K&N Supported Major Payne Wins Battle of the Bluegrass Tractor Pulling Series

Jun 24, 2010

Payne brought home the bacon for his family, earing the first place check in the Pro Stock 4WD class.

Back in the day, when horses still pulled farming machines, farmers bragged about the strength of their horses, challenging other farmers to beat the fully loaded hay carts or wagons their horse could pull. And so, truck and tractor pulling competitions, also known as power pulling, was born. In these competitions juiced up tractors and trucks pull a heavy sled (sledge) along a track. The sled creates progressively greater resistance as it pulled. A typical "full pull" is generally only around 300 feet, but the shattering power of engines and the churning of tires searching for traction makes this a very popular affair in many rural areas.

Jonathan Payne's 2005 Ford Ranger with a 485 cubic inch big block won The Battle of the Bluegrass Pulling Series event with a 291.56 foot pull

There are various classes that compete, from factory tractors, to custom built vehicles with multiple engines. Jonathan Payne from Georgetown, Indiana, and his Major Payne Pulling team compete in the Pro Stock 4WD truck class. Payne and his 2005 Ford Ranger with a 485 cubic inch big block, has been creating major pain for his challengers. In the last five events the team has competed in, they have one third place, two seconds, and two wins. Their last victory came at The Battle of the Bluegrass Pulling Series (BOB) in Louisville, Kentucky.

"I probably go to 25-30 events per season and the truck and driver both need to be consistent to be competitive. Being consistent is what worries my competitors. I have been going to Lanesville, Heritage Weekend in Indiana for 30 years watching Truck and Tractors pull. I like to hear the engines push their limits, make new friends, and when everything comes together down the track, I make a full pull and feel a great sense of accomplishment," remarked Payne after his win.

The proper gear selection for each pull is determined by which sled is at the pull, the amount of weights in the sled, and the length and condition of the track.

"I will probably hook to as many as eight to ten different sleds and they all pull somewhat differently, and they all have their own way of trying to stop the trucks," explained Payne. "The trucks have solid suspension so we can only change tire pressure to match track conditions."

Any additional impetus to win events comes from his sponsors says Payne. "K&N provides me with the latest technology in their high flow filters. My engine requires a lot of air and K&N high flow filter and extreme top flow, provide even more than I need."

For the rest of the season Payne says his focus is to stay competitive. "I pull with four different sanctioned organizations, Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, Indiana Truck Pullers Association, Kentuckiana Truck Pullers Association, and the Battle of the Bluegrass. My first priority is to make all Lucas Oil Pulls for the points race."

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