Record crowd turns out for Murray Tractor Pull

1,500 see ‘Fury in Murray’ with monster-size tractors, semi trucks pulling 40,000-pound sled

Photos by Tom Rivers

MURRAY – Matt Conrad with Haywire has the tip of the tractor up while pulling a 40,000-pound sled during Saturday’s Murray Tractor Pull.

The event returned to Murray after a 4-year absence. The 2020 event was cancelled due to Covid restrictions and then the tractor pull was sidelined in 2021 and 2022.

The Christ family and many volunteers pushed to bring the event back on Saturday. The Christ family developed the tractor pull venue on Groth Road about 30 years ago.

Lloyd Christ said the 1,500 was the biggest turnout ever for the event in Murray.

Silas Harms, 3, covers his ears while watching the action. The tractors and souped-up semis emitted dark smokes and loud noises.

Scott “Spanky” Christ gets ready to compete with “Just For Fun” in the Super Farm Class. He is the points leader in that class for the Empire State Pullers.

Christ is part of a three-generation family that competes in tractor pulling. His father Lloyd drives his Heavy Super Stock tractor, “It’s Only Money,” and Scott son’s Travis also competes in the Super Farm Class with “No Expectations.”

Voodoo Woman from Ocala, Fla. pulls the heavy sled down the dirt track. It was part of the competition in the Outlaw Pulling Series, before the Empire State Pullers later in the afternoon.

An official with the Outlaw Pulling Series helps direct the action on the track.

Skip Christ worked in concessions which were busy throughout the day.

Proceeds from the tractor pull will be donated to the Ronald McDonald House.

R.J. Dennison competes with “Red Dog” in the Super Farm Class. The Red Dog pulled the sled 304.03 feet, good for sixth among the 9 competitors in the class. The track is 320 feet long.

A crowd of people packed both sides of the track. Ear plugs were available.

“Survivor” by Greg Graham not only competes in the tractor pulling events, the big truck pays tribute to cancer survivors.

The “Survivor” truck carries the message: “Supporting the FIGHTERS, Admiring the SURVIVORS, Honoring the TAKEN and NEVER, EVER GIVING UP HOPE.”

“It doesn’t matter what color it is we’re all in this TOGETHER.”