Brandon Vinson wins Racing at Monster Jam World Finals XXI

Brandon Vinson (Grave Digger) won the Monster Jam World Finals XXI Racing World Championship in a dramatic finale at Camping World Stadium in Orlando.

Vinson entered the night as the 10th-fastest qualifier and defeated Cynthia Gauthier (Lucas Stabilizer), Cory Rummell (Megalodon), Tyler Menninga (Grave Digger) and Ryan Anderson (Son-uva Digger) en route to his first Monster Jam World Finals Championship win.

The brand-new over-under track was wet at the start of the Racing competition, following a brief downpour about half an hour before the event start. Many drivers were sliding around in Round 1, but the only upset came when 18th-fastest qualifier Cory Rummell defeated 15th-fastest qualifier John Gordon (Bad Company).

Round 2 was a different story. Most of the top-8 qualifiers that had had bye runs in Round 1 found themselves eliminated in Round 2. The only exceptions were Tom Meents (Max-D), Tyler Menninga (Grave Digger) and Mark List (El Toro Loco)

The quarter-finals began with a huge upset as Meents beat Tristan England (EarthShaker) across the line, but incurred a penalty, allowing England to advance. The remainder of the semi-finalists were all from Team Grave Digger, with Ryan Anderson (Son-uva Digger), Vinson and Menninga making it through.

England was eliminated in the semis as he spun in one of the turns, while Menninga’s truck coasted to a halt, allowing Vinson to advance.

Right as the final started, the heavens opened, and Ryan Anderson and Brandon Vinson had to race through a downpour. Both drivers spun in the final turn, but it was Vinson who recovered first to take the win.

FULL RESULTS