Thunder of the Ledge 2025

On Friday, clouds of smoke and the roar of engines filled the air near Greenleaf for an annual tradition celebrating vehicular might. That night, organizers hosted this year's "Thunder on the Ledge Tractor and Truck Pull" in a large farm field on School Road with hundreds upon hundreds of spectators making their way out for the competition. The Denmark News stopped by to learn more.

For almost two decades, Thunder on the Ledge organizers have been hosting an annual pull on the track near the Bucky VanDeHey farm on School Road in rural Greenleaf. The tradition started in 2006 but, at first, the pulls only featured antique tractors. However, in the last 9-10 years, organizers have added bigger tractors and trucks to the pulling events. The event is overseen by Thunder on the Ledge Fundraising with the proceeds going to a different deserving area organization or cause each year. This year, proceeds from the event will go to the Junior Holstein Association's State Fair participants.

On Friday night, pull fans from across the area and beyond descended on the venue for this year's event. Spectators were directed to park in a large hay field off of County Highway W where they were directed by helpful volunteers from the Southern Brown County Conservation Club. Once they made the short walk to the pulling track, attendees could find a seat in a number of bleachers that had been set up on either side of the two-lane track. Volunteers from the Junior Holstein Association were stationed in the concession building with a variety of food and drink for sale and 50/50 raffle tickets were also available. Organizers and attendees were treated to a perfect early summer evening with temperatures in the mid-60s.

At 7 p.m., following the National Anthem, it was time to start the pulls. The venue featured two tracks side by side allowing pullers to compete on both simultaneously. Farm classes went first ranging from 7,500-14,500 and with speed limits ranging from 4-8 miles per hour. Once the farm classes were completed, the NEW Motorsports classes took to the track with six different categories of tractors before the final two classes--Work Stock Semi and 2.6 Pro Street being saved for last. Among the pullers were many familiar Denmark area faces. As the night went on, the engines got louder and the smoke grew thicker as the packed house enjoyed this year's competition. Commentary duties were assigned to Jeff Kapinos and Mike Schamper who provided top-notch play-by-play and color commentary from their booth on the side of the track.

Even when all the pulling was complete, organizers still had more thrills in store for attendees. After the last truck had completed their run, a crew from G&M Fireworks of Forest Junction unleashed a pyrotechnic display to close out the night.

This year's Thunder on the Ledge Tractor and Truck Pull was a huge success with hundreds upon hundreds of supporters coming out for a night of motorsports fun. The event's organizers will be opening up the track again next month for their annual Antique Tractor Pull on July 12 starting at 10 a.m. Hope to see you there!