An agreement to sanction with the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League was reached following a meeting with key East Coast Series principles, including Dave Moore (Director), Earl Howard (Co-Director), Linda Shull (Business Manager), Kevin Seuss (Class Representative), and Steve Willson (Class Representative). At the core of the agreement and desire to change sanction was the emphasis placed on gaining near and long-term stability, realization of an overall better sponsorship package, solidified financial returns to competitors and a general desire to move forward in a positive and structured manner for the benefit of all competitors, sponsors, promoters and fans.

The East Coast Series celebrated its seventh season in 2005 and consists of approximately 150 licensed competitors. It is also the organizational entity for more than 30 major events held annually at major fairs and other high profile hosting venues in territories within the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, New Jersey, Delaware and Ohio. Overall, the organization has been in existence with many of its same membership – albeit under a different name, dating back to the early 1970s.

Boonsboro, Maryland’s Dave Moore, who first entered the sport as a tractor competitor in 1975 (his son Davy and daughter, Tara also compete), said he felt the move was indeed necessary, especially given the state of the sport’s current sanctioning alternatives. “As a group, we feel the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League is the way to go, not only next year, but for future growth,” the ECS Director began.

“We have a lot of event promoters, certainly as well as our competitors, who need to be instilled with the confidence and the knowledge that we – as a group, would be making an informed and intelligent decision.

“One of the final factors in my own desire to sanction with the PPL came when I received a personal phone call from Forrest Lucas (founder/owner, Lucas Oil Products), who assured me that his organization would do everything possible to ensure the best programs, overall support and direct communications possible,” he continued. “And quite honestly, that one-on-one contact with the main decision maker solidified my confidence beyond a doubt.”

The East Coast Series consists of top-notch competitors including the most popular classes in the sport. Their annual schedule of events host categories that include: Modified (multi-engine) Tractor, Pro Stock/Super Stock Tractor, Pro Modified Four-Wheel Drive Truck and Super Modified Two-Wheel Drive Truck. For the first time in 2006, select East Coast Series events will also include the sanctioning of Hot Rod Semi Trucks, also featuring some of the biggest names in the sport as well as Limited Pro Stock Tractors.

The Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League was created to elevate professional and sportsman truck and tractor pulling to its true potential as a recognized and credible sports, marketing and entertainment entity throughout the United States. Main title rights sponsor of the PPL comes from Corona, Calif.-based Lucas Oil Products, a lubricants technology leader and supplier for automotive, trucking, fleet, motorcycle and marine applications worldwide.

Their co-ownership alignment with the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League, which will receive valuable exposure through a consortium of cable sports giant ESPN2 and The Outdoor Channel television broadcasts to more than 120-million U.S. households, bolsters their position in the racing community, where they already have a strong presence in top-level organizations including NASCAR, NHRA and many others.

Dixie Chopper, of Coatesville, Ind., is the series’ presenting sponsor, and makers of the “World’s Fastest Lawnmower,” solidified by a huge network of dealers throughout the country. Additional funding comes from major freight facilitator, R&L Carriers of Wilmington, Ohio, whose fleet includes more than 12-thousand tractor/trailer rigs that provide transport service throughout the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Updated news and information can be obtained by calling the Lucas Oil Pro Pulling League headquarters at: 812/216-4024.