Breaking Barriers Podcast

Gary Bontrager
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  • Automobile
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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. -1 j

    Curt Ulmer | 55 Years of Modified Tractor Pulling, Family Legacy & Outlaw Dominance

    Curt Ulmer has spent more than 55 years in the sport of tractor pulling, building, competing, innovating, and winning with one of the most respected modified tractor programs in the country. From the early days of farm tractors, homemade sleds, and small South Dakota pulls to multiple Outlaw championships and a three-generation family team, Curt’s story is deeply connected to the history and growth of the sport. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Curt in Meadow, South Dakota, to talk about the Ulmer family’s early pulling days, building their own equipment, the evolution of modified tractors, the importance of tires, horsepower, sleds, and the people who helped shape the sport along the way. Curt also shares what tractor pulling has meant to his family, what it takes to stay competitive for decades, and why there still needs to be room in the sport for the smaller teams, county fairs, and grassroots events that helped build tractor pulling in the first place. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #ModifiedTractor #OutlawPulling #PullingTractors #Motorsports #TractorPullingHistory

    1 h 2 min

  2. 15 juin

    Bill Hirt: The Hall of Fame Story Behind Running Bare, Allis-Chalmers Pulling & a Life Well Lived

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Hall of Fame tractor puller Bill Hirt for a story-filled conversation about the early days of pulling, the evolution of the sport, and the family legacy built around the legendary Running Bare name. Bill looks back on his first pull in 1970 on the blacktop with a garden tractor, his jump into Allis-Chalmers machines, the D21 days, Louisville memories, alcohol Super Stock evolution, and the countless stories that came from decades on the road. From hauling tractors with questionable setups to working with names like Max Simpson, Bryan Conners, Ron Perry, and others who helped shape the sport, Bill’s story is packed with history, humor, and hard-earned perspective. But this episode goes far beyond horsepower. Bill opens up about family, faith, being inducted into the Hall of Fame, surviving serious heart procedures as a child, and why he still believes the best advice is simple: enjoy what you’re doing and be grateful for the life you’ve been given. If you love tractor pulling history, Allis-Chalmers stories, old-school Super Stock pulling, and the people who helped build the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #BillHirt #RunningBare #AllisChalmers #SuperStockPulling #PullingHistory #OSTPA #TractorPullingHistory

    1 h 14 min

  3. 1 juin

    Bob & Roger McKim: The Allis 180, Father-Son Pulling & Building a Championship Tractor the Hard Way

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down in Oskaloosa, Iowa, with Bob and Roger McKim to talk about their championship-winning journey in tractor pulling, their deep Allis-Chalmers roots, and the story behind the Allis 180 that took them from antique pulling to competitive Super Stock pulling. Bob and Roger share how their pulling story started with farm stock and antique tractors, how they eventually bought the old Ghostbusters Allis 180, and what it took to turn an outdated pulling tractor into a competitive machine. From rebuilding the engine, changing turbo setups, fighting clutch and rear-end issues, experimenting with intercoolers and tires, and learning how to make the tractor live, this episode is packed with the kind of hands-on innovation that defines old-school tractor pulling. But at the heart of the conversation is the father-son bond. Bob and Roger talk about working side by side in the dealership, building and repairing the tractor together, winning championships, pulling at the Iowa State Fair, and the friendships built through years of competition. It’s a story about horsepower, problem-solving, family, and the kind of determination it takes to keep showing up, even when the tractor keeps coming home broken. If you love Allis-Chalmers pulling history, father-son tractor pulling stories, and the behind-the-scenes work that goes into building a competitive machine, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #BobMcKim #RogerMcKim #AllisChalmers #Allis180 #SuperStockPulling #PullingHistory #TractorPullingHistory #IowaTractorPulling

    1 h 14 min

  4. 18 mai

    Jody Ross: The Long Road to Triple Bypass, Grand National Wins & Super Stock Success

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Jody Ross, a lifelong tractor puller whose story stretches from climbing onto a garden tractor as a kid to building one of the most respected Super Stock programs in the country. Jody shares how his pulling journey began at a local fair, how his family’s implement business shaped his mechanical instincts, and how years of persistence eventually led to major wins with Triple Bypass. From early International Harvester tractors and used parts to Grand National competition, Louisville wins, Bowling Green memories, and the evolution of the Super Stock class, Jody walks through the highs, setbacks, lessons, and people who helped shape his career. He also opens up about the importance of family, the crew behind the tractor, the value of good tires, and why success in pulling often comes down to patience, work ethic, and refusing to give up. This conversation is a look inside the mindset of a competitor who didn’t find overnight success—but stayed with it long enough to build a legacy in tractor pulling. Follow along for more stories from the legends, builders, drivers, and families who continue to shape the sport of tractor pulling.

    59 min

  5. 4 mai

    Vern Huser | From Slater Shaker Dominance to Tractor Pulling Comebacks

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with longtime puller Vern Huser—a name synonymous with Iowa tractor pulling and the legendary Slater Shaker. With decades of experience, multiple championships, and appearances on the sport’s biggest stages, Vern shares the story behind one of the most respected careers in pulling history. From building his first machine out of scrap to dominating in the 1970s, Vern walks through the evolution of his setups, the innovations that gave him an edge, and the rivalries that pushed the sport forward. He reflects on the transition from carburetors to blowers, the importance of tires and track feel, and what it really took to win during one of pulling’s most competitive eras. But this conversation goes far beyond the track. Vern opens up about the hardships that nearly ended it all—from financial collapse during the 1980s farm crisis to personal setbacks—and how he rebuilt his life, business, and passion for pulling from the ground up. Now back behind the wheel, Vern offers a raw and honest perspective on how the sport has changed, what it takes to stay competitive today, and why the relationships built along the way matter more than anything else. This is a story of resilience, reinvention, and a lifelong love for tractor pulling. Subscribe for more stories from the legends who built the sport—and those still pushing it forward.

    59 min

  6. 20 avr.

    George Everett | From 1954 Circle Track Pulls to 85 Years Old Still Competing

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with George Everett—one of the last remaining original-era competitors who helped shape tractor pulling into what it is today. From his first pull at just 14 years old in 1954 to still competing at 85, George’s story is a living timeline of the sport’s evolution. What starts as a conversation about early days on circle tracks quickly turns into a deep dive into innovation, grit, and decades of trial-and-error engineering. George shares how pulling tractors straight off the farm turned into building alcohol-burning machines, experimenting with fuel systems, and competing during the formation of the National Tractor Pullers Association. This episode is packed with stories you won’t hear anywhere else—from breaking tractors in half and surviving wild rides, to building his own turbos and running a machine that’s evolved for nearly 50 years. It’s a raw look at what it meant to compete when there were no shortcuts—just hard work, instinct, and a willingness to push the limits. If you want to understand where tractor pulling came from—and what it takes to still be doing it at the highest level decades later—this is one you don’t want to miss. 🎧 New episodes of Breaking Barriers drop weekly—subscribe and follow along for more stories from the legends who built the sport.

    1 h 19 min

  7. 6 avr.

    Ken Veney: Farm Kid to Funny Car Innovator. The Mindset, Hustle, and Evolution of a Motorsports Legend

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Ken Veney, a true pioneer in drag racing and Funny Car innovation, for a conversation that captures the raw grit, ingenuity, and relentless work ethic that defined an era of motorsports. From growing up as a farm kid in Ohio to building his first hot rod in a converted manure shed, Veney’s story is a powerful reminder that greatness is often built long before anyone is watching. Ken walks through his early fascination with cars, buying his first vehicle as a teenager, teaching himself how to weld, and working multiple jobs just to fuel his passion for racing. What began as street racing in small-town America quickly evolved into a deeper pursuit—one that took him to California, into competitive drag racing, and eventually into the high-stakes world of Funny Cars. Along the way, he shares stories of early engine builds, racing on limited budgets, and the mindset required to outwork and outthink the competition at every turn. This episode dives into more than just racing history—it explores the mentality behind success. Veney opens up about the importance of putting in extra hours, taking risks, and constantly experimenting to gain an edge. His journey highlights the evolution of drag racing, from grassroots beginnings to highly competitive circuits, while also showcasing the role of creativity and hands-on problem-solving in pushing the sport forward. Whether you’re a die-hard motorsports fan, a tractor pulling enthusiast, or someone chasing your own version of success, this episode delivers timeless lessons on discipline, innovation, and persistence. Ken Veney’s story proves that you don’t need perfect circumstances—you just need the drive to keep building, improving, and chasing what’s next. 🎧 Subscribe for more episodes of Breaking Barriers, featuring the legends, innovators, and stories that shaped the world of motorsports. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #KenVeney #DragRacing #FunnyCar #Motorsports #RacingHistory #NHRA #HotRods #CarCulture #EntrepreneurMindset #WorkEthic #Innovation #Storytelling #GaryBontrager

    2 h 26 min

  8. 23 mars

    Gary Ulmer | 55 Years of Innovation, Grit & The Educator

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with pulling pioneer Gary Ulmer — a man with over 55 years in the sport, dating back to high school farm stock days in South Dakota. From early Oliver tractors to snowmobile drag racing circuits and eventually dominating the Light Super Stock ranks, Ulmer’s story is one of evolution, relentless experimentation, and hard-earned mechanical wisdom. Gary takes us inside the mindset of a builder who learned the hard way — breaking blocks, blowing head gaskets, redesigning valvetrain stability, and machining his own solutions when parts didn’t exist. From helping build sleds in the 70s to campaigning one of the top Light Supers in the region, he shares what it meant to be at the top of the class… and why politics ultimately pushed him to transition into a component chassis. This is not just a horsepower story. It’s about the constant pursuit of reliability, the chess match of tire selection and fuel systems, and the reality that in today’s pulling world, you can make all the horsepower you want — but if you can’t put weight on the nose and hook it to the track, it doesn’t matter. Ulmer also reflects on what’s changed most over five decades: RPM increases, boost levels, chassis development, and the rise of specialization in everything from cutting tires to building heads. Yet for all the technological advances, he makes it clear the most valuable part of tractor pulling isn’t the trophies — it’s the relationships built over a lifetime in the pits. From farm stock beginnings to chasing points with the Outlaws, this conversation captures the full arc of a competitor who has seen the sport evolve from brush pulls to precision-built component machines. If you care about tractor pulling history, mechanical innovation, or the mindset required to stay competitive across generations of change, this episode is one you don’t want to miss. Subscribe to Breaking Barriers for more deep conversations with the builders, drivers, and innovators who shaped the sport.

    1 h 5 min
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À propos

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!

Informations

  • Création
    Gary Bontrager
  • Années d’activité
    2025 - 2026
  • Épisodes
    41
  • Classification
    Contenu explicite
  • Copyright
    © Gary Bontrager
  • Site web de l’émission
    Breaking Barriers Podcast

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