9,500 Limited Pro Stock Tractors
The Friday night 9,500 Limited Pro Stock class is absolutely loaded with talented drivers. All except one driver won their league points race. Don’t count out the remaining driver, 16-year-old Dalie Paulsen earned accolades of her own in 2021, finishing second in the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling points race and winning Rookie of the Year.
So here are your competitors, all champions in their own right : Pure Bred Red driven by Tyler Audet (New York Tractor Pullers Association), Rhapsody driven by Danny Barker (Illinois Tractor Pulling Association), High Stakes Horsepower driven by Gary Berendt (Outlaw), Dixie Deere driven by Colby Counce (Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midsouth), Hickory Hooker driven by Adrian Cox (Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Western Series), Badger Deere driven by Chris Leer (National Truck and Tractor Pulling Association Region II), Diggin’ Deere driven by John Kutz (Badger State Tractor Pulling), International Addiction driven by Andrew Hartman (Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Silver Series), Hyper Harvester driven by Kevin J. Lindstrom (Wisconsin Tractor Pulling Association), John Deere 5020 driven by Jerry Martin (Ohio State Tractor Pulling) and Adrenaline Rush drive by Mike Sather (National Truck and Tractor Pulling Association Region III).
6,200 2WD Trucks
The Friday night 6,200 2WD promises to be an exciting class full of talented drivers ready to prove themselves on the dirt in Freedom Hall.
Familiar farm show favorites include the 2016 Championship Tractor Pull Grand Champion Lil Whip driven by Mendi Brown and two-time champion Buckeye Hauler driven by Joey Frasur (2008 and 2009). Another truck who’s won at the Championship Tractor Pull is 2 Timin’ driven Chad Mayhill coming off victory in the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League points race.
Simon Sez Chevy driven by Jordan Nelson is no stranger to the Championship Tractor Pull, this three-time finalist is hoping 2022 is the year to earn his own title. Also a three time Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Midwest points champion, Nelson knows how to win. But can he do it in Louisville?
Crystal Wilson behind the wheel of Her Dirty Money has dominated East Coast Pro Points Championship winning in 2021, 2015, 2016, 2017 and 2019. The only time since 2015 she hasn’t won, she finished second (2020 did not have a points champion).
8200 Diesel & 8000 Alcohol Super Stock Tractors
The most anticipated class of the pull returns Friday night. After years of separate competition, alcohol and diesel tractors go head-to-head in a “Duel of the Fuels.” In 2020 the alcohol tractors came out on top, securing the top two positions in the Saturday night finals. Both of those tractors return in a Friday night rematch. Galot II driven by John Strickland, the reigning champion, goes head-to-head with runner-up Silver Bullet driven by Jordan Lustik. Championship Tractor Pull fans will recognize Silver Bullet, it’s pulled in Louisville since 1995 without missing a year and earned five titles across two classes.
A few past Grand Champions return to the dirt in the name of proving diesel’s dominance in Freedom Hall. High Tech Redneck (2014 and 2019) driven by Mike Beck, Red Horse (2006) driven by Steve Blagrave, Triple Bypass (2016, 2017, 2018) driven by Colin Ross and Bone Twister (2015) driven by Travis Schlabach.
The dangerous father-son Blackbourn duo are two pullers to watch out for. Considered Armed and Dangerous HD driven by Josh Blackbourn is the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League points champion, narrowing defeating former Championship Tractor Pull Grand Champion Extremely Armed & Dangerous (2013, 2016, 2018) driven by his father Terry Blackbourn.
10,200lb Pro Stock Tractors
The Friday night showdown in the 10,000lb Pro Stock Tractors features five Championship Tractor Pull Grand Champions, including reigning champion Bootlegger driven by Jason Svonavec. He’ll face off against two-time winner Mike Linder behind the wheel of his powerful Linder Brothers pulling machine.
Three other former champions are vying for their second title. Git Er Dune Deere (2016) driven by Kevin Schmucker, River Rat (1997) driven by Kevin Masterson and Work Horse (1995) driven by Rob Russell are all fighting for a berth to the Saturday night finals. Work Horse is coming off an excellent 2021 season, winning the National Tractor Pulling Association Grand Nationals title.
Russell Hildenbrand hopes his luck turns around this year. When a major storm came through Pennsylvania in April 2020, the Hildenbrand family lost everything except their pulling tractor. Miraculously, the garage lifted over the tractor leaving the lone vehicle to survive unscathed. Rebuilding slowed his pulling operations but he’s hoping to jumpstart his 2022 season with a major win in Louisville.
