Shipshewana Spring Nationals Winners and MAC Trailer Winter Nationals Preview (2023-03-20) Report 

Surrounding select events throughout the season, the NTPA will file audio reports that can be heard on The Steve Sommers' Overnight Drive, a live-streamed, trucking-themed call-in show originating from the Hot Shot's Secret Studios near Cincinnati, Ohio and broadcasting Monday through Friday from midnight to 5 a.m. Eastern. The Overnight Drive is the successor to the terrestrial and satellite radio program begun by Steve's father Dale "The Trucking Bozo" Sommers in 1984.

NTPA fans and competitors are invited to listen at OvernightDriveRadio.com or via the OvernightDriveRadio apps available at the Google Play and Apple App Stores.

The current Overnight Radio Report congratulates the winners of the fourth annual NTPA Shipshewana Spring Nationals and pivots to the Saturday, April 1 MAC Trailer Winter Nationals in Louisville, Kentucky. Click here to listen.

Overnight Radio Report Archives

2023

• Get to Know Shipshewana and the Michiana Event Center (2023-03-13) Report 
• Invited Shipshewana Hot Farm and Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 3.0 Competitors; MAC Trailer Winter Nationals Update (2023-03-06) Report
• Invited Shipshewana Super Farm, 4.1 Limited Pro Stock, and Pro Stock Competitors (2023-02-27) Report 
• The NTPA's Member State Organizations (2023-02-20) Report
• New and Returning NTPA National Events (2023-02-13) Report
• Tentative 2023 Grand National Schedule (2023-02-06) Report
• Ocala Tractor Pull Winners (2023-01-30) Report 
• Ocala, FL Preview and Tech School Summary (2023-01-23) Report 
• Fair Conventions Summary; Ocala, FL and Shipshewana, IN Event Previews (2023-01-16) Report
• Acceptance Speech Highlights from 2022 Pulling Hall-of-Fame Inductees Mark Peissig and Ron Barga (2023-01-09) Report
• Interview with 2022 Pulling Hall-of-Fame Inductee Ron Barga (2023-01-02) Report

2022

• Interview with 2022 Pulling Hall-of-Fame Inductee Mark Peissig (2022-12-26) Report
• 2022 NTPA Awards Banquet Recap, Part Three (2022-12-19) Report
• 2022 NTPA Awards Banquet Recap, Part Two (2022-12-12) Report
• 2022 NTPA Awards Banquet Recap, Part One (2022-12-05) Report
• 2022 NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-11-07) Report
• 2022 NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-10-31) Report
• 2022 NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-10-24) Report
• 2022 Region IV and NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-10-17) Report
• Raleigh, North Carolina Preview, Part Two; 2022 NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-10-10) Report
• Raleigh, North Carolina Preview, Part One; 2022 NTPA Grand National Champion Stories (2022-10-03) Report
• 35th Enderle Pull-Off Grand National Champions (2022-09-26) Report
• 35th Enderle Pull-Off Regional National Champions (2022-09-19) Report
• Sandwich, Illinois Wrap-Up; Enderle Pull-Off Preview (2022-09-12) Report
• Wauseon and Canton, Ohio Wrap-Up; Sandwich, Illinois and Enderle Preview (2022-09-05) Report
• Wellington, Ohio Wrap-Up; Remaining GN Schedule Preview (2022-08-29) Report
• Bowling Green, Ohio Recap and Ring Winners and Wellington, Ohio Preview (2022-08-22) Report
• Bowling Green, Ohio Preview and Current GN Point Races (2022-08-15) Report
• Rockwell, Iowa Wrap-Up; Napoleon, Bowling Green, and Wellington, Ohio Preview (2022-08-08) Report
• Brandenburg, Kentucky and Fort Recovery, Ohio Wrap-Up; Rockwell, Iowa Preview (2022-08-01) Report
• Chapel Hill, Tennessee Wrap-Up; Brandenburg, Kentucky and Fort Recovery, Ohio Preview (2022-07-25) Report
• Franklin, Indiana Wrap-Up; Chapel Hill, Tennessee Preview (2022-07-18) Report
• Dodge City, Kansas Wrap-Up; Franklin, Indiana Preview (2022-07-11) Report
• Dodge City, Kansas Preview, Part Two (2022-07-04) Report
• Tomah, Wisconsin Wrap-Up and Dodge City, Kansas Preview, Part One (2022-06-27) Report
• Hutchinson, MN Wrap-Up / Tomah, WI Preview (2022-06-20) Report
• Hutchinson, MN Preview, Part Two (2022-06-13) Report
• Hutchinson, MN Preview, Part One (2022-06-06) Report
• Two Wheel Drive Preview (2022-05-30) Report
• Super Farm Preview (2022-05-23) Report
• Welcome to NTPA Championship Pulling (2022-05-16) Report
• Regional and Member State Schedules, Part Two (2022-05-09) Report
• Regional and Member State Schedules, Part One (2022-05-02) Report
• Pulling Past to Present, Part Two (2022-04-25) Report
• Pulling Past to Present, Part One (2022-04-18) Report
• Green Cove Springs, FL (2022-04-11) Report
• GN Circuit, Green Cove Springs Preview (2022-04-04)
• Neeses, SC (2022-03-28) Report
• Shipshewana, IN Wrap-Up (2022-03-21) Report
• Shipshewana, IN Preview, Part Two (2022-03-14) Report
• Shipshewana, IN Preview, Part One (2022-03-07) Report
• Ocala, FL (2022-01-31) Report

Enderle Reports

• 2022 Road to the Enderle Regional National Traffic Report
• 2022 Road to the Enderle Grand National Traffic Report

2021

• Awards Banquet Recap (2021-12-06) Report
• Enderle GN All-Stars, Part Two (2021-10-04) Report
• Enderle GN All-Stars, Part One (2021-09-27) Report
• Enderle RN All-Stars (2021-09-20) Report
• Sandwich, IL and Enderle Preview (2021-09-13) Report
• Wauseon, OH; Canton, OH; and Hoopeston, IL (2021-09-06) Report
• Wellington, OH (2021-08-30) Report
• Bowling Green, OH (2021-08-23) Report
• Napoleon, OH and Pre-BG Standings Update (2021-08-16) Report
• Mount Sterling, IL; Salem, IL; Morley, MI (2021-08-09) Report
• Fort Recovery, OH; Brandenburg, KY (2021-08-02) Report
• Chapel Hill, TN (2021-07-26) Report
• Charlotte, MI; Decorah, IA; Wausau, WI (2021-07-19) Report
• Rockwell, IA (2021-07-12) Report
• Dodge City, KS (2021-07-05) Report
• Tomah, WI (2021-06-28) Report
• Paulding, OH; Wauseon, OH (MVP); Mandan, ND (2021-06-21) Report
• Ellsworth, WI (2021-06-14) Report
• Atwood, TN (2021-06-07) Report
• Sauk Rapids, MN (2021-05-31) Report

The fourth Wakarusa Ag/Deutz-Fahr NTPA Spring Nationals presented by the Michiana Event Center will comprise two sessions on Friday and Saturday, March 17-18. Each session will begin at 6 p.m.

Located in Shipshewana, Indiana along State Route 5 between the Toll Road (Interstate 80/90) and U.S. 20, the MEC’s Trade Show Building will be outfitted with a 300’-plus pulling surface and both bleacher and VIP trackside seating. Meanwhile, the Michiana Farm Show will occupy the adjacent Coliseum during daytime hours on both Friday and Saturday, and the Staging Building will house the open pit area.

Pre-event tickets, which include admission to the farm show, are priced at $30 ($35 VIP) for Sessions One and Two, while a weekend pass is $50 ($60 VIP). Children younger than 6 will be admitted free with paying adult. Day-of-show prices will increase.

As of March 14, the following competitors are scheduled to appear:

Super Farm (Fri. 6p & Sat. 6p)

• Jason Bentzer / Plastic Money
  
• Lee Butts / Press On
  
• Charlie & Nick Capozzo / Cruel Intentions
• Bill & Matt Casey / Whoopie Maker
• Greg & Russ Freeze / Deere Traxx
  
• Jeff & Kyle Larson / Hotwire
• Shane Masten / Thumpin' Pumpkin
  
• Gary Schyvinch / New Attitude
  
• Tony Sietsema / Wolverine Deere
  
• Jon Silsby / Crop Doctor
  
• Dave Whelan / My Last Excuse
  

4.1 Limited Pro Stock (Fri. 6p & Sat. 6p)

• Jeff Bahl / Doctor Deere
• Garrett Boldry / Smoke Fever
  
• Jamie Campbell / Green Impact
• Isaac Conway / Operation Detonation
• Bill Figanbaum / Instigator
• James Giese / Hicktown Hurricane
• Dean Holicky / Killin' Time
• Chris Leer / Badger Deere
• Collin Leer / Dairyin' Deere
• Jon Liechty / Rushhour
• Kevin Lindstrom / Hyper Harvester
• Doug McKinley / Knight Train

Pro Stock (Fri. 6p & Sat. 6p)

• Tim Ammons / Ultimate Harvester
• Tim Cain / The Red Gambler
  
• Esdon Lemke / New Generation Plus
• Robby Lemke / Straight Outta Line
• John Link / Revvelation Pro
• Rhett Parish / El Niño
• Jason Rauen / Instigator
• Jason Rauen / John Deere 8370R
• Travis Wileman / Die Hard Deere
• Steve Wischmeier / Barely Gettin' By
• Steve Wischmeier / Whiskey Wild
• Russ Yoder / Xtra Butter

Hot Farm (Fri. 6p & Sat. 6p)

• Darren Bommer / I Got This
• Kolten Bommer / Daddy's Money
• Brian Carrington / Endle$$
• Alan Daily / No-Name Deere
• Ryan Funk / Hooked on a Feelin'
  
• Tim Jones / Against the Odds
• Scot Miller / Dragline Xpress
  
• Mike Robbins / Fire in the Hole
• Brandt Schrader / Addiction
  
• Kevin D. Smith / Buckshot Reloaded
• Travis Smith / Cornfield Cadillac
• Matt & Kylie Werner / Rage-N-Buck
• Everett Wilkerson / Just One More

Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 3.0 (Fri. 6p & Sat. 6p)

• Mike Burton / Backwoods Evolution
• C.W. Cartmell / Most Hated
• Cory Frank / Causin' Trouble
• Stacy Gwinn / Juiced Up
• Erik Hucke / Slightly Overworked
  
• Jordan Jackson / Billet Steel & Sex Appeal
• Calvin Logan / Runnin' Outta Room
• Brian Shew / Iron Maiden
• Eric Widman / Big Red
• Jacob Widman / Under Pressure
• Robert Widman / Boosted

Check ShopNTPA.com or O’Reilly Auto Parts Stores for discount pre-event tickets. Can’t make it all weekend? Catch the Live Stream at NTPA.tv on your PC, mobile device, or smart TV. For more information about the facility, visit MichianaEvents.com.

April 1: Louisville, Kentucky's 2023 MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals

Ticket sales are open. Buy now via this link just for NTPA fans.

Columbus, Ohio---The National Tractor Pullers Association's spring pulling calendar just got busier, as one of the United States' foremost manufacturers of over-the-road trailers stands ready to deliver a world-class indoor event to pulling fans.

 The 2023 MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals is scheduled for Saturday, April 1 at Freedom Hall in Louisville, Kentucky. Sanctioned for the first time by the NTPA, the event will be held concurrently with the Mid-American Trucking Show on the grounds of the Kentucky Expo Center.

 The Grand National invitational will feature Super Stock Open and Pro Stock Tractors, Super Semis, and Modified Minis. Selections will be based on performance on the Association's 2022 GN circuit as well as promoter choice. The title sponsor, MAC Trailer of Alliance, Ohio, has been a series sponsor for NTPA for over a decade.

 "MAC Trailer and the NTPA have a long-standing partnership," noted Gregg Randall, the Association's Executive Director, "and Mike [Conny, owner] and [his daughter] Julia have pulled and supported NTPA circuits since back in their Super Farm days and do so now with their top flight Pro Stock challengers. MAC Trailer maintains a standard of excellence on the track and on the highways of America.

"We are thankful  for the opportunity to expand that relationship to event promotion and sanctioning,” Randall concluded.

 Freedom Hall has for 53 years been the home of the National Farm Machinery Show Championship Tractor Pull conducted over four days each February. The MAC Trailer Winter Nationals event was first held in 2022. The inaugural edition reversed the track direction from the Farm Show pull, but this year's Winter Nationals will position the starting line at the tunnel end of the storied arena.

Tickets for the MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals are on sale now!  Get tickets online via this special link for NTPA pulling fans.

Coming to the Kentucky Expo Center's historic Freedom Hall on Saturday, April 1: The MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals. Action is set to begin at 5 p.m.

Located in Louisville, Kentucky, the MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals will run concurrently with the final day of the 2023 Mid-American Trucking Show. Vehicles will be pitted in the Expo Center's Broadbent Arena.

Tickets will not be available to the general public until the week of the show. But this link will take you directly to a ticket purchase site only for NTPA fans! FYI: Pull direction will be the opposite of the 2022 MAC Trailer WN and the same as the NFMS Championship Tractor Pull also held in Freedom Hall.

As of March 9, the following competitors are scheduled to appear:

Super Stock Open

• Josh Blackbourn / Considered Armed & Dangerous HD
  
• Terry Blackbourn / Extremely Armed & Dangerous
  
• Jeff Hirt / Runin Bare
  
• Brandon Hunt / Liv'n a Dream
  
• Brent Payne / Get a Load of That
  
• Kent Payne / Super Rooster
  
• Colin Ross / Triple Bypass
  
• John Strickland / Get a Load of That II
  

Modified Mini

• Adam Bauer / Iron Toy
• Bret Berg / North American Trailer
• Dillon Bunnage / Phoenix
  
• Hali Carrender / Hurricane Hali
  
• C.J. Graczyk / Pile Driver
• Jeff Hirt / Baby Bear
• Jordan Nelson / Loud and Mini
• Adam Koester / Koester Racing
• Chase Richardson / Vibrator
• Grayson Shelton / Sawed Off
• Bruce Slagh / Show No Mercy 1/4 Scale
• Tyler Slagh / Have No Mercy
• Grant Theobald / Li'l Wicked
• Ken Veney / Funny Lil' Farmall

Pro Stock

• Tim Cain / The Red Gambler
  
• Mike Conny / MAC Nasty
• Carlton Cope / Warpath
• Darryl Folz / Tinker Toy
• Jack Maize / Billet Binder
• Kevin Masterson / River Rat
• Julia Ray / MAC Daddy
• Danny Schmucker / Rampage
• Kevin Schmucker / Git-Er-Dun Deere
• Brandon Simon / Loud and Heavy
• Brandon Simon / Loud and Heavy X
• Justin Wagler / Real Deere

Super Semi

• Ryan DeBroux / Playin' with Fire
• Pat Eilen / Just Passin' Thru in Class
  
• Tom Eilen / Keep on Truckin'
  
• T.J. Lake / Rat Race
  
• Jeff Lautanen / Moody Blue
• Mike & Spencer Rook / Hillbilly Delux
  
• Fred Sanders / Silver Bullet 2
  
• Chris Wood / Class Act

We are saddened to report the passing on Sunday, February 26 of Betty Kutz of Fort Atkinson, Wisconsin. Mrs. Kutz was the mother of NTPA and WTPA Tech Official Roger Kutz.

Mrs. Kutz's full obituary may be found here.

We offer our sympathy to Roger and his family at this difficult time.

Ticket sales have now opened for the MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals invitational event, scheduled for Saturday, April 1 in Freedom Hall on the grounds of the Kentucky Expo Center.

Sales via Ticketmaster may only be processed from the following link: MAC Trailer NTPA Winter Nationals.

WPI/NTPA regrets to report the passing on Saturday, February 11 of David Hill, 69, of Eldorado, Ohio. Mr. Hill was the owner of the "Cashed Out" Light Pro Stock, which competed on the Region II circuit.

Mr. Hill is survived by his children Amy, Ryan, Heather Foreman, Mariah Garcia (Mychael Viviano), Zalynn Rummels, Easton, Wesley, Breanna, and Rylee; his grandchildren Ashley Walker (A.J.), Ne'Vaeh Viviano and Zayden-Mychael Viviano; his great-grandchildren Avah and Alan Walker; and his sister Anita McAllister-Colson (Garry). His full obituary may be found here.

Visitation for Mr. Hill's family and friends will be held on Saturday, February 25 from 2 to 3 p.m. at the Zechar Bailey Funeral Home, 1499 N Broadway Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331. A celebration of life will be held on Saturday at 3 p.m. at the same location.

Memorial contributions may be made to the funeral home to help with expenses.

Our sympathy rests with the Hill family.

See the NTPA Tech Page for the statement.

WPI/NTPA is stunned and saddened to report the passing on Monday, January 23 of Duane Edwards, 75, of Arcanum, Ohio. Mr. Edwards was a regular announcer for several NTPA national events in western Ohio and eastern Indiana including the Great Darke County Fair Pull in Greenville, the Preble County Fair Pull in Eaton, and the Rush County Fair Pull in Rushville. Mr. Edwards was also frequently called upon to announce on behalf of the Darke County Tractor Pullers and the Hoosier State Tractor Pullers.

A lifelong resident of Darke County, Mr. Edwards worked as an assembly technician for the Union City Body Company until his retirement after 47 years. He devoted much of his time to community and charitable work, including volunteering as a poll worker for the Board of Elections and fundraising for the county's Cancer Association. He was a founding member of DCTPA, served as its president, and was inducted into its Hall of Fame in 2013.

Mr. Edwards is survived by his daughter Dawn (David) Huff, grandsons Jacob (Stacey Phillips) Campbell and Lucas Campbell, girlfriend Vickie Gossard, sister Marcia, nephew Matt Miller, niece Tiffany Miller, and great-nephew Dakota Miller.

Visitation for Mr. Edwards' family and friends is scheduled for Friday, January 27 from 4 to 8 p.m. at Tribute Funeral Homes' Greenville Campus, 1000 N. Broadway, Greenville, Ohio 45331. An additional hour of visitation will be available for one hour before his funeral service at 1 p.m. on Sunday.

Our hearts go out to the Edwards family. Duane's deep and abiding passion for the sport at all of its levels was evident in every driver introduction and call he made, and he will be greatly missed.

WPI/NTPA regrets to report the passing on Sunday, January 22 of Wendell Ploetz, 74, of Utica, Minnesota. Mr. Ploetz was the father and grandfather of NTPA competitors Jeremy and Jarod Ploetz ("Big One" Limited Pro Stock).

Mr. Ploetz competed in NTPA tractor divisions during the 1970s and '80s. He served on the Executive Board of the United Pullers of Minnesota for several years and more recently supported Jeremy and Jarod's national efforts. He was also an avid snowmobiler and deer hunter.

In addition to Jeremy and Jarod (Stephanie), surviving Mr. Ploetz are his daughter Melissa Ploetz, his stepdaughter Darla (Scott) Busian, great-grandchildren Hadley and Emma, sisters Judy (Randy) Schmidt and Linda (Larry) Fix. Mr. Ploetz's full obituary may be found here.

Visitation for Mr. Ploetz's family and friends is scheduled for 4 to 7 p.m. on Friday, January 27 at Hoff Funeral Home, 519 St. Martin Ave, St. Charles, Minnesota 55972. A Celebration of Life will immediately follow. His funeral service will begin at 11 a.m. Saturday at St. Matthew Lutheran Church, 555 E 12th St. in St. Charles, and will be preceded by an additional hour of visitation.

Please keep Jeremy, Jarod, and the Ploetz family in your thoughts.

We regret to report the passing on Wednesday, January 4 of Norman M. Green, 82, of Marion, Iowa. Mr. Green, previously of Whiteland, Indiana, competed alongside his neighbor Al Koch and John Lancaster as the Quad Squad, so named because their Allis-Chalmers were the first to be fitted with four turbochargers in three pressure stages for regular competition in the 7,000-, 9,000-, and 12,000-lb. classes.

From the mid-1970s through the mid-1980s, Mr. Green additionally served the NTPA as both a delegate to the full board and a director on the Executive Board. It marked a period of explosive growth of the motorsport and of the Association's maturation into a federation of more than two dozen member states. All three members of the Squad were voted Mechanics of the Year at different times, with Mr. Green's turn coming in 1980.

Mr. Green's own "Deereslayer" D21 was the first to undergo the four-charger experiment in late 1977 and debuted at Terre Haute, Indiana with 200 lbs. of boost pressure. Mr. Green, Mr. Koch, and Mr. Lancaster were appropriately inducted together into the Pulling Hall of Fame in 2013. As a tribute to one of the sport's great innovators and devoted representatives, we have linked to their induction profile and invite you to read more about Mr. Green.

A Celebration of Life service for Mr. Green's family and friends will be held on Saturday, March 4 from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Reserve of Timber's Edge Clubhouse, 880 Ravenwood Drive, Greenwood, Indiana, 46142. His full obituary may be found here, where memories may be shared.

Our sympathy rests with Mr. Green's children and stepchildren and the entire Green family.

Shipshewana, Indiana's Spring Nationals: March 17-18: Fourth Annual Invitational to Host Five Classes

The 2022 season of NTPA Championship Pulling has begun to fade away while autumn invariably yields to the icy grip of wintertime. But winter will someday give way to spring. As it does, so will return a burgeoning event that has already earned its place among the sport's traditions.

The fourth edition of the Deutz-Fahr/Wakarusa Ag NTPA Shipshewana Spring Nationals will be conducted in two sessions on Friday and Saturday, March 17-18, 2023. The pull and associated Michiana Farm Show will fill the entirety of northern Indiana's Michiana Event Center, with the open pit area housed in the Stall Building, the farm show in the Coliseum, and the contest on 300-plus feet of track in the massive Trade Show Building.

Update: Tickets are now on sale: ShopNTPA.com

"The transformation of the MEC facility is nothing short of amazing," remarked Gregg Randall, the NTPA's Executive Director. "Before we arrive, you would never believe that Trade Show Building could be transformed into a pulling venue. But once the track is laid in and the bleachers are in place, you can't see it any other way."

Classes that are scheduled to appear include Super Farm, Pro Stock, 4.1 Pro Stock, and Hot Farm Tractors and Stainless Diesel Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 3.0 Trucks. Invitations will be based on performance at national classes (GN for Super Farm and Pro Stock; RN for 4.1 Pro, Hot Farm, and 3.0).

"We've heard from pullers that an invitation to Shipshewana has become a major incentive for them to compete during the regular season," Randall noted. "We're happy to provide our competitors and fans with a marquee indoor event after a long, cold winter."

Ocala, FL's Ocala Tractor Pull: January 27-28: Two-Night, Non-Points Invitational Will Open 2023 Season, Feature Three National Divisions

The NTPA and Mid-Florida Tractor Pullers Association will together present the Ocala Tractor Pull on Friday and Saturday, January 27-28. Held at the Southeastern Livestock Pavilion, the invitational event will include national classes of Super Farm Tractors, Two-Wheel-Drive Trucks, and Modified Minis, plus Mid-Florida classes, both nights beginning at 6 p.m.

NTPA Championship Pulling brings together skilled competitors, dynamic machines, and ardent fans for outrageous displays of horsepower at fairgrounds and festivals across the United States. Specialized tractors, trucks, and dragsters tow a heavy metal sled along a straight, dirt track as the sled's resistance increases. Within a class of similar vehicles, the one who pulls the sled the farthest is the winner. Pullers spend long nights traveling, wrenching, and tuning to put on the best show and take their best shot at prize money and season championships.

The Ocala Tractor Pull is in its second season of NTPA sanctioning. The event has limited entries to those already registered and will not award points toward any national titles. At present, the Region VI circuit includes two hooks apiece for Super Farms, Two Wheel Drives, and Minis at Green Cove Springs, Florida's Clay County Fair Pull in April. Watch NTPAPULL.com for details about additional events as they are scheduled.

The MFTPA will additionally present several state-sanctioned classes within each session. These include Light Limited Super Stock Tractors, Two Wheel Drive and Pro Stock Four Wheel Drive Trucks, Naturally Aspirated Minis, and Modifieds. Visit MidFLTractorPullers.com for more info.

Our thoughts are with Dick Storehalder and his family, as we have recently been informed of the death of his mother, Mary Jane Storehalder of Lyons, Ohio. Mrs. Storehalder, 91, passed away on Wednesday, December 21.

Mrs. Storehalder's obituary and service and visitation information may be found here.

Dick is a Modified Mini competitor on the Region II circuit.

Chris Rydahl
Trufant, Michigan
"Chicken Coop Special"
2022 Region II Light Limited Super Stock Champion

Audio

Having scratched out victories in Blanchard and Dorr, Michigan and Urbana, Ohio, Rydahl's "Chicken" was the cock of the walk in the Light Limiteds' second championship season. Or should we say, Cockshutt of the walk? The 1961 model 40 was the first of its brand to win an NTPA event in nearly 40 years and edged two other Cockshutts in the final pecking order.

Grand National (show all)

Region II (show all)

Region III (show all)

Region IV (show all)

Region VI (show all)

Road to the Enderle: GN (show all)

Road to the Enderle: RN (show all)

Triple Crown Challenge (show all)

Top Point-Earner Bonus (show all)

Columbus, Ohio---World Pulling International, the parent company of the National Tractor Pullers Association, has issued the following statement in light of the announcement of the discontinuation of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League.

The National Tractor Pullers Association was founded for the betterment of our great motorsport. Whether by the standardization of competition rules, the consistent enforcement of safety measures, or the conduct of world-class events, WPI/NTPA adheres to a philosophy of strategic growth and a standard of contest quality.

Recent developments in the industry have resulted in major changes to the pulling landscape. Specifically, in a press release dated November 21, Lucas Oil Products announced that it is discontinuing its ownership and operation of the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League following the conclusion of the 2022 season. This divestiture has left many fine events, tough competitors, and loyal spectators without the organization with whom they have traditionally been aligned.

It is the position of WPI/NTPA, expressed by its management and implemented by its executive and remote staff, that WPI/NTPA will make every effort to accommodate any formerly PPL events, to welcome all PPL competition members, and to satisfy the demand of pulling fans across the United States. We consider it a matter of high priority to keep truck and tractor pulling an active and integral part of as many communities as possible.

Worthington, Ohio---On Saturday, December 3 at the Marriott Columbus Northwest in Dublin, Ohio, the National Tractor Pullers Association's 51st annual Awards Banquet honored the people and organizations who make tractor pulling happen.

The entire awards ceremony may be viewed on-demand for free at NTPA.tv, courtesy of Kentucky Trailer.

The NTPA expresses its congratulations to the following award winners and its gratitude to the award sponsors.

Member State of the Year

United Pullers of the Carolinas: Award sponsored by Dick Dakin & Associates.

Education Awards and Scholarships

• Nikolaus Coop: WPI Higher Education Award, sponsored by K&K Insurance Group
• Brenten Rodgers: Pullers Against Drugs Scholarship, sponsored by World Pulling International
  
• Cole Weilnau: Pullers Against Drugs Scholarship, sponsored by the National Tractor Pullers Association
• Olivia Hosack: Rod Deck Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Deck Family
• Nathan Kiger: Roy Everett Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Everett Family

Regional National Awards

Regional National Champions: Jackets sponsored by Enderle Fuel Injection

• Modified Mini and Modified Champions and Runners-Up: Awards sponsored by CM Pulling Tires
• Pro Stock Diesel 4x4: Awards sponsored by Stainless Diesel
• Four Wheel Drive, Super Stock Four Wheel Drive, and Two Wheel Drive: Awards sponsored by E. Grayson & Associates and NTPA
• Hot Farm and Super Farm: Awards sponsored by Singer Sled Rental
• Limited Pro Stock, Light Pro Stock, and Pro Stock: Awards sponsored by Northwoods Engineering
• Light Limited Super Stock, Classic Super Stock, Light Super Stock, and Heavy Super Stock: Awards sponsored by Wipe Out Enterprises

Grand National Awards

Grand National Pulling Circuit Top-Five Finishers: Points fund exceeding $50,000 sponsored by Case IH

Grand National Champions: Awards sponsored by Budweiser Dairyland Super Nationals (Tomah, Wisconsin); jackets sponsored by Enderle Fuel Injection

Grand National Pullers of the Year

• Kristie & Brent Secrest: Two Wheel Drive Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Enderle Fuel Injection
• Jake Zaring: Four Wheel Drive Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Profab
• Shane Kellogg: Super Stock Diesel 4x4 Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by On the Mark Sled Rental
• Brian Elithorpe: Super Semi Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
• Gary Schyvinch: Super Farm Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Salenbien Performance
• Adam Spiegelberg: Light Super Stock Pullers of the Year Award, sponsored by SCS Gearbox
• Danny Schmucker: Pro Stock Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Riverside Engine Incorporated
• Travis Schlabach: Super Stock Diesel Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Bauer Built/Ironman Sleds
• Brian Korth: Super Stock Open Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
• Adam Bauer: Modified Mini Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by TRB Machine
• Bret Berg: Modified Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Sassy Racing Engines
• Joe Eder: Unlimited Puller of the Year Award, sponsored by Larry Morgan Racing

Special Awards

• Brent Secrest: Crew Chief of the Year Award, sponsored by Midwest Wheel
• Jessie Petro: Mechanic of the Year Award, sponsored by Haisley Machine
• SSI Supercharger Systems, Inc.: Manufacturer of the Year Award, sponsored by the SFI Foundation
• Bauer Built/Ironman Sleds: Sled of the Year Award, sponsored by SpecCast
• John Myers: Official of the Year Award, sponsored by BADGear.com
• The Holman Brothers' "4 Play": NTPA National Fan Cheer of the Year Award, sponsored by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
• Todd Feiss: Hooker of the Year Award, sponsored by the Arfons Family
• Stark County Fair Pull (Canton, Ohio): Regional National Pull of the Year Award, sponsored by Metzger Trucking
• North Iowa Nationals (Rockwell, Iowa): Grand National Pull of the Year Award, sponsored by Elite Trailer Manufacturing
• National Tractor Pulling Championships (Bowling Green, Ohio): Super National Pull of the Year Award, sponsored by Excel Sportswear
• Grant Theobald: Grand National Rookie of the Year Award, sponsored by Ambassador Club (Fort Recovery, Ohio)
• Mike Conny Family: Pulling Family of the Year Award, sponsored by the National Tractor Pulling Championships (Bowling Green, Ohio)
• Jake Zaring: Kent Enderle/NTPA Hard Charger Award
• Marion County Fair Pull (Marion, Ohio): Commitment to Excellence and Dedication Award, sponsored by Jim Miller and Melissa Graham
• Ridgeland Nationals (Ridgeland, Wisconsin): Commitment to Excellence and Dedication Award, sponsored by Jim Miller and Melissa Graham
• Mike Conny: Larry Koester Humanitarian Award, sponsored by Shell Rotella

Pulling Hall of Fame, 2022 Class

• Mark Peissig: Pulling Hall of Fame Inductee, sponsored by Wimer Fuel Injection and Turbo
• Ron Barga: Pulling Hall of Fame Inductees, sponsored by American Awards

World Pulling International and the National Tractor Pullers Association congratulate the winners of five academic scholarships that were presented at the Association's 51st annual Awards Banquet on Saturday, December 3. Recipients of these $1,000 scholarships were selected from among applicants based upon their responses to several pulling- and non-pulling-related essay prompts as well as academic credentials and extracurricular activities. To be eligible, applicants must be nominated by an NTPA member (competitor, official, entry clerk, or associate) or an NTPA event promoter.

Current and potential students: Watch NTPAPULL.com in Fall 2023 for the opening of next year's application process.

• Nikolaus Coop: WPI Higher Education Award, sponsored by K&K Insurance Group
• Brenten Rodgers: Pullers Against Drugs Scholarship, sponsored by World Pulling International
• Cole Weilnau: Pullers Against Drugs Scholarship, sponsored by the National Tractor Pullers Association
• Olivia Hosack: Rod Deck Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Deck Family
• Nathan Kiger: Roy Everett Memorial Scholarship, sponsored by the Everett Family

The WPI/NTPA office has been notified of the passing on Thursday, November 24 of Gordon Oughtred, 82, of Brantford, Ontario. Mr. Oughtred was the 1973 Grand National 9,000-lb. Super Stock champion with his Allis-Chalmers Two-Twenty, "Canadian Hauler."

Mr. Oughtred was the proprietor of Sunny Terrace, his fifth-generation family farm in Brantford, on which he raised strawberries, tomatoes, and other produce for direct sale to the public. The Association's first Canadian champion, he won his championship in only his second season in the sport and with a tractor that was converted from pulling to farming and back twice a year. The "Canadian Hauler" posted four wins in 24 hooks, the pursuit of which put 17,000 miles on his truck and trailer. He later built the "Canadian Hauler II" D21, a dedicated puller, and won several Super Stock titles on the Canadian Tractor Pullers Association circuit. In later life, he collected and restored vintage Allis-Chalmers tractors.

The Association's Puller magazine is honored to have featured Mr. Oughtred in our June 2015 issue in an article written by Dave Dann. We have reprinted it here.

Mr. Oughtred is survived by his wife Elfi of 30 years, his daughters Diana (Charles) and Karen (Ward), his sons John (Nancy) and Warren (Mila), nine grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren. His full obituary may be found here.

Please keep the Oughtred family in your thoughts as they grieve.