Did You Know This Legendary Monster Jam Family Calls Michigan Home?

Michigan has long been home to motorsports legends, and when it comes to Monster Jam, did you know that two of the sport’s biggest names have deep roots in the Mitten State?

Jon Zimmer Sr. and his son, Jon Zimmer Jr., both hail from Howell, Michigan, and have made a lasting impact on the world of high-flying, car-crushing, adrenaline-fueled Monster Jam action. One of them a legacy act you may have grown up with, the other a rising star who is destined to outshine them all.

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According to his bio: Jon Zimmer Sr. has been part of Monster Jam since 2000, making him one of the longest-running drivers in the sport. But his journey didn’t start behind the wheel—he first worked as a crew member, learning the ins and outs of the trucks before finally getting his shot in 2005.

From there, he quickly became one of the most dominant independent drivers, by winning the Rising Star Award back in 2009 and making his Monster Jam World Finals debut the following year. He kept pushing his way up the ranks, and by 2012 he had joined the legendary Team Grave Digger, cementing his place in Monster Jam history.

Currently you’ll catch him behind the wheel of the Zombie truck, and he also focuses on mentoring his son, Zimmer Sr. While he’s not full time behind the wheel in 2025, he still jumps in as a relief driver when he’s needed.

Jon Zimmer Jr. is proving that Monster Jam talent really runs in this family. From the moment he got behind the wheel, he was winning. In fact, he took first place in the 2-Wheel Skills competition at his very first event.

Since then, he’s racked up some impressive awards for his resume, including winning Rookie of the Year in 2022, and Rising Star of the Year (Just like his Dad did) in 2023. With his father’s experience guiding him, Zimmer Jr. is finding a way to carve out his own legacy, while showing that the next generation of Monster Jam is in good hands.

With decades of experience between them, the Zimmer family is keeping Howell, Michigan, in the Monster Jam spotlight. Whether it’s the veteran skill of Jon Zimmer Sr. or the rising talent of Jon Zimmer Jr., one thing is certain: when you see the Zimmer family name on a monster truck, you know something exciting is probably about to happen.