County oil pull tradition continues

Angelica Good, The Yellow Jacket
The track of the Greene County Fairgrounds in preparation for modified trucks and tractors riding in the 20th annual Lucas Oil Mega Pull.

The Greene County Fair Grounds hosted the Lucas Oil Mega Pull this Saturday, Sept. 21, for the 20th consecutive year in Waynesburg. The admission price was $25 per person and the event took place from 7 – 10 p.m.

The pull consisted of both trucks and tractors. The event included appearances from mini rod Tractors, super stock diesel trucks, unlimited super stock tractors and OPTIMA Batteries super modified 2WD trucks. Each of these vehicles have large, wide tires, are weighted, have huge or even multiple engines and are all diesel, amongst other qualities.

Functions such as this are expected to have a huge fan following. 

“It’s a very large turn-out. The grandstands will be full. We have on site, beside the track parking, that is completely taken a year in advance; it is kind of like your own personal tailgate party,” said Debbi Stevenson, coordinator of Greene County Fairgrounds. “People typically follow their favorite class, making the event a huge ordeal.” 

The fairgrounds encourage everyone to attend, stating, “we will never turn anyone away.” 

“It is for all ages. You can even go and interact with the drivers and get photos taken with the vehicles before the show starts,” Stevenson said. 

Their goal is to have participants interact with the fans as much as possible because many have traveled a great distance to attend. 

A large number of visitors are anticipated each year and it only keeps growing with time. That being said, it takes a massive amount of planning in advance to coordinate the arrival of such massive vehicles.

“In March, we usually decide what type of vehicle we want to come to this pull, what is available, how close they will be to us and where they will be at the week before, that way there is no conflicting scheduling,” Stevenson said.

People tend to come from all over in order to either participate or enjoy their hobby. 

“Just come on out and have a good time,” Stevenson said.

Active fan and experienced driver, Erran W. from Sycamore, Pennsylvania, attended the pull. His interest in this event came from his experience driving International 1066, a farm tractor for four years. His friends got him into the hobby of driving the vehicle for show. 

“My favorite part of being involved with driving these vehicles is because it is a lot of fun,” Erran said. “What worries me the most though, is breaking the drive train and motor. It can be a very expensive hobby or job costing a few thousand dollars.”

Erran recommends that people attend pulls for “enjoyment, fun and friendly competition.”