Bio: Peissig, Mark – NTPA Hall of Fame (Dec 2022)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Peissig, Jicinsky, Sprotte, Craig, Pfund

----Source: Tribune/Phonograph (Abbotsford, Clark Co., Wis.) 21 Dec 2022

Dorchester native and National Tractor Pullers Association (NTPA) legend Mark Peissig was inducted into the NTPA Hall of Fame on December 3 in Columbus, Ohio. Peissig, along with his family, was present at the awards banquet where he was inducted into a hall of fame that contains less than 85 members.

Over 43 years, Peissig had amassed numerous regional and national titles with his tractors “Fat Boy” and “The Bomb” until his retirement in 2017. His four consecutive national championships in the light super stock class proved his unprecedented dominance during the height of his career.

“It’s pretty special. Not a lot of people get this award. It’s quite an honor,” Peissig said.

In Peissig’s acceptance speech, he said he couldn’t believe he was being chosen as a member of the exclusive club.

“When I found out I was receiving this award, I thought, ‘Why me?’ This is an award that you don’t really strive for but it’s a great honor.”

Peissig said his favorite part about the journey was all of the new places he got to experience and all the fans he met. He said his career in pulling gave him a second family.

“This award really was a team effort. I just want to thank some specific people that really made this possible and helped me out through the years. Wayne Jicinsky–[we had] a lot of late nights. Nate Sprotte, Brian Craig and Dave Pfund. All the other crew members that we had and all those long nights spent getting the tractor and rig ready for the weekends.”

He went on to thank friends and family members for the part they played in his success.

“Obviously Kevin Lynn–for all the long nights, laughs, great times throughout the last 40 years - For him always sharing his knowledge, guidance and encouragement -To my wife Terri, for putting up with me for 33 plus years, always holding down the fort so I could pursue my hobby that I loved.”

Peissig was sure to include his kids in his acceptance speech.

“To my daughter, Emily–who I want to thank for tagging along all those years and never missing an event with me those first couple of years. To my two sons, Tim and Logan– thank you for renewing my passion in the sport. Tim, you never gave up on the sport and continue to push me.