Vern Huser | From Slater Shaker Dominance to Tractor Pulling Comebacks

About this episode

Vern Huser shares his journey in tractor pulling, discussing his career, innovations, and personal challenges.

In this episode of Breaking Barriers , Gary sits down with longtime puller Vern Huser—a name synonymous with Iowa tractor pulling and the legendary Slater Shaker . With decades of experience, multiple championships, and appearances on the sport’s biggest stages, Vern shares the story behind one of the most respected careers in pulling history. From building his first machine out of scrap to dominating in the 1970s, Vern walks through the evolution of his setups, the innovations that gave him an edge, and the rivalries that pushed the sport forward. He reflects on the transition from carburetors to blowers, the importance of tires and track feel, and what it really took to win during one of pulling’s most competitive eras. But this conversation goes far beyond the track. Vern opens up about the hardships that nearly ended it all—from financial collapse during the 1980s farm crisis to personal setbacks—and how he rebuilt his life, business, and passion for pulling from the ground up. Now back behind the wheel, Vern offers a raw and honest perspective on how the sport has changed, what it takes to stay competitive today, and why the relationships built along the way matter more than…

People in this episode

Host: Gary Bontrager

Guest: Vern Huser

Topics covered

• tractor pulling
• resilience
• innovation
• rivalries
• personal setbacks
• competitive sports

Keywords

• tractor pulling
• Vern Huser
• Slater Shaker
• championships
• 1980s farm crisis
• resilience
• innovation

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Slater Shaker

Places: Iowa

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