Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League does it again in 2011!

The glitz and glam of Hollywood made it’s way to Indianapolis, Indiana on Saturday night for the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League’s 2011 Awards Ceremony! More than four hundred attendees packed the grand ball room of the Hyatt Regency Downtown in the heart of the circle city.

As the lights dimmed for the evening awards, a stunning Crash Gladys took the stage to kickoff her journey as the Master of Ceremonies. Gladys known for her bubbly personality, has become a pulling family member over the last few years, with her work on all of the television productions for the Pro Pulling League. Crash excitedly informed the crowd that the Pro Pulling League had done it again, membership was up, events were up, and the television ratings from the recent CBS Sports episode had exceeded the highly rated 2010 show.

The Pro Pulling League is known for it’s hard working staff that put the needs of the pullers at the forefront of their minds on a day to day basis. After an introduction of each staff member the capacity crowd erupted with applause in appreciation for a highly successful season and job well done! Lead by two of the hardest working and devoted people in the motorsports industry, Kristi Chastain and Johnathan Mears, the directors of Pro Pulling League could stand proudly in reflection of a season for the record books.

The core nucleus of what makes the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League thrive is it’s devoted promoter base and loyal sponsorship team. Crash welcomed each of the promoters and sponsor representatives in attendance, which revved up the crowd to provide a boisterous round of applause that filled the room! The competitor base is grateful for all of the efforts of these devoted supporters of the Pro Pulling League.

The first awards of the night were presented to the Midwest Region champions and for the presentation director for the series Tony Schindler took the stage. Tony was excited to inform the crowd that the Midwest Region had grown as well, with a tremendous increase in membership and events for the 2011 season. The proud champions of the Midwest Region were each recognized with their fellow classmates and presented their earnings from a hard fought series. The winners were Justin Wagler, Shane Kellogg, Jonathan Payne, Kurt Haisley, Evan Smoot, Henry Debuisseret , Jordan and Dale Nelson, and Darrell Varner. Each of these competitors took their turn at the microphone to thank their devoted teams and competitors for a summer filled with great accomplishments.

In memory of our lost friend and biggest fan; Melba King, the Pro Pulling League developed a scholarship fund in her honor after losing her in the fall of 2008. Known for their devotion to the sport Melba and Wayne King found a home with the Pro Pulling League as they traveled the circuit religiously in support of their favorite drivers and events. Four lucky individuals were awarded a $750 scholarship after submitting an essay based on a current events question developed by the Pro Pulling League Staff. The lucky winners for the 2011 season were Ashley Wehmiller, Zach Roach, Katie Jo Linder, and Kassie Maedge.

After presenting the scholarships, Crash welcomed the man behind the league and the highly successful Lucas Oil name, Forrest Lucas to the stage. Forrest has such a demeanor about him that in every situation he can captivate an audience. “Folks there is not a lot of money out there right now for motorsports, but our Lucas Oil Series continue to grow. That is a testament to your professionalism and hard work” stated Lucas. Forrest was also excited to highlight the newly acquired MavTV which Lucas Oil has purchased outright. “We are going to grow that channel with the help of you and the sport of pulling. We have a lot of exciting things happening with Lucas Oil and we can’t thank you enough for your support” added Lucas.

The crowd could not have been happier to see Mr. Lucas and welcome him back to the banquet. Forrest had the distinct honor of drawing the event winner’s award. Each year the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League presents a grand prize award to one lucky individual. To qualify for the award, one most win a Champions Tour event. A competitor could have their name entered into the drawing for each event win on the season. The lucky winners of a brand new John Deere Gator were the Domann Family. The Domann’s captured the win at the final event of the season in Wheatland, Missouri, which was enough for them to win the grand prize!

An additional award for the competitors of the Champions Tour was developed in 2010 with the addition of Speedco Truck Lube and Tire as a sponsor. Over the course of the season at each Champions Tour event, the Pro Pulling League Staff members collect Speedco receipts from the competitors in attendance. The highest number of receipts wins $1500, with the second highest receiving $1000. For the second straight year, the Nelson’s have captured the top honors with Jordan Nelson turning in the most receipts and older brother Jeremy the second. “Our employees and customers love seeing the Pro Pulling League rigs pull in. They think it is so awesome that you are patrons of ours and value each visit that you have” added Speedco Truck and Lube and Tire’s Mike Barret. Jeremy Nelson an award winner illustrated Barret’s comments even further when he accepted his check and stated; “that his experiences have been awesome and that the hero cards he shared with the Effingham, Illinois location are hanging on the wall.”

A new addition to the Pro Pulling League team of sponsors is Air Dog. Known throughout the diesel industry for their fuel separation systems, Air Dog has come on board in support of the Diesel Truck classes that run under the Pro Pulling League blanket, providing support to the 2.6 Trucks, 3.0 Trucks, Super Stock Diesel Trucks and Hot Rod Semi’s. Air Dog’s Director of Sales and Marketing Anthony Reams had this to say about his already successful experience with the Pro Pulling League; “PPL has over delivered on their commitment to us and we could not be happier with the support we have received from the competitors within the 2.6 and 3.0 class. It is with that we have decided to support all four diesel truck classes.”

With the conclusion of the sponsorship awards and presentations it was time to crown the deserving and honored Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Champions Tour Winners. With eight divisions now on the Champions Tour with the addition of the Light Super Stock class, the stage was set with eight custom painted helmets from Cody Lewis ( Lewis Body Shop in Macon, Missouri) and eight decked out baskets of Lucas Oil Products. Each respective champion took to the stage to accept their awards and earnings check from a hard fought season, while personally thanking Forrest and Charlotte Lucas and the rest of the Team Lucas sponsors, PPL Staff and their families. Only one of the eight champions was back on the stage after a successful title defense and that was Jeff Hirt with his Ferris Commercial Mowers/Steyer Seeds sponsored Runin Bare claiming championship in the Mac Trailer Unlimited Super Stock Class. Todd Maedge made history as the first champion in the Light Weight Super Stock division with the Pro Pulling League. First time champions tour winners were; Stuart Maize (Premier Crop Insurance Pro Stock Tractors), Jeremy Nelson (Rockstar Energy Drink Super Modified Two Wheel Drive Trucks), Stan Shelton (E-3 Sparkplug Modified Tractors), John Kutz (Super Farm Tractors) and Dana Lindsey (Hot Rod Semi’s). Former champion Terry Hagedorn found his way back to the stage in 2011 in the Speedco Truck Lube and Tire Pro Modified Four Wheel Drive Truck Class. Hagedorn, won the title in his wife Sheila’s truck after claiming the title in 2008 in his Untamed Spirit.

After the Champions presentation concluded the room became silent in anticipation of the three coveted awards. Kristi Chastain took to the stage to present the award for Pull of the Year! Over the course of the summer many viable candidates delighted the fans, competitors and supporters of the Champions Tour, but one raised the bar even further in 2011. The Elkhart County Fair in Goshen, Indiana was delighted to receive this prestigious award, after having a phenomenal event in July. On hand to receive the award was Event Director and 2007 Lifetime Achievement Award winner Cork Wagner who said: “We appreciate all that the Pro Pulling League does for us. In my opinion this is the best league around bar none! I thank my wife for her loving support and understanding over the years of my work with this event. On behalf of the Elkhart County 4H fair and all the hard working folks involved, thank you so much for this incredible honor.”

Johnathan Mears was next to the stage for the presentation of the coveted Puller of the Year. There are few pullers in the industry that fight as hard as this deserving winner does to maintain equipment, make the call at pulls not only on the Champions Tour but on the state level, all the while fighting hard to promote his class throughout the country. The 2011 Puller of the Year was presented to Mike Laribee and his Hot Rod Semi Shameless. Laribee a former Champion in the Hot Rod Semi category has seen great longevity in the sport and carries with him a contagious passion for all facets of what he loves! “I never would have thought that this would be the year I would be named Puller of the Year. I am honored to stand in front of you and appreciative of all that the Pro Pulling League has done for our class on the state and national level” said Laribee.

The final award of the night is one built over a lifetime in the sport. The lifetime achievement award in previous years has been presented to former champions, motorsports legends, and highly acclaimed promoters. As the video presentation began an all too familiar voice to all in attendance came over the speaker. As the video showed a Super Stock Tractor making its pass the commentary in the background was provided by Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League Announcer, Butch Krieger. Krieger, at that point still had no idea it was he who was being honored, however the next photo illustrating him as a young child turned the legendary announcer to tears. After nearly four decades behind a microphone Krieger has seen his fair share of trucks and tractors make their way down a track, all the while providing the commentary to the fans in the stands. Developing such phrases as: “Man O Man”, “Right There”, and “Yes Sir Re Bob”, as his trademarks, Butch Krieger has become a household name in the sport of truck and tractor pulling. What began at a local fire department fundraiser on top of a fire truck has carried Butch across the country with Monster Trucks, Pulling and Drag Racing in the last thirty five years. “I picked up a microphone to help our fire department and never believed it would bring me to this point. As a self proclaimed motor head, I love every facet of this sport but the people are what have kept me around this long. This family that we have in pulling is unique and something I cherish. I truly cannot believe I am being honored with this award and couldn’t be prouder. I hope to have a future in the sport for years to come and feel confident in my legacy being carried on with my boys, Jeremy and Miles building careers in the sport as well. As long as my voice will hold up and the league will have me, I will be around! Folks, I truly cannot tell you how much this means to me, thank you Lucas Oil and all involved, I will never forget this “added a very emotional Krieger!

The 2011 Pro Pulling League Season is closed and another amazing chapter has been written for the record books; with action packed competition, primetime television, capacity crowds and unbelievable support from our sponsors. The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League is already excited for the 2012 Season and looks forward to bringing even more to the sport as we come to a city near you!