Devin Winfield Wins Big In His Hometown

The “Hometown Curse” is an enigma throughout the sport’s world, as athletes crumble under the pressure to perform well in front of their friends and family. We’ve certainly witnessed it throughout Monster Jam’s elongated history. Through the spectacular tribulations of driver’s falling victim to the hometown lore, there have been a few incredible triumphs. Maybe none more intriguing than what took place last Saturday night at the Thomas & Mack Center in Las Vegas.

 

That’s the night Earth Shaker driver Devin Winfield conquered seven other drivers, that’s the night Devin Winfield defeated the “Hometown Curse, and that’s the night Devin Winfield went from Monster Jam volunteer to Overall Event Champion.

 

The Sin City native began his long road to championship glory as a volunteer. At Monster Jam we would refer to these new faces in orange shirts as “Club Help”, as they assisted in any and every way possible. Through perseverance he was offered a job as a Tech Official on a stadium tour that I just so happened to be on, but that was just not enough for young Mr. Winfield. He sent an email out to anyone who would be willing to read it and found himself driving a ride truck at “Monster Jam: Thunder Alley” in Virginia with the possibility of bigger and better things on the horizon.

 

When the pandemic hit and stopped the world in its tracks, it did not stop Devin from pursuing his dream of driving. Showing more tenacity, he found his way onto the independent circuit as a crew guy, learning as much as he could about the inner workings of monster truck, before earning the opportunity to drive. A simple message to Mike Christensen on Instagram, led him to the opportunity of a lifetime and a move to Utah, where he would take the reins of the blue Velociraptor for Team Throttle Monster.

 

However, it was in Earth Shaker that the hard work, drive, and dedication would pay off, when Devin Winfield walked out of the tunnel in front of his family at the Thomas & Mack Center to a thunderous ovation as his hometown acknowledged their champion.

 

Devin has had many roles throughout his Monster Jam career and now he can add another one…Champion.

 

To hear all of Devin’s unbelievable journey to the Overall Event Championship set your calendar foe Saturday September 14th at 9PM EST when he joins me on Inside Monster Jam Powered By Lucas Oil on MavTV.