Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. – Some of the biggest names in professional truck and tractor pulling, along with a capacity crowd, witnessed two action-filled nights at Chilhowie Park, near Knoxville, Tenn., during the WIVK-FM Rocky-Top Power Pull.

The event proved a showcase of power and performance for the boisterous Northeastern Tennessee audience, with the outcome of its potent cross-section of machinery having significant ramifications through valuable points earned toward both the Lucas Oil Champions Tour (Pro Mod 4-Wheel Drive Truck) and Super Clean Regional Series (Super Modified 2-Wheel Drive Truck, Super Farm Tractor). Also on hand were a pair of invitational classes comprised of multi-engine Super Modified Tractors, and Hot Rod Semi Trucks.

On the elite Lucas Oil Champions Tour side, Pro Mod 4-Wheel Drive Truck veteran Terry Hagedorn emerged the victor from the combined two-night total, his Thompson, Mo.-based Untamed Spirit Chevrolet claiming first place after a multi-truck pull-off on Saturday night, with a runner-up finish on Friday behind the After Taxes entry of Washington Court House, Oh.’s Virgil Barker, in a Ford. A total of 24 professional truck teams took part from nine states.

Super Modified 2-Wheel Drive Truck competition witnessed nearby Paul Ramey’s Rogersville, Tenn.-based Red Alert claim the most points on the popular Super Clean Regional Pulling Series, his vibrant orange and white-painted missile notching first and second place on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. A one-two combination of from the dual truck Jacks Family, of Fishers, Indiana, kept the heat on throughout, with dad Steve claiming the victory on Saturday in his supercharged Pair of Jacks Dodge, while daughter Jessica came up just short with a runner-up placing on Friday. Steve also managed a fourth on Friday while driving double-duty in the popular Dirtslinger Ford, plus fifth in his aforementioned Dodge.

Another driver at the top each night was Mac Darnell, of Cynthiana, Ken., whose Red Scorpion IH stung the Super Farm Tractor division with a win on Saturday, coming on the heels of a runner-up placement against winner Justin Wagler’s Real Deere JD, of Nashville, Ind., on Friday. Not to be outdone, Darnell’s second entry, Maximum Overdrive, was third on Friday, and second on Saturday, for a potent one-two finish, and valuable points accumulation on the Lucas Oil Super Clean Regional Pulling Series.

The twin invitational in both Super Modified Tractor and Hot Rod Semis kept the crowd mumbling in disbelief. On Friday night, second generation standout Michael Stewart appeared to be taking his family’s Down ‘N Dirty four-engine tractor all the way to Paris, Tenn., before he thought better and released the throttle lever nearly 30-feet past the finish line stripe. Second and third place went to the popular Barga Family’s unique The Judge, and The Jury tractors out of Ansonia, Ohio with turbine and Allison power plants. The Indian Outlaw of veteran L.D. Nation showed the way Saturday, his turbine-powered tractor out of Butler, Mo., wowing the crowd with a winning distance of 323-plus.

The weekend’s only repeat winner came in the Hot Rod Semi division, where the Brockasaurus of Joe Metzger topped an all-Ohio field, including Jeff Barga’s Renegade both nights by more than 30-feet.

The event was duly sponsored and supported across the region’s airwaves thanks to FM-WIVK, whose 50-plus year radio station is also a 7-time recipient as County Music Association (CMA) Radio Station of the Year. Also taking part with an eye-catching display was series major sponsor General Tire, in addition to product displays and signage throughout reflective of additional Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League and ‘Team Lucas’ participants Super Clean, Jim Beam, K&N Filters, R & L Carriers, Dixie Chopper, E3 Spark Plugs, and Fatheadz Eye Wear.

The elite and nationally televised Lucas Oil Champions Tour point series now heads to the hallowed grounds of Salem Speedway (www.salemspeedway.com), in Salem, Ind., on May 31, for action in a trio of categories during the Scott County Visitors Commission Hoosier Classic Truck & Tractor Pull, presented by Dixie Chopper. Held below the half-mile track’s high banks on a man-made 300-foot dirt track on pit lane, this will be the first look at this year’s 10,000-lb Pro Stock Tractor class, plus round two of “mountain motor” Pro Mod 4-Wheel Drive Truck and Super Farm Tractor.

Owned by Corona, Calif.-based parent company Lucas Oil Products (www.lucasoil.com), the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League enters its third season as has become a leading organizational and governing body within professional truck and tractor pulling. The PPL will conduct in excess of 240 events in 2008.

For more information, including Lucas Oil Champions Tour and television schedules, Regional and Member State schedules, plus rules and press archives, please call: 812-216-4024.