(Words and photos by David Whealon DW-Photo) – Well we’re back to the NC State Fairgrounds with some wicked tractor pulling but unlike the atmosphere that we have in October when the NC State Fair is surrounding the Sam Rand Grandstand we have a much more laid back setting where it’s all concentrated on nothing but some awesome Region 4 UPOC/ NTPA tractor pulling action. Even without all the fanfare of the wild rides, the planned gastronomical nightmares, rigged games, problematic parking and the massive struggle through the thousands upon thousands of fairgoers, a great crowd showed up for the one night Saturday night summer session. With eight classes and over 40 of our region’s best pullers the show was as highly competitive as ever.
The guys from Red Dirt Motorsports put the primo prep on the track and with the trio announcing team of Wayne Lewis, Bert Forbes and Marty Harrell keeping the show moving right along made the night one helluva good time. Our winners of the night on their Diesel International Harvester tractors were were Daniel McDonald on “Bad Boy” in Super Farm, Ronnie Strickland on “Another Outlaw” in Super Stock and Ron Beasley on “Farmall Fever II” in Light Pro Stock. In our blown and naturally aspirated classes where some of the best in the biz engine builders such as Charlie Buck, Sonny Leonard, Mike Janis and more are represented, the winners where Shane Hanks on the “Ground Hawg” Ford in 4 Wheel Drive, John Pickler on the “Game Changer” Dodge in Two Wheel Drive and Dewayne Endecott on the “Hammer Down” Chevy in Light Four Wheel Drive. Randy Davis took his brand new first time out blown “Bear Claw” Mini Modified to the win with a 340’ hook. Rounding out the classes was the Randy Davis owned Modified “Running Bear” with pilot Andy Lankford taking the win.
With the success of this one-off Capital City Showdown pull hopefully it will become a fixture on the UPOC schedule for years to come.