WAPAKONETA — Matt Cain, of Eaton, drives a super modified, two-wheel drive pickup in the National Tractor Pullers Association Grand National Truck Pulls, held Saturday at the Auglaize County Fairgrounds.
Cain and his brother, Alan, also of Eaton, both drive for Polar Air Compressor, a company owned by Alan Cain. The brothers grew up going to tractor pulls.
“Ever since we were kids growing up on a farm, we went to tractor pulls. In those days you brought your lawn chair right up to the track. We’ve just liked it ever since then. We got the funds to take it to this level now, ” Cain said. “When I was 11 years old I won the Preble County Fair pull. That was a long time ago.”
The tractor and truck pulls draw a big crowd to the grandstands. The grandstands were full, the bleachers were full and the infield was full Saturday during the pulling competition.
“Oh yeah, it’s an extremely good crowd-pleaser,” said Fred Piehl, director of the Auglaize County Fair. “The NTPA Grand National Tractor and Truck Pulls is the biggest. People come from all over.”
These tractors and trucks have all been modified, some with four to six engines, some use jet fuel, anything to make the cut and pull the most weight. With the modification and engine, comes the loud noise.
Nick and Mandi Baber, of Wapakoneta, come every year to watch. They brought their two sons, and brought ear protection for both of their sons.
“We come for the loudness and the horsepower,” Nick Baber said.
That sentiment is echoed by Matt Haun, of Kenton, who brought his 3-year-old son, Carter.
“Loudness, horsepower, all of the above,” Haun said. “He wanted to watch it so we are here.”
Both the tractors and trucks pull sleds with weights on them.
“They’re pulling a sled and that weight keeps coming up on them, so the further they go the more that weight on that sled goes up and its harder for them to pull,” Piehl said.
Others might know someone in the competition.
“It’s pretty neat to watch. My neighbor pulls tractors. This is another motor sport that a lot of people like,” said Doug Stout, of Spencerville.
Piehl is at a loss on why people like the loudness.
“I don’t know what it is. It’s just like a demo derby they can sit in the grandstands free, but they’ll pay $15 to go into the pits so they can get closer. I haven’t figured that out yet,” Piehl said. “We say, if it makes noise, drips oil and makes dust then there’s the possibility of major excitement. It’s phenomenal.”
Merri Hanjora The Lima News
Merri Hanjora The Lima News
