LOUISVILLE, Ky. – This year marks the 58th edition of the Championship Tractor Pull at the National Farm Machinery Show. This invitational-only event stars the nation’s best drivers and their machines – Pro Stocks, Super Stocks, Modified and Alcohol Tractors as well as Two-Wheel and Four-Wheel Drive Trucks.

All 18,000 seats in the Kentucky Exposition’s Freedom Hall have been reserved for this year’s four-day event. Spectators will watch 191 competitors battle for prize money up to $300,000 and, of course, bragging rights.

It is extremely difficult – though not impossible – to repeat as a Tractor Pull grand champion. One driver, Wayne Sullivan, knows what it’s like to frequent the winner’s circle.

Sullivan, of Warsaw, Ky., is a six-time champion and has competed in the event in Freedom Hall many times. His first competition was in 1973. Sullivan is a pulling ambassador, and his tractor (“Kentuckian”) has become a permanent fixture in Freedom Hall.

A Ford tractor in deadweight-style pulling competitions is where Sullivan initially cut his teeth at age 14. He eventually moved on to pulling a Massey Ferguson 65 with a step-on sled. He got away from pulling for a time, trading dirt for asphalt and exchanging the low and steady pace of the early pulling tractors for a quick Super Stock drag car.

In 1977, Sullivan notched his first win at the Championship Tractor Pull in the 5,000 pound Modified class, and he defended his title with another win in 1978. He would return to the winner’s circle in 1981 and 1982, again in the 5,000-pound Modified class. He earned Grand Championship titles in 2018 and 2023. Wayne and the Sullivan family have 17 wins at the Championship Tractor Pull.

“My most memorable moment at the Championship Tractor Pull was my first in 1977,” he said. “You never forget the first time you win. We didn’t sleep at all the night after I won.

“The tractors are making so much more power now, and we’ve had a big change in tires the past few years. The sleds do a really good job of keeping us under control and have gotten better over the years. The one thing that has remained the same is the quality of the track. It’s the same dirt since the pull started. The committee does a good job of building the track.”

Sullivan has no thoughts of retiring anytime soon.

“I’ll keep pulling as long as I can get on the tractor,” he said with a laugh.

Sullivan will compete in the 7,500-pound Modified Tractors class at this year’s contest.

While Sullivan may be termed the veteran of this annual event, there are still rookies in this prestigious event. Caroline Armistead is just in her third year at pulling. However, she captured the 7,500-pound 4X4 Super Stock Diesel Truck event last year, driving her truck, “Dixie Ram.” She won with a pull of 238.074 feet.

“For many, many years I’ve attended the National Farm Machinery Show and watched my brother and dad compete at the Championship Tractor Pull,” said the Lawrenceburg, Tenn., resident. “I always thought it would be cool to do the pulling as it’s such a prestigious event. And having done it now, I can tell you that going through that tunnel and out onto the track is something every driver dreams of.”

During weekdays you’ll find her in veterinarian classes at college. On weekends look for her on the drag strip or in her family’s barn, fine-tuning one of her diesel trucks.

“I’ve had many people tell me that ‘girls can’t pull’ and I’m just proof that they definitely can, especially if they have a great support system behind them as I did. I tell younger girls to go for it.”

While there have been other females compete in this national pulling event, Armistead always looked up to her brother and father as inspiration.

“They’re the ones who believed in me when everyone else didn’t,” she said.

Armistead and “Dixie Ram” will be on the track again this year competing against nine other pullers in the 7,500-pound 4X4 Super Stock Diesel Truck class.

“I’m always super nervous before each pull, but once the helmet goes on it’s all tunnel vision from there,” she said.