
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 stepping into the high-intensity world of alcohol-fueled super stock tractors. Along the way, they recount stories of trial and error, rivalries with some of pulling’s fiercest competitors, and the friendships forged in the pits.From the early days of hauling lawn tractors in an old International pickup to running Grand National events, Loren and Larry reflect on the innovation, challenges, and community that defined their pulling career. This episode is a tribute to grassroots determination and the spirit of competition that has fueled tractor pulling for generations.