Battle Under the Bridge Roars

 

 

Story by Beverly Bonilla

 

The 2026, 5^th annual Battle Under the Bridge, presented by the Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce, brought big rigs, big smoke and plenty of big excitement to the Butler County Fairgrounds on Old River Rd in Morgantown on Saturday, August 15. It was estimated that over 1,200 were in attendance even with the extreme heat. A driver’s meeting took place at 3:00 p.m. and promptly at 4:00 p.m. the tractor pull got underway with Stella Easley opening the event by singing the National Anthem.

Pulling enthusiasts came out to watch tractors and trucks battle down the track in several classes, putting horsepower, traction and driving skills to the test.  This year’s classes included the 10,500 # 8 and 12 mph, 11,000 # Open speed limit – 3000 rpm max, 12,500 # 6-8-10-12 and 16 mph, 12,500 # 6 mph Kids Only Class for drivers ages 16 and under, and a 12,500 # 12 mph Powder Puff Ladies class.

A new attraction this year and what so many were waiting for was street-legal stock semi-trucks that added even more power and excitement to the evening.

Among the highlights was Tyler Ray of Scottsville, who took his International 1066 to the dirt pile and made an impressive climb.  Spectators were quick to call his tractor a “Beast” as he showed what his machine could do on the track.

 

 

The evening also featured several exciting winners, Kenzie Hicks won the Powder Puff class and took home $170, Kyle Green won the King Under the Bridge, also winning $170.  Case Costello captured first place in the 6-mph Kids Only class, taking home $380. Grant Jones was the lucky winner of the evening’s 50/50 pot winning $360 after purchasing just one ticket.

The event also offered plenty of food and shopping for those attending.  Food vendors included Gossip Ice Coffee, The Chew, Kentucky Hills Rustic Barn Venue, Kono Ice Bowling Green, Rustic Squeeze Lemonade, Hickory Hix BBQ and Catering, BooGi Bliss Ice Cream, and Riverside Eats and Treats.  Non-food vendors included Smith’s Farm Toys and Wild Stallions LTD.

Laurie Keen with Laurie Keen Photography and Mercantile on Main was very excited to inform us that there were no accidents reported and no Police or Fire Rescue had to be called out.  Everything went smoothly and accident free.

With roaring engines, flying dirt, powerful tractors and trucks, and a crowd ready for a night of competition, the 2026 Battle Under the Bridge once again delivered an evening full of horsepower and excitement. The Morgantown-Butler County Chamber of Commerce thanks everyone who came out, participated, supported the event and helped make this year’s Battle Under the Bridge a huge success. A heartfelt thank you goes out to our tractor pull committee members, Todd Cohron, Andrew Gabbard, Corey Prewitt, Dewayne McKinney, Kirk SanCartier, Ryan Pendley, Rhonda Heard, and Laurie Keen, for their hard work and dedication.  We also sincerely appreciate all our wonderful volunteers throughout the event. Special thanks to Gradie Rose Photography, Stivers Studios, Kirk SanCartier for providing delicious food in the VIP tent, Kenny Yoakley for helping us secure another Rakanator and Matt Hayden and Family for the use of their semi pulling hitches. Bow Simpson with Southern Express Pulling Sled Rental and his staff for an exceptional job.  Events like this take a tremendous team effort, and we are truly thankful to each of you who helped make this year’s tractor pull one to remember.