The Big Rigs Pulling Series is the oldest series of events in the United States that is dedicated to the over-the-road semi trucks. These 20K pound ground-pounding trucks continue to be fan favorites across the Eastern United States.
Over the years many different makes, models and engine configurations have been champions of this prestigious division of pulling: Macks, Peterbilts, Kenworths, Cummins, Mack, and Cats. The Big Rig Pulling series as always is a fan favorite class and 2023 was no exception. Thirteen events were on the schedule with Nate August from Freedom, Pennsylvania with his Caterpillar powered Kenworth (‘Work ‘N Progress) coming out on top beating New York’s Chris Jeffries (‘Bad Dog’ Mack) by the narrowest of margins.
Look for the Big Rigs to come back strong in 2024 with some of the same familiar faces along with some new and exciting trucks. All Big Rigs events are sanctioned by USA-EAST Sled Pulling and are promoted exclusively by Full Pull Productions, LLC of Scottdale, Pennsylvania.
The Big Rigs first take the track on Saturday, June 15, 2024 (7:00pm) at the Big Rigs Nationals at the Jefferson County Fairgrounds just outside of Brookville, Pennsylvania. (I-80 Exit #81).
The 2023 BIG RIGS CHAMPION - NAte August "Work 'N PROGRESS
2022 Big Rigs - News and Updates
NATE AUGUST GETS FIRST ‘BIG RIGS’ WIN AT THE BUCK
“Work N Progress”, a beautifully prepared Kenworth with C-15 CAT power and driven by Nate August from Freedom, PA took the win (355.95) on Saturday at the annual Trucker’s Day at the Buck Motor Sports Park near Lancaster, Pennsylvania. This was August’s first win with the newly ramped machine that has moved to the Big Rigs Series for the first time in 2022. “Work N Progress” was a multiple year champion with the former PA Posse division with USA-EAST.
Chris Jeffries out of Wyoming, New York grabbed second (351.39) before the sell-out crowd at the famed Buck. Jeffries purchased the “Bad Dog” Mack from the state of Virginia earlier this year and has done remarkable work to bring the former champion back to major league contention.
Third place went to the current USA-EAST point leader Jeff Lautanan with “Moody Blue” (340.11). Lautanan had been on a hot streak at the Buck having won each of the past two hooks at the southern Pennsylvania facility. Brian Smith was fourth with his great looking Peterbilt from Odenton, Maryland named “Snow Blind II”. This Cat Powered Peterbilt was the former “Double Down” truck out of the state of Indiana. Brian purchased this truck earlier in the year and this was his first time competing in the Big Rig class this year.
“General Stupidity” also from the New York based Jeffries Team was fifth on this night as the very interesting and crowd favorite 1983 GMC General with 3406 CAT power continues to try to find the right combination.
The Big Rigs return to action this Thursday at the Crawford County Fair in Meadville, Pennsylvania with a 7:00pm start time. This will be the final tune-up for the high-powered semi class prior to the annual Canfield Fair Super Pull on Saturday, September 3rd.Double
LAUTANEN SWEEPS HOMETOWN EVENT
AUGUST 14, 2022 ASHTABULA COUNTY FAIR
The Lautanen Family have been supporters at the Ashtabula County Fair for many years. Living just 3 miles away you can definitely say that it is hometown and they swept all three of the semi classes.
The Big Rig Semis semis were a points class this year and saw some heavy hitters come out. Jeff Lautanen and his Cat powered Peterbilt he calls “Moody Blue” was the test hook and laid down a perfect pass with a distance of 322. Next up was the first time we saw the Bonner/Francis Team out in 2022 with the “Maximus Prime” Macks. Maximus Prime II with Dale Francis behind the wheel was the next truck with a great pass at 299.59 taking 2nd place. Followed by his team mate was Dick Bonner and his “Maximus Prime” Mack with another distance of 299.26 taking the 3rd position. Nate August, former USA EAST Posse Champion, moved up to the Big Rigs this year. Only his second time down track this year the “Work In Progress” Cat powered Kenworth is still working the bugs out and was on a solid pass when the turbo intake pipe blew apart leaving the Kenworth short at just 218.61. Bud Kranaur and his Cummins Powered Kenworth was 5th place as he had trouble keeping it between the lines and was dq’d. It is noted that the “Jerry Attricks” Kenworth of Jerry Ray was absent from this event after suffering major driveline damage at the Warren County Fair on Friday night.
USA East’s newest Semi class, Pro Street Semis, were also on hand for this event. This class is proving to be a great class in 2022. The winner of the Pro Street Class was the current 2nd place points leader, Bob Lautanen with his Cat powered Peterbilt.
Matt Gabriel, the grandson of Bob Lautanen, with his 81 Peterbilt was the street stock semi winner on Sunday evening.
Winning at anyone’s hometown fair is a tough job anytime, but winning with 3 different trucks in three different classes is almost unheard of. Congratulations on a job well done by the Lautanen Family.
The next Big Rig event will be this Saturday at the famous Buck Motorsports Park in Lancaster Pa. The Annual Truckers day event brings semis from many different states for both a trucks show during the day and Semi pull during the evening of pulling.
LAUTENAN TAKES BIG RIGS WIN AT LITTLE VALLEY
Jeff Lautenan from Jefferson, Ohio made a powerful pull to grab the victory in the USA-EAST Big Rigs Pulling Series at the Cattaraugus County Fair in
Little Valley, New York this past week-end. Lautenan’s “Moody Blue” is a 1998 Peterbilt sporting a single charger C-15 CAT from the Jerry Martin Shop in Ephrata, Pennsylvania. The truck’s third win of the season propels “Moody Blue” to the top of the Big Rigs Series points for 2022. Second went to “Stray Cat” driven by Josh Wagner of Tyrone, Pennsylvania. This 1996 Pete 379 also has Caterpillar power under the hood and is competing with the Big Rigs for the first full season. The former Virginia State champion “Bad Dog” now in the Chris Jeffries garage out of Wyoming, New York grabbed third before the sell-out crowd at the southern tier facility. It is also noted that the revamped “GeneralStupidity” Big Rig also from the Jeffries’ team made its first hook of the season at this event. The truck is a 1983 GMC General with 3406 CAT power that was a one-time heavy hitter on the NY Outlaws circuit. These Big Rigs will join others as they gather on this Friday night at the Warren County Fair in Pittsfield, Pennsylvania for their annual championship event. Two divisions of tractors and the high-powered Run What Ya Brung Trucks are also on the program.