Behind The Hook
The documentary series that takes you beyond the track
Behind The Hook takes you inside the lives of elite pulling teams as they chase glory at the National Tractor Pulling Championships. From late nights in the shop to full-throttle passes under the lights of Pulltown USA, this cinematic documentary series reveals the people, pressure, and passion behind the sport of truck and tractor pulling.
Behind The Hook is a TAM production.
Season 4
Season 4 of Behind The Hook takes you beyond the track and into the lives of the teams chasing NTPC glory. From family farms and hometown machine shops to multi-generational racing legacies, this season offers an exclusive look at the grit, sacrifice, teamwork, and relentless drive that fuel the pursuit of excellence in tractor pulling.
Family, Farming & Pulling [S4:EP1]
Rob Russell
Workhorse Pulling Team
Prescott, Iowa
Rob Russell, often referred to as a “one-man band”, runs with a strict set of priorities. But he’ll be the first to tell you that behind every full pull is a dedicated team making it all possible. Take a trip to Russell Farms in Episode 1 of Behind The Hook, Season 4, and get to know the man behind the Workhorse Pulling Team.
Sponsored by SCS Gearbox
Class: 10,000lb Pro Stock Tractors
Two Wheel Drive Dynasty [S4:EP2]
Jessie Petro
Petro Motorsports
Camden, Ohio
A family built on history, knowledge, and horsepower. The Petro dynasty is one pullers will be talking about for generations. Join us at the home of Jessie Petro in Episode 2 of Behind The Hook, Season 4, for a behind-the-scenes look at his day-to-day life - and to find out how Kathy is really the one running the show at Petro Motorsports.
Sponsored by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
Class: Two Wheel Drive Trucks
A Life Without Limits [S4:EP3]
Brent & Johnny Payne
GMS Manufacturing
Shandon, Ohio
Follow the team to Gene's Machine Shop as we dive into the lives of Brent and Johnny Payne. This father-and-son duo will be the first to tell you that winning takes far more than a typical 40-hour workweek. Built on long hours, shared goals, and the kind of teamwork only a father and son can bring to the shop and the track.
An NTPC Original
Classes: Light Modifieds, Modifieds, Light Super Stock Tractors, Super Stock Open Tractors
Season 3
Season 3 of Behind The Hook shines a spotlight on the legends, dynasties, and championship-caliber teams that have helped define the sport of tractor pulling. From Hall of Fame icons to multi-generational powerhouses, this season takes you behind the scenes with the people, passion, and relentless pursuit of excellence that fuel the road to NTPC.
Built To Last [S3:EP1]
Jim & Paul Holman
Holman Brothers Pulling Team
Wauseon, Ohio
A perennial powerhouse out of Wauseon, Ohio, the Holman Brothers Pulling Team holds 12 Grand National Championships and 10 Bowling Green Rings behind the wheel of their 4 Play 4WD pulling truck. The unique skills these brothers each bring to the table are clearly a recipe for reliability and success, which they also share with their fellow competitors through the products they design and build.
An NTPC Original
Class: Four Wheel Drive Trucks
More Than A Champion [S3:EP2]
Ken (& Rona) Veney
Funny Lil’ Farmall
Wadsworth, Ohio
If you look up "legend" in the dictionary, you’ll find a picture of Ken Veney with wife, Rona by his side. This Hall of Fame drag racer turned tractor puller is a 4-time Grand National Champion in three different classes (Modified, Unlimited, and Mini). Bowling Green Rings? He has those, too - 4 to be exact. However, his contributions to this sport go much further than the show he provides fans on track.
Sponsored by SCS Gearbox
Class: Modified Minis (Mini Rod)
The Simon Standard [S3:EP3]
RJ & Brandon Simon
Simon Sez Motorsports
Farley, Iowa
Legacy. Toughness. Success. For Simon Sez Motorsports, winning isn’t a possibility - it’s an expectation. Built on the foundation laid by Hall of Famer, Roger Simon, RJ and Brandon continue to carry the torch, pushing the limits at the track and beyond. From Farley, Iowa, to the biggest stages in pulling, the Simon name is built to last.
Sponsored by Cen-Pe-Co Lubricants
Class: 10,000lb Pro Stock Tractors, Light Modifieds, Modifieds, Super Semi, Two Wheel Drive Trucks
Season 2
Season 2 of Behind The Hook takes you inside the lives of championship contenders and fan-favorite teams competing at the highest level of tractor pulling. From seasoned national champions to powerhouse family operations, this season delivers an exclusive look at the dedication, personality, and horsepower required to compete on the road to NTPC.
The Champion’s Mindset [S2:EP1]
Joe Eder
Emax
Langford and North Collins, New York
Upstate New York native and 8x National Champion, Joe Eder, has a background in tractor pulling going all the way back to his childhood. Year after year, he sits amongst the top in his NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulling Grand National class and always brings his best to Bowling Green.
An NTPC Original
Class: Unlimited Modifieds
Small Town. Big Power. [S2:EP2]
Travis Schlabach
Bone Yard Pulling Team Powered By Ambush
Marengo, Iowa
Ashton Kutcher and Elijah Wood might be from eastern Iowa, but what do they know about tractor pulling? Nothing! Enter 2x Grand National Champion Travis Schlabach, driver of the Bone Twister super stock diesel, who calls the small town of Marengo home. Each season, he competes at the top-level on this motorsport’s biggest stage.
An NTPC Original
Class: Super Stock Diesel Tractors
Family Business [S2:EP3]
Doug, Renee, Grant, & Mason Theobald
Wicked Pulling Team
Shelbyville, Indiana
4 Drivers. 4 Pulling Vehicles. 6 Engines. As Vin Diesel would say…family! Hailing from Central Indiana, the easily recognizable Wicked Pulling Team is a mainstay at NTPA Grand National events every season. And with a rich heritage in truck and tractor pulling, they are sure to be competing across multiple classes for years to come.
An NTPC Original
Class: Unlimited Modifieds, Modified Minis (Mini Rod), Two Wheel Drive Trucks
Season 1
Season 1 of Behind The Hook introduces you to the teams, families, and fierce competitors who make tractor pulling what it is. From multi-generational traditions to the emotional highs and lows of competition, this season delivers an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the passion, perseverance, and horsepower fueling the road to NTPC.
Family Tradition [S1:EP1]
Carmen & Rob Foster
Foster Motorsports
Fairgrove, Michigan
Hailing from Michigan, Foster Motorsports is a perennial contender in the NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulling Grand National Four Wheel Drive division. Check out this behind-the-scenes look at Carmen and her family's weekend in Bowling Green, and the long history and love of pulling that keeps them coming back each year.
An NTPC Original
Class: Four Wheel Drive Trucks
Like Father, Like Son [S1:EP2]
Kevin & Danny Schmucker
Rampage Pulling Team
Louisville, Ohio
The Ohio father-son duo behind Rampage Pulling Team are long-time competitors in Bowling Green and fixtures in the NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulling Grand National Pro Stock division. Take a glimpse behind-the-scenes at Kevin and Danny’s journey in BG, and learn why they keep bringing their John Deere’s back to Pulltown year after year.
An NTPC Original
Class: 10,000lb Pro Stock Tractors
The Rollercoaster [S1:EP3]
Shane Kellogg
Trump Pulling Team
Kenton, Ohio
Ohio is home to Kellogg Farms AND two-time NTPA Truck and Tractor Pulling Grand National Super Stock Diesel 4x4 Champion, Shane Kellogg. Shane's Dodge Ram Trucks Trump pulling truck is a fan favorite in Pulltown. Take a look behind-the-scenes at his unbelievable weekend here in BG this year, which had no shortage of ups and downs.
An NTPC Original
Class: Super Stock Diesel 4×4 Trucks
bonus episodes
The Flyover with The 180th Fighter Wing [S2:EP4]
An annual highlight at our event is the awe-inspiring flyover performed by the 180th Fighter Wing of the Ohio Air National Guard. We consider ourselves exceptionally fortunate to welcome them back year after year. In this exclusive behind-the-scenes glimpse, discover preparations that go into orchestrating the flyover and gain insights into the world of the Stingers and their F-16s.
The Origins of Behind The Hook [S3:EP4]
We share the untold story of how Behind The Hook came about in the first place and what impact it has had not only in Bowling Green (Pulltown USA), but in the sport of truck and tractor pulling. This special episode features NWOTPA President, Dave Schultz, and the Behind The Hook production crew at TAM (Toledo Aerial Media).
How We Made A Tractor Pulling Docu-Series [S4:EP4]
Our media team at TAM (Toledo Aerial Media) turned the camera around to show what it really takes to produce the documentary series, Behind The Hook. From the size of the crew to the long hours and coordination behind every shoot, it all comes together to create one of the most dynamic and in-depth series in truck and tractor pulling.