Inside Monster Jam
This official Monster Jam podcast offers exclusive inside access to Monster Jam Operations, including drivers, safety, track design and the Monster Jam Garage.
Inside Monster Jam
Season 5 Episode 15 | Changing Gears
Use Left/Right to seek, Home/End to jump to start or end. Hold shift to jump forward or backward.
Dalton Widner is back on Inside Monster Jam with a new team, a new truck and a whole new chapter. Hear Dalton talk about the move from Team Throttle and Shell Shocked to Team Overboard and Wild Side, and what’s ahead for his Monster Jam journey.
Good evening, everybody. Welcome to Inside Monster Jam, the official Monster Jam podcast. I'm Scott Jordan. My guest uh this week uh was just on here. We were talking about loving monster jam, and now we're gonna welcome back Dalton Weiner because a lot's happened, Dalton, since I I we filmed our last episode uh post-world finals. You had a great world finals. We talked about that. You guys can check that episode out on YouTube. And now we're gonna talk about your move because when I had you on, it was shell-shocked in Team Throttle Monster. Now you're driving Wildside and everything in between for Team Overboard. So uh let's talk about all the things that have happened since uh you and I last spoke. How did this team overboard shift come about?
SPEAKER_01Uh, I mean, it it came about pretty quickly, to be honest with you. Um, you know, a little bit kind of out of the blue, a little bit. And uh, you know, it was just time for me and Kennedy to get closer to home, you know. Uh, we loved it out there in Utah. It was great. Everything was great. And uh, you know, the only thing was is that we're we never really got to see family as much as we really wanted to, just because it was so expensive to get back and forth from Utah to Tennessee and everything. And uh, you know, it was just we'd been out there for five years, and it was just time to get closer to home. And, you know, I uh you know started heading that way, and then you know, I picked, you know, picked up the phone and talked to Jamie for a little bit, and you know, it seemed like it was a pretty decent fit and you know, kind of routed ourselves in that direction and started to feel it out for a little bit and then you know kind of enjoyed it. I'm five hours from my house now, and uh everything's going great so far, man. I'm having a great time, I'm loving working with everybody and just uh having fun, you know.
SPEAKER_00Well, how were you able to keep this so under wraps? Because again, you and I had our conversation, me, you and Kennedy on this show. I mean, we were talking about shell shocked and everything else, and then out of out of the blue, I see that you're driving wild side, and I was like, wait, this this is not is there like are you are you being loaned away from Team Throttle Monsters? So, how were you able just to kind of keep this under wraps? Because uh, you know, there's there's an old saying, you know, uh to tell a friend, tell a driver, tell everybody, because it it it just travels like that. So um just talk about the the the whole thing about you know how this was this I think this was maybe one of the best kept secrets I've I've seen in Monster Jam uh in a long time.
SPEAKER_01Well, I mean, honestly, it was one of the best kept secrets because uh I I myself didn't really even know about it until you know it kind of just happened, you know. I uh we got to the we, you know, we we had talked about it for a little while on you know what we were gonna do and everything, and I really didn't know what I was gonna do. I didn't know if I was gonna keep driving or if I was gonna go home and get a regular job, but you know, it was just time for us to start going, you know, heading back in the direction of Tennessee and getting back closer to home. My parents are, you know, they're getting a little bit older. Kennedy's parents are getting a little bit older, you know, everybody's wanting to, you know, see each other more often. And uh I didn't really know about it until a couple of days before I even put anything out about it. So, you know, there wasn't anyone that I could tell, to be honest with you. Um, you know, we kind of just went out there and I wasn't really planning on, you know, we we weren't planning on me driving or doing anything like that for a while. I was just gonna kind of, you know, go out there and feel it out, see what it's like and see how it goes, whatever. And we were out there for a couple days and I loved working with everybody. Everybody was very kind and you know, gracious to us and very open-armed and was really excited for us to be there and to be a part of it and everything. And then, you know, it turned out they needed somebody to drive, and here I am. So, you know, I guess I uh, you know, fit into that mold, and now I'm here. I'm sitting in Tampa right now getting ready for uh the freestyle mania show.
SPEAKER_00How fast were you in Indiana from the time you left Utah?
SPEAKER_01Oh, I don't know, to be honest with you. I can't remember how many days it took, you know, because originally, you know, I routed myself to go back to Tennessee to figure out what was going on and you know, see what uh what I could do, where I could go, stuff like that, and you know, kind of rerouted from there and went Tennessee, you know, stayed for a couple days and went up there. So I don't know how many days it was, but it was you know, some time passed, you know.
SPEAKER_00Yeah. I talked to Jamie a little bit about you uh in Orlando and uh sort of asked him what what attributes attracted you to him as as a driver, and you know, he's his three things he said is that you you know you don't you don't break equipment, that you you keep your truck, you pull it into the stall uh most nights. Uh you are a winner and you're a moneymaker. And I think those are three great attributes to have. So what was uh what was your relationship like with Jamie prior to joining Team Overboard?
SPEAKER_01Uh I mean, we were on tour together, so you know, in passing, saying hey, going to lunch together, stuff like that. You know, I I I've known Zach for a very, very long time. I think him and I started playing Xbox together in like 2013, 2014, something like that, playing Forza and stuff like that, and playing Rigs of Rods. You know, I knew him, obviously, but uh I didn't really know Jamie all that much. I've done a couple oddball events with him here and there, and then we were on tour together this year, and um, you know, we just kind of I don't know. I I honestly hadn't really actually legitimately sat down and spoke to him man to man about anything until you know we had spoke about me possibly going and just joining their team, you know. I uh, you know, obviously I knew about him and you know, I've heard, you know, everybody talk about him and everything, and I heard nothing but positive things. And uh you know, I I'm really enjoying it here so far. It's great. You know, I'm having a good time. Everybody's smiling and laughing and giggling, and you know, we're all just bouncing around like schoolgirls excited about everything, and you know, even when stuff breaks, we're just laughing about it and having a good time. Jamie's having a good time. It's been great so far.
SPEAKER_00That's good, man. I saw um in Orlando, Wildside uh had had some issues, and uh you weren't driving Wildside in Orlando, you were driving Classroom Crusher, and in the pit area, it was I won't I walk back there and Zach was working on the truck and um Bryce was out there with him, Kennedy was out there with him, everybody was just kind of all hands on deck. I know that you're used to that because Team Throttle Monster does the same thing, but it seems like with you and Kennedy, it was it was almost a seamless addition to the team, and you both fit in immediately. Is that how you feel?
SPEAKER_01Ah, I mean, it's it's been great. That's like I said, everybody has open, has uh welcomed us with open arms and uh you know they're all excited for us to be here. You know, that was that was something that was really, really enjoyable. It wasn't just like uh, well, you can come if you want, kind of thing. Like everyone so far seems to be legitimately happy that we're here and they like being around us and they like having fun with us. And uh, you know, it's it's monster trucks are monster trucks, you know, for the most part. They're you know, each one's a little bit different. But uh, you know, for the most part, it's just you know, we're part of this team now, and you know, Zach was down and um you know, I went down there and was trying to help him throw a third member on the front of the truck because it had, you know, decided it didn't want to be a part of the party anymore. And everybody was running around doing their thing, getting everything covered, and you know, it's just kind of a seamless, seamless kind of thing. You know, we know we know what we're doing, we know how to work on trucks and everything, so we just hop in where we're needed and keep it going, you know.
SPEAKER_00So, what was it like for you driving wild side? Because uh that's you know been the truck that's been synonymous with Zach for so long, and uh you two uh two of the best arena racers, now two of the best stadium racers. So talk about your first spin uh in in his ride.
SPEAKER_01Uh it was a lot of fun, to be honest with you. A lot of pressure, obviously. He's a two-time world champ. Uh, you know, trying to live up to the uh expectation that comes with the name of Wild Side and doing crazy stuff and all that stuff. But uh it was a lot of fun. I really enjoyed it. You know, obviously I got a lot of questions and weird looks and stuff, and people were kind of you know having trouble saying wild side instead of anything else when I had to say my name and stuff. But uh I had a I had a really good time with it. I was actually, you know, I was driving Jamie's Jamie's truck. Uh that was his truck that was uh El Toro all year, threw that wild side body on it, and uh I drove it, and it's man, they're different, way different. Feels like a tank. And uh I'm still still trying to get used to it. I'm I I'm driving a different one now with Classroom Crusher, and it's got a spool in the back, and there's a couple knick-knack things here and there that are different. I'm still trying to figure that one out. But uh man, it's been it's been a lot of fun. A lot of fun. You know, the truck was uh it's a really good piece, you know, it stayed together for me. Um, it was cool, man. I had fun. You know, there were two wild sides running at the same time. So he was winning stuff, I was winning stuff. We were just yeah, again, I mean, I keep saying it over and over again, but just having the fun, you know.
SPEAKER_00What are your uh what's your thoughts on Freestyle Mania? Um, because I I I will preface this. If anybody has not been to Freestyle Mania, please go check it out. I I've I've you know we we filmed it for replay for television. I've watched those broadcasts, I've I've been a part of those broadcasts calling uh events and welcome to people. And I'd never actually seen Freestyle Mania live, and it was incredibly entertaining. So, what what are your thoughts on it?
SPEAKER_01I'm I'm enjoying it so far, you know. Uh it uh it kind of brings everybody together, you know. Obviously, you know, the uh be you know being on a team with one of the FMX guys is really cool. It's a lot of fun, but it brings all the drivers together because you know everybody huddles around the monitor and watches their FMX guy go, and we sit there and laugh and talk and cut up and get excited and you know when everybody's going. And uh yeah, I can't imagine what it's like in the stands, getting to see the goofy, goofy reactions that me and Zach sometimes have, or anyone else goes up there and we're smiling, you know, getting all pumped up for their FMX guy, or vice versa. The FMX guy is getting excited for us. You know, my teammate Drew, he's doing a great job, you know. Unfortunately, the the uh competition that he won, I was down there helping Zach and I didn't get to go up there and celebrate with him, so I'm gonna have to try to make up make it up for him here in Tampa. But uh, I've been having a good time, you know. I've been having a lot of fun watching everybody, and uh, you know, it's been a struggle trying to get used to this, you know, another different truck in a very small, small space. But uh I I think I've got a little bit more of a hand handle on it now, and I can do a lot better. Try to hold up my end of the bargain for Drew here.
SPEAKER_00So tell me a little bit about how that process works. So when you um get in, you said it was it was overboard chassis with the wild side body, is it is it a seat still that's designed and fit for you, or are you trying to you know get into a space that's designed for for Jamie and trying to you know just adapt to what you have?
SPEAKER_01Uh in that truck, I actually use the seat that Jamie has. I fit like a glove in it. So there was no uh, you know, there wasn't really a need for it to change seats or anything. But I actually don't have or I don't have my own seat right now. Uh we went and ordered one and it's on its way right now. But uh, you know, I you know you can change seats and everything to fit you a whole lot better than you know they would out of the box or whatever. But uh Jamie's seat was pretty much perfect for me. So I just moved the belts around to where it was comfortable for me and ran it. And uh now I'm actually in uh this the chassis that I'm in right now that's classroom pressure was Black Pearl. And it has another one of their seats in it that's for a bigger guy that uh John Gordon was driving with all first quarter, and that one fits even better. So this one, you know, I fit really good in this truck. I'm just not used to it. Everything's you know, it doesn't matter how you build a monster truck, how similar they are, or use the exact same parts, they're gonna handle different, they're gonna drive different, whether you like it or not. It's just the way it is. So, you know, I'm trying to get used to this one, and uh, you know, I don't know where I'm gonna end up, but uh, I'm just having fun along the way, doing what I'm you know, doing what I gotta do, having fun, goofing around, doing the thing, you know.
SPEAKER_00So are there um any expectations for you to uh drive in 2027 with Team Overboard?
SPEAKER_01Uh I believe so so far. You know, we uh we haven't really gotten that far yet. Uh we're just kind of having having fun, hanging out, seeing what goes on. You know, we don't know what's going on for next year just yet. So uh we'll have to see.
SPEAKER_00Are is are there let's I want I want to go back to shell shocked, we which we talked about uh last time I had you on, but now uh you know, post this announcement with you being on on a different team, is it bittersweet for you to uh have to say goodbye to to that truck?
SPEAKER_01I mean, yeah, it's a little bit bittersweet, but man, you know, it was just such a cool opportunity that I had getting to do it, getting to have my own name and everything. And uh, you know, I no ill will, no hard feelings, no nothing. I'm glad that uh I got to do it and that it happened and it was a cool thing. They still have it. I think they're gonna keep running it, you know, and uh I'm excited to see somebody else rip that thing around. It's been uh it was a great ride and just happy it happened, you know.
SPEAKER_00You tried to turn the truck and roll it all year long. Did did you happen to see? Um I'm sure at this point you did, but I did, I did, yeah. When it did actually roll, you weren't driving it anymore.
SPEAKER_01I did, I did. Hey, man, it had to happen at some point. And uh, you know, he he did a great job. You know, I saw the the next event the next day, and he did a great, phenomenal job. So, you know, it was cool, man. Had to happen at some point, so it's cool.
SPEAKER_00What are your uh what are some of your your your fondest memories of of your time with Team Throttle Monster?
SPEAKER_01Um man, there's a lot, you know. Spent most of my career there. So, you know, getting to be in my in the Marshall Gym World Finals for the first time in LA in Jurassic, that was really cool. Um finishing second place on that tour, you know, against the gauntlet of gravedigger drivers that I had that year in 2024. Yeah, that was a lot of fun. Spending a lot of time with my friends like Devin and Mason and you know Kennedy being there and all that stuff, you know, just you know, great memories from here and there and everywhere, you know, every other, you know, every year there's I'm sure I could go on and on about some, you know, somewhere in every year that I had a great time and a good memory and everything, but you know, positive memories throughout the whole thing, you know. It was just time to get closer to home and you know, on and you know, on to the future now, you know.
SPEAKER_00So have you uh have you relocated fully to Indiana or are you gonna be in Tennessee and then going to Indiana? How how does that work with the transition?
SPEAKER_01Ah, so we've been doing everything so fast that we haven't really found anywhere just yet. You know, we dropped all of our stuff in Tennessee and you know, we were feeling this thing out, seeing how it was going, seeing what was needed, you know, if we're needed for this, that, and the other, you know, uh figure it out. But I think right now we're looking for places in Indiana to relocate and be there because you know, it's really close to home. It's five and a half hours from there. And uh, you know, for both Nashville and Knoxville, surprisingly, you know, Kennedy can go see her family. I can go see my family. We can go together and see either one of them. We can be there for every holiday. You know, there's not the paywall of a plane ticket anymore. You know, we just get to hop in a car and go. Because, you know, it's it's great. It's great. I'm excited, you know, I get to be there, be present for more things. You know, there's uh if one of my buddies is getting married or you know, it's Thanksgiving time, or you know, somebody's having a kid and they're really excited and they want to have a baby shower, whatever. We can go there and be there for it. And it's not uh, you know, they don't have to plan it six months in advance and pay for a plane ticket early because it's so expensive to get to and from, you know, we can just go. It's really exciting.
SPEAKER_00Yeah, man. Time time does not stop for anybody, so you got to get those memories while you can.
SPEAKER_01Um, tell me about stuff we've missed over the years that we're excited to not have to miss anymore, you know.
SPEAKER_00And your family, uh what was your family's reaction when you told them that you were gonna be closer to home?
SPEAKER_01Uh obviously about the being closer to home park, over the moon about it, because I'm right there. They can come to me, I can go to them, do whatever. My best friends that are back there in Knoxville, they can come up and hang out with us. And, you know, if they want to come on the road with us every now and again, they can come to some events and you know, be some, you know, volunteer help or whatever. You know, it's uh it's very exciting. That part of it, they were super excited with, you know, everybody has been very supportive in everything that's gone on lately with both me and Kennedy, and you know, we're just excited for the future.
SPEAKER_00You are um in in a position where your your home garage, the last two years has been in right down the road from where Monster GM World Finals is, and now flash forward to next year with World Finals in Indianapolis for the third year in a row, your home garage is gonna be very close to uh Monster GM World Finals. So that's gotta take a lot of pressure off of you uh to know that once again, three times in a row, you'll be uh just a hop, skip, and a jump away from the biggest event of the year.
SPEAKER_01Yeah, no, hopefully I can make it again and be a part of it again, you know. But uh honestly, I've only done one world finals where I've had to drive there and stay there. Every other world finals that I've been a part of has been, you know, wake up from my own bed and drive there and do the thing and go back. And I guess for the next year or however long it's gonna be, uh, it's gonna be the same thing. So hopefully I can be a part of it again, you know. I'm really, really excited about that. I love that stadium too. I've done it once, and uh it's probably one of the most one of the favorite places that I've been to is Lucas Towel Stadium.
SPEAKER_00So you've driven Wild Side, at least with the body on. You have uh now driven Classroom Crusher. We know that uh Jamie has run El Toro Loco, he's run Black Pearl, he's run Megalodon, uh any one of those trucks that you you would like to at some point have the body thrown on uh to the chassis you're driving and try to take it for uh a ride.
SPEAKER_01Uh man, I'll drive anything. It don't matter to me. I'll drive whatever it is. You know, they tell me what they want on it and I'll drive it. But uh I like Megalodon, it's pretty cool. I like that truck. You know, I uh I I actually got to see it when it first came out in 2017. I was uh volunteering for, I don't know if anybody, you know, like you know, back then uh I was volunteering for Ed Eckert and Fulbore, and I went to South Carolina and was volunteering for him. And I think that was the first year that it was out, and it was super, super cool to see. I think Alex Blackwell was driving it. So uh I'd love to drive that one, but uh anything, it don't matter to me. It's uh, you know, I'm gonna drive it the same no matter what. So whatever body it is, I'm excited for it.
SPEAKER_00I know you haven't had a whole lot of time in Indiana, but is there something that you're looking forward to doing uh when when you're done with freestyle mania for a while, if you get a break to to kind of hang out and set up some routes, is there something you're looking forward to there?
SPEAKER_01Um man, I don't know if there's anything really in particular that we've really thought about. Um I I don't know. I'd like to go see the ND500 one year. That'd be really cool. Um I don't know. I I like Indianapolis, it's been a really cool place that I've been to a couple times. Uh I'd like to go to some concerts or something at uh Lucasville Stadium. And uh I don't know, the area that the uh the shop in the shop is in is uh it's really nice too. It feels like home, you know. It's uh a little bit more spread out, stuff's kind of you know, neighbors aren't right on top of each other. It's a little bit of a different area. So I don't know. I'll just have to get some recommendations from probably Zach, to be honest with you.
SPEAKER_00When you uh discuss this with Kennedy, was she 100% fully on board with it?
SPEAKER_01Yeah, yeah, of course. You know, we don't uh well her and I don't do anything without talking to each other about it first. You know, we're a team, we do it together. You know, we're not married, but obviously we know we're most likely gonna be soon. Uh, but uh, you know, or at some point. But you know, we we treat it, you know, we live together, we're together 24-7. We treat every decision as a you know thing that both of us are doing. Everything affects the two of us. So, you know, we obviously had to talk about it together and we hemmed and hawed about it for a while, but uh this was just the the right thing to do at the right time, you know. It's time to get closer to home, and we're here now. And it's it's been great so far.
SPEAKER_00Well, listen, man, I appreciate you coming back on to uh let everybody know because uh, you know, the first episode was all about shell shocked uh that we had you on, and now this episode we get to talk to everybody about uh what you're up to right now. So I appreciate it. I know you got a busy weekend in Tampa, so thanks a lot for coming back, man. I do I do really appreciate it.
SPEAKER_01Of course, man. Yeah, I'm uh I'm just excited to be here, excited to still be a part of Monster Jam and doing the thing, you know.
SPEAKER_00All right, Dalton Widener, everybody now with Team Overboard. That's all the time we have. I will see you next week right here on Inside Monster Jam, the official Monster Jam podcast.