Linsey Weenk is a Monster Jam Truck driver out of Plenty Saskatchewan, Canada who resides in Denair, California. He drives the Lucas Oil Crusader Truck. Linsey first debuted in Jurassic Attack, shortly after he moved to Iron Outlaw, Blue Thunder and currently drives the Lucas Oil Crusader truck, which he has driven since 2011.
Weenk got his start with Monster Jam in January 2000, when his brother Kevin, who raced in Jurassic Attack out of Lethbridge, was forced to quit when his son was born prematurely. The self-described hockey bum playing Junior B in Saskatoon moved to Alberta to fill his brothers place and just two days later he competed in his first Monster Jam Truck race at San Diego’s Qualcomm Stadium in front of 68,000 fans. Weenk’s move to Tonganoxie, Kansas in 2005, this was when his career really started to take off. Coincidentally, when Linsey left the Jurassic Attack team in 2005, he gained a new rival – his older brother Nathan Weenk became the new driver for El Toro Loco.
In 2008, Weenk moved to California, met his wife and settled down in Denair. Weenk sounds like a busy guy. “I work part time at an Ag company running high clearance sprayers when I’m not on the road competing. I am also a volunteer firefighter with Denair and have been for the last 3 years. My hobbies include camping, golfing, and spending time with family. I have always had a passion for farming and try to get home to Canada during the busy seasons if it makes sense with my race schedule and home schedule.”
The busy schedule must help with fitness and Linsey points out that driving takes more of a toll on you if you are not in shape. “If you can tighten your muscles and have a strong core it sure helps with neck and back pain.”
Despite having a reputation for being a dangerous sport Weenk insists that “Safety” is the #1 concern over entertainment. “Today, drivers have custom seats with shoulder harnesses which do not allow for much neck movement. In 2000, Drivers used to back themselves in, now they have full containment seats and they can’t look anywhere but forward. Drivers wear gloves, boots and full uniforms. There are two onboard fire extinguishers on every truck. Their roll cages are made much sturdier than when Monster Jam first started and include extra metal for optimum safety. Monster Jam isn’t about the speed but entertainment and showmanship — their top speed is maybe around 70 mph, whereas NASCAR drivers are all speed, driving 100’s of mph.”
Weenk shows no signs of slowing down either. Linsey was in South Africa recently, driving the Monkey Garage truck in Monster Jam’s inaugural spring trip. Linsey is consistently adding to his list of achievements that include appearing at the Monster Jam World Finals for the last 13 years and setting a record in 2006 in Iron Outlaw that still stands today – longest wheelie in a Monster Jam Truck at 602 feet.
With all of these Achievements, Weenk says “One of the things I’m most proud of
is running and representing these major sponsors for these many years with all the driver competition out there. It honestly proves it doesn’t matter how small of town you are from, that farmer hard working mentality is impossible to stop, and I hope other little guys and girls with big dreams realize this and chase theirs too.”
The Journey So Far
2006, Linsey drove Iron Outlaw. Linsey had a seven race winning streak in 2006 and made it to the World Finals two years in a row.
In the summer of 2007, Weenk joined the Built Ford Tough Blue Thunder team. He continued his racing success and took this truck to every World Finals through 2010.
2009 – while representing corporate sponsored Ford, Linsey got to unveil the newest F150 with Country Music Legend Toby Keith.
In 2011, Linsey Weenk debuted the Lucas Oil Crusader while Todd Leduc took over Ford Blue Thunder. Linsey won racing in Baltimore and Cincinnati this same year.
Weenk has appeared in the Monster Jam World Finals every year since 2006, representing Iron Outlaw in 2006 and 2007, Ford Blue Thunder 2008 – 2010 and the Lucas Oil Crusader for 2011-2018.
The Monster Jam World Finals have historically been held in Las Vegas, where Weenk has
competed for 13 years.This year the Monster Jam World Finals were moved to Orlando, Florida. They will return to Orlando, Florida in 2020 as well. Monster Jam can be seen on NBC and NBC Sports Network.
In 2013 Linsey Weenk drove the Zombie Monster Truck in Mexico.
In 2015 Linsey Weenk drove Zombie again In Salinas, California.
In 2015 and 2016 he would drive in the Fox Sports 1 Championship.
In 2017 Linsey competed in the FS1 East Series and won the series.
In 2018 and 2019 Linsey competed in the “Stadium Tour 3 Series”.
In 2018 and 2019 Linsey also drove the E-Maxx Zombie monster truck in Europe.
2018 Linsey shot a small part in a movie called “Wheels of Fortune” with the Lucas Oil Crusader. This is a full-length feature film produced by Forrest-Films. Make sure to keep your eyes open for the theatrical release date.
“Lucas Oil believes in developing strong partnerships. Over the past nine years our relationship with Feld Inc., the Monster Jam Series and their family has shown both our commitment and theirs. Our Lucas Oil Products are proven every time a Monster Jam Fleet Truck starts up and performs. We’re on the track, we’re part of the show, and we want the best show possible for the racers and all the fans!!
Being partnered with Linsey Weenk from the beginning and still actively working with him today, shows the commitment and confidence that Linsey, Feld and Lucas Oil have for each other.
Linsey has represented Lucas Oil in such an exciting way, who else gets to go out, drive a Monster Jam Truck, crush, flip and be a little wild and call that a job. As Mr. Lucas once said to me ‘we want the WOW factor’. I believe Linsey and the Lucas Oil Crusader do just that!” – Keli Gunn / Project Manager and Aide to the CEO/President and Vice President – Lucas Oil Products
“Linsey has been part of the Monster Jam family for years and a positive influence on the sport. His desires to keep pushing the sport further ahead and his connection with the fans is what has kept him in one of our largest sponsored Monster Jam trucks for many years “ – Jayme Dalsing – Senior Director Global Operations / Monster Jam.
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