Michael Vaters Jr.

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Michael Vaters Jr.

2026 Truck

The Amazing Spider-Man

2026 Tour

International

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. GALERIA

2026 STADIUM SERIES EAST

Champion: Tristan England

POINTS THROUGH May 2, 2026

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Tristan England / Brandon Arthur /

truck JCB DIGatron /

points 550

behind -0

Position 2

name Camden Murphy /

truck Classroom Crusher /

points 475

behind -75

Position 3

name Chris Koehler /

truck Mayhem /

points 438

behind -112

Position 4

name Adam Anderson /

truck Grave Digger /

points 436

behind -114

Position 5

name Colt Stephens /

truck ThunderROARus /

points 417

behind -133

Position 6

name Jamie Sullivan /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 392

behind -158

Position 7

name Mike Pagliarulo /

truck Excaliber /

points 378

behind -172

Position 8

name Cynthia Gauthier /

truck Lucas Stabilizer /

points 375

behind -175

Position 9

name Jim Koehler /

truck Avenger /

points 300

behind -250

Position 10

name Joe Foley /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 292

behind -258

Position 11

name Kevin Crocker /

truck Megalodon /

points 253

behind -297

Position 12

name Matt Pagliarulo /

truck Jester /

points 180

behind -370

2026 STADIUM SERIES WEST

Champion: Ryan Anderson

POINTS THROUGH May 9, 2026

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Ryan Anderson /

truck Son-uva Digger /

points 550

behind -0

Position 2

name Tyler Menninga /

truck Grave Digger /

points 538

behind -12

Position 3

name Bari Musawwir /

truck Zombie /

points 466

behind -84

Position 4

name Bryce Kenny /

truck Tech Deck Wreck Deck /

points 460

behind -90

Position 5

name Dalton Widner /

truck Shell Shock’ed /

points 451

behind -99

Position 6

name Zack Garner /

truck Wild Side / Rod Ryan Show /

points 449

behind -101

Position 7

name Cory Rummell /

truck Bailey Circuit /

points 401

behind -149

Position 8

name John Gordon / Deidra Garner /

truck Megalodon /

points 343

behind -207

Position 9

name Mike Christensen /

truck Vendetta /

points 328

behind -222

Position 10

name Cole Venard /

truck Black Pearl /

points 279

behind -271

Position 11

name Jamey Garner /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 254

behind -296

Position 12

name Kayla Blood /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 252

behind -298

2026 ARENA SERIES WEST

Champion: Armando Castro

POINTS THROUGH May 3, 2026

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Armando Castro / Matt Dummer /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 1129

behind -0

Position 2

name Ryan Vargas / Geneva Keller /

truck Monster Mutt Dalmatian /

points 1027

behind -102

Position 3

name Matt Cody / Charlie Pauken /

truck Grave Digger /

points 969

behind -160

Position 4

name Tim Hall Jr /

truck Jurassic Attack /

points 921

behind -208

Position 5

name Alex Bardin /

truck Earth Shaker /

points 775

behind -354

Position 6

name Carson Williams /

truck ThunderROARus /

points 674

behind -455

Position 7

name Ashley Sanford / Matt Dummer / Angelina Nock /

truck Megalodon /

points 584

behind -545

Position 8

name Cliff Turner /

truck Velociraptor /

points 441

behind -688

2026 ARENA SERIES EAST

Champion: Jon Zimmer Jr

POINTS THROUGH May 10, 2026

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Jon Zimmer Jr /

truck Terminal Velocity /

points 831

behind -0

Position 2

name MJ Solorio /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 696

behind -135

Position 3

name Triton Robbins /

truck Krazy Train /

points 627

behind -204

Position 4

name Coty Saucier /

truck Dragon /

points 620

behind -211

Position 5

name Krysten Anderson / Brandon Arthur /

truck Grave Digger /

points 549

behind -282

Position 6

name Montana Robbins /

truck Plane Krazy /

points 540

behind -291

Position 7

name Jon Zimmer /

truck Megalodon /

points 523

behind -308

Position 8

name Loghan Ashline /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 353

behind -478

2026 FREESTYLE MANIA CHAMPIONSHIP SERIES

Team Grave Digger: Weston Anderson & Noah Bakken

POINTS THROUGH April 19, 2026

Position

Name

Truck

Points

Behind

Position 1

name Weston Anderson/Noah Bakken /

truck Grave Digger /

points 1699

behind -0

Position 2

name Tony Ochs/TJ Tiffany/Josh Headford /

truck JCB DIGatron /

points 1534

behind -165

Position 3

name Fernando Martinez/AJ Rozboril /

truck El Toro Loco /

points 1424

behind -275

Position 4

name Chuckie Pauken/Drew Slaugh /

truck Classroom Crusher /

points 1257

behind -442

Position 5

name Mikayla Tulachka/Scott Murray /

truck Megalodon /

points 1216

behind -483

Position 6

name Brianna Mahon/Chelsea VanCleave/Gregg Duffy /

truck Bailey Circuit /

points 1206

behind -493

Position 7

name Kylie Kent/Cam Sepulveda /

truck Sparkle Smash /

points 1018

behind -681

Position 8

name Brandan Tulachka/Chandler Haider /

truck Zombie /

points 1017

behind -682

Past Points

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