BILL HALTER MEMORIAL TRACTOR PULL RESULTS from BLUE RIDGE

The LSGTPA tractor pulling teams returned to scenic Blue Ridge, Texas, for the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull and some summer time tractor pulling.  Blue Ridge was settled on property originally owned by Matthiss Mowry, who received the land grant from the Republic of Texas, for his services during the Texas War of Independence.  Originally named Pull'n Tug, the blackland prairie town name was changed to Blue Ridge, around 1860, for its blue flowering grass.  Once home to the 16th Texas Cavalry, and now home to the Blue Ridge Tigers, the town once called Pull'n Tug makes for exciting tractor pulling and tugging action.

Jared Stephan leaves the starting line at the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull in Blue Ridge, Texas.

Youth Class tractors opened the show, with Mason Hovind taking the win aboard his 'Yes Deere' entry.  This was just the second pull on a fresh engine for the 'Yes Deere', following a mid-season engine rebuild.  Kody Langham scored a runner up finish aboard his Bonham Service Center sponsored tractor, while Lane Duncan posted a third place finish aboard his 'Texas T-Rex' tractor.  Jared Stephan pulled to a fourth place finish, driving the 'Rusteze' tractor, and returned to pilot the 'Iron Head' tractor to a top five finish. 

Lane Duncan pilots his 'Texas T-Rex' downtrack, during the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull in Blue Ridge.

Stock Class tractors were paced by Aidan Hovind, aboard the 'Yes Deere' tractor, with Aidan Hovind also piloting the 'Rusteze' machine to a runner-up finish.  Steve McCarley finished third, with Claude Lewis just inches behind in the fourth place spot.  Kolby Langham pulled to a top five finish, while Claude Lewis placed sixth aboard the 'Skeeter' tractor.  In Stock Diesel, Ken Langham Jr. pulled to victory, with Steve Hovind pulling to the runnerup.    In Big Stock, Alex Jesko piloted the 'Overtime' tractor to the win, with Shawn Aufdenkamp pulling to the runnerup.  Jerry Toland drove the 'Triple Deuce' machine to a third place finish, with Kolby Langham and 'Texas Thunder' pulling to fourth. 

Steve Pierce pilots 'Buzzards Roost' to victory at the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull in Blue Ridge.

The Stock Altered tractors were led by Ken Langham Sr. taking the top spot, with Alex Jesko pulling to the second place position aboard the 'Outlaw' tractor.  John Aufdenkamp finished in the third position, with Shawn Aufdenkamp pulling to fourth.  The Motorcycle Class category was won by Steve Pierce, aboard his 'Buzzards Roost' machine, with Paul Smith taking the runnerup position aboard his 'Texan' tractor.  Paul Smith returned to the track with the 'Texan' tractor, to take the Outlaw Class title. 

Paul Smith aboard his 'Texan' tractor, takes the Outlaw Class title in Blue Ridge.

The Mini Rod tractors put on a great show, with Jerry Toland taking the win aboard his 'Shinin Time' tractor.  Sarah Moody turned in a runnerup performance, aboard her '99% Moody' turbocharged diesel entry.  Colby Crowe piloted his 'Weekend Warrior' tractor to a third place finish on the podium.  David Houchen pulled to a fourth place finish, on an engine wounding run aboard his 'Back In The Day' tractor. 

Colby Crowe hangs onto his 'Weekend Warrior machine', during a wild ride at the Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull.

The Super Rod tractors closed the show, with Randall Moody using some home field advantage to put the 'Ridge Runner' in the winners circle.  Ken Langham Sr. finished in the runnerup spot, with Donny Mayo placing his 'Blackfoot Squaw' machine on the podium in third.  John Kiemele drove his 'Dodge This' machine, to the fourth place finish, in a very tough field of Super Rod Class tractors. 

Randall Moody steers the 'Ridge Runner' to the winners circle in Blue Ridge, Texas.  

The Bill Halter Memorial Tractor Pull was presented by area sponsors, including Cattleman's Cafe, Brockman Farms, Blue Ridge Country Store, Bo Elders Hay, Chilson Natural Hoof Care, Fortner & Son Backhoe, and the great folks at Ag Power of McKinney.  Local favorite Sarah Moody, turned in a great performance as event organizer!  Blue Ridge Cemetery is the resting place for Billy Jake Halter, a long time tractor puller for whom the event is named in honor of. 

The LSGTPA pulling teams will prepare for a five in a row, back to back series of pulls, to finish the 2014 season.  Visit the LSGTPA website, for event schedule and details.