

career

  • How did you get started competing in Monster Jam?
    Monster Jam has been my passion since I was a kid, when my dad first introduced me to it. Once those trucks caught my eye, there was no turning back. It quickly became my life’s goal to become a Monster Jam driver. As I grew up, I couldn’t get enough of it, and when I hit 18, I decided to soak up everything I could about the industry. I didn’t just study it; I jumped in, volunteered working on the trucks or doing event prep, made some cool friends, and believe it or not, ended up trying out and getting trained by none other than Tom Meents and his fantastic coaching team. It’s been an insane journey thus far.
  • What is your favorite part about competing in Monster Jam?
    The connection with the fans. They bring the energy, and we give it right back. It’s an incredible bond we share.
  • How would you describe your driving style?
    I’d say it’s a mix of smooth technical moves, spiced up with a healthy dose of jaw-dropping moments. It’s all about keeping the crowd (and myself) guessing.
  • What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver?
    Be a student of the game. Listen more than you speak. And most of all, your greatest strength is to be yourself.
  • What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver?
    When I could look my parents in the eyes and say, “All the late nights, sacrifices, and support you’ve given me, it wasn’t in vain. I made it.” Their dedication and love are what got me here, and I’ll never forget that.
  • Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration?
    My childhood heroes in Monster Jam were definitely Tom Meents and Dennis Anderson. Nowadays, I believe inspiration can be found in anyone or anything that has something to teach, as long as you’re willing to learn.

fun facts

  • Do you have any nicknames?
    Variants stemming from “Fern”: Fernie, Ferocious Fern, Ferniefreestyles, Fern Dawg. The possibilities are endless.
  • What’s your favorite movie?
    How can I pick one? The Outsiders, Talladega Nights: Ballad of Ricky Bobby, The Simpsons Movie, Hot Rod, and The Crow.
  • What’s your favorite television show?
    Whose Line Is It Anyways?
  • What’s your favorite color?
    Orange
  • What’s your favorite thing to eat?
    Chicken Pad Thai
  • What’s your favorite restaurant on the road?
    Any hidden treasures recommended by the locals
  • How would your friends and family describe you?
    Mom: “Sweetest boy. Travieso with a good heart.” Dad: “Hard worker. Taller than me” Sister: “Bestiiieeee”

STADIUM SERIES EAST

POINTS THROUGH April 20, 2024

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Tyler Menninga /
truck Grave Digger /
points 593
behind
Position 2
name Tristan England /
truck JCB DIGatron /
points 535
behind -58
Position 3
name Todd LeDuc /
truck Megalodon /
points 498
behind -95
Position 4
name Bryce Kenny /
truck Great Clips Mohawk Warrior /
points 467
behind -126
Position 5
name Tom Meents / Blake Granger / Coty Saucier /
truck Max-D /
points 431
behind -162
Position 6
name John Gordon /
truck Bad Company /
points 401
behind -192
Position 7
name Cole Venard / Mike Pagliarulo /
truck Black Pearl /
points 345
behind -248
Position 8
name Linsey Read / Charlie Pauken / Jamie Sullivan /
truck Lucas Stabilizer /
points 308
behind -285
Position 9
name Ryan Disharoon /
truck Shaker /
points 286
behind -307
Position 10
name Jamey Garner /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 279
behind -314
Position 11
name Matt Pagliarulo /
truck Jester /
points 242
behind -351
Position 12
name Mike Pagliarulo / Nick Pagliarulo /
truck Kraken /
points 194
behind -399

STADIUM SERIES WEST

Champion: Ryan Anderson

Ryan Anderson in Son-uva Digger

POINTS THROUGH March 30, 2024

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Ryan Anderson /
truck Son-uva Digger /
points 584
behind -0
Position 2
name Adam Anderson / Charlie Pauken / Tyler Menninga /
truck Grave Digger /
points 509
behind -75
Position 3
name Camden Murphy /
truck Bakugan Dragonoid /
points 479
behind -105
Position 4
name Bari Musawwir / Todd LeDuc /
truck Zombie /
points 442
behind -142
Position 5
name Cory Rummell /
truck Megalodon /
points 426
behind -158
Position 6
name Colt Stephens /
truck ThunderROARus /
points 407
behind -177
Position 7
name Chris Koehler /
truck Monster Mutt / Northern Nightmare /
points 324
behind -260
Position 8
name David Olfert /
truck Velociraptor / Rod Ryan Show /
points 321
behind -263
Position 9
name Kayla Blood /
truck Soldier Fortune /
points 321
behind -263
Position 10
name Joe Foley /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 318
behind -266
Position 11
name Jim Koehler /
truck Avenger /
points 262
behind -322
Position 12
name Mike Christensen /
truck Vendetta /
points 208
behind -376

ARENA SERIES CENTRAL

Champion: Weston Anderson

Weston Anderson in Grave Digger

POINTS THROUGH April 21, 2024

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Weston Anderson /
truck Grave Digger /
points 1373
behind
Position 2
name Fernando Martinez /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 1040
behind -333
Position 3
name Brianna Mahon /
truck Scooby-Doo /
points 1016
behind -357
Position 4
name Jamie Sullivan / Joe Dennis /
truck Monster Mutt Dalmatian /
points 977
behind -396
Position 5
name Brandan Tulachka /
truck Just Get Er Done /
points 936
behind -437
Position 6
name Alex Bardin /
truck Stone Crusher /
points 613
behind -760
Position 7
name Mikayla Tulachka /
truck Megalodon /
points 582
behind -791
Position 8
name Frank Krmel /
truck Zombie /
points 465
behind -908

ARENA SERIES EAST

POINTS THROUGH April 21, 2024

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Armando Castro /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 1132
behind
Position 2
name Krysten Anderson /
truck Grave Digger /
points 1122
behind -10
Position 3
name Zack Garner /
truck Wild Side /
points 977
behind -155
Position 4
name Coty Saucier / Chelsea Vancleave / Joe Dennis / Tony Ochs /
truck Dragon /
points 880
behind -252
Position 5
name Chad Tingler /
truck Over Bored /
points 686
behind -446
Position 6
name Angelina Nock /
truck Megalodon /
points 593
behind -539
Position 7
name Mark Hall /
truck Raminator /
points 572
behind -560
Position 8
name Kurt Kraehmer /
truck Rammunition / Hotsy /
points 381
behind -751

ARENA SERIES WEST

Champion: Matt Cody

POINTS THROUGH April 7, 2024

Position
Name
Truck
Points
Behind
Position 1
name Matt Cody / Tyler Menninga / Coty Saucier /
truck Grave Digger /
points 1367
behind
Position 2
name Dalton Widner /
truck Jurassic Attack /
points 1330
behind -37
Position 3
name Tony Ochs /
truck ThunderROARus /
points 1275
behind -92
Position 4
name MJ Solorio /
truck El Toro Loco /
points 992
behind -375
Position 5
name Ashley Sanford / Loghan Ashline / Bernard Lyght /
truck Megalodon /
points 898
behind -469
Position 6
name Berto Treviño /
truck Monster Mutt Rottweiler /
points 753
behind -614
Position 7
name Joe Urie / James Calhoun / David Olfert /
truck Earth Shaker /
points 628
behind -739
Position 8
name Devin Winfield / Jeff Souza /
truck Velociraptor /
points 622
behind -745
Grave Digger
Monster Jam Sparkle Smash stunt graphic
Matt Cody celebrates his Monster Jam Championship.
Woman and child watching Monster Jam live streaming on TV.
El Toro Loco
Screengrab of Myranda Cozad and Brandon Arthur with Inside Monster Jam logo
Monster Jam Power Rankings graphic
Bakugan Dragonoid
Monster Jam World Finals, News

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Apr 18, 2024

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Bryce Kenny at Atlanta Motor Speedway
Monster Jam Power Rankings graphic
Monster Jam Showdown logo above image of Megalodon and Grave Digger racing through terrain in the Monster Jam Showdown video game
Photo of Monster Jam trucks in Greenville, SC.
Monster Jam double the fun - shop 1:64 2 packs today! graphic with image of various Monster Jam toy trucks
Monster Jam Power Rankings graphic