National truck pull event set for this weekend in Cloverdale

Monday, January 7, 2019

CLOVERDALE -- Cloverdale is gearing up to welcome truck and tractor pullers from around the country to the 2019 National Tractor Pullers Association’s (NTPA) Winter Nationals invitational.

Billed as a one-of-a-kind indoor national event, the pull will take place at the C Bar C Expo Center from Jan. 11 to Jan 12.

Though the building usually plays host to a number of equestrian events, the Winter Nationals is one of the biggest draws.

“We have had seven-to-eight thousand people attend the pull,” said C Bar C Manager Steve Jackson as he described the impact of the event. “Because it’s by invitation, we also have about 150 competitors throughout the pulling classes.”

Jackson also related that the Winter Nationals brings in about $10 million worth of revenue into the state, a large impact given that it is a national event. This will also be the fifth year that C Bar C has hosted the competition.

C Bar C also has a claim to fame in pulling as having the only 320-foot indoor track in the world, which is the minimum track length for an NTPA-sanctioned event.

The pull has also been broadcast on pay-per-view as well as channels such as RFD-TV.

The Winter Nationals also draw many visitors and promoters to Putnam County. That means area hotels will effectively be at capacity by the time competitors and spectators arrive for the event.

As an example, the Holiday Inn Express will accommodate roughly 175 people during the pulls, according to General Manager Christina Payton.

“Both spectators and participants usually have booked a year in advance for the pull,” Payton said. “It’s a pretty big draw for Cloverdale in general and we anticipate a large crowd.”

Rooms at the Motel 6, Super 8 and the other hotels near the busy I-70 interchange will be similarly expected to be sold out this weekend, with some visitors holding out on waiting lists.

Workers clear dirt inside the C Bar C Expo Center in preparation for the NTPA Winter Nationals this weekend.
Banner Graphic/Brand Selvia

The two-day event will start on Friday at 7 p.m. with two tractor classes as well as a truck and modified mini class. The action will pick up again at noon on Saturday with two tractor and truck classes each. Later at 7 p.m., the Winter Nationals will end with one truck class, a mini class and three tractor classes.

After the competition concludes on Friday evening, country music singer David Ball is set to take the stage to perform his songs such as his 1994 hit “Thinkin’ Problem” and 2001’s “Riding with Private Malone.”

The event will also host a trade show, beer gardens and food vendors, as well as a kids’ pedal pull on Saturday.

Pre-sale tickets will be available at O’Reilly Auto Parts, C Bar C Expo Center and at ShopNTPA.com through Jan. 9. Pre-sale weekend passes cost $65, all-day Saturday passes $55, Friday night passes $25, and Saturday night passes for $30. Tickets at the door will cost $75, $60, $30 and $35 respectively. Kids 10 and under are free.

Persons may find additional information at www.ntpawinternationals.com or by calling the C Bar C office at (765) 795-4768. Details may also be found on the event’s Facebook page.

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