The Keystone State National Tractor and Truck Pulls at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds near Brookville, Pennsylvania has to be postponed from Saturday evening due to the rainy weather conditions in the area.  That meant a rare Sunday afternoon pulling event for the USA-EAST championship pullers.  However the change seemed to work well as a party sunny afternoon greeted the contestants and the fans that gathered in the 5000 seat arena adjacent to Exit 81 of Interstate 80.  Three pulling classes went down the track in this event that was produced by Full Pull Productions, Inc. of Jamestown, Pennsylvania and sponsored locally by Kelly Chrysler Jeep Dodge of Brookville.  Milt Leby was the operator for the RED ‘Decision Maker’ weight transfer machine.

The opening leg of the Limited Pro and Super Farm tractor division went to the father and son team of Ross and Ronny Martin from Enon Valley, Pennsylvania with the IH 7410 named “Runnin’ Red Warrior”.  This team suffered through a  myriad of problems a year ago and certainly appears poised to challenge for the top spot with USA-EAST in 2009.  Ryan Kirkpatrick from nearby Rimersburg, Pennsylvania was second with the newly purchased “Green Blooded” John Deere 6030.  Kirkpatrick debuted the tractor indoors at Harrisburg and has hooked with the Pro Stock Tractors a couple of time while gaining valuable seat time.  Last year’s point champion, Mark Bell from Mount Pleasant, Pennsylvania, was third with the “FireFox” John Deere while Tyler Woolever in from Montoursville was just up for 4th with his oft-amazing Case 970 named “Just in Case”.  Woolever is about to turn the driving duties over to his father in the next month as Tyler and his wife are expecting the first child in mid-July.

This event marked the long-anticipated debut of the all-new International 1066 of Owen McGill from Westmoreland County.  The tractor is the former Jody Ross owned “Bad Dog” that had the disastrous explosion at Hookstown two years ago.  Now a Super Farm, the tractor is still immaculate and appears to be ‘none the worse for wear’ and now sports a new 640 cubic inch DT plant under the hook that was prepped by Ross Tractor in Waynesburg.  Magill will also benefit from some seat time on a tractor that will certainly be a contender at some time during this season.  And last year’s “hot farm’ champion, Justin Stryffeler from Ohio made his first-ever start at this level with the JD 4250 that is now beefed up to run with this group of tractors.  After a 7th place finish, it would appear that this tractor will also be a player in 2009.

The most powerful 4x4 trucks on the USA-EAST circuit were scheduled as the opening class at Jefferson County as the “Run What Ya Brung Series” was contested.  The all new Haisley Machine-built “Resurrected Ram” driven by Wayne Greier from Salem, Ohio took the victory sd seven of the trucks made it to the pull-off.  This was Greier’s first USA-EAST win with the very powerful Dodge with exceptionsl Cummins power.  The Eric Berkey and Ron Cutrell prepared 1950 Chevrolet from Somerset County, Pennsylvania took runner-up spot to remain in the top spot in the points.  Berkey had the win at Burton, Ohio a week ago with the 600+ cubic inch General Motors engine and leads the USA-EAST 2009 RWYB chase after two hooks.

Justin Wilkins, the undefeated current point leader in the Pro Stock Diesel ranks jumped over to RWYB during his week-end off and claimed third place with the “Bad Reputation” Cummins-powered Dodge.  And the former PA street licensed diesel champion, Calvin Miller from Washington County and Guys Mills, Pennsylvania, got 4th with the completely revamped “Runnin’ In the Red’.  Miller claimed to be running his little motor on this night and boasted of something BIG coming to RWYB in the near future!!  Mark Tatalovic had his gasoline Dodge named ‘Mighty Mouse’ up for fifth place and last year’s champion, Eddie Zedreck with “Little Irish II” gave notice that he was back with the big block Chevy to settle into 6th place.  The final truck to make a full pull was young Sam Tatalovic with his GM “White Knight” in seventh.  It was nice of the younger Tatalovic to allow his father to get the best of him on this Father’s Day afternoon!

J.R. Collins and his “Buckeye Bulldog” took the Big Rigs class at Brookville on Sunday afternoon.  A complete report on the semi truck class is found on our sister web site at www.bigrigspulling.com.

The USA-EAST circuit moves to Cortland, Ohio on Friday July 3rd at 6:30pm for the the first of two back-to-back nights of pulling action at the 2009 Trumbull County Fair.  Friday night is devoted to truck pulling with the street licensed gasoline and the street licensed diesel trucks set to compete.  This Friday session will also feature the local street semis and will be highlighted by an appearance by the “Pennsylvania Posse” semi trucks.  The Saturday session at the Trumbull County Fair is an all DIESEL affair as two classes of the “Smoker” Tractors will be sandwiched around a division of the ultra-powerful Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 trucks.  Saturday’s event begins at 6:00pm.

Special thanks for the great  photos of the event by
EVENT PHOTOS BY CHUCK SHAFFER - Dartonya Photos
www.brookvillesportsactionphotos.com