Truck and tractor pull roars into Shipshewana March 20-21

SHIPSHEWANA, Ind. — The Michiana Event Center and Grogg-Martin Auctioneers and Realty will present the second annual Deutz-Fahr/Wakarusa Ag NTPA Shipshewana Spring Nationals Indoor Truck and Tractor Pull and Michiana Farm Show March 20-21.

Having been expanded to three sessions and seven competing divisions plus Exhibition Super Semis, the 2020 event will build on the success of the inaugural edition which converted the center’s Trade Show Building into a regulation-length arena to the delight of thousands of first-time and long-time pulling fans.

Competitors in this internationally contested motorsport construct specialized, high-performance vehicles that resemble farm tractors, trucks and dragsters in order to pull a weighted sled the greatest distance along a straight, dirt course.

The National Tractor Pullers Association, the world’s longest-tenured sanctioning organization, provides competition and safety rules and establishes divisions and circuits that resulted in the crowning of 45 national champions in 2019.

In cooperation with its member states and promotional partners, the NTPA will present over 200 sessions of premier-level pulling competition in 2020, the association’s 51st season.

Located just minutes south of the Michigan state line in northern Indiana’s Amish country, Shipshewana sits at the intersection of U.S. Route 20 and State Route 5.

The MEC and surrounding restaurants and tourist attractions are easily accessible from the Indiana Toll Road and will provide a weekend’s worth of entertainment for the whole family.

“We were simply blown away by the response in 2019 in our first year for this event at the MEC,” said the center’s Jeff Fought. “We had fans attend from several states away, and I feel the building and time of the year are the perfect scenario for a national indoor pull.

“The response was so great we are doubling down by going to three sessions this year. We say the MEC was ‘Built For Big,’ and that’s what the Deutz-Fahr/Wakarusa Ag NTPA Spring Nationals will be.”

The Michiana Farm Show, admission to which is included with Spring Nationals tickets or may be purchased separately, will fill the center’s central Coliseum Building each afternoon.

Meanwhile, its Staging Building will house the freely accessible pit area in which fans can meet and talk with their pulling heroes and see their mighty machines up close. Ample and free parking surrounds each building within the facility, and additional overflow parking is within a short walk.

Once inside the Trade Show Building, devotees of power and noise will be enthralled by the action that takes place on an installed clay track.

Screaming supercharged engines and bellowing turbocharged powerplants will spin tires large and small as they strive to beat the 30-ton weight transfer and drive up the ramp at the end of their 300-foot dirt road.

“NTPA is excited to return to Shipshewana for the Spring Nationals,” said Gregg Randall, the association’s general manager. “This event exceeded everyone’s expectations for year one, and year two should see additional growth with the expansion to the third session and the divisions that now have their opportunity to compete on a 300-foot-plus track.

“Besides the farm show, attendees will have plenty to do and see in the heart of Amish country. This great invitational event is a must-see on any pulling fan’s calendar. Moreover, two days of pulling over the first weekend of spring will serve to warm up both drivers and spectators before the great 2020 regular season and the competitive tour that the association has assembled.”

The NTPA Spring Nationals II will be conducted Friday at 6 p.m. in Session One and Saturday at noon in Session Two and 6 p.m. in Session Three.

Each show will feature a slightly different slate of invitation-only classes from among the following NTPA Championship Pulling divisions: Super Farm Tractors (Sessions One and Two); Light Super Stock and Limited Pro Stock Tractors, Exhibition Super Semis, and Modified Minis (each in Sessions One and Three); Hot Farm Tractors and Two-Wheel-Drive Trucks (each in Session Two only); and Pro Stock Diesel 4x4 Trucks (Sessions Two and Three).

Discounted pre-event tickets are on sale at the MEC's box office and at the checkout register at O'Reilly Auto Parts outlets nationwide. Moreover, electronic tickets are on sale at ShopNTPA.com/tickets.

Admission prices for adults ages 11 and over are as follows: Session One or Two, $25 bleacher and $30 VIP Trackside; Session Three, $30 bleacher and $35 VIP Trackside; Weekend Pass for all three sessions, $65 bleacher and $80 VIP Trackside.

The admission price for children ages 4 through 10 is $15 per session, bleacher or trackside, with children 3 and under admitted free. Day-of-show adult ticket prices will increase.

Those who can’t make it to one or all of the Deutz-Fahr/Wakarusa Ag NTPA Spring Nationals sessions may purchase and view the entire event at the all-new NTPA.tv.

After signing up, viewers can enjoy the multi-camera presentation — narrated by the event’s announcers and augmented by on-screen graphics and instant replays — from the convenience of their PC, phone, tablet, or smart TV via the NTPA.tv apps available on several platforms.

Subscribers to the NTPA.tv Yearly Pass should note that Shipshewana is not included among the 2020 summer season event offerings and must be purchased separately.

For more information about the Michiana Event Center, visit MichianaEvents.com, or contact the main office at 260-768-3300.

To learn more about NTPA Championship Pulling, check out the association's official website, NTPAPULL.com, or call 614-436-1761.