Tractor Pull Preview: Thursday Evening, February 13

9,300lb Super Farm Tractors

The second round of Super Farm Tractors vying for a berth into the Saturday Night Finals of the Championship Tractor Pull presented by Farm Credit Mid-America hit the track in the second session with an intriguing group of machines that are all capable of taking the win. All told, eight entries in the class are past Grand Champions or have made the finals on multiple occasions. Two-time Grand Champion Ryan Anderson and the “Check’N Out” IH returns for another shot at the finals, with other past Grand Champions - 2018 Grand Champion Tony Sietsema and the “Wolverine Deere” and Shaun Boyd at the wheel of 2015 Grand Champion “Screamin’ Norwegian” CaseIH are both ready for a return to the top of the class. The “Twisted Deere” of Casey Fritz is no stranger to the finals, nor are Josh Miley and the “High Maintenan$e” CaseIH, Eddie Roe and the “Redweiser” 66-Series IH and the “New Attitude” IH of Gary Schyvinch.

A third-generation puller will make their maiden Freedom Hall voyage on the “Fast and Furious” Deere, with Tyler Slama wheeling the potent machine from Wisconsin; also making their first hooks at the Championship Tractor Pull are Mid-South Puller Association standout Russell DeBerry and the “Ridge Runner” IH and Brian Gunderson and the “GunSmoke” Deere from the Pullers Incorporated group from northeast Wisconsin.

6,200lb TWD Super Modified Trucks

The Two-Wheel Drive Super Modified Truck class mirrors the Super Farm class, featuring numerous past Grand Champions – but with a unique twist. Five pullers – Craig Corzine (“Rekindled” Chevy), Jessie Petro (“Buckeye Hauler” Ford), Donnie Sullivan (“Big Stick” Chevy), Lisa Tatum (“Parts City Auto Parts” Chevy), and Will Teasley (“Apex” Chevy) have tasted victory in Freedom Hall, but all in different machines from their 2025 entries. Corzine’s path was especially unique as his past wins were aboard the “Second Degree Burn” Modified Tractor. A host of pullers with state and regional accolades will enter the fray in this qualifier session for the Saturday Night Finals, all seeking to punch one of four available tickets for the journey to an overall class win. United Pullers of the Carolinas class champ and NTPA Region 4 winner Brandon Lee (“Wild ‘N Blue” Chevy), Full Pull Productions title holder Erv Clark (“Wild Side” Ford), and Badger State winner Kyle Timmerman (“Hot ‘N Nasty” Chevy) look to bring their first Grand Champion title home. Adding international flair to the class is the Ontario Truck and Tractor Pullers Champion “Walk the Line” Ford of Barbara Cochrane.

9,500lb Limited Pro Stock Tractors

The 9,500lb Limited Pro Stock Tractor division in this session showcases a dozen of the best tractors in the country with a bevy of entrants that are champions at the state and regional levels. The top four pullers will transfer to the Saturday Night Finals, joining the top four pullers from the Friday night session. 2024 season class champions taking the Freedom Hall stage include George Beyer and the “Side Piece” Deere from the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pullers Association; Pro Pulling League Silver Series Champ Jarrod Wortmann and the “Goliath” IH; Jacob Ohl’s NTPA Region 2 and HSTPA championship ride, the “Pro Harvest” IH; Badger State champ and former class finalist John Kutz and the “Diggin’ Deere;” Chris Leer and the Tri-State champion “Badger Deere;” and Bryce Ricklets and the “Red Revolver” IH, winners of the 2024 ECITPA championship. Newcomers to the Championship Tractor Pull include reigning SRVPA champ Colby Lane and his “The Bad” Deere and Lane Paulsen on the “Life in the Fast Lane” Deere.

10,200lb Pro Stock Tractors

Pro Stock completes the night with a lineup full of heavy hitters. Two pullers in this session were finalists in 2024, including Kevin Schmucker (“Git-Er-Dun Deere”) and Julia Ray (“MAC Daddy” Deere). Other previous finalists, Brandon Simon (“Loud and Loaded” Deere), Greg Elsing (“T-8 Tomcat” New Holland), and Clint Metting (“Bulletproof Buck”), seek to return to the finals for Grand Champion accolades. Three pullers in the class return to action in Freedom Hall after an absence – Lucien Kuelers (“Straight Outta Line”) from the Netherlands, Dustin Hart (“Beyond Limits”), and Tim Brinkmeier (“Fuelish Pleasure”) – all three with the ability to play at the top of the class anytime, anywhere. New to the Freedom Hall spotlight in Ryan Coates on the “Dealin’ with Fire” Deere from the Badger State ranks.