Not many people can honestly say that they have driven a NASCAR-rated stock car with a 1,000-horsepower engine that can reach a top speed of more than 200 mph.
Even fewer have flown the world’s third-fastest helicopter. At a cruising speed of 181 mph and more than 5,000 horsepower, the thrill of flying in a Chinook Helicopter would be quite the experience.
Now, imagine taking an engine off a Chinook and attaching it to a tractor-pulling rig and strapping yourself in behind that 5,000 horsepower engine, opening up the throttle at 15,000 RPM and rumbling down a dirt track in front of tens of thousands of spectators.
This is what Kasen Petsch does with his summers. You can see his excitement the moment you ask him about tractor pulling. Kasen loves his summer season behind the wheel of Thermal Thunder, his modified pulling tractor.
As a third-generation tractor puller, you could say tractor pulling is in his blood. Kasen’s grandfather started pulling in 1977, his father started in 1992 and when Kasen turned 16, it was his time to step up, strap in and pull.
Kasen is a member of the “Young Guns” that compete at events under the Outlaw Truck and Tractor Pulling Association. Kasen traveled to Colorado, Texas, Missouri, Iowa and around Nebraska, competing in competitions last summer.
After all the miles and hard work, Kasen has proven that he also has the skill to compete. Just look at his success: Tenth place at Wisner; seventh place at Rock Valley, Iowa; sixth place at the Iowa State Fair; fifth place at Spencer, Iowa; fifth place at Sac City, Iowa; fifth place at Rock Valley; fourth place at Unionville, Missouri; third place at Wayne; and third place at Winsor, Colorado.
Kasen finished the season ranked sixth overall.
With his tractor, Thermal Thunder, as the backdrop, Kasen spends time signing posters and pictures and posing with kids at events.
I asked what it is like being asked for his autograph, and he said, “It’s really cool because you have a lot of little kids who look up to you.”
Kasen said his best run was in Rock Valley.
“It was awesome. The front end skated the entire way, and I didn’t have to touch the brakes once.”
Contrasted with the start of the season in Ravenna, where on a practice run, his dad blew the transmission and he couldn’t compete. Kasen’s summer is definitely one to be shared.
