Meet the driver Matt Cody - Grave Digger

Name: Matt Cody

Hometown: Williamsport, Maryland

Current residence: Williamsport, Maryland

Date of Birth: July 16, 1992

Year Started Competing in Monster Jam: 2014

About Matt Cody

What are some of your interests/hobbies/favourite pastimes? I have 4 kids so they take up a lot of my time! I enjoy spending time with them and my wife. We live on 54 acres, and I enjoy just being outside riding 4wheelers, working on the property and being active.

Who are your role models? Mike Vaters; he’s always been a father figure to me. There are a few others out there that motivate me to do better.

Do you have any pre-show rituals you run through? I like to walk around the truck and visually make sure things are ready to go.

What's something a lot of people don't know about you? I’m a wrestling coach for Jr league wrestling.

What is your favourite memory on or off the race track? Every event is a new memory for me but getting to compete in 2015 for the first time in my hometown event at Hagerstown Speedway where I watched monster trucks growing up!

What is your most prized possession? My 2019 Monster Jam World Finals Speedster Championship trophy. I was the first and only one to win that event!

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 that I’m living my dream, something that I’ve worked hard at and just traveling the world seeing all the sights.  The worst would definitely be just leaving home and my family.

While on tour, what is your favourite thing to do during your free time? Checking out the sights and finding new places to eat

How do you keep fit? Ha. Like I said I have 4 kids so they keep me busy. And just always staying active. We don’t sit around in this household!

What item(s) can you not live without while traveling on the road with Monster Jam? Of course I can’t leave my gear home. But just the essentials: phone, wallet, clothes. Other than that, let’s go!

What is your favourite city to travel to? Why? I’ve been asked this a bunch, and I cannot point out one place. I just enjoy traveling and being out on the road!

What countries have you visited with Monster Jam? I’ve been all over the U.S, Canada and Mexico. In 2023 I get to travel overseas for my first international tour!

Career

How did you get started competing in Monster Jam? I got hooked up with Mike Vaters and the Black Stallion Team back in 2007. I started out crewing, working my way to crew chief for a few years. In 2012, I got my first opportunity to drive in some events. In 2014, I went full time driving and did my first Monster Jam event in the fall of 2014!

What is your favourite part about competing in Monster Jam? The atmosphere. When you’re at a Monster Jam event, you just know you’re at the big leagues! And all the best fans come out!

How would you describe your driving style? Smart and competitive

What advice would you give to kids who want to become a Monster Jam driver? Follow your dream! I was once that kid in the stands dreaming of it. I worked hard for it and had the right opportunities that I ran with! If you set your goals and fight for them, you can achieve a lot.

What is your greatest memory as a Monster Jam driver? Getting to compete with people that I’ve watched while growing up, and, of course, getting to compete at Monster Jam World Finals.

Who in Monster Jam do you look up to for inspiration? I can’t point one exactly.  There are a lot of talented drivers out there that I take a little inspiration from all.

Hometown Information

Where did you grow up? Williamsport, MD

What major city is it near? Baltimore; Washington DC

What high school/college did you attend? If applicable, what degree did you receive? Williamsport High School; Washington County Technical School

Miscellaneous/Fun Facts

What’s your favourite movie? I like the Back to the Future series, any good comedy movies

What’s your favourite television show? I honestly don’t watch TV much, but impractical Jokers, Family Guy, Family Feud, and of course SpongeBob for the kids!

What’s your favourite colour? Red

What’s your favourite thing to eat? Steak

What’s your favourite restaurant on the road? A good steak place

How would your friends and family describe you? Go getter, hard worker, fun time to be around