By: Bob Strohm
bstrohm@wbcowqel.com
Closing out Friday at the fair spectators in the grandstands were greeted to a show of mechanical power as the Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association brought their state sanctioned truck and tractor pull to the Crawford County Fair.
With four classes of tractors, trucks and semis fans cheered for their favorite tractor companies as well as their favorite drivers.
Brenton Taylor who attended the event with friends said his favorite part of the pulls was the smoke that would billow out of the exhaust.
“As a diesel mechanic my favorite are John Deer.” Taylor said. “John Deer and smoke all the way.”
Dylan Burkhart attended the show with friends enjoying the race from the back of a pickup truck in the pit area.
“We just came out to have some fun, and just be with friends,” Burkhart said.
Taking first place in the super stock tractor class Mark Metzger’s tractor the Alcoholic Harvester pulled the sled 325 feet. Metzger, who was the point circuit champion of his class in 2012 and 2013, explained what goes into a tractor to attain a full pull.
“A lot of money, the right parts, knowing the right people, and you got to know your mechanics being able to keep these things running.” Metzger said. “Anybody can put something together and run, but to run night after night and keep these running it’s a lot of work.
“If I had someone build me an engine it would cost $80,000 to $90,000,” Metzger continued.
The Ohio State Tractor Pullers Association will travel to the Ottawa County Fair Saturday followed by the Clermont County Fair on Monday.
Results:
Light-Limited Pro Stock
Travis Wisel, Irrational Behavior – 346.290’
Super Modified Four Wheel Drive Trucks
Carl O’Dell, Dirt Donkey – 327.475’
Super Stock Tractors
Mark Metzger, Alcoholic Harvester – 325.480
Pro Stock Semis
W. T. Miller, Bad Attitude – 338.82