Marion, OH (April 27, 2026) — World Pulling International today announced that Richard Schaefer has been named as National Tractor Pulling Association’s Chief Operating Officer. This role is effective immediately and will be based at NTPA headquarters in Marion, Ohio.
As COO, Schaefer will oversee all aspects of National Tractor Pulling Association’s competition, collaboration, and communication. His focus will center on delivering long-term strategic growth, increasing exposure, and adding value across the entire industry while working directly with NTPA stakeholders.
Schaefer will assume day-to-day leadership of NTPA’s office staff, events and series, and operations. Schaefer will also oversee driving expansion in the marketplace during NTPA’s next phase of growth, innovation, and global reach.
“We are thrilled to name Rich Schaefer as NTPA’s new COO,” said Ned Walliser, President of WPI. “His vision will provide a fresh lens with historical context for our partners, as we continue the evolution with bold ideas that serve fans, promoters, employees, contractors, and competitors.”
Schaefer will now take the baton and lead with the same stability our employees, competitors, contractors, promoters, and fans have grown accustomed to experiencing.
Schaefer, a fifty-year veteran of Motorsports, has progressed through the ranks of the Industry, starting by working with his father, Oliver Schaefer who operating pulling sleds and promoted motorsports events. Schaefer joined TNT Motorsports and later USHRA as the series director for the Red Man All American Pulling Series. The career turned to drag as track manager at Gateway Raceway in St. Louis followed by a decade with NHRA drag racing.
“I was born into this sport,” Schaefer said. “I earned my first paycheck as a nine-year old, hanging banners at a tractor pull. While I’ve been blessed with a great career in many forms of motorsports, NTPA has always been what I consider home. I’m honored to help guide the sport that means so much to me, the sport that originally started my career.”
NTPA has built a reputation of setting the standard in the industry and is on a mission to create a center of truck and tractor pulling excellence, to grow mutual success for all entities across the sport.
About The NTPA
The National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) is the premier championship sanctioning body in the sport of truck and tractor pulling, setting standards for competition, safety, and showmanship while supporting events and member state organizations nationwide.