It comes as no surprise that when you have to be at the top of your game, you go to, as the name implies, the Top Gun Largecar Shootout. This 9th annual working class truck show was held on July 29-31, 2016 at the Rantoul National Aviation Center in Rantoul, Illinois. The former Chanute Air Force Base is a decommissioned USAF facility located about 130 miles south of Chicago in Champaign County. The base was closed in 1993 and has been a location for many different developments, including housing, vegetable gardens, ROTC training and, of course, a truck show.
Because the Chanute Field’s primary mission, established in 1917, was to serve as a USAF technical training location, the “air base” has surprisingly-small concrete runways, as compared to other airports and air bases, but it is ample space to park a bunch of trucks. So, when Tom and DeVeda Reitz decided nine years ago to have a local truck show in their own neck of the woods, the trucks rolled in, but in modest amounts. Now, nine years later, with well over 150 big rigs on display at the event, the rigs just soar in and fill the tarmac!
The weather was nice and humid in Rantoul, but Chicago was experiencing record rainfall and massive flooding. Needless to say, all of the trucks coming to the show from the upper Midwest got a free truck wash. We arrived on Friday night, just in time to see the sunset, as the town was ready for the light show parade to kick off the weekend event. And they were not disappointed, as one truck after another turned the parade route, which was well over a mile long, in a spectacular glowing display of lights and chrome. It was really something to see, and it set the tone for the rest of the weekend.
Saturday morning came early as the vendors and sponsors set up their locations amidst the trucks that were so neatly parked. A shout-out goes to Wayne and Darlene Baker for volunteering to take control of the truck parking – those rigs were sitting pretty, with ample space between them, which gave all of the many photographers onsite plenty of room for capturing those memorable moments. And you couldn’t walk many steps without bumping into some beautiful iron, as awesome trucks were all over the place, and lined-up nicely for the judges. In addition to the stunning bobtails, combos, specialty and antique trucks, the large crowds were also treated to muscle cars, motorcycles and hot rods to stare at and drool over, as well.
With the anticipation of going to the show, our nearby and local friends Josh “Porkchop” and Renee “Lambchop” Rietveld, along with her son Carson, offered to bring some booth supplies and accessories for us, including a pop-up, tables, chairs, a BBQ, coolers filled with refreshments, a 900 EFI Ranger XP quad for mobility, and plenty of 10-4 Magazines to hand out, which we had shipped to him ahead of time. Porkchop not only brought all of our stuff, but he also cleaned up and brought a red 1999 Kenworth dump truck from his company, Crete Garden Center & Nursery in Crete, Illinois, to display in the 10-4 booth area – and this cool little dump truck drew a lot of attention. Thank you Porkchop and family – you guys really stepped-up for us (like you always do).
The Saturday schedule was packed with activities. In addition to the “Kiddie Peddal Pull” which pitted kids against each other (and a weighted pull sled), there was also a Jake Brake competition and a stereo blast off. And, if that wasn’t enough, the I-65 Chrome Shop would, on several occasions, fire up their V-12 Detroit Diesel Quad Turbo COE and give everyone a hearing test, while getting lost in a cloud of their tire-screeching smoke. With all this going on, the day quickly turned into night, and before we knew it, a live band was playing the hits, as everyone began winding down and calling it a day.
On Sunday morning, the competitors and their families gathered around the tent, eagerly awaiting the awards presentation to begin. It was obvious to many that there was going to be some tough calls made for these trophies. With so many nice rides, everyone deserved a trophy and, to quote a comment overheard from Jamie Williams of J & L Contracting, who was at the event for the very first time, “This has been the best laid-back show I have ever attended.” So, the stage was set for the winners, and the applause got louder with each announcement.
The top awards for Best of Show went to some very deserving competitors – Justin Congdon of Davenport, IA for Working Bobtail; Bob Harley of Burbank, OH for Limited Miles Bobtail; Randy and Missy Victory of Jonesboro, AR for Working Combo; and Brian Davis of Owensville, IN for Limited Miles Combo. The People’s Choice trophy went to our July 2016 cover trucker, Sean McEndree, and his “Band of Brothers” Purple Heart tribute truck.
Congrats to all of the winners in all of the different classes. If you missed it this year, we hope you can soar in next year and join the fun in 2017. Here are all of the winners:
BOBTAIL (2014-2017): 1st Justin Burnett, Buckley, IL – 2016 Peterbilt 389; 2nd David Marti, Forrest, IL – 2015 Peterbilt 389; 3rd Dennis Borth, Galesburg, IL – 2015 Volvo 780.
BOBTAIL (2009-2013): 1st Travis Montgomery, Stonington, IL – 2008 Kenworth T660; 2nd Brandon Jones, Pana, IL – 2013 Kenworth 660; 3rd Robert Errthum, Olin, IA – 2013 Peterbilt 389.
BOBTAIL (2000-2008): 1st Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Tyler Dickinson, Seward, NE – 2003 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Corey McCord, Anderson, IN – 2007 Peterbilt 379.
BOBTAIL (1990-1999): 1st Kevin Johnson, Owensville, IN – 1997 Mack; 2nd Terry Aslinger, Marquand, MO – 1995 Freightliner FLB; 3rd Phil Herschberger, Arthur, IL – 1997 Peterbilt 379.
BOBTAIL (1980-1989): 1st Chris Gebhardt, Neoga, IL – 1986 Peterbilt 359; 2nd Michael Hackett, Tuscola, IL – 1981 Peterbilt 359; 3rd J.C. Alt, Lafayette, IN – 1985 Peterbilt 362.
BOBTAIL (1979 & OLDER): 1st Craig Betcher, Arrawan, IL – 1965 Peterbilt 351A; 2nd Sandy Herman, Hoopeston, IL – 1977 Kenworth W900; 3rd Mark Fief, Momence, IL – 1978 Peterbilt 359.
BOBTAIL (LIMITED MILES): 1st Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358; 2nd Casey Conrey, Haubstadt, IN – 1991 Mack RD688; 3rd Dustin Dickerson, Thorntown, IN – 1990 Peterbilt 379.
LIGHTS (BOBTAIL): 1st Tyler Dickinson, Seward, NE – 2003 Peterbilt 379; 2nd David Marti, Forrest, IL – 2015 Peterbilt 389; 3rd Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379.
LIGHTS (LIMITED MILES BOBTAIL): 1st Dustin Dickerson, Thorntown, IN – 1990 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358; 3rd Doug Jameson, Springfield, MO – 2015 Peterbilt 389.
INTERIOR (BOBTAIL): 1st Corey McCord, Anderson, IN – 2007 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Tyler Dickinson, Seward, NE – 2003 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379.
INTERIOR (LIMITED MILES BOBTAIL): 1st Dustin Dickerson, Thorntown, IN – 1990 Peterbilt 379; 2nd Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Peterbilt 358; 3rd Doug Jameson, Springfield, MO – 2015 Peterbilt 389.
COMBO (2014-2017): 1st Eric Baudino, Mazon, IL – 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Mac 1/2 Round Dump; 2nd Jack Hawthorne, Grand Mound, IA – 2016 Peterbilt 389 and 2015 Reitnouer; 3rd Joel Dawes, Waterford, WI – 2014 Kenworth T660 and 2005 Great Dane Reefer.
COMBO (2009-2013): 1st Kiegan Nelson, Onalaska, WI – 2013 Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Reitnouer; 2nd Brian Rozivka, Lannon, WI – 2013 Peterbilt 389 and 2013 Reitnouer; 3rd Craig DeReu, Annawan, IL – 2009 Kenworth W900 and 2017 Wilson Livestock.
COMBO (2000-2008): 1st Darren Hutchinson, Atkinson, IL – 2007 Kenworth T800 and 2016 Wilson Livestock; 2nd Clay Snider, Queen City, MO – 2007 Kenworth T600 and 2016 Western Flatbed; 3rd Jason Markley, Farina, IL – 2001 Peterbilt 379 and 2011 Reitnouer.
COMBO (1990-1999): 1st Randy & Missy Victory, Jonesboro, AR – 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2013 Timpte Hopper; 2nd David Marcotte, Momence, IL – 1992 Peterbilt 379 and 1975 Heil Tanker; 3rd Marty Bauer, Cissna Park, IL – 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2007 Wilson.
COMBO (1980-1989): 1st Brad Herman, Herman, Hoopeston, IL – 1983 Kenworth K100 and 1980 Wilson Cattlepot.
COMBO (1979 & OLDER): 1st Fred Murphy, Kewanee, IL – 1977 Peterbilt 359 and 2002 Wilson Hopper.
COMBO (LIMITED MILES): 1st Brian Davis, Owensville, IN – 2013 Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper; 2nd Mike Manuel, Front Royal, VA – 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2017 Mac Curtainside; 3rd Sid Calangelo, Carthage, MO – 2008 Kenworth W900 and 2016 Great Dane Van.
LIGHTS (COMBO): 1st Randy & Missy Victory, Jonesboro, AR – 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2013 Timpte Hopper; 2nd Zach Miles, Rossville, IL – 2016 Kenworth W900 and 2016 Wilson Hopper; 3rd Eric Baudino, Mazon, IL – 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Mac 1/2 Round Dump.
LIGHTS (LIMITED MILES COMBO): 1st Brian Davis, Owensville, IN – 2013 Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper; 2nd Mike Manuel, Front Royal, VA – 2015 Peterbilt 389 and 2017 Mac Curtainside; 3rd Sid Calangelo, Carthage, MO – 2008 Kenworth W900 and 2016 Great Dane Van.
INTERIOR (COMBO): 1st Randy & Missy Victory, Jonesboro, AR – 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2013 Timpte Hopper; 2nd Kiegan Nelson, Onalaska, WI – 2013 Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Reitnouer; 3rd Ron Surrant, Peotone, IL – 2000 Peterbilt 379 and 2014 Brenner Gas Trailer.
INTERIOR (LIMITED MILES COMBO): 1st Brian Davis, Owensville, IN – 2013 Peterbilt 386 and 2016 Wilson Hopper; 2nd Sid Calangelo, Carthage, MO – 2008 Kenworth W900 and 2016 Great Dane Van; 3rd Doug Schut, Zeeland, MI – 1995 Kenworth W900L and 2016 Utility Dry Van.
BEST OF SHOW BOBTAIL: Justin Congdon, Davenport, IA – 2005 Peterbilt 379.
BEST OF SHOW COMBO: Randy & Missy Victory, Jonesboro, AR – 1999 Peterbilt 379 and 2013 Timpte Hopper.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Sean McEndree, Salado, TX – 2006 Peterbilt 379.
