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!
Breaking Barriers Podcast
Claim This Podcastby Gary Bontrager
4.5(2 reviews)
42 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas SponsorsLocation 🇺🇸
Podcast Overview
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!
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
10/2/2025
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Recent Episodes
July 13, 2026
Chuck Wheatley | The Turbo Pioneer Who Changed Tractor Pulling
<p>In this episode of the <strong>Breaking Barriers Podcast</strong>, Gary Bontrager sits down with <strong>Chuck Wheatley</strong>, a Grand National Champion, regional champion, and one of the most innovative minds in early modified tractor pulling.</p><p>Chuck shares stories from the beginning of his pulling career, building tractors with his dad, experimenting with V8s, turbos, intercoolers, fuel injection, alcohol setups, and the mechanical trial-and-error that helped move the sport forward. From dirt-floor garage builds to Louisville, Indy, Iowa pulls, and national competition, Chuck’s story captures a time when tractor pulling was changing fast—and he was one of the people pushing it ahead.</p><p>This conversation also dives into the friendships, rivalries, safety changes, memorable wins, hard lessons, and personal challenges that shaped Chuck’s life in and around the sport. If you love tractor pulling history, modified tractors, turbocharged engines, and the legends who helped build the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss.</p>
June 29, 2026
Curt Ulmer | 55 Years of Modified Tractor Pulling, Family Legacy & Outlaw Dominance
<p>Curt Ulmer has spent more than 55 years in the sport of tractor pulling, building, competing, innovating, and winning with one of the most respected modified tractor programs in the country. From the early days of farm tractors, homemade sleds, and small South Dakota pulls to multiple Outlaw championships and a three-generation family team, Curt’s story is deeply connected to the history and growth of the sport.</p><p>In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Curt in Meadow, South Dakota, to talk about the Ulmer family’s early pulling days, building their own equipment, the evolution of modified tractors, the importance of tires, horsepower, sleds, and the people who helped shape the sport along the way.</p><p>Curt also shares what tractor pulling has meant to his family, what it takes to stay competitive for decades, and why there still needs to be room in the sport for the smaller teams, county fairs, and grassroots events that helped build tractor pulling in the first place.</p><p>#BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #ModifiedTractor #OutlawPulling #PullingTractors #Motorsports #TractorPullingHistory</p><p></p>
June 15, 2026
Bill Hirt: The Hall of Fame Story Behind Running Bare, Allis-Chalmers Pulling & a Life Well Lived
<p>In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Hall of Fame tractor puller <strong>Bill Hirt</strong> for a story-filled conversation about the early days of pulling, the evolution of the sport, and the family legacy built around the legendary <strong>Running Bare</strong> name.</p><p>Bill looks back on his first pull in 1970 on the blacktop with a garden tractor, his jump into Allis-Chalmers machines, the D21 days, Louisville memories, alcohol Super Stock evolution, and the countless stories that came from decades on the road. From hauling tractors with questionable setups to working with names like Max Simpson, Bryan Conners, Ron Perry, and others who helped shape the sport, Bill’s story is packed with history, humor, and hard-earned perspective.</p><p>But this episode goes far beyond horsepower. Bill opens up about family, faith, being inducted into the Hall of Fame, surviving serious heart procedures as a child, and why he still believes the best advice is simple: enjoy what you’re doing and be grateful for the life you’ve been given.</p><p>If you love tractor pulling history, Allis-Chalmers stories, old-school Super Stock pulling, and the people who helped build the sport, this is an episode you won’t want to miss. </p><p>#BreakingBarriersPodcast #TractorPulling #BillHirt #RunningBare #AllisChalmers #SuperStockPulling #PullingHistory #OSTPA #TractorPullingHistory</p>
42 total episodes available
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- What is Breaking Barriers Podcast?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
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Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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