Breaking Barriers Podcast

Gary Bontrager
  • 5.0 (4)
  • Automotive
  • Updated Biweekly

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. Aug 24

    Brabec Brothers | 7x National Champions, The Country Dude & Tractor Pulling Legends

    Seven national championships. Hall of Fame careers. And a legacy that helped shape the foundation of modern tractor pulling—this is the story of the Brabec Brothers. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Alan and Dennis Brabec to uncover how two farm kids from Iowa built championship-winning machines like the legendary Country Dude and The Imposter. From their very first pull—winning with a brand new tractor—to dominating national circuits across the country, the Brabecs share the grit, innovation, and relentless drive that made them icons in the sport. What started with six tubes of grease as a prize turned into a career defined by ingenuity—building their own parts, experimenting with multi-turbo setups, and outworking the competition at every level. They open up about the evolution of tractor pulling, the risks they took, and the moments that defined their journey, including unforgettable wins at Louisville, Bowling Green, and across the national stage. This conversation is a deep dive into the golden era of tractor pulling—where creativity beat budgets, and passion fueled performance. If you want to understand what it truly took to become champions in one of motorsports’ most demanding arenas, this is an episode you don’t want to miss. Watch now and hear the stories behind the machines, the championships, and the legacy that still impacts the sport today.

  2. Aug 10

    Fred & Kyle Petsch | Seven Championships, Thermal Thunder & a Family Pulling Legacy

    For Fred and Kyle Petsch, tractor pulling has always been about more than winning—it has been a lifelong family tradition. Together, they share nearly 40 years of experience, seven championships and the evolution from local farm pulls to competing with their twin-turbine modified tractor, Thermal Thunder. Fred looks back on his early fascination with tractors, his career working with John Deere, the creation of the Nebraska Bush Pullers and his many years behind the microphone as an announcer. Kyle shares what it was like growing up in the shop, driving tractors for several legendary pulling teams, helping build Thermal Thunder and eventually taking on a leadership role with the Outlaws. They also discuss an incredible 2010 season, the challenges of developing a new tractor, watching the next generation climb into the driver’s seat and why the future of tractor pulling depends on organizations working together. Through every victory, breakdown and change in the sport, the Petsch family’s greatest accomplishment remains the relationships and memories they have built across three generations. Subscribe to the Breaking Barriers Podcast for more conversations celebrating the people, machines and stories that built the sport of tractor pulling. #BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #ThermalThunder

  3. Jul 27

    From Schoolteacher to Big Rig Truck Pulling Pioneer | Rick Feicht

    Rick Feicht entered the world of tractor pulling with no previous experience in the sport. What began with announcing local events eventually became a remarkable career in promotion, helping transform big rig truck pulling into a recognized and celebrated class. In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Rick joins Gary Bontrager to share the story behind Full Pull Productions, the creation of the Big Rig Pulling Series, and the development of USA East Sled Pulling. He discusses working with fairs and sanctioning organizations, attracting sponsors, improving safety standards, and producing events that gave fans more than an ordinary tractor pull—they delivered a complete show. Rick also reflects on the relationships he built throughout the sport, the lessons he carried from teaching into event promotion, and why the most important person at any tractor pull will always be the fan sitting in the stands. Like, subscribe, and share this episode with another tractor-pulling fan as Breaking Barriers continues preserving the people and stories that built the sport.

  4. Jul 13

    Chuck Wheatley | The Turbo Pioneer Who Changed Tractor Pulling

    In this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, Gary Bontrager sits down with Chuck Wheatley, a Grand National Champion, regional champion, and one of the most innovative minds in early modified tractor pulling. Chuck shares stories from the beginning of his pulling career, building tractors with his dad, experimenting with V8s, turbos, intercoolers, fuel injection, alcohol setups, and the mechanical trial-and-error that helped move the sport forward. From dirt-floor garage builds to Louisville, Indy, Iowa pulls, and national competition, Chuck’s story captures a time when tractor pulling was changing fast—and he was one of the people pushing it ahead. This conversation also dives into the friendships, rivalries, safety changes, memorable wins, hard lessons, and personal challenges that shaped Chuck’s life in and around the sport. If you love tractor pulling history, modified tractors, turbocharged engines, and the legends who helped build the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.

  5. Jun 29

    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

  6. Jun 15

    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

  7. Jun 1

    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

  8. May 18

    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.

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5
out of 5
4 Ratings

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
    45
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Gary Bontrager
  • Show Website
    Breaking Barriers Podcast

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