Truck and tractor pulling completes session two into Elkhart County Fair

ELKHART COUNTY, Ind. -- The roar of engines echoed across the Elkhart County Fairgrounds Thursday as truck and tractor pullers took center stage for the second of three grandstand pulling sessions, continuing a tradition that has been a staple of county fairs for nearly a century.

While fairgoers came for the food, carnival rides and livestock exhibits, thousands also packed the grandstands to watch competitors test the limits of their machines by dragging a weighted sled down the dirt track.

The sport traces its roots to the late 1920s, when farmers began informally competing to see whose tractor was the strongest. Today, truck and tractor pulling has evolved into a highly regulated motorsport featuring specialized vehicles capable of producing thousands of horsepower while towing sleds that can exceed 70,000 pounds.

Thursday’s program featured 20 classes of trucks and tractors, ranging from farm stock tractors to diesel pickup trucks. Depending on the division, competitors were required to meet strict technical regulations, including six-mile-per-hour speed limits for some farm stock classes, 3,000-rpm engine limits, restrictions on cut or shaved tires and specific hitch-height requirements designed to keep the competition fair and safe.

For many drivers, the passion for pulling started long before they ever climbed behind the wheel. Several competitors said they grew up attending county fairs with their families, watching their fathers and relatives compete before eventually building trucks and tractors of their own.

One of those competitors was Indiana diesel truck puller Terry Biggs. After capturing his series points championship last season, Biggs spent the past six months building a new truck named “DeadPull,” a nod to his wife’s admiration for actor Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool character.

Despite the long hours and constant mechanical adjustments, Biggs said the challenge is what keeps competitors coming back.

“There’s always that gremlin at the back of your head that says, ‘Hey, if I do this, I can do better. If I do this, I could do better,’” Biggs said. “You hook to the sled one time and you’re either hooked or you’re not — and most of the time you’re hooked.”

The fair’s grandstand entertainment continues Friday night with a rodeo, closing out the week’s weekday events before the fair wraps up its final weekend.