Breaking Barriers Podcast

Gary Bontrager
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Breaking Barriers Podcast is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the sport of tractor pulling. Hosted by Gary Bontrager, this podcast dives into the stories, legends, and evolution of the sport, capturing its impact on competitors and fans alike. Each episode features in-depth conversations with key figures who have shaped tractor pulling's past, present, and future. Tune in to celebrate the legacy and innovation that keep this thrilling sport alive!

  1. 2D AGO

    Kenny Sanders & Jason Skillen | Innovation, Rivalries, and the Early Days of Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager welcomes back Kenny Sanders alongside tractor pulling historian Jason Skillen for a deep dive into the innovation, personalities, and pivotal moments that shaped an unforgettable era of the sport. Kenny shares firsthand stories from his early days in light super stock pulling—breaking down how tractors were built, modified, and refined through trial and error long before modern data and dynos existed. Jason provides historical context throughout the conversation, connecting Kenny’s experiences to the broader evolution of tractor pulling across Iowa and the Midwest. The conversation explores: Early county fair pulls and the roots of competitive tractor pulling Building winning machines through experimentation, ingenuity, and late-night shop work Iconic tracks, rivalries, and memorable moments from Elkhorn, Tomah, Louisville, and beyond The transition from diesel to alcohol and how rule changes reshaped the sport Why preserving the stories of pullers and innovators matters for future generations This episode blends personal storytelling with historical insight, making it essential listening for tractor pulling fans, competitors, and anyone who values the legacy behind the machines. 🎧 New episodes drop regularly—subscribe and help keep the history of the sport alive.

    1h 11m

  2. JAN 26

    Breaking Barriers | Craig Schlabaugh: The Master Mechanic Behind Tractor Pulling’s Golden Era

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Craig Schlabaugh, a legendary mechanic whose hands helped shape some of the most dominant machines in tractor pulling history. Known quietly across the sport as one of the sharpest minds in the shop, Craig shares the story behind decades of innovation, problem-solving, and hard-earned lessons learned far from the spotlight. From early days working at John Deere and International dealerships to groundbreaking builds in Modified and Super Stock tractor pulling, Craig reflects on the ingenuity that fueled an era before dynos, data, and ready-made solutions. He opens up about working with iconic pullers, developing early multi-turbo setups, navigating mechanical failures, and learning everything the only way it was possible at the time — through trial, error, and persistence. The conversation dives deep into the Hypermax years, national championship runs, legendary tractors, and the relationships that defined the sport’s most competitive seasons. Along the way, Craig offers honest perspective on innovation, loss, legacy, and why preserving these stories matters for the next generation. This episode is a powerful reminder that some of the most influential figures in motorsports never chased attention — they earned respect through craftsmanship, grit, and results. 🎧 Subscribe to Breaking Barriers for more conversations with the builders, thinkers, and pioneers who pushed limits and changed the sport from the inside out.

    1h 6m

  3. JAN 12

    Breaking Barriers | Bob Parks: The Man Who Changed Tractor Pulling Tires Forever

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Bob Parks, one of the most influential — and often overlooked — innovators in tractor pulling history. From hand-cutting tires with butcher knives to pioneering double-cut technology and custom pulling tires, Bob’s work quietly reshaped how the sport is run today. Bob walks through his journey from the early days of tractor pulling in the late 1960s and ’70s, sharing behind-the-scenes stories from legendary pulls, groundbreaking horsepower breakthroughs, and the trial-and-error process that led to modern tire performance. Along the way, he reflects on working with iconic names in the sport, the rise of multi-turbo engines, and the relentless curiosity that drove innovation long before dynos, data, and technology caught up. This conversation is a masterclass in perseverance, craftsmanship, and learning the hard way — revealing how one man’s willingness to experiment helped push an entire sport forward. Whether you’re a longtime tractor pulling fan or someone fascinated by innovation born from grit and experience, this episode offers rare insight into the mechanical evolution, personal sacrifices, and untold stories behind competitive pulling. 🎧 Subscribe to Breaking Barriers for more conversations with the builders, thinkers, and risk-takers who shape motorsports from the ground up.

    1h 18m

  4. 2025-12-29

    Danny Dean | The Rooster, Hyper-Max, and a Winning Era of Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with legendary tractor puller Danny “Rooster” Dean to revisit one of the most innovative and competitive eras in the sport’s history. Danny shares how he went from a farm kid at county fair pulls to a national champion, working alongside Hyper-Max founder Jerry Lee God and helping shape the technology that changed tractor pulling forever. From turbo experimentation and tire strategy to mindset, preparation, and winning under pressure, Danny offers a rare inside look at what it took to dominate — and make a living — in the sport. A must-listen for tractor pulling fans, motorsports enthusiasts, and anyone who appreciates grit, innovation, and legacy.

    1h 42m

  5. 2025-12-15

    Rudy Huber: Midnight Flyer, Pro Stock Pioneers & the Evolution of Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with longtime puller and Illinois farmer Rudy Huber to trace the rise of Pro Stock tractor pulling from its small-town roots. Rudy shares how growing up in his dad’s John Deere dealership led to sneaking toy tractors out the back door, learning from old-school mechanics, and eventually campaigning his iconic 6030 Pro Stock, the Midnight Flyer. He walks us through the early days of factory stock and Pro Stock in Illinois, the “farm shop engineering” behind power blocks, water injection, tires, and custom transmissions, and the way innovators like Hypermax and other backyard tinkerers quietly reshaped the sport. Along the way, Rudy reflects on county fair pulls, Bowling Green memories, the tractor community that feels like family, and how his old iron now lives on as Dusk Till Dawn—proof that good ideas (and good tractors) rarely die, they just get rebadged and rebuilt.

    1h 35m

  6. 2025-12-01

    Built Not Bought: 60 Years of Innovation with Tractor Pulling Legend Mark Gettinger

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with Mark Gettinger, a 60-year veteran of tractor pulling and the man many consider the godfather of Allis Chalmers performance. Joining the conversation is Tylan Reynolds, Mark’s right-hand man, fellow puller, and long-time collaborator both in the shop and on the track. Together, they walk through the evolution of pulling—from dead-weight concrete drags to national circuits—how Mark once made $80,000 in a single season, and why his innovation in drivetrain and engine development reshaped competitive tractor pulling. They open up about risk before safety regulations, building transmissions that could handle over 3,000 horsepower, and what keeps them chasing excellence after six decades in the sport. This episode brings legacy, mentorship, and mechanical mastery together—celebrating not just the machines, but the people who make them unstoppable. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #MarkGettinger #TylanReynolds #TractorPulling #AllisChalmers #MotorsportsLegacy #InnovationThroughAdversity #FarmPower #PullingCommunity #BuiltNotBought

    1h 7m

  7. 2025-11-17

    From Pulling Tractors to Preserving History | The Wiggins Family Story

    In this heartwarming episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with Doc Wiggins and his son David Wiggins — two generations deeply rooted in the world of farming, tractor pulling, and community preservation. What begins as a nostalgic conversation about brush pulls in the 1980s unfolds into a powerful story about legacy, family, and small-town pride.Doc shares how his love for tractors started on a Missouri farm and evolved into decades of pulling, restoring, and collecting — a passion that now fills 11 museum buildings in Memphis, Missouri, housing more than 350 restored tractors and countless pieces of rural history. Together, Doc and David reflect on the evolution of tractor pulling, their family’s lifelong commitment to preserving agricultural heritage, and the friendships that have defined their journey.From antique tractor pulls and state fair stories to restoring the only remaining Pheasant airplane in existence, this episode celebrates what it means to honor the past, invest in your community, and build a legacy that outlives you.

    42 min

  8. 2025-11-03

    Bryan Conner | Engineering the Future of Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers with Gary Bontrager, Gary sits down with Bryan Conners, a lifelong innovator and engineer whose fingerprints are all over the history of tractor pulling. From his early days wrenching alongside his father in the 1960s to developing the groundbreaking fuel and turbo systems that redefined performance standards, Bryan’s story is one of grit, ingenuity, and an obsession with horsepower.In their conversation, Bryan shares memories of building Bad Medicine, running Massey and John Deere machines, pioneering alcohol setups, and shaping a legacy that inspired a generation of pullers. He dives into the evolution of pulling—from step-on sleds and homemade parts to multi-charger systems pushing thousands of horsepower—and the friendships, rivalries, and innovations that kept him hooked for decades.Listeners will walk away with a true appreciation for how mechanical curiosity and relentless experimentation can transform an entire sport. #BryanConners, #BreakingBarriersPodcast, #GaryBontrager, #BadMedicineTractor, #TractorPulling, #AlcoholPulling, #TractorPullingLegends, #MotorsportsInnovation, #FarmStrong, #PullingHistory, #HorsepowerJunkie, #CustomEngineering, #TractorPullLife, #FuelAndFire, #AmericanIngenuity

    1h 23m
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About

Breaking Barriers Podcast is dedicated to preserving the rich history of the sport of tractor pulling. Hosted by Gary Bontrager, this podcast dives into the stories, legends, and evolution of the sport, capturing its impact on competitors and fans alike. Each episode features in-depth conversations with key figures who have shaped tractor pulling's past, present, and future. Tune in to celebrate the legacy and innovation that keep this thrilling sport alive!

Information

  • Creator
    Gary Bontrager
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gary Bontrager
  • Show Website
    Breaking Barriers Podcast

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