ITPA in the Swing of Things

The Illinois Tractor Pulling Association got the season jump started with two great events co-sanctioned with the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League at Decatur and Charleston, Illinois. The events solid great class sizes and hotly contested competition as each individual strives for the points title. The events saw Donnie Sullivan capture two wins with his Chevy Colorado Super Modified Two Wheel Drive out of Warsaw, Kentucky. Sullivan out distances the Midnight Motorsports team of Jared and Jeremy Nelson who each had a second place finish in the two events.

In the ground pounding 7500 lb modified class the Leischner's found success with a one/two finish at the Coles County Fair with the Dirtslinger and Dirtchallenger.

In just it's second season with the ITPA full time the Diesel 4x4 truck class has taken off with solid numbers and great competition. The class has seen three different event winners (Jerry Lierly, Kevin Cole, and David Justison) in three events and currently has a three way tie at the top of the points race with (Justison, Lierly, and Rod Tarr) currently fighting for the lead.

Farm Stock classes have already begun to take shape with the 12000lb class having had three different winners as well, and one time winner David Bumpus grabbing the early lead with his International Bumpin Binder. Kevin and Scott Shepherd from Altamont have taken claim of the lead in the 9500 lb class after a big win in Decatur to kick off the season.

Ed Orrell Jr. is back to his old tricks with two wins already in the 10000 lb Pro Stock class with wins in Decatur and Pinckneyville. Orrell Jr. has already established a solid points lead in his pursuit of a defense of his points title.

Todd Maedge started his season off with a sweep of the Super Stock classes in Pinckneyville. Maedge won the 6000 SS Class as well as the 8200 lb SS Class with his Case MX International Series tractor.

It is evident that the ITPA Season is going to have a great summer of competition after just witnessing the first ten days of the season. The heavy hitters on the ITPA circuit have come out in full force and want nothing more then to stand atop of the stage in December at the banquet in Springfield. Stay tuned to the ITPA blog for weekly updates and results posts after the events are contested.