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Held in conjunction with the annual National Farm Machinery Show, the Championship Tractor Pull runs nightly (and twice on Saturday) as powerful trucks and tractors roar through Freedom Hall.
Drivers compete to win their share of a $200,000 purse in 10 divisions based on the weight of their machine. Competition begins when weighted sleds are attached to the machines. Competitors then “gun for a full pull” – pulling the full length of the track for a win. If two or more drivers in a division nail a full pull, more weight is added. The driver who pulls the farthest wins.
The event kicked off last night with 6,350lb Modified 4×4 trucks, 9,300lb Super Farm Tractors, 7,500 Modified Tractors, and 10,200lb Pro Stock Tractors – a variety of machines powered by everything from powerful turbo diesel engines to four high-horsepower alcohol burning performance engines bolted together.
You’ll definitely want to bring ear protection for this event! Fans in attendance for the first night’s event were treated to a sparkling shower as the noise of the powerful tractors shook loose from the rafters leftover confetti from bygone events. They got to see several “full pulls,” the celebration of drivers making their way down the track, the disappointment of short pulls, and even a couple of exciting – and likely quite expensive – equipment mishaps as the massive machines gave every foot-pound of effort to drag the weighted sled.
The Championship Tractor Pull continues at 7PM each night through the Saturday night finals, with a special afternoon performance at 12PM. Ticket prices vary by event:
- Thursday, Feb. 13 7 p.m. $10, $30 and $40
- Friday, Feb. 14 7 p.m. $15, $35 and $45
- Saturday, Feb. 15 12 p.m. $10, $30 and $40
- Saturday, Feb. 15 7 p.m. $25, $35 and $45
Visitors began flocking to the Kentucky Expo Center starting yesterday to see the latest equipment, tools, and products from around the agricultural industry at the annual National Farm Machinery Show.
Running through Saturday, February 15, the NFMS features exhibitors showcasing everything from fencing tools and fertilizer to the heavy equipment that our nation’s farmers use to get the seeds into the ground and the food out of the fields and onto our tables.
There is a little bit of something for everyone, including live demos and seminars covering topics such as market and weather outlooks, technology in the ag industry, materials handling, herbicide systems, and more.
The show also features a Gift & Craft Marketplace offering all sorts of decorations, home goods, clothing, and more that represent the rural lifestyle.
While the event is free, parking at the Kentucky Expo Center is $10 for cars and $20 for buses. Visitors will also have the opportunity to register for free to win some great prizes such as a John Deere Gator, 1 of 2 Bobcat CT1025 with Front End Loader and Mower, or one of two Milwaukee Tool M18 Fuel, 18V Lithium Ion Brushless Cordless 12 Hammer Drill/Driver Kit with Two 5.0 Ah Batteries and Hard Case.
For fans who want to catch the high-horsepower action of the National Tractor Pull Championship, today is their last opportunity for the 2018 edition of the event, which is celebrating its 50th year in Freedom Hall this year. The finals will feature a variety of tractor sizes and stocks as well as 2-wheel drive Super Modified Trucks.
Visitors will be on the edge of their seats as they watch drivers use their trucks and tractors to drag the massive weighted sled down a dirt track. The sled (Bauer Built’s Iron Man) weight varies from class to class, but some of these vehicles are hauling more than 20 tons down the short 250 foot track.
Qualifying heats have been running since Wednesday for the finals tonight, which will feature such previous winners such Steve Bunnage from Golden Gate, IL as he tries to beat his Wednesday night result of 232.062 feet. The 2-wheel modified trucks will feature three lady drivers, including Bethany Nelson from Altamont, IL who won the heat last night by going 223.952 feet.
The Championship starts tonight at 7:00 PM with an early showing at noon and tickets are still available. As always with the Exposition Center, there’s a $8 per vehicle charge for parking. If you arrive early to get a good parking spot, the National Farm Machinery Show is open until 6:00 PM and admission is free.
Just one week from today, the 52nd National Farm Machinery Show is returning to Louisville and brining with it the 49th annual Championship Tractor Pull.
The event, hosted at the Kentucky Exposition Center at 937 Phillips Lane, runs from Wednesday, February 15, through Saturday, the 18th. KY Expo Center parking is $8 with admission to the Farm Machinery Show free and open to the public. Tickets for the Championship Tractor Pull are available through Ticket Master starting at $20.
The National Farm Machinery Show is the nation’s largest indoor farm show, featuring nearly 900 exhibitors, offers the most complete selection of cutting-edge agricultural products, equipment and services available in the farming industry. In addition to seeing the industry’s newest products , visitors can attend free seminars from experts on topics including the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), data handling, weather and commodity trends, and marketing.
Tyne Morgan and Al Pell will also be performing a live-taping of “U.S. Farm Report” during the show that visitors can stop by and watch. The show also features more than 80 vendors in the Gift & Craft Market in the South Wing Mezzanine, offering something for everyone.
Championship Tractor Pull
Former champions and a record-breaking number of women drivers will compete for a share of the $250,000 purse in 2017 at the 49th annual Championship Tractor Pull.
2016 champions including Terry Blackbourn, Steve Bunnage, and Mendi Nelson, among others are returning to try to keep their titles. The 2017 competition will also break last year’s record for women competitors as Anna Belle Bradley, Ashley Corzine, Julia Ray, and Kentucky’s own Monica Shaw and Lisa Tatum, along with many other female pullers enter the arena.
Over 70,000 fans are expected to attend the competition, which will include several new categories such as the 6,350 Modified 4×4 Truck and 9,500 Limited Pro Stock Tractor classes.
If you like the roar of Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified, and Alcohol Tractors as well as two- and four-wheel drive trucks battling it out in the dirt, don’t miss the excitement every night of the 2017 National Farm Machinery Show in Freedom Hall.