Tug-A-Truck “a family sport,” winner says

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URBANA — The smell of smoke and the sound of tires screeching was hard to miss during the Champaign County Tug-A-Truck competition Saturday, Aug. 7.

More than 50 contestants in three classes participated in the event’s second year at the Champaign County Fair. The objective was for one truck to pull another truck past a line.

Jim Kerns, chairman of the Pull and Tug Committee, said turnout improved this year.

“We posted on the Internet, we’ve passed out flyers at truck shows up in Lima, advertised it at other tugs in the area,” Kerns said.

Stephen Wildman, the winner of the 6,500-pound competition, started competing last year in Clark County and put $800 into his winning truck.

“We’ve won a lot of money with it so it doesn’t owe us anything,” Wildman said. “It’s just a great time and it’s a family sport.”

Placing second in the 6,500-pound weight class was Rusty Stroup; Brandon Atley placed third and Travis Heim placed fourth.

Lance Knisley won the 5,000-pound weight class; Bryan Atley finished second; Barth Faulkner placed third and Jeremy Turner finished fourth.

In the 9,500-pound weight class Luke Pounds placed first; Jason McKinney finished second; Steve Kizer placed third and Billy Hartzell finished fourth.