{"id":44153,"date":"2026-05-22T15:57:30","date_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:57:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.monsterjam.com\/?p=44153"},"modified":"2026-05-22T15:57:32","modified_gmt":"2026-05-22T15:57:32","slug":"first-timers-get-the-nod-for-world-finals-xxv","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.monsterjam.com\/en-us\/news\/first-timers-get-the-nod-for-world-finals-xxv\/","title":{"rendered":"First Timers Get the Nod for World Finals XXV"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<section \n  id=\"main-custom-content-block\"\n  style=\"padding-top:px;padding-bottom:px;background-color:;color:;\"\n>\n  <div class=\"container container-c\">\n    <div class=\"split\" style=\"gap:px;\">\n                        <div class=\"side \">\n\n                                          <p>If you were watching the Monster Jam World Finals Selection Show last week, then you were not alone as fans and drivers learned in real time who would be competing at the biggest event of the year July 4<sup>th<\/sup> weekend in Salt Lake City, UT. While most of the names called are staple competitors at World Finals, some found out they would be competing for a World Title for the first time in their careers.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Tony Ochs<\/strong> debuted a decade ago as a 10-year veteran of the United States Army who was deployed four times into combat. Over the course of his career, he has endeared himself to both fans and drivers alike as one of the most approachable drivers in the sport, but Ochs can also flat-out drive. Remember earlier this year when he won seven straight events? I sure do. Monster Jam fans have been clamoring for the Pennsylvania native to compete at World Finals and they got their wish this year as Tony will pilot JCB DIGatron at Rice-Eccles Stadium.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Fernando Martinez<\/strong> made a splash in Salt Lake City last year when he was the fastest qualifier in the JCB Last Chance Qualifier. In 2026, he followed up an incredible rookie season in 2024 with solid sophomore campaign which led to this season where he finished third on the Freestyle Mania Championship Series presented by SpinMaster. After serving as a guest judge on the panel as last years World Finals, Martinez now has the chance to fulfill a lifelong dream and pilot El Toro Loco to a World Finals win.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p><strong>Brandon Arthur<\/strong> has been all over the world in 2026. From winning multiple events on the International Series, including a clean sweep in Helsinki, to filling in on Stadium Championship Series East and winning multiple JCB Racing competitions, to even joining Team Grave Digger for a few events on Arena Championship Series East. The 2025 Monster Jam Rising Star Award winner has made the most of his opportunities and now gets a chance to represent the International Series in Salt Lake City.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>There are also some drivers making their World Finals debuts in the Utah Sports Commission 2-Wheel Skills Championship. <strong>Tim Hall Jr.<\/strong>, <strong>Brandan Tulachka<\/strong>, and <strong>Tony Ochs<\/strong> will be a part of the expanded field of 10 drivers all vying for that coveted championship.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>The JCB Last Chance Qualifier will have its fair share of first-time competitors as well with <strong>Tim Hall Jr.<\/strong>, <strong>Charlie Pauken III<\/strong>, <strong>Chelsea VanCleve<\/strong>, <strong>Alex Bardin<\/strong>, <strong>Mikayla Tulachka<\/strong>, and <strong>Montana Robbins<\/strong> all set to line up for the first time at a Monster Jam World Finals event.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<p>Every Monster Jam World Finals event is special and filled with incredible action and moments. Will one of these drivers go on a run and walk out of Rice-Eccles Stadium as a champion? Get your tickets and tune in to find out!<\/p>\n                          \n          <\/div>\n                  <\/div>\n  <\/div>\n<\/section>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":44154,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[12,7],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-44153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-monster-jam-world-finals","category-news"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v21.8 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>First Timers Get the Nod for World Finals XXV | News | Monster Jam\u00ae<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.monsterjam.com\/en-us\/\" \/>\n<meta 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