Tractor Pull Preview: Saturday Afternoon, February 15
7,500lb 4x4 Diesel Pickups
This group of ten diesel pickups is filled with a potent mix of performers competing in a one-session shootout to be crowned the Grand Champion. Leading off the list is returning 2024 class champion Keith Witt and the “American Pride” RAM. He’s joined by three past class champions, including three-time Grand Champion Van Haisley and the “Rock Hard Ram,” two-time Grand Champion Kent Crowder in the “Scheid Diesel” Dodge, and 2013 Grand Champion Calvin Miller piloting the “Runnin’ in the Red” Dodge. The class also has three newcomers to the Championship Tractor Pull; OSTPA champion Dustin Beheler and the “Diggin’ Deep” Dodge, JJ Brumby wheeling “The Rumor” Chevy, and Trenton Ingram at the controls of the 2023 Grand Champion machine, the other “Scheid Diesel” Dodge that Brady Ingram drove to that 2023 win.
Not to be outdone, the ladies have a fantastic duo to cheer on. Caroline Armistead (“Dixie Ram” Dodge) and Jayden Litman (“Somethin’ To Prove” RAM) have the guys in their sights with Freedom Hall competition experience on their resume.
8,500lb Light Pro Stock Tractors
Also fighting for a Grand Championship in a single session is the awesome herd of Light Pro Stock Tractors. The class joined the Championship Tractor Pull roster in 2018 and has had five different winners, noting the competitiveness of this division.
The class goes beyond the typical “red vs. green” battle with four different brands represented in the lineup. Representing the “Team Blue” are reigning Pro Pulling League Silver Series Champion Matt Smith and the “Fast Forward” Ford, Ontario Tractor and Tractor Pullers Champion Matt Dirksen with his “Unchained” Ford and Eddie Ocker and the Interstate Pullers Champion “Bull Ride” New Holland. USA-East/Full Pull Productions Champion Mike Weakland (“Just Hookin’ Up” Deere), PPL Western Series Champion Luke Ross (“Livin’ On A Prayer” Deere), Power Pulling Productions title holder Gregg Ferringer (“Smokin’ John”) and NTPA Region 2-West champ Jordan Stroud (“Never-A-Nuff” Deere) give “Team Green” fans ample hope for a win. Team Red is chocked full of talent; Alan Cook and the WTPA standout “Black Thunder” IH, Badger State Champ Andy Cartwright and the “Grey Area” IH, Cory Frank and the OSTPA-winning “High Standards” CaseIH, and Hoosier State Champ (and 2019 Grand Champion) Mike Palmer with the ”Red Avenger” IH are ready for battle in Freedom Hall. The lone McCormick in the class is a strong runner, with David Rieff and the “Red Exception” answering the call to compete as well.
6,400lb Lightweight Super Stock Tractors
Lightweight Super Stock Tractors offer 12 of the best in the nation for a single-session shootout to name their 2025 Grand Champion. There are three former Grand Champion drivers set to compete, with Terry Blackbourn (“Considered Armed and Dangerous” CaseIH), Martin Daniel (“Over the Edge” CaseIH), and Larry Phillips (“Extremely Insane” CaseIH) leading the pack. The 2024 Grand Champion “Armed and Dangerous-Excessive Force” CaseIH has young gun Codey Chizek piloting the strong red machine from Wisconsin on this occasion, looking to collect his first Grand Champion title; The 2023 class-winning “On the Edge” CaseIH finds Daniel Northcutt at the wheel this time after Daniel piloted it to that 2023 victory. Amidst a sea of red tractors on the dance card, Kevin Essary and the 2024 Mid-South Pullers Association Champion “Evening Thunder” Case will offer a formidable shot at the Grand Championship, while Brandon Phillips (“Loud and Light”) and David Esteb (“Eat’N Dollars Alky Edition”) carry the flag for “Team Green.”
10,200lb Pro Stock Tractors
Pro Stock Tractors conclude the fourth session with these “Monsters of the Matinee” clawing for three spots to transfer into the Saturday night finals. While Jason Rauen looks to defend his 2024 title aboard his 8360R Deere, a 2025 title run has several obstacles in the way. Former Grand Champions Danny Schmucker (“Rampage” Deere) and Steve Wischmeier (“Whiskey Wild” Deere) look to deflect Rauen’s advances. Class veterans Rob Russell (“Work Horse Pro” CaseIH) and John Linder (“Linder Brothers” Deere) will bring decades of experience on the Freedom Hall dirt to the fray. A trio of newcomers, Matt Holland and his “Glutton for Punishment” CaseIH, Arnold Hayden and the “New Era” Deere, and Robert Pryor on the New Brunswick, Canada-based “Faster Horses” Deere will shoot their shot for the Saturday evening finals.
