Michael Vaters Jr.

Shop

Michael Vaters Jr.

2025 Truck

The Amazing Spider-Man

Hometown

Hagerstown, Maryland

Birthday

January 26

Began Competing

2014

Residence

Hagerstown, Maryland

Michael Vaters Jr. has literally been around monster trucks his whole life. His father, Michael Vaters, debuted his Black Stallion as one of the original trucks in 1982, six years before Michael was born.

Before Mike Vaters Jr. entered the picture as a driver of Monster Jam trucks, Michael Vaters Jr. could often be seen at the events as part of the freestyle motocross teams that performed. He got behind the wheel of a Monster Jam truck when his father and monster truck legend Marty Garza joined forces with a new truck called Overkill Evolution, which would be Michael Vaters Jr.’s primary responsibility.

Overkill Evolution and Michael Vaters Jr. made their debut in Tulsa on January 4, 2014. After a mixture of arena and stadium appearances, Michael was selected to be a part of the up-and-coming driver competition at the Monster Jam World Finals, promptly winning the racing event and earning the final spot in the Monster Jam World Finals main event. He would also claim Rookie of the Year in 2014.

Vaters was cast into the national spotlight the following year. He won six racing events and a total of 9 Freestyle competitions, but none more important than claiming the 2015 World Championship at Sam Boyd Stadium during the Monster Jam World Finals.

Moving to a schedule that focused primarily on stadium events, Michael continued to find success in Freestyle, winning at least one event over the next four years. In 2019, he made his international debut, driving Pirate’s Curse in Cardiff, Wales. He concluded his first chapter with Monster Jam in 2020, when Extreme Overkill was parked during the global pandemic.

career highlights

2015 Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Champion
2014 Monster Jam World Finals Double Down Showdown Champion
2014 Rookie of the Year

about

What are some of your interests/hobbies/favorite pastimes?
Lifting weights, riding and collecting street/sport motorcycles, riding my Onewheel, photography and singing
Do you have any pre-event rituals you run through?
I like to sing Bohemian Rhapsody by Queen.
What’s something a lot of people don’t know about you?
My biggest interest is ancient history.
What is your favorite memory on or off the racetrack?
Winning the Young Guns Shootout in 2014
What is your most prized possession?
My 2015 Monster Jam World Finals Freestyle Championship crystal cup

life on the road

What is the best and worst thing about being on the road every weekend with Monster Jam?
The best thing is traveling and new experiences.
The worst thing is missing time with loved ones and missing a weekend event you would like to personally attend.
While on tour, what is your favorite thing to do during your free time?
I love to explore new food, sightsee, all the good touristy stuff!
How do you keep fit?
I work out 3-5 days a week. I’ve personally been into fitness for 20 years. I keep my sugar intake to a minimum. And try to enjoy as much food as possible within reason!
What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam?
My phone
What is your favorite city to travel to? Why?
Cardiff, Wales UK – to see the old architecture such as castles and the beautiful rolling green countryside
What countries have you visited with Monster Jam?
Canada, Mexico, UK, Sweden

career

How did you get started competing in Monster Jam?
My father was a pioneer in Monster Jam driving the Black Stallion Monster Jam truck.
What is your favorite part about competing in Monster Jam?
The adrenaline for sure!
How would you describe your driving style?
Calculated
What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver?
Never give up on your dreams. NOTHING is impossible.
What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver?
After winning the Young Guns Shootout, all the greatest drivers walked up to congratulate me and shake my hand.
Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration?
Damon Bradshaw’s driving style

fun facts

Do you have any nicknames?
Mikey
What’s your favorite color?
Blue
What’s your favorite thing to eat?
Sushi, steak
What’s your favorite restaurant on the road?
A good steakhouse
How would your friends and family describe you?
Free-spirited

Michael Vaters Jr. Gallery

STADIUM SERIES EAST – 2025

Champion: Tyler Menninga

POINTS THROUGH May 17, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Tyler Menninga /

truck Grave Digger /

points 629

behind –

Position 2

name Bari Musawwir /

truck Zombie /

points 619

behind -10

Position 3

name Camden Murphy /

truck Classroom Crusher /

points 551

behind -78

Position 4

name Armando Castro /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 503

behind -126

Position 5

name Dalton Widner /

truck Jurassic Attack /

points 484

behind -145

Position 6

name Colt Stephens /

truck ThunderROARus /

points 434

behind -192

Position 7

name Cynthia Gauthier /

truck Lucas Stabilizer /

points 406

behind -223

Position 8

name Chris Koehler /

truck Mayhem /

points 373

behind -256

Position 9

name Jim Koehler /

truck Avenger /

points 365

behind -264

Position 10

name Mike Christensen /

truck Vendetta /

points 329

behind -300

Position 11

name Joe Foley /

truck AXE / Rod Ryan Show /

points 315

behind -314

Position 12

name Kevin Crocker /

truck Megalodon /

points 212

behind -417

STADIUM SERIES WEST – 2025

Champion: Tristan England

POINTS THROUGH May 17, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Tristan England /

truck JCB DIGatron /

points 589

behind –

Position 2

name Ryan Anderson /

truck Son-uva Digger /

points 576

behind -13

Position 3

name Bryce Kenny /

truck Monster Mutt /

points 547

behind -42

Position 4

name Adam Anderson /

truck Grave Digger /

points 460

behind -129

Position 5

name Zack Garner /

truck Wild Side /

points 451

behind -138

Position 6

name Todd LeDuc /

truck Megalodon /

points 437

behind -152

Position 7

name Mike Pagliarulo /

truck Excaliber /

points 362

behind -227

Position 8

name Cole Venard /

truck Black Pearl /

points 340

behind -249

Position 9

name Kayla Blood /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 326

behind -263

Position 10

name Jamey Garner /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 278

behind -311

Position 11

name Nick Pagliarulo /

truck Kraken /

points 223

behind -366

Position 12

name Matt Pagliarulo /

truck Jester /

points 189

behind -400

ARENA SERIES CENTRAL – 2025

Champion: Jon Zimmer Jr

POINTS THROUGH May 17, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Jon Zimmer Jr /

truck Terminal Velocity /

points 1108

behind –

Position 2

name Matt Cody /

truck Grave Digger /

points 1029

behind -79

Position 3

name Jamie Sullivan /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 1027

behind -81

Position 4

name Fernando Martinez / Chelsea Vancleave /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 965

behind -143

Position 5

name Triton Robbins /

truck Krazy Train /

points 808

behind -300

Position 6

name Jon Zimmer /

truck Zombie /

points 683

behind -425

Position 7

name Montana Robbins /

truck Plane Krazy /

points 618

behind -490

Position 8

name Angelina Nock / Chelsea Vancleave /

truck Megalodon /

points 537

behind -571

ARENA SERIES EAST – 2025

Champion: Blake Granger

POINTS THROUGH May 18, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Blake Granger /

truck Monster Mutt Dalmatian /

points 1158

behind –

Position 2

name MJ Solorio /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 1014

behind -144

Position 3

name Tony Ochs /

truck ThunderROARus /

points 968

behind -190

Position 4

name Brandan Tulachka /

truck Just Get-Er-Done II /

points 893

behind -265

Position 5

name Krysten Anderson /

truck Grave Digger /

points 868

behind -290

Position 6

name Mikayla Tulachka /

truck Megalodon /

points 601

behind -557

Position 7

name Mark Hall /

truck Raminator /

points 429

behind -729

Position 8

name Kurt Kraehmer / Dale Benear /

truck Rammunition / Hotsy /

points 331

behind -827

Position 9

name Zack Garner /

truck Wild Side /

points 123

behind -1035

Position 10

name Jamey Garner /

truck Over Bored /

points 84

behind -1074

ARENA SERIES WEST – 2025

Champion: Weston Anderson

POINTS THROUGH May 18, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Weston Anderson /

truck Grave Digger /

points 1490

behind –

Position 2

name Devin Winfield /

truck Velociraptor /

points 1133

behind -357

Position 3

name Coty Saucier /

truck Dragon /

points 1128

behind -362

Position 4

name Brianna Mahon /

truck Scooby-Doo /

points 1111

behind -379

Position 5

name Tim Hall Jr /

truck Jurassic Attack /

points 962

behind -528

Position 6

name Ashley Sanford / Chelsea Vancleave /

truck Megalodon /

points 852

behind -638

Position 7

name Berto Treviño /

truck Monster Mutt Rottweiler /

points 670

behind -820

Position 8

name Alex Bardin / Carson Williams / Cory Rummell /

truck Earth Shaker /

points 571

behind -919

2024 – 2025 INTERNATIONAL SERIES

Champion: Blake Granger

POINTS THROUGH February 9, 2025

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Blake Granger /

truck Max-D / El Toro Loco / Megalodon /

points 346

behind –

Position 2

name Charlie Pauken /

truck Grave Digger / Megalodon /

points 320

behind -26

Position 3

name Matt Cody /

truck Grave Digger /

points 308

behind -38

Position 4

name Bari Musawwir /

truck Black Panther ™ /

points 281

behind -65

Position 5

name Brandon Arthur /

truck Iron Man ™ / The Amazing Spider-Man ™ / JCB DIGatron /

points 234

behind -112

Position 6

name Myranda Cozad /

truck Thor ™ /

points 180

behind -166

Position 7

name Bernard Lyght /

truck The Amazing Spider-Man ™ /

points 106

behind -240

Position 8

name Peter Nyman /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 105

behind -241

Past Points

Photo of Jamey Garner with St. Jude helmet and caption Monster Jam - Inside Monster Jam - Season 4 Episode 22

Inside Monster Jam, News