Capturing Pulltown USA: The 58th National Tractor Pulling Championships
TAM Principal Partner, Chris Aldrich capturing a shot of Puller, Rob Russell
The engines roared, the crowds cheered, and the dust flew—Pulltown USA was alive once again. From August 14–16, 2025, Bowling Green hosted the 58th National Tractor Pulling Championships, and Toledo Aerial Media was on-site to capture every hook, every roar, and every story.
Early Setup, Full Coverage
Our team arrived on Monday to set up a mobile office and travel interview studio, ensuring we were ready to capture not just the competition, but the people behind it. Over the three main event days, we worked alongside 11 photographers and videographers, including an FPV drone pilot, giving fans a unique aerial perspective of the track, the stands, and all the action in between.
Chris Aldrich and Producer, Zak Kolhoff interview Rob Russell
Following the Stories: Behind The Hook
A highlight of our coverage was following three standout teams—Jessie Petro, Brent & Johnny Payne, and Rob Russell—for the NTPC series, Behind The Hook. This series dives into the lives of pullers, showing fans the preparation, strategy, and personality behind the machines.
Through interviews, pit visits, and track-side moments, we captured the stories that make each competitor uniquely them. Whether it was the Paynes’ meticulous prep, Petro’s intense focus, or Russell’s fan interactions, our footage helped bring the Behind The Hook series to life, giving fans insight into both the thrill and the human side of tractor pulling.
Keeping Fans Engaged: Social Media Strategy
We didn’t just capture the event—we ran the NTPC’s social media leading up to, during, and after the championships. Over 28 days, our Facebook coverage alone generated over 2 million views.
Our approach was about engagement, not just likes. We created interactive content like This or That posts, asked pullers to answer fan questions, and highlighted behind-the-scenes moments to keep followers constantly engaged on both Facebook and Instagram. The result? Fans felt connected to the event, the pullers, and the community, whether they were at the track or watching from home.
Pulltown Energy
Across the weekend, the event was a whirlwind: more than 678 hooks in three days, thousands of fans cheering from the stands, and countless moments that showcased skill, dedication, and the spirit of competition. From start to finish, the NTPC Facebook page buzzed with excitement—welcoming attendees, celebrating the last hook, and highlighting pullers’ achievements.
Toledo Aerial Media was proud to play a part in amplifying that energy. Our goal was simple: give the NTPC board content that showcased the championship’s scale, while highlighting the stories that matter most to fans.
More Than Just Coverage
For us, capturing the 58th NTPC wasn’t just about documenting a championship—it was about telling the story of Pulltown USA from every angle. From aerial views to intimate interviews, from the roar of engines to the human moments behind each pull, our coverage ensured the spirit of the event lived on long after the dust settled.
