Member States Experience Great Attendance and Growth in 2009!

The powerful motors have been shut down for the final run of the 2009 season, and the noise is now gone as preparation for an even bigger season in 2010 has begun.  Now the drivers tear down their power plants for freshening, order new parts, and formulate a plan for how to improve their standing from the previous season.  The directors of the Pro Pulling League's member states are doing the exact same thing.  Currently, those directors are hard at work to solidify their 2010 schedules by building upon the incredible seasons of their members in 2009.  

As a whole, attendance was up and membership was on the rise to truly illustrate the success of each individual organization in Pro Pulling League.  In the state of New York, the Empire State Pullers dealt with Mother Nature in the early season before catching stride and seeing amazing competition for the ESP Championship.  Henry Everman, the President of ESP stated: “The Empire State Pullers had a great year of competition and member support.  We are honored to be a part of the Pro Pulling League and think Forest Lucas and his staff are doing a great job. It is great to be a part of such an upbeat organization.”    The Empire State Pullers’ champions were the Zorn Brothers (Snoopy II) International Super Farm, Tom Durfee (Thumper II) Modified, Henry Everman (Final Decision) Heavy Super Stock, Jim Meeder (Green Demon) Light Super Stock, and Al Van Ostrand Modified Two Wheel Drive.

The New York Tractor Pullers made history in 2009, when they ended an eighteen year drought of pulling at the New York State Fair in Syracuse.  The success that NYTPA experienced in Syracuse lead them to be invited back in 2010 and also garnered them the honor of being the largest non-concert paid admission and pre-sale for the fair.  Also the NYTPA changed history in the organization when they had their first dual track event, and multiple event day on their schedule.  All in all Bob Robinson, Series President could not have been happier with the outcome of the 2009 season.  “We are very glad to be under the Pro Pulling League name and are so glad to be working with the Lucas Oil staff.  Our  season numbers were stronger then ever and our members are a fine and dedicated group.   Our Associate Memberships have doubled this season.” stated Robinson.  The champions:  Bob Cole (The Bandit) Modified Tractor, Mark Hayes (Supernatural) Super Stock Tractor, John Dietzel (Howling Wolf) Two Wheel Drive, Harold Kremmerer (Creep) Modified Four Wheel Drive, and Jimmy Lewis (One Miserable Witch) Super Farm Tractor, can count on a few more events being added to the 2010 season when they attempt to defend their titles.  

Dave Moore, the Director of the East Coast Pullers stated:  “The 2009 season was one of our best seasons in quite a while with great attendance,  incredible member support and our promoters were very pleased.  Presently, we are getting calls for additional dates for 2010 which is going to be an exciting and full schedule.”  The 2009 points series was an incredible success.  The points payout was embraced by the championship competitors, including the 2009 champions:  Troy Nails (Killin Time) Modified Four Wheel Drive, Bryan McDonald and Kenny Woolford (Suffering from Insanity) Two Wheel Drive, Ladell Weaver (Wound Tight) Pro Stock Diesel Four Wheel Drive, Robert Martin (John Deere Green) Super Stock/Pro Stock, Mike Laribee (Shameless) Hot Rod Semi and Nancy Weller (Hot Damn) Modified Tractor.  The successful schedule saw the circuit travel to five different states for top notch East Coast competition.  “We are really excited to be a member state of the Pro Pulling League and couldn't be happier with the support of Lucas Oil Products” stated Dave Moore.  

Up in the Land of Cheese, the Badger State Tractor Pullers had a highly successful season and tested their endurance by hosting three events in two days.  The staff and members were up to the challenge as the promoters and fans were all treated to a high - powered performance.  Director Greg Elsing had this to say about the 2009 summer: “We had a great year! The Hillsboro Charity Pull, right here in our area, was named Champions Tour Pull of the Year, and our own Badger State member Nick Skaar claimed another Super Farm Champions Tour Championship for the state.  Our 2010 schedule should see more events and our organization's membership should grow.”  Currently, two new events have been added to the schedule for 2010, both of which should bring exciting new venues to the pullers of the Badger State.  “We are honored to be a part of the Lucas Oil name and are glad Forest is so pleased with the direction in which pulling is going ” continued Elsing.  The Badger State Points Champions were: Cory Lemirande (Old School) Super Stock Four Wheel Drive, Mark Wyttenbach (Code Blue) Light Limited Super Stock, Dustin and Dwayne Hook (T-Bone) Pro Stock, Scott Burkhart and Nick Cunningham (Git R Done) Pro Farm, John Kutz (Diggen Deere) Super Farm, Tony McDonald (Well Spent) Hot Farm, Nathan Hull ( Buzz Kill) Heavy Unlimited Super Stock, Sean Pooler (Cummin-un-done) Pro Street Diesel Four Wheel Drive.

The Buckeye State has always been known for it’s pulling prowess and 2009 was no exception as incredible results were turned in throughout Ohio.  The Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association kicked off their season by putting the power to the dirt of the historic Eldora Speedway in Rossburg.  The fans at the half - mile oval were delighted by four action packed classes before the smoke and noise settled.  Another big event on the schedule was in Tiffin, Ohio where capacity crowds witnessed the best of the best on the OSTPA circuit.  The success of 2009 has had OSTPA President Frank Keener’s phone ringing regularly with new events for 2010.   “We have had a lot of interest from fairs in Ohio, and the future is truly looking bright for the 2010 OSTPA season” stated Keener.   With a thriving membership and a jam - packed schedule, the state of Ohio had better be ready for the power in 2010.  The  champions of 2009 are: Robert Soisson (Flying Machine) Modified Tractor, Frank Keener (XXX) Super Stock, Mike and John Linder (Linder Brothers) Pro Stock, David Pearce (Stormer) Super Modified Four Wheel Drive, Jeff Writsel ( At it Again) Two Wheel Drive, Mike Laribee (Shameless) Pro Stock Semi, Jack Giulitto (Buckeye Binder) Super Farm.  

Throughout Virginia, the Shenandoah Valley Tractor Pullers Association pleased their fans and promoters by bringing great membership support to each event.  Overall the season was a great success and President Bill Simmons could not be happier with the season outcome.  Simmons stated: “We are really excited to be a member of the Pro Pulling League and are very appreciative for the great support we received throughout the season. The promoters were excited to have higher fan attendance and the pullers were delighted to compete at the Virginia State Fair.”  The following pullers will proudly carry the SVTPA Champions title with them into next season: Stuart Digges (Lunch Money), Emily Simmons (Misbehaved), Joe Botkin Jr. a three title winner with (Shenandoah Wonder, Blue Too, and Mo Money), Timmy Wyant (Just Ugly Jr.) James Johnson (Southern Stampede),Eugene England (Twister), John Harrner (Rocket), and John England (Double the Trouble).

 The Southern Puller Association under the guidance of Franklin Burch has become a powerhouse organization in Georgia and Florida.  The Southern Pullers Association had a couple of repeat winners in the Points Championship when Bear Wynn (Bearly Legal) captured the Two Wheel Drive Modified class and Rodney Swift (Full Throttle) grabbed the Super Farm Tractor title.  Other champions were Jarvis Lynn (Spare Change) Two Wheel Drive Pro Street, Bill and Edward Jorden (Hillbilly Shaker) Super Modified Two Wheel Drive, Pat Holt (Stampede) Super Stock Four Wheel Drive, and Ron McClune (My Lil Mule) Modified Four Wheel Drive. The overall outcome of the summer season was fantastic and the 2010 season is shaping up to be a great success as well.  

An organization can only thrive with the support and devotion of its membership and the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League is so proud to carry the name of its member states with it through the Champions Tour.  Kristi Chastain, Pro Pulling League Series Director stated:  “We are proud of the accomplishments of all our member states and we look forward to bringing the best pulling action to each of their fans throughout the country in 2010.  We are lucky to have such a cohesive group of directors and presidents who carry the name of Lucas Oil and the Pro Pulling League with such pride to each of their events.”  As 2009 comes to an end the Pro Pulling League would like to congratulate all of the champions in every organization and wish them all a happy 2010!