According to a story in the state's News Leader, Morris has been riding tractors and other tricked out lawn equipment for about four years. However, this year's Augusta County Fair gave provided the first chance for her to take the wheel behind a 9,000-pound 1949 John Deere machine.
Morris told the paper that driving tractors comes as naturally to her as breathing. She also said she gets a rush of adrenaline when she competes in racing events.
"I'm thinking about the end of the track," Morris told the newspaper. "I get tunnel vision."
Tractor pulls are often a popular spectator sport at fairs and festivals across the country. Recently, a report in Iowa's Water Cedar Falls Courier featured the efforts of Don Storjohann, a former John Deere engineer who has taken part in these contests.
Storjohann built his own 2,500-horsepower machine using skills he developed during his time with John Deere. The machine runs on alcohol and has helped him land some top finishes.
