Breaking Barriers Podcast

In this heartwarming episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary sits down with Doc Wiggins and his son David Wiggins — two generations deeply rooted in the world of farming, tractor pulling, and community preservation. What begins as a nostalgic conversation about brush pulls in the 1980s unfolds into a powerful story about legacy, family, and small-town pride. Doc shares how his love for tractors started...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with Gary Bontrager, Gary sits down with Bryan Conners, a lifelong innovator and engineer whose fingerprints are all over the history of tractor pulling. From his early days wrenching alongside his father in the 1960s to developing the groundbreaking fuel and turbo systems that redefined performance standards, Bryan’s story is one of grit, ingenuity, and an obs...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with James O. Harmon, a lifelong Massey Ferguson enthusiast and antique tractor puller whose passion for the sport runs generations deep. From his childhood in Clarence, Missouri, to decades spent preserving the legacy of pulling, James shares how family, community, and horsepower shaped his life’s story. He takes us through the evolut...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Dennis Kay, a lifelong innovator whose passion for motorsports and entrepreneurship has left a lasting mark on the world of tractor pulling and beyond. Dennis shares how his fascination with horsepower began at county fairs, building models in his basement and sneaking into stock car races with his dad. What started as a loca...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with pulling legend Dan Hutchings for a ride through decades of tractor pulling history, innovation, and family legacy. Dan shares how he got started building toy tractors with airplane engines, how his passion evolved into a lifetime of pulling modifieds, stock cars, sprint cars, and drag racers. You'll hear incredible behind...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Loren and Larry Ford, lifelong tractor pulling enthusiasts whose journey spans from mowing yards with a Cub Cadet in the 1960s to competing in some of the Midwest’s toughest pulls. The Ford brothers share their evolution through the sport—starting with homemade modifications, graduating into antique pulls, and eventually step...

In this rich and nostalgic episode, host Gary Bontrager sits down with legendary tractor pulling brothers Tom and Pat Peiffer, recorded on location in Harper, Iowa. Known for pioneering the use of alcohol-fueled tractors in the sport, the Peiffers recount their 40+ years of mechanical innovation, trial-and-error learning, and fierce competition on the pulling circuit. They dive into stories from t...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Chris Fountain—renowned transmission builder, hot rod innovator, and Iowa pulling legend—for an unforgettable ride through the golden era of tractor pulling. From building transmissions for the Midwest’s fiercest competitors to crafting his own two-engine modified pullers, Chris reflects on a lifetime of trial, torque, and tr...

In this nostalgic and deeply insightful episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Ed Sass—lifelong Schellsburg, Iowa resident and tractor pulling legend—to relive a remarkable journey through one of America's most grassroots motorsports. From rebuilding his grandfather’s 1936 F-20 to dominating the light limited classes with his iconic 560, Ed shares a treasure trove of stori...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with William "Bibs" Giberson—a legendary mechanic, innovator, and storyteller whose fingerprints are all over the history of tractor pulling. From his early days wrenching on John Klug’s iconic machines to shaping the rise of four-turbo tractors in the Midwest, Bibs takes us deep into the golden era of pulling. With unma...

In this heartwarming and hilarious episode, Gary Bontrager sits down with Jerry Sipes and his entire family to reflect on a multigenerational journey in tractor pulling. From humble beginnings at a county fair to dominating pulls across the country, Jerry and his crew share stories of mechanical ingenuity, sibling rivalries, all-night shop sessions, and the deep bond forged through decades of shar...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Chris Dix—an Iowa native whose lifelong passion for tractor pulling has made him a fixture in the sport both behind the wheel and behind the mic. Chris shares his journey from watching his first tractor pull as a boy in Janesville to becoming a driver, promoter, and announcer at some of the Midwest’s most iconic pulling event...

In this special episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Leonard Beasley, one of the pioneers of alcohol-powered tractor pulling. Filmed in Eagleville, Tennessee, this interview dives deep into Leonard’s wild journey from farm fields to national pulling arenas.🚜 Leonard shares how he transitioned from pulling with a stock John Deere 4430 to building hot rods with multiple...

In this special episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager is joined by Scott Buss, son of legendary tractor puller Dick Buss. Scott takes us on a journey through the rich legacy of the Buss family—from growing up around the roar of engines to honoring the relentless work ethic his father instilled. Together, they dive into the evolution of tractor pulling, how the sport has changed over th...

Join host Gary Bontrager for a special episode of Breaking Barriers as he sits down with Ivan and Dean Carroll, the Missouri legends behind the iconic “Levee Leaper” tractor. This episode dives deep into over 50 years of tractor pulling history, family tradition, and innovation in the world of competitive pulling. From humble beginnings with a turbocharged Cockshutt 40 to winning state fair sweeps...

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mark Hamm to dive deep into the rich history of tractor pulling in Eastern Iowa. From Mark’s father, Doug Hamm’s early days in the sport to groundbreaking innovations, intense rivalries, and unforgettable moments, this conversation is a must-watch for pulling enthusiasts. Discover the evolution of tractor technolo...

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers podcast, host Gary Bontrager interviews Fred Nichols, a pioneer in the sport of tractor pulling. They discuss Fred's early experiences with tractor pulling, the evolution of his tractors, and the innovations he introduced to the sport. Fred shares memorable stories from his time on the track, the changes in the sport over the years, and his reflections...

In this powerful episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mike Schultz, a remarkable individual who has overcome challenges and redefined success on his terms. From navigating personal and professional hurdles to making an impact in his industry, Mike shares his journey of resilience, innovation, and determination. Tune in as Gary and Mike dive into the mindset, strategies,...

In this exciting episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager welcomes special guest Bear Sieverding, a well-known figure in the world of tractor pulling. Bear takes listeners on a journey through his lifelong passion for the sport, from growing up on a family farm in Bellevue, Iowa, to becoming a key player in the Eastern Iowa Tractor Force Association. He shares stories of his e...

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers Podcast, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Mike Fornash to take a deep dive into the rich history of tractor pulling, the legacy of Mike’s father, Jerry Fornash, and how the sport has evolved over the years. Recorded in the nostalgic Ginko Garage, this conversation highlights the grassroots passion for tractor pulling and the strong community ties formed t...

In this engaging episode of Breaking Barriers with Gary Bontrager, host Gary Bontrager sits down with Kenny Sanders, a legendary tractor puller from Dayton, Iowa. Kenny shares his journey from being a kid with a passion for motors to becoming a prominent figure in the tractor-pulling world, famously known as “The Enforcer.” They delve into the fascinating mechanics behind his iconic International...

In this continuation of the Breaking Barriers podcast, host Gary Bontrager engages with guest Warren Ropp to explore the rich history of tractor pulling, its evolution, and the personal stories that shaped the sport. They discuss the origins of tractor pulling in local communities, the technological advancements in tractors over the years, and the significant role of family in the sport. The conve...

In this episode of the Breaking Barriers podcast, host Gary Bontrager engages with guest Warren Ropp to explore the rich history of tractor pulling, its evolution, and the personal stories that shaped the sport. They discuss the origins of tractor pulling in local communities, the technological advancements in tractors over the years, and the significant role of family in the sport. The conversati...

In this episode of Breaking Barriers with Gary Bontrager, Gary sits down in the legendary Kelderman garage with three guests — Gary Kelderman, Jeff Kelderman, and Allan DeBruin — for an unforgettable conversation about innovation, motorsports, and the golden era of truck pulling. Together, they revisit the origins of Kelderman Manufacturing, the birth of iconic pulling machines like The Baby Eleph...

In this powerful solo episode of Breaking Barriers, host Gary Bontrager opens up about the true meaning behind the name Breaking Barriers—a name that started with a tractor, but came to symbolize something much deeper. Gary shares his personal journey of overcoming hardship, loss, and seasons of struggle, and how these experiences shaped both his outlook on life and the creation of the podcast. Fr...