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. 3D AGO

    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.

    1h 5m

  2. MAR 9

    Ed Hart | Founding the NTPA and Building the Foundation of Modern Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with one of the true pioneers of organized tractor pulling — Ed Hart. Born on a farm in Republic, Ohio, Ed’s story begins long before national organizations, professional sleds, or major indoor championships. What started as a young farm kid catching the pulling bug at local fairs eventually turned into a lifetime of shaping the sport at its highest levels. Ed walks us through the early days of pulling when tractors were farm machines first and competition vehicles second. From campaigning an Allis-Chalmers D21 across county fairs and national events to innovating with turbochargers and tire modifications, he shares firsthand accounts of what it took to compete when there were few rules and even fewer guardrails. These were the years when competitors hauled tractors on grain trucks, cut tires by hand, and figured out performance gains through experimentation and grit. But Ed’s legacy extends far beyond driving. After witnessing inconsistencies in rules and safety across states, he became part of the small group that met in the bleachers and decided the sport needed structure. That decision helped form what would become the National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA), laying groundwork for standardized rules, safety measures, and organized national competition. He also played a major role in early mechanical sled development, navigating patent battles, engineering innovations, and the transition from step-on sleds to weight-transfer machines that transformed the sport entirely. The conversation also dives into the business side of pulling. Ed and his partners promoted major events across the country, including early national-level competitions and the growth of Bowling Green into one of the sport’s most iconic venues. He shares the financial risks, the politics, and the hard lessons learned from betting on weather, attendance, and promoter control long before the sport had the stability it enjoys today. This episode is more than a history lesson — it’s a firsthand account from a man who helped build the structure modern pulling stands on. If you care about the origins of organized tractor pulling, the evolution of sled technology, and the personalities who shaped the sport, this is essential listening. 🎧 Subscribe to Breaking Barriers for more long-form conversations with the legends who built the sport. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #EdHart #TPAHistory #TractorPulling #BowlingGreenPull #PullingLegends #MotorsportsHistory

    1h 2m

  3. FEB 23

    Ron Perry | The Story Behind “Solid Junk” — How One Innovator Changed Tractor Pulling Forever

    Some names don’t just compete in a sport — they redefine it. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Ron Perry, the mind behind the legendary “Solid Junk,” a tractor that pushed performance so far ahead of its time the rulebook eventually had to catch up. Ron opens up about the farm-shop creativity that shaped his life — from fixing equipment as a kid to engineering solutions no one else even thought to attempt. What began as curiosity and mechanical instinct slowly became innovation, and innovation became dominance. Along the way, he shares the quiet decisions, risks, and stubborn persistence that separated builders from followers. But this conversation isn’t just about horsepower. It’s about mindset. About working when others quit, learning without formal training, and treating people right even when competition was fierce. Ron reflects on the relationships, the travel, and the philosophy that mattered more than trophies — the kind of wisdom you only earn after decades of building, breaking, and rebuilding. If you’ve ever wondered what drives a true pioneer — not just in pulling, but in life — this episode tells that story.

    1h 19m

  4. FEB 9

    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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 12/29/2025

    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

  8. 12/15/2025

    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
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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
    34
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Gary Bontrager
  • Show Website
    Breaking Barriers Podcast

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