Red Carpet Premier Event
Southern Motorsports Promotions
at Murfreesboro TN
photos by Tina Cawthorn, Ginger Baird, Dana Marlin
News Flash: Another red carpet event has premiered! You can add another stop for the paparazzi, the fashion media and excitement seekers to mark on their yearly calendars. Southern Motorsports Promotions Invitational Indoor Tractor & Truck Pull was the place to be for the pulling elite on January 11 & 12, 2008.
Murfreesboro is the home of the Tennessee Miller Coliseum, the three time host for this truly first class event. The seven thousand seat arena brings it’s own flash to the pull and spacious accommodation for the competitors that put on the show. Three sessions encompassed a mix of truck and tractor classes that had something for every spectator. Hot stock, super farm, super stock, pro-stock and even diesel trucks were part of the action. The upper concourse of the Coliseum was a circle of vendors, all displaying a wide variety of pulling related parts and services. It doesn’t matter if you had a pulling truck or tractor back home in the shop, this event has vendors catering to you.
The trio that produce this show knew that they’d set the bar high with their 2007 event. Last year’s pull would be hard to top. 2007's pulling action and the vast numbers of spectators that flocked to watch it, made plans for 2008 more meticulous than ever. David Holbrook, Joe Wamble and pull coordinator Tina Cawthorn were determined to exceed their efforts to bring the best of the best in pulling to the ‘08 show.
Something fun and new was the red carpet concept. Saturday night’s spectators were greeted with a vast square of lush red carpet, backed with a table nearly groaning with glittering trophies. Even the nights competitors who had been briefed at the driver’s meeting on what it meant and their part in the procedure were excited. During the entire finals, whomever held the winners position in that class occupied the red carpet until another topped his footage. Some of the classes had a steady swap of vehicles when the winning mark was furthered. Spectators were thrilled. If a hot dog run was in order, it was simple to see who held the top distance. He and his unit were atop the crimson!
Pull promoter, David Holbrook even had an explanation for those who campaign and support green, orange and blue... “Those drivers are our celebrities,” he said. “For the time they are winners, they get red carpet treatment.” He may well have started something, here!
Success this year rolled onto the grounds in the form of the best competitors in the nation. Starting with Jed Pettus piloting the “Dixie Deere” to a win in the Friday afternoon session of Super Farms. Pettus ultimately took fourth in the final, conceding several feet to the red carpet victor, Don Slama. Slama, no stranger to drama himself, added tension to Saturday nights Super Farm finals. The “Fast and Furious” Deere was the first hook of the session and immediately snagged the top spot. They held the red carpet real estate throughout the whole class, as SF after SF took their swing. Not until Missouri’s Leon Hellebusch brought the class to an end with a second place run, did Slama know the honor was his.
Drama wasn’t restricted to the finals session, either. Less than an inch separated Pro Stock’s first and second place. Larry Parrish’s red El Nino was just a hairs breadth from the green Young Buck driven by Brad Moss. Parrish, a Kentucky puller, kept his winning ways and wound up red paint on the red carpet in Saturday night’s finals.
The announcers were: three time show veteran and crowd favorite Neal Smith up top and newcomer Dave Myrick, trackside. Myrick, whose background is in auctioneering, stayed in good voice for the two day pull, even though he’d rose at 4:00 am that day to check on heifers that were alving.
The light super stock classes didn’t disappoint, either. Saturday’s mid-day session came away with two winners when Bob Barbee and Mike Wilhite split first and second to assure solid units for the evening finals. Neither could top Kevin Essary’s Evening Thunder who assured his red carpet moment by a near sixteen feet margin. In the heavy super’s the evening brought success for New Holland blue and Darryl Countiss. Runner up was another Tennessee puller, Jacob Fuqua & Tennessee Tracks.
The south’s own red carpet event. It had all the elements of any Hollywood awards show. Granted the commentators who strive to give television viewers an “insider’s” angle on the elite weren’t holding microphones and standing in front of their cameramen. They were gathered in groups of two or three in the pit area, rehashing the last session’s action. The fashions? Understated would be the word. Carhartt jackets and dusty boots were in this year. The “stars of the show” passed by, being towed to their pre-show spots in the staging area, later to be seen strolling around dressed in firesuits and surrounded by their ground crew. SMP’s Invitiational Indoor Pull put it’s own spin on the action.
But the excitement rivaled anything Hollywood could produce. When the house lights go up, and the Hagar sled begins it’s low rumble, the crowd moves to the edge of their seats. Most of them know that they will soon see a show like no other. One that roars past in an instant and resonates deep in your chest and keeps you right there, waiting for the next star to cross that red carpet.
FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS - 9,300 LB SUPER FARM TRACTORS
1. Jed Pettus/Lawrenceburg, TN/J. Deere 4255/Dixie Deere/246.7
2. Jon Hancock/LaFayette, KY/5020 J. Deere/Green Fiend/244.9
3. Steve Marsh/Galien, MI/1968 AC D-21/Cash Burner/242.1
4. Josh Miley/Francisco, IN/7220 Case IH/High Maintenan$e/241.6
5. Andrew Clark/Poplar Bluff, MO/76 IH 1066/Overdraft/239.0
FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS - 6,500 LB LIMITED LSS TRACTOR CLASS
1. Larry Dale/Phillips Hobbs/Vine Grove, KY/766 International/Lil' Insane/
248.4
2. John Knasel/Taylorsville, KY/8260 New Holland /Little Sailor /243.4
3. Slade Sissom/Woodbury, TN /Allis Chalmers 190 XT /Undertaker /240.4
4. Travis Gordon/Cox's Creek, KY /8770 New Holland /Total Recall /235.8
5. Phillip Bewley/Elizabethtown, KY /4055 J. Deere / /235.6
FRIDAY NIGHT RESULTS - 8,000 LB PRO STOCK DIESEL TRUCKS
1. Rod Tarr/Edinburg, IL/2003 Ford F-350/Powerstrokeless/246.3
2. David M.Justison/Hillsboro, IL/Dodge 2500/Hillbilly Deluxe /240.5
3. Mike Rhodes/Friendship, TN/1995 Dodge 3500/Chainsmoker /239.8
3. Terry Coppess/Elwood, IN/Dodge 3500/Blue Goose /239.8
SATURDAY MIDDAY RESULTS - 6,500 LB LSS DIESEL TRACTORS
1. Al Koch/Indianapolis, IN/AC D-21/Entertainer/255.6
2. Keith Haney/Athens, AL/Allis Chalmers 180/J.R./251.5
3. David Esteb/South Franklin, IN/J. Deere 4010/Eat'n Dollars & Blow'n Smoke /249.2
4. Randy Payne/Mt. Hermon, KY/J. Deere 8320/Guesswork /246.2
5. Bernie Platz/North Sigel, IL/Allis Chalmers 7000/Little Bad Allis /240.3
SATURDAY MIDDAY RESULTS - 9,300 LB SUPER FARM TRACTORS
1. Klint Tucker/Pekin, IL /IH 1206/Whatssmokin' Binder /255.1
2. Leon Hellebusch/Marthasville, MO/IH 1066 /No Mercy /249.3
3. Harold Gambill/Smyrna, TN/966 IH /Santa's Express /248.8
4. Roger Liermann/Marthasville, MO/IH 966 /Running On Red /247.9
5. Don Slama/LaValle, WI/JD 7810/Fast & Furious /247.2
SATURDAY MIDDAY RESULTS - 10,200 LB PRO STOCK TRACTORS
1. Larry Parish/Marion, KY/Case IH MX 285/El Nino /237.6
2. Brad Moss/Adairville, KY/J. Deere 7930/Young Buck /237.2
3. Michael Fanning/Estill Springs, TN/1984 IH 3688 /Bad Habit /235.5
4. Jeff Sapp/Huntsville, IL /J. Deere 6030/A Mere Deere /235.1
5. Ken L./Couch/Jackson, TN/J. Deere 7920/Cotton Pickin' Deere /233.9
SATURDAY MIDDAY RESULTS - 12,000 LB HOT FARM TRACTORS
1. Justin Duncan/Hillsboro, TN /IH 1066 /Superfly /250.6
2. Robert Dockery, Sr/Broseley, MO /1466 IH / /249.8
3. Jake Worley/Poplar Bluff, MO /1155 MF /Mad Massey /248.8
4. Ethan Denton/Trenton, TN /1066 International / /248.6
5. Sammy Anderson III/Manchester, TN /IH 1066 /Roastnear /248.1
SATURDAY MIDDAY RESULTS - 6,500 LB LSS ALCOHOL TRACTORS
EVENT
1. Bob Barbee/Springfield, TN/2002 New Holland TM-190/Stormy /258.1 split 1st and 2nd money
1. Mike Wilhite/Bardstown, KY/New Holland /Blue lazes /255.3 split 1st and 2nd money
3. Larry Phillips/Vine Grove, KY/1066 Interrnational /Insanity /248.0
4. Kevin Essary/Milledgeville, TN/2590 Case /Evening Thunder /247.4
5. Robert Bonino/Herndon, KY/IH MXM 155 /International Incident /242.4
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS 6,000 LB SUPER STREET TRUCKS
1. Terry Gunter /Bradyville, TN/1977 Chevy/Burning the Midnight Oil/240.5
2. Jason Blankenship/ Rock Island, TN/1984 Chevy/ Short Fuse /237.3
3. Robert Hattaway/ Morrison, TN/1997 F-350 4x4/Gambler's Night Out/229.7
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 6,500 LB LSS ALCOHOL TRACTORS
1. Kevin Essary/ Milledgeville, TN/ 2590 Case/Evening Thunder/256.2
2, Mike Wilhite/Bardstown, KY/New Holland/Blue Blazes/ 239.0
3. Robert Bonino/Herndon, KY/IH MXM 155/International Incident/234.2
4. Larry Phillips/Vine Grove, KY/1066 Interrnational/Insanity/233.6
5. Bob Barbee/Springfield, TN/2002 New Holland TM-190/Stormy/231.6
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 9,300 LB SUPER FARM TRACTORS
1. Don Slama/LaValle, WI/JD 7810 /Fast & Furious/247.36
2. Leon Hellebusch/Marthasville, MO/IH 1066/No Mercy/247.30
3. Roger Liermann/Marthasville, MO/IH 966/Running On Red/245.7
4. Jed Pettus/Lawrenceburg, TN/J. Deere 4255/Dixie Deere/243.6
5. Josh Miley/Francisco, IN/7220 Case IH/High Maintenan$e/243.3
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS 8,000 LB SUPER STOCK DIESEL TRUCKS
1. Curt Haisley/Fairmount, IN/1995 Dodge 2500 4x4/Off Constantly/234.9
2. Terry Martin/West Union, OH/Dodge 3500/Ratical Ram II/233.5
3. Kent Crowder/Attica, IN/Dodge Ram 3500/Scheid Diesel/233.3
4. Shane Kellog/Forrest OH/1997 Dodge 4X4/Gotta Have It/233.0
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 6,500 LB LSS DIESEL TRACTORS
1. David Esteb/South Franklin, IN/J. Deere 4010/Eat'n Dollars & Blow'n Smoke/244.3
2. Al Koch/Indianapolis, IN /AC D-21 /Entertainer/ 243.6
3. Keith Haney/Athens, AL /Allis Chalmers 180 /J.R. /238.6
4. Randy Payne/ Mt. Hermon, KY /J. Deere 8320 /Guesswork /218.5
5. Bernie Platz/North Sigel, IL /Allis Chalmers 7000 /Little Bad Allis /91.2
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 9,500 LB HOT FARM TRACTORS
1. David Walker/McMinnville, TN /6030 J. Deere /Green Fever /259.0
2. Mark Fox/Somerset, KY /966 IH /Little End of Nothing /254.7
3. Gary Witty/Morrison, TN /9655 Agco Allis /Double Vision /252.4
4. Tommy Taylor/Waynesburg, KY /IH 1466 /Red Asset /251.4
5. Robert/Gilley /Manchester, TN /J. Deere 8520 /Deeresaster /241.6
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 6,500 LB LIMITED LSS TRACTOR CLASS
1. Slade Sissom /Woodbury, TN /Allis Chalmers 190 XT /Undertaker /242.9
2. Larry Dale/Phillips Hobbs /Vine Grove, KY /766 International /Lil' Insane /241.78
3. Phillip Bewley/Elizabethtown, KY /4055 J. Deere / /241.76
4. Travis Gordon/Cox's Creek, KY /8770 New Holland /Total Recall /239.5
5. John Knasel/Taylorsville, KY /8260 New Holland /Little Sailor /102.7
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 12,000 LB HOT FARM TRACTORS
1. Ethan Denton/Trenton, TN /1066 International /245.9
2. Justin Duncan/Hillsboro, TN /IH 1066 /Superfly /245.7
3. Jake Worley/Poplar Bluff, MO /1155 MF /Mad Massey /240.6
4. Robert Dockery, Sr/Broseley, MO /1466 IH / /233.0
5. Sammy Anderson III/Manchester, TN /IH 1066 /Roastnear /213.8
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 8,200 LB HSS DIESEL TRACTORS
1. Darryl Countiss/Sevierville, TN /New Holland /Lethal Injection /250.7
2. Jacob Fuqua/Springfield, TN /IH 3688 /Tennessee Tracks /246.0
3. Troy Arndt/Sac City, IA /Case IH MX 200 /Pure Pleasure /241.0
4. David Anderson/Greentop, MO /IH 1066 /Anderson Farms /237.8
5. Kenneth Hale/Tullahoma, TN /IH 1066 /another Nite Trouble /233.5
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 8,000 LB PRO STOCK DIESEL TRUCKS
1. David M. Justison/Hillsboro, IL /Dodge 2500 /Hillbilly Deluxe /249.6
2. Nick Hayes/Jackson, Tn /1995 Dodge 3500 /Chainsmoker /248.2
3. Brad Ingram/Farina, IL /99 Dodge Ram /1 Bad Habit /246.9
SATURDAY NIGHT RESULTS (FINALS) 10,200 LB PRO STOCK TRACTORS
1. Larry Parish/Marion, KY/Case IH MX 285/El Nino/244.1
2. Michael Fanning/Estill Springs, TN/1984 IH 3688/Bad Habit /241.1
3. Don Masterson/Grandview, IN/J. Deere 8220/Tinker Toy/236.9
4. Brad Moss/Adairville, KY/J. Deere 7930/Young Buck/236.8
5. Jeff Sapp/Huntsville, IL /J. Deere 6030/A Mere Deere/1.6
Christopher
Bowman
Christopher started pulling at age 12 at our local Mooretown Volunteer Fire Dept. pull. They would use our 4430 John Deere loader tractor to put weights on and off the sled between classes. At one of these pulls, they let Christopher pull our 4430 in the farm class. Needless to say he loved it. At the same time Christopher's dad, Charlie, was partners in and pulled an International 826 called "Classic Red" in the 10,000# Hot Farm class. {Charlie and Christopher are both members of the Middle Tennessee Pullers Association (midtnpullers. com)}. After a couple of summers pulling our 4430, Christopher made the decision to buy the Ford, which was going to have to be rebuilt completely from scratch. Charlie sold his part of "Classic Red" to help work on the Ford. There were to be alot of late nights ahead.
While working on the Ford, they would try different calculations on the way this should be set or that should be set and someone asked Charlie how he had figured something out and he told them it was just alot of guesswork. So that is how they came up with the name "Calculated Guesswork".
Christopher was 14 the first year he pulled at Miller. That first year he was really excited when he found out he had been invited and each year he anticipates it more. This was his third year to pull. Christopher pulls in the 12,000 # hot farm class and this year blew a head gasket half way down the track finishing last, but was still really pleased with the way the tractor ran(19 feet behind first). He says that the sandpile comes at you really fast and then all of a sudden the sled stops you. He would like to thank David Holbrook and Joe Wamble for their hard work in putting on a great pull at Miller. He really enjoys pulling there and has been able to meet alot of pullers from other associations and other areas of the country.
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