Pulling’s Potential Progress: Classes Poised to Make the Leap.
Pulling’s Potential Progress: Classes Poised to Make the Leap.
While livestreaming the pull in Shelbyville, Tennessee this weekend, I honed in on a class I have a growing intrigue, and borderline obsession with: The Super Modified Four Wheel Drive truck class. To the best of my recollection and unofficial records, this is the only class in pulling I have yet to experience in person. It’s a neat class, with a very logical combination of traction and power. Four wheels pulling on cut tires, but instead of a naturally aspirated or turbocharged diesel, they are powered by superchargers on methanol. Every aspect of this class is commonplace to the pits of pulling. There are no extreme or outlandish power plants here. There is nothing absurd, or regional, or baffling. In a gross oversimplification, the essence of this class is the four wheel drive counterpart to the Super Modified Two Wheel Drive trucks, a class that has been established on the national level for decades. While watching the class, I couldn’t help but wonder to myself- Why isn’t this a national level class? They seem regionally based in the upper-portions of the mid-south, but I think all classes have a geographical niche they could call home; a home that spreads once the circuits make them more available to the grander public. From a rules and marketing standpoint, I see no reason why the Super Modified Four Wheel Drive Truck class shouldn’t be considered for a national level class.
While we are on this thought train, are there other classes that have paid their dues, or have the natural progression of boost and power to be considered ready to make a stab at national level status?I think so. Here are a few other classes I think could be examined in the next ten years or so to make the jump from state and regional level, to full status professional level pulling. In the smoke blowing Pro Stock family of classes I believe there are two that are worthy contenders to run a full time schedule on a Grand National or Champions Tour. The classes I refer to are the Limited Pro Stocks and the 5.0 Pro Stocks. I actually have a very different philosophy on these two classes, and interestingly enough, I think there is only room for one of them to make the jump. Let’s examine them both. The Limited Pro Stocks, or 4.1’s, as most will call them, have entirely proven their worth and popularity. This is a common class coast to coast, with near universal rules, and reliably impressive numbers at almost every pull. They put on a powerful show. They are a great class for both fans and promoters. The 5.0 class is the counterpart to the 10,000 pound “big” pro’s we see pulling in Louisville every session. Their current iteration of this class, however, strips away some of the more pressurized and costly parts, prioritizing reliability, consistency, and affordability over raw horsepower. While the 4.1’s have the more established class, it is my personal opinion the 5.0’s are the class of the future. I think over the next fifty years we will see radical changes in class availability, and this is the single charger class I currently have picked to survive and outlast them all. They are an up and coming class, and I think we should brace ourselves for the future by taking them to the next level.
The final class I would make a case to go national with is one folks have been supporting for a long time, but my idea comes in two parts, and is a bit extreme. I think we could make the Light Limited Super Stock class a top division class. (I can hear the internet cheering for me). Alcohol burners only. (Now I can hear them booing me). Indoors only (Now I feel their confused stairs). Pulling is no longer a May to August only sport. It is more available and more marketable than ever. The amount of indoor pulls being broadcasted to the world via streaming platforms is impressive, and rarely are fans more than one month removed from a prior pull, before a new one is available. With this availability of indoor pulls, why not kick it a nickel, and run a points series with them? This would help guarantee numbers, give an added purse to pullers, and allow fans an additional aspect to follow. It wouldn’t have to be huge. A six to eight hook indoor series to keep everyone vested in the “off” season. My flagship class of this circuit would be the Light Limited Super Stock alcohol burners. A large component to the indoor circuit would be NOT requiring a smoke tube. Minimal adjustments. The Light Limited Supers bring the noise and the speed, but without any needed adaptations of a smoke tube. They are wildly entertaining on a short track. I think they would have the potential to hook fans in this indoor only approach.
Super Modified Four Wheel Drive Trucks are the class of the present. Let’s bring them on board. 5.0 Pro Stocks are the class of the future. Let’s steer into the skid. Light Limited Super Stocks on alcohol are the crazy gamble. Let’s let it ride.
Three classes to go big at the next level.
Green Flags and Tight Chains.
Pullin’ is Fun.
Mike Eitel
Beer Money Pulling Team
Engagement Specialist
660.342.0206
