Jody Ross: The Long Road to Triple Bypass, Grand National Wins & Super Stock Success

In this episode of Breaking Barriers, Gary Bontrager sits down with Jody Ross, a lifelong tractor puller whose story stretches from climbing onto a garden tractor as a kid to building one of the most respected Super Stock programs in the country. Jody shares how his pulling journey began at a local fair, how his family’s implement business shaped his mechanical instincts, and how years of persistence eventually led to major wins with Triple Bypass. From early International Harvester tractors and used parts to Grand National competition, Louisville wins, Bowling Green memories, and the evolution of the Super Stock class, Jody walks through the highs, setbacks, lessons, and people who helped shape his career. He also opens up about the importance of family, the crew behind the tractor, the value of good tires, and why success in pulling often comes down to patience, work ethic, and refusing to give up. This conversation is a look inside the mindset of a competitor who didn’t find overnight success—but stayed with it long enough to build a legacy in tractor pulling. Follow along for more stories from the legends, builders, drivers, and families who continue to shape the sport of tractor pulling.