Rain and truck shows just aren’t a good combination. Making my way from Wisconsin through heavy rain, I wondered how my weekend at the 2nd stop of the 2016 Pride & Polish truck show series, held at Fitzgerald Glider Kits on July 15-16 at their facility in Crossville, Tennessee, was going to go. Arriving the evening before the show actually started, I stopped briefly to get a sneak peek at the trucks in attendance and was glad to see many trucks already there, despite the difficult weather conditions, including Eilen & Sons’ 2014 Peterbilt 389, from Hampton, MN, parked up on the hill overlooking the event. Knowing that this is the rig that hauls Eilen & Sons’ latest show truck around, I couldn’t wait for the show to begin.
On Friday morning, I made my way to the show, which had a gray sky overhead, but no rain (the sun even popped out a few times). After parking, I caught up with Darrell Andrews Trucking, Inc. from Siler City, NC unloading their butterfly-hood Kenworth, which was hauled in by their 1980 Kenworth W900A extended hood. Both trucks were entered in the show and both were definitely an awesome addition, with their old-school-cool appeal.
Crossville resident, owner-operator and my friend, Jonathan Terry, was also in attendance with his 1995 Kenworth W900L “Driveway Dream” sporting a 5EK CAT motor and 270-inch wheelbase. My home state of Wisconsin had some representation, too, with Joel Dawes, owner of Dawes Contract Carriage out of Waterford. Joel’s Viper Red 2014 Fitzgerald Glider Kenworth T660 “Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills” snagged the Working Bobtail Best of Show, 2nd in Engine, 1st in Bobtail Paint, 1st in Interior (Cab Only) and 1st place in Working Bobtail.
I would be hard-pressed to pick a favorite truck at this event, because there were so many good ones. But, to name a few I really liked, Eric Turner of Turner Transport and his very classy 2015 Sovereign Blue Peterbilt 389 “Show Time” with a 2016 WallyMo car hauler would be high on the list. Fleenor Bros. from Carthage, MO also unveiled their 2008 Kenworth W900L “Ace In the Hole” and it was looking pretty top-notch, too – especially during the light show! The Davis Bros. crew was looking large with their 2015 white and blue Peterbit 386 “Buzz Kill” and their newly-built “Jaw Breaker” – a black and red 1999 Kenworth W900L. Taylor Transport from Cartersville, GA came in with their Surf Blue 2016 Kenworth W900L and a sleek Black Effect 2015 Peterbilt 389, as well.
As mentioned before, Eilen & Sons brought out “The Hustler” – a totally custom white, black and orange 1990 Peterbilt 379, sporting a 3406E CAT motor, that has been dropped three inches and chopped six. This rig has too many unique features to list them all! Naas & Sons from Haubstadt, IN rolled in with their 1991 Mack R called “Long Hard Ride” which made its debut at MATS earlier this year. On display, front and center, was Rethwisch Transport’s popular and easily-recognized lime green and white 2013 Fitzgerald Peterbilt 389, along with its matching 2013 Polar fuel tanker. Like I said – there were a LOT of amazing rigs at this event!
Daredevil Jesse Toler and his crew made an appearance on Friday afternoon to wow the crowd with their stunt bike show. As the sun went down, the lights came on for a display and light competition, as the judges made their rounds and attendees looked on. Tony Justice took the stage for an intimate concert, covering many of his popular songs, and amazed the audience with his talent. The performance he gave of his song “Stars, Stripes and Whitelines” was definitely appreciated by all. The evening came to an end with a fireworks show put on by Fitzgeralds.
After a few sprinkles fell here and there, the show came to an end on Saturday evening, after the awards were presented, and the trucks immediately began leaving. On Sunday morning, as I left the hotel room to make my way back to Wisconsin, I stopped at the grounds one last time. I was almost a little sad to see the trucks were all cleared out. It was a bittersweet end to a show that didn’t disappoint. I left with some great pictures, quality time with friends, and many new friends, too. To all the drivers out there doing the deal, truck safe, and try to avoid the rain.
EDITOR’S NOTE: Stephanie Haas of Wisconsin has worked in the trucking industry for years and is the face behind Diesel Addict Photos. We would like to welcome her into our talented family of contributors. To see more of her photographic work, check out her Facebook page (Diesel Addict Photos). Here are all of the winners:
LIGHTS (BOBTAIL): 1st Casey Conrey, Haubstadt, IN; 1991 Red Mack R (Long Hard Ride); 2nd Tom Davis/Davis Bros Trucking, Owensville, IN; 1999 Black & Red Kenworth W900L (Jaw Breaker); 3rd Cole Johnson/STS Transit, Upper Sandusky, OH; 2014 White Peterbilt 389.
LIGHTS (COMBO): 1st Michael Manuel, Front Royal, VA; 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2017 MAC Curtainside (One of Many); 2nd KC Cousin/Fleenor Bros, Carthage, MO; 2008 Black Kenworth W900L and 2017 Great Dane Van (Ace In The Hole); 3rd Brian Davis/Davis Bros Trucking, Owensville, IN; 2014 Blue & White Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper (Buzz Kill).
WASH & SHOW (BOBTAIL): 1st Cole Johnson/STS Transit, Upper Sandusky, OH; 2014 White Peterbilt 389; 2nd Casey Burrows, Pendleton, KY; 2015 Black Peterbilt 389 Wrecker; 3rd Linda Clifton/Triple C Transportation, Lenoir City, TN; 2016 Lime Green Freightliner Coronado (LimoZene).
WASH & SHOW (COMBO): 1st Randy Martin, Myerstown, PA; 2015 Evergreen Frost Kenworth T660 and 2014 Utility Reefer; 2nd Leon Lloyd/Mike Manuel Trucking, Front Royal, VA; 2014 Granite Peterbilt 389 and 2016 MAC Flatbed (Rock Solid); 3rd Leonard Cox/Jeff Proffitt, Crossville, TN; 2016 Green Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Heil Bulk Tank.
NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: 1st Dustin Kunkel, Crossville, TN; 1974 Black Kenworth W900A and 1983 Great Dane Reefer; 2nd Bob Wattenbarger, Crossville, TN; 1971 Red Big Horn Dodge (Big Red).
WORKING BOBTAIL: 1st Joel Dawes/Dawes Contract Cartage, Waterford, WI; 2014 Viper Red Kenworth T660 (Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills); 2nd Brian Rudisell/Kuhnle Brothers Trucking, Wooster, OH; 2005 Forest Green & White Kenworth W900L (Gone Green); 3rd Quinton Pratt/Moore Freight Service, Dandridge, TN; 2016 Gray Mack CXU613 (Mack Daddy).
WORKING COMBO: 1st Eric Turner, Ellenwood, GA; 2015 Sovereign Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2016 WallyMo Car Hauler (Show Time); 2nd Lee Covington, Crestwood, KY; 2015 White Kenworth W900L and 2014 Etnyre (Jus Cruisin); 3rd Cline Everhart/Everhart Transportation, Inc., Greenville, TN; 2007 Red Kenworth W900L and 2016 Utility Van.
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Joel Dawes/Dawes Contract Cartage, Waterford, WI; 2014 Viper Red Kenworth T660 (Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills); 2nd Brian Rudisell/Kuhnle Brothers Trucking, Wooster, OH; 2005 Forest Green & White Kenworth W900L (Gone Green); 3rd Cline Everhart/Everhart Transportation, Inc., Greenville, TN; 2007 Red Kenworth W900L and 2016 Utility Van.
BEST INTERIOR (LIMITED MILEAGE & BUILDERS): Brian Davis/Davis Bros Trucking, Owensville, IN; 2014 Blue & White Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper (Buzz Kill).
PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st Joel Dawes/Dawes Contract Cartage, Waterford, WI; 2014 Viper Red Kenworth T660 (Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills).
BEST PAINT (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL & BUILDERS: Jonathan Eilen, Hampton, MN; 1990 Pearl White & Grey Peterbilt 379 (The Hustler).
PAINT (COMBO): 1st Cline Everhart/Everhart Transportation, Inc., Greenville, TN; 2000 Red Freightliner Argosy; 2nd Cline Everhart/Everhart Transportation, Inc., Greenville, TN; 2007 Red Kenworth W900L and 2016 Utility Van; 3rd Eric Turner, Ellenwood, GA; 2015 Sovereign Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2016 WallyMo Car Hauler (Show Time).
BEST PAINT (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO & BUILDERS): Michael Manuel, Front Royal, VA; 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2017 MAC Curtainside (One of Many).
ENGINE (WORKING TRUCK): 1st Brian Rudisell/Kuhnle Brothers Trucking, Wooster, OH; 2005 Forest Green & White Kenworth W900L (Gone Green); 2nd Joel Dawes/Dawes Contract Cartage, Waterford, WI; 2014 Viper Red Kenworth T660 (Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills); 3rd Eric Turner, Ellenwood, GA; 2015 Sovereign Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2016 WallyMo Car Hauler (Show Time).
BEST ENGINE (LIMITED MILEAGE & BUILDERS): Jonathan Eilen, Hampton, MN; 1990 Pearl White & Grey Peterbilt 379 (The Hustler).
BUILDER’S CLASS BEST OF SHOW (BOBTAIL): Jonathan Eilen, Hampton, MN; 1990 Pearl White & Grey Peterbilt 379 (The Hustler).
BUILDER’S CLASS BEST OF SHOW (COMBO): Michael Manuel, Front Royal, VA; 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2017 MAC Curtainside (One of Many).
LIMITED MILEAGE BEST OF SHOW (BOBTAIL): Tom Davis/Davis Bros Trucking, Owensville, IN; 1999 Black & Red Kenworth W900L (Jaw Breaker).
LIMITED MILEAGE BEST OF SHOW (COMBO): Brian Davis/Davis Bros Trucking, Owensville, IN; 2014 Blue & White Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper (Buzz Kill).
BEST OF SHOW (WORKING BOBTAIL): Joel Dawes/Dawes Contract Cartage, Waterford, WI; 2014 Viper Red Kenworth T660 (Thrills, Chills & Dollar Bills).
BEST OF SHOW (WORKING COMBO): Eric Turner, Ellenwood, GA; 2015 Sovereign Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2016 WallyMo Car Hauler (Show Time).
