The 2015/2016 Pride & Polish truck beauty competition season culminated August 25-27 in Dallas, TX at The Great American Trucking Show – and it was a good old-fashioned Texas showdown! In addition to the crowning of the National Champions, the 2016/2017 season began at the show. The two shows combined to showcase nearly 70 trucks, along with hundreds of exhibitors and thousands of attendees, filling the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center for the three-day event. Although the show was slower than usual, it was still a great opportunity to reconnect with old friends and network with business associates – and have a little fun, too.
Arriving in Dallas on Wednesday, the day before the show opened, we spent that time setting up our booth and visiting with friends. But, Thursday morning came quickly, and it was time to get to work. Walking the floor and taking pictures, the first day always goes fast, and before we knew it, it was time to close up. Heading over to Bob’s Steak & Chop House at the Omni Hotel, we had an amazing dinner with Bruce Mallinson and his crew from Pittsburgh Power (thanks Bruce), and then headed into “The Owner’s Box” for a few hours of billiards and libations.
With show hours being 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Friday, it was a long day. Attendees had a lot to do, if they chose to partake in the many happenings at GATS, including health screenings at the Landstar “Fit for the Road” Health and Wellness Pavilion, free business seminars in the GATS Theater, a trucker talent search, and a beer garden, sponsored by ONE20, featuring free draft beer (well, sort of – you had to download their app to get the “free” beer). And after seven hours of walking, talking, shaking hands and making deals, it was time to head over to the free concert, featuring legendary country music star John Michael Montgomery, and blow off some steam. Opening the show was our friend and fellow truck driver/singer-songwriter Tony Justice, who warmed up the crowd nicely. By the time the concert was over, we were ready for some rest and recuperation – but nah, we still had one more day to go!
Day three came with a busy schedule, including awards, last-minute meetings, and plenty of pictures. Shortly after the show opened, it was time to head over to the awards ceremony in the GATS Theater – and it was a packed house, with standing room only. “The Great American Trucking Show is the best possible venue for the final and first shows of the season,” said Stacy McCants, vice president of events for Randall Reilly. “For these guys, it’s the culmination of all the hard work they’ve put into the season, but it’s also the first chance they get to qualify for the next year’s National Championship, so they pull out all the stops. These trucks are always impressive, and you never quite know exactly what to expect.” And there certainly were a lot surprises, as many of the “favorites” got beat by some newcomers.
The big “Best of Show” awards this year went to Jack Bowlin & Candice Cooley (Limited Mileage Bobtail) of Hazelton, ID for their Dark Red and White “Patrone” 2017 Peterbilt 389; Marty Colvin & Kary Bryce (Limited Mileage Combo) of Sibley, LA for their Burgundy and Grey “Smoking Section” 1986 Peterbilt 359 and matching Etnyre tanker (this entire truck was awesome, but it’s interior was really exceptional); Omar Ruiz & Yogi Ruiz (Builder’s Bobtail) of Midland, TX for their Blue and Black “Project TOC” Kenworth W900L (our cover truck this month); Shane Boullion (Working Bobtail) of Carencro, LA and his Dark Rose Grey 2001 Pete 379; and Freddy Velasco (Working Combo) of Sulphur Springs, TX and his Purple and Cream “California Dreamin” 2003 Peterbilt 379 and polished stainless Great Dane reefer (our February 2016 cover truck). There were a lot of new names on that list, which was actually kind of exciting.
Awarded with unique trophies that were metal steer skulls, complete with horns and eyes that lit up, the National Champions included Sid Colangelo & KC Cousins (Trucker’s Choice and Working Bobtail) of Carthage, MO with their 2015 Purple KW W900L; Jonathan Eilen (Builder’s Bobtail) of Hampton, MN with his “The Hustler” 1990 Pearl White and Grey Peterbilt 379 hot rod; Michael Manuel (Builder’s Combo) of Front Royal, VA with his “One of Many” 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 and 2017 MAC Curtainside; Josh Skidmore (Limited Mileage Bobtail) of Brigham City, UT with his 2016 White and Yellow Peterbilt 389; Jordan Jay (Limited Mileage Combo) of Rigby, ID with his “Revelation” 2016 Prowler Orange Peterbilt 389 and 2016 Western Flatbed; and Joe Regalado (Working Combo) of Von Ormy, TX with his “Blue” 2000 Peterbilt 379 and CTS Sandmaster.
Some of the trucks we really liked that did not bag any of the “big” awards included Brian Rudisell’s Green and White “Gone Green” 2005 Kenworth W900; Alan LeSueur’s Cream, Brown and Orange “The Duke” 2016 Kenworth W900L; Dustin Graf’s Black Cherry with Violet stripes 2017 Peterbilt 389; Jake Lindamood’s Silver with Blue flames “The Demolisher” 1988 Peterbilt 379; Keith Smart’s White and Orange “Talk of the Town” 2015 Peterbilt 389; and Shawn Cielke’s Burnt Orange and Camo “Redneck Low” 2005 Kenworth T600 and 2017 Wabash van.
And just like that, the 2016 Great American Trucking Show came to an end. After tearing down our booth and packing everything up, it was time to get some BBQ for dinner and then hit the hay early to rest up for a photo shoot bright and early the next day. There’s no rest for the wicked! Thanks to everyone who came by our booth and had nice things to say about the magazine. It means a lot, and helps re-energize our batteries for the next big event – wherever that is. Next year’s dates are August 24-26, 2017, so mark your calendars now and don’t miss this genuine Texas showdown!
ANTIQUE (BOBTAIL): 1st Wade Wardlaw, Woodville, TX – 1975 White & Copper Peterbilt 359 (Wade’s Pride and Joy); 2nd Geo Cuellar/David Schnautz, Pasadena, TX – 1985 Blue Kenworth K100E (Clyde); 3rd Pablo Cuellar/David Schnautz, Pasadena, TX – 1973 Blue Kenworth K125 (Little Kenny).
ANTIQUE (COMBO): 1st David Schnautz, Pasadena, TX – 1981 Blue KW W900A & 1982 Wilson Livestock Trailer (A Dream Come True).
NEW BOBTAIL (LESS THAN 50K MILES): 1st JW Ray/Werner, Omaha, NE – 2017 Blue Freightliner Cascadia (Operation Freedom VII); 2nd Dustin Graf, Girard, KS – 2017 Black Cherry Peterbilt 389; 3rd Allen Boles, Weaverville, NC – 2017 Black Peterbilt 389.
BOBTAIL (FIRST SHOW): 1st Anthony Hoffman, Irving, TX – 1999 Black & Red Peterbilt 379; 2nd Delbert Jones, Sulphur Springs, TX – 1999 Red Kenworth W900; 3rd Mike Ostergaard, Salem, WI – 2002 Black Peterbilt 379 (USMC Tribute Truck).
BOBTAIL (COMPANY TRUCK): 1st Jake Lindamood/Lindamood Heavy Hauling, Irving, TX – 1988 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379 (The Demolisher); 2nd Mike Faram, Ft. Worth, TX – 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 (Da Mistress); 3rd Coy Baker/Wes Ezell, Glenrose, TX – 2017 Black Peterbilt 389 (Intimidator).
BOBTAIL (2005 & OLDER): 1st Shane Boullion, Carencro, LA – 2001 Dark Rose Grey Pete 379; 2nd Gerald Cruz, San Antonio, TX – 1999 Orange & Black Peterbilt 379 (Ghost); 3rd Gilbert Velasquez/GoTex Trucking, Dallas, TX – 2000 White Peterbilt 379 (Special FX).
BOBTAIL (2006 & NEWER): 1st Sean McEndree, Sr., Salado, TX – 2006 Purple Pete 379 (Band of Brothers); 2nd Keith Smart, Jr., Juneau, WI – 2015 White & Orange Pete 389 (Talk of the Town); 3rd Corey McCaslin, Port Washington, OH – 2015 Black Peterbilt 389.
NEW COMBO: 1st Gabe Rosenthal/Stevens Transport, Inc., Dallas, TX – 2017 Black Kenworth T680 & 2017 Utility Reefer.
COMBO (FIRST SHOW): 1st Bradley Wacks/Army Air Force Exchange Service, Enon, OH – 2011 Red Pearl Freightliner Cascadia & 2010 Hyundai Van; 2nd Charles Compton/Army Air Force Exchange Service, Dallas, TX – 2014 White Freightliner Cascadia & 2014 Hyundai Dry Van; 3rd Tommie Weeks/Aaron Davidson, Sebastopol, MS – 2016 Blue Kenworth W900 & 2016 Reitnouer.
COMBO (OPEN): 1st Freddy Velasco, Sulphur Springs, TX – 2003 Purple & Cream Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Great Dane Reefer; 2nd Oscar Ochoa/Clark Freight Lines, Pasadena, TX – 2012 Black Kenworth T660 & 1995 Utility Curtainside.
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Keith Smart, Jr., Juneau, WI – 2015 White & Orange Peterbilt 389 (Talk of the Town); 2nd Jake Lindamood/Lindamood Heavy Hauling, Irving, TX – 1988 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379 (The Demolisher); 3rd Freddy Velasco, Sulphur Springs, TX – 2003 Purple & Cream Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Great Dane Reefer.
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): 1st Shane Boullion, Carencro, LA – 2001 Dark Rose Grey Peterbilt 379; 2nd Sean McEndree, Sr., Salado, TX – 2006 Purple Peterbilt 379 (Band of Brothers); 3rd Mike Faram, Ft. Worth, TX – 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 (Da Mistress).
BEST INTERIOR (LIMITED MILEAGE OR BUILDER’S CLASS): Marty Colvin/Kary Bryce, Sibley, LA – 1986 Burgundy & Grey Peterbilt 359 & 2016 Etnyre Tanker (Smoking Section).
PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st Sean McEndree, Sr., Salado, TX – 2006 Purple Peterbilt 379 (Band of Brothers); 2nd Shane Boullion, Carencro, LA – 2001 Dark Rose Grey Peterbilt 379; 3rd Jake Lindamood/Lindamood Heavy Hauling, Irving, TX – 1988 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379 (The Demolisher).
PAINT (COMBO): 1st Freddy Velasco, Sulphur Springs, TX – 2003 Purple & Cream Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Great Dane Reefer.
BEST PAINT LIMITED MILEAGE / BUILDER’S CLASS (BOBTAIL): Omar Ruiz/Yogi Ruiz, Midland, TX – 2000 Black & Blue Kenworth W900L (Project TOC).
BEST PAINT LIMITED MILEAGE (COMBO): Marty Colvin/Kary Bryce, Sibley, LA – 1986 Burgundy & Grey Peterbilt 359 & 2016 Etnyre Tanker (Smoking Section).
ENGINE: 1st Jake Lindamood/Lindamood Heavy Hauling, Irving, TX – 1988 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379 (The Demolisher); 2nd Shane Boullion, Carencro, LA – 2001 Dark Rose Grey Peterbilt 379; 3rd Keith Smart, Jr., Juneau, WI – 2015 White & Orange Peterbilt 389 (Talk of the Town).
BEST ENGINE (LIMITED MILEAGE / BUILDER’S CLASS): Omar Ruiz/Yogi Ruiz, Midland, TX – 2000 Black & Blue KW W900L (Project TOC).
LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL: 1st Jack Bowlin/Candice Cooley, Hazelton, ID – 2017 Red & White Peterbilt 389 (Patrone); 2nd Alan LeSueur/KC Cousins, Carthage, MO – 2016 Cream & Brown Kenworth W900L (The Duke); 3rd Charles Self, Neosho, MO – 2004 Legendary Red Peterbilt 379X (Big Red).
LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO: 1st Marty Colvin/Kary Bryce, Sibley, LA – 1986 Burgundy & Grey Peterbilt 359 & 2016 Etnyre Tanker (Smoking Section); 2nd Brian Fretwell/Taylor Transport, Inc., Cartersville, GA – 2015 Black Peterbilt 389 & 2016 MAC Step Deck; 3rd Gary Collins, El Dorado Springs, MO – 1993 Red Kenworth W900 & 2000 Wabash Drop Box.
BUILDER’S CLASS (BOBTAIL): 1st Omar Ruiz/Yogi Ruiz, Midland, TX – 2000 Black & Blue Kenworth W900L (Project TOC); 2nd Robert Moneypenny, Shawnee, OK – 1998 Orange & Black Peterbilt 379 (Wildside); 3rd Todd Turner, Odessa, TX – 1972 Blue KW W900 (Clyde).
BEST OF SHOW (BOBTAIL): Shane Boullion, Carencro, LA – 2001 Dark Rose Grey Pete 379.
BEST OF SHOW (COMBO): Freddy Velasco, Sulphur Springs, TX – 2003 Purple & Cream Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Great Dane Reefer.
NATIONAL CHAMPIONS 2016
TRUCKER’S CHOICE (ONLINE VOTING): Sid Colangelo/KC Cousins, Carthage, MO – 2015 Purple Kenworth W900L.
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (BUILDER’S BOBTAIL): Jonathan Eilen, Hampton, MN – 1990 Pearl White & Grey Peterbilt 379 (The Hustler); 2nd Bob Harley, Burbank, OH – 1972 Purple Peterbilt 358A (Bad Attitude); 3rd Casey Conrey, Haubstadt, IN – 1991 Red Mack (Long Hard Ride).
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (BUILDER’S COMBO): Michael Manuel, Front Royal, VA – 2015 Blue Peterbilt 389 & 2017 MAC Curtainside (One of Many).
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Josh Skidmore, Brigham City, UT – 2016 White & Yellow Peterbilt 389; 2nd Doug Jameson/James Williams, Springfield, MO – 2015 Red & Black Peterbilt 389 (Contender); 3rd Brent Galloway/Taylor Transport, Inc., Cartersville, GA – 2015 Blue Kenworth W900.
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO): Jordon Jay, Rigby, ID – 2016 Prowler Orange Peterbilt 389 & 2016 Western Flatbed (Revelation); 2nd KC Cousins, Carthage, MO – 2008 Black Kenworth W900L & 2017 Great Dane Van (Ace in the Hole); 3rd Brian Davis/Davis Bros. Trucking, Owensville, IN – 2015 Blue & White Peterbilt 386 & 2016 Wilson Hopper (Buzz Kill).
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (WORKING BOBTAIL): Sid Colangelo/KC Cousins, Carthage, MO – 2015 Purple Kenworth W900L; 2nd Dustin Ballard/Jim Bob Cross, Stigler, OK – 1995 Red & Black Pete 379; 3rd Brian Rudisell/Kim Kuhnle, Newbury, OH – 2005 Green & White Kenworth W900 (Gone Green).
2016 OVERALL NATIONAL CHAMPION (WORKING COMBO): Joe Regalado, Von Ormy, TX – 2000 Blue Peterbilt 379 & 2016 CTS Sandmaster (Blue); 2nd Shawn Cielke, Haugan, MT – 2005 Burnt Orange Kenworth T600 & 2017 Wabash Van (Redneck Low); 3rd Eric Turner, Ellenwood, GA – 2015 Blue Pete 389 & 2016 Wally-Mo Car Hauler (Show Time).
