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PODCAST

Breaking Barriers Podcast

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!

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All Episodes

00:42:10

From Pulling Tractors to Preserving History | The...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/11/17

In this heartwarming episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with Doc Wiggins and his son David Wiggins — two generations deeply rooted in the world of farming, tractor pulling, and community preservation. What begins as a nostalgic conversation about brush pulls in the 1980s unfolds into a powerful story about legacy, family, and small-town pride.Doc shares how his love for tractors started on a Missouri farm and evolved into decades of pulling, restoring, and collecting — a passion that now

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01:22:54

Bryan Conners | Engineering the Future of Tractor...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/11/03

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with Gary Bontrager, Gary sits down with Bryan Conners, a lifelong innovator and engineer whose fingerprints are all over the history of tractor pulling. From his early days wrenching alongside his father in the 1960s to developing the groundbreaking fuel and turbo systems that redefined performance standards, Bryan’s story is one of grit, ingenuity, and an obsession with horsepower.In their conversation, Bryan shares memories of building Bad Medicine, running

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01:29:46

The Heart of Antique Tractor Pulling Lives On with...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/20

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with James O. Harmon, a lifelong Massey Ferguson enthusiast and antique tractor puller whose passion for the sport runs generations deep. From his childhood in Clarence, Missouri, to decades spent preserving the legacy of pulling, James shares how family, community, and horsepower shaped his life’s story.He takes us through the evolution of tractor pulling—from wooden sleds and concrete blocks to the modern machines dominating today’s

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01:44:25

From Farm Fields to Tractor Pulling Legacy with...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Dennis Kay, a lifelong innovator whose passion for motorsports and entrepreneurship has left a lasting mark on the world of tractor pulling and beyond.Dennis shares how his fascination with horsepower began at county fairs, building models in his basement and sneaking into stock car races with his dad. What started as a local hobby with his brother Lanny grew into a pioneering career in tractor pulling, complete with stretched

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01:43:34

The Tractor Pulling Legacy of Loren & Larry Ford

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Loren and Larry Ford, lifelong tractor pulling enthusiasts whose journey spans from mowing yards with a Cub Cadet in the 1960s to competing in some of the Midwest’s toughest pulls.The Ford brothers share their evolution through the sport—starting with homemade modifications, graduating into antique pulls, and eventually stepping into the high-intensity world of alcohol-fueled super stock tractors. Along the way, they recount

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01:03:07

Dan Hutchings’ Pulling Legacy

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with pulling legend Dan Hutchings for a ride through decades of tractor pulling history, innovation, and family legacy.Dan shares how he got started building toy tractors with airplane engines, how his passion evolved into a lifetime of pulling modifieds, stock cars, sprint cars, and drag racers. You'll hear incredible behind-the-scenes stories—from weight placement tricks at the Iowa State Fair to restoring vintage hot rod

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01:02:10

Chris Fountain’s Legacy in Tractor Pulling

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Chris Fountain—renowned transmission builder, hot rod innovator, and Iowa pulling legend—for an unforgettable ride through the golden era of tractor pulling.From building transmissions for the Midwest’s fiercest competitors to crafting his own two-engine modified pullers, Chris reflects on a lifetime of trial, torque, and triumph. The episode opens with a surprise: Chris’s old pulling tractor, restored after decades, is

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01:30:49

Scrap Metal to Superstock: How the Peiffer Built a...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this rich and nostalgic episode, host Gary Bontrager sits down with legendary tractor pulling brothers Tom and Pat Peiffer, recorded on location in Harper, Iowa. Known for pioneering the use of alcohol-fueled tractors in the sport, the Peiffers recount their 40+ years of mechanical innovation, trial-and-error learning, and fierce competition on the pulling circuit.They dive into stories from their early days borrowing a neighbor’s tractor for their first pull, all the way to their custom-built

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01:58:02

From Farm Fields to Four Turbos: The Legacy of...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with William "Bibs" Giberson—a legendary mechanic, innovator, and storyteller whose fingerprints are all over the history of tractor pulling.From his early days wrenching on John Klug’s iconic machines to shaping the rise of four-turbo tractors in the Midwest, Bibs takes us deep into the golden era of pulling. With unmatched authenticity, he recounts roadside welds, secret engine modifications, and the camaraderie that

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00:54:10

Ed Sass - From Farm Fields to Finish Lines

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this nostalgic and deeply insightful episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Ed Sass—lifelong Schellsburg, Iowa resident and tractor pulling legend—to relive a remarkable journey through one of America's most grassroots motorsports.From rebuilding his grandfather’s 1936 F-20 to dominating the light limited classes with his iconic 560, Ed shares a treasure trove of stories spanning decades of passion, perseverance, and mechanical creativity.🚜 What’s Inside:Ed’s humble

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01:27:01

The Sipes Family Legacy in Tractor Pulling

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Gary Bontrager sits down with Jerry Sipes and his entire family to reflect on a multigenerational journey in tractor pulling. From humble beginnings at a county fair to dominating pulls across the country, Jerry and his crew share stories of mechanical ingenuity, sibling rivalries, all-night shop sessions, and the deep bond forged through decades of shared passion.💬 Highlights include:- Jerry’s first tractor pull experience and how it all started- The

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01:21:38

County Fairs to National Pulls: Chris Dix on a Life...

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Chris Dix—an Iowa native whose lifelong passion for tractor pulling has made him a fixture in the sport both behind the wheel and behind the mic.Chris shares his journey from watching his first tractor pull as a boy in Janesville to becoming a driver, promoter, and announcer at some of the Midwest’s most iconic pulling events. With vivid stories from decades of competition, Chris unpacks the evolution of safety, the rise of

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01:16:34

The Legendary Leonard Beasley

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this special episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Leonard Beasley, one of the pioneers of alcohol-powered tractor pulling. Filmed in Eagleville, Tennessee, this interview dives deep into Leonard’s wild journey from farm fields to national pulling arenas.🚜 Leonard shares how he transitioned from pulling with a stock John Deere 4430 to building hot rods with multiple engines and four turbochargers, hitting 8,000 RPM and 80 pounds of boost long before it was common. He

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01:47:10

The Legendary Dick and Scott Buss - Demon Begone

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this special episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager is joined by Scott Buss, son of legendary tractor puller Dick Buss. Scott takes us on a journey through the rich legacy of the Buss family—from growing up around the roar of engines to honoring the relentless work ethic his father instilled. Together, they dive into the evolution of tractor pulling, how the sport has changed over the years, and what it meant to grow up in a family that lived and breathed horsepower.Scott shares

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01:34:02

The Levee Leaper with the Carrol Family Pulling Team

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

Join host Gary Bontrager for a special episode of Breaking Barriers as he sits down with Ivan and Dean Carroll, the Missouri legends behind the iconic “Levee Leaper” tractor. This episode dives deep into over 50 years of tractor pulling history, family tradition, and innovation in the world of competitive pulling.From humble beginnings with a turbocharged Cockshutt 40 to winning state fair sweeps and pulling in the Houston Astrodome, the Carroll family's journey is packed with unforgettable

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00:55:51

The Legendary Smog Frog, Doug Ham w/ Son Mark Ham

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mark Hamm to dive deep into the rich history of tractor pulling in Eastern Iowa. From Mark’s father, Doug Hamm’s early days in the sport to groundbreaking innovations, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments, this conversation is a must-watch for pulling enthusiasts.Discover the evolution of tractor technology, the camaraderie among competitors, and the impact of legendary figures who shaped the sport. Plus,

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01:19:50

The Spark-aholic w/ James Fred Nichols

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers podcast, host Gary Bontrager interviews Fred Nichols, a pioneer in the sport of tractor pulling. They discuss Fred's early experiences with tractor pulling, the evolution of his tractors, and the innovations he introduced to the sport. Fred shares memorable stories from his time on the track, the changes in the sport over the years, and his reflections on the community of tractor pullers. In this segment of the conversation, Fred Nichols shares his

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01:09:19

The Perfect 10 with Mike Schultz

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this powerful episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mike Schultz, a remarkable individual who has overcome challenges and redefined success on his terms. From navigating personal and professional hurdles to making an impact in his industry, Mike shares his journey of resilience, innovation, and determination.Tune in as Gary and Mike dive into the mindset, strategies, and lessons learned from breaking through limitations and building a life of purpose. Whether you're

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01:09:37

Breaking Barriers w/ Bear Sieverding

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this exciting episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager welcomes special guest Bear Sieverding, a well-known figure in the world of tractor pulling. Bear takes listeners on a journey through his lifelong passion for the sport, from growing up on a family farm in Bellevue, Iowa, to becoming a key player in the Eastern Iowa Tractor Force Association. He shares stories of his early days participating in local pulls, the evolution of the sport, and the dedicated community that

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01:06:50

Remembering Jerry "Snicker" Fornash w/ son Mike Fornash

Breaking Barriers Podcast ·

2025/10/16

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mike Fornash to take a deep dive into the rich history of tractor pulling, the legacy of Mike’s father, Jerry Fornash, and how the sport has evolved over the years. Recorded in the nostalgic Ginko Garage, this conversation highlights the grassroots passion for tractor pulling and the strong community ties formed through decades of competition.Mike shares fascinating stories about his father's journey from

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24 results

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