TRUCKIN’ FOR KIDS 2009
29TH ANNUAL CHARITY SHOW & DRAGS IN CA
The 29th annual Truckin’ for Kids Truck Drags & Show and Shine was again, for the third year in a row, held at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California on October 3-4, 2009. And, like most of the shows this year, attendance, participation, and (in this case) donations were down significantly. But, that doesn’t mean it wasn’t a great show. With just under 200 trucks on the lot, several vendors and plenty of food to choose from (everybody was tailgating), there was still a lot to see and do all weekend.
The festivities began on Saturday as vendors set up their booths, racers fine-tuned their engines, and truckers polished their rides, preparing to be judged the next day. We at 10-4 invited our friends, advertisers and distribution people to join us for a Mexican feast in our booth area. After taking a little quiz to see who knew 10-4 the best (way to go Jay), we all headed across the parking lot to enjoy some nighttime car racing action, while many of the truckers on the lot turned on their lights to be judged for the “Light the Lot” awards.
Sunday morning started out with fun working contests (backing and transfer dump), as well as the judging for the Show & Shine. By noon, the grandstands were packed and the drags were in full swing, beginning first with the pickup trucks, then on to the big rigs. This year, Alfonso Hernandez and his customized yellow race truck took top honors in both the Super Drag Truck class and the Outlaw class. Longtime favorite Frank Fiero of F & M Racing took second place behind Alfonso in both of these classes.
One new feature at the show this year was a Top Alcohol Jr. Dragster competition organized by Eddie Hall. Twenty-eight kids, ranging in age from 8-18, piloted their mini dragsters down the eighth-of-a-mile long track at speeds of 70 to 80 mph. Powered by small, single-cylinder, alcohol-burning billet aluminum engines with 32-42 horsepower, these kids, many of which were not even old enough to drive yet, flew down the track with amazing precision. These kids had a lot of talent - and plenty of courage! A young girl named Ashley Jeter took the 1st Place trophy home (this time).
This year, the show fell directly on “10-4 Day” (October 4th), our one formal holiday and now annual excuse to have a party - and we took full advantage of that fact. Inviting several of our past cover trucks and their owners to join us in “10-4 Alley” near our booth, we were surrounded by friends and cool trucks - like Ron Kelsey’s 359 Pete, Hector Santos’ baby blue and white 2-axle Pete, and Mark Pounds’ purple-flamed Freightliner Classic. We were also proud to have Chris Hasty’s red and grey Pete 389 and matching tanker trailer, Ryan Hooten’s clean Peterbilt with matching hay trailers, and James Davis’ orange and black hot rod Pete and matching curtain van parked near our booth. Also nearby was the metallic green Peterbilt owned by the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department that was on our cover back in 2006 - this truck was hooked to a curtain van that was opened up and used as the stage for the awards. We’d like to thank all of these people for coming out and being part of our celebration.
Of course, many of these folks were also given some hefty hardware to take home - especially Chris Hasty, who not only won the Best of Show trophy, but also the coveted People’s Choice award, too. Another big winner was Nick Mitchell of Michael Most Trucking - his yellow Freightliner covered with murals won 1st Place in its class, as well as Best Freightliner and Best Art Detail. The Best Peterbilt award went to Bob Doyle of Golden Bear, while the Best Kenworth award went to one of Nava Trucking’s clean KWs. Other notable winners included Steve Vermeer and his 1979 Pete 352 cabover hooked to a polished stainless tanker (our pick for the Sponsor’s Choice award) and Jeff Houts’ unique “outlaw-style” satin blue Peterbilt.
In honor of “10-4 Day” we debuted a cool new T-shirt, sold laminated centerfolds (placemats) and hats at half price, gave away free posters and aluminum bottle openers laser-inscribed with the 10-4 logo, and offered special deals on subscriptions and “classic” 10-4 shirts. Everyone who was wearing a 10-4 shirt at the show was entered to win “10-4 Bucks” ($104). During the awards ceremony, we pulled three names and handed each of the winners their cash prize. We also strolled the lot and picked one lucky truck/trucker to be featured on a future cover. We planned to announce the winner from the stage during the awards, but changed our minds at the last minute, opting instead to just keep it a surprise. Needless to say, when we told the winner of our intentions, he was very excited!
Although the event did not raise much money for the charity this year, it also did not lose money, which means it will be back again next year. Over the years, this show has raised about $575,000 for kids in need, which is a fantastic accomplishment. We’d like to thank Frank & Dianna Pangburn for all of their hard work and dedication, and for allowing us to celebrate our special day at their event. We’d also like to thank Vince Jenkins for all the tasty eats he shared with anyone who was hungry! It was another great time for a good cause, and we can’t wait until next year.
SATURDAY NIGHT “LIGHT THE LOT” WINNERS
COMBINATION: Maxwell “Pops” Johnson of Jetta Studio Rentals.
BOBTAIL: Devin Cummins of Cummins Transport.
ANTIQUE: Juan Gonzales of A & L Truck Supply.
WORKING CONTEST WINNERS
CLOSED BODY BACKING: 1st Mike Maggini; 2nd Jhared Vandertuig.
FLATBED BACKING: 1st Gary Stuivenga; 2nd Keith Pounds.
TRUCK & TRAILER BACKING: 1st Mark Tarascou; 2nd John Murray.
TRUCK & PUP BACKING: 1st Mark Tarascou; 2nd Dean Berg.
TRANSFER DUMP CONTEST: 1st Mark Tarascou; 2nd Chris Sotello.
DRAG RACING WINNERS
JR. DRAGSTERS: 1st Ashley Jeter; 2nd Ryan Diosabo.
PU/VAN/SUV (SLICKS): 1st John Sapone; 2nd Larry Sayeg.
PU/VAN/SUV (STREET TIRES): 1st Hugo Sanchez; 2nd Don Tankliar.
DIESEL-POWERED PICKUP: 1st Michael Allen; 2nd Don Grant.
2-AXLE CABOVER: 1st Keith Pounds; 2nd Mike Martin.
2-AXLE CONV: 1st Rogelio Roa.
3-AXLE CONV: 1st Armin McKee; 2nd Javier Carrillo.
ALL OTHER 3-AXLES: 1st John Murray; 2nd Mark Tarascou.
LADIES ELIMINATOR: 1st Linda Novak; 2nd Amy McKee.
SUPER DRAG TRUCK: 1st Alfonso Hernandez; 2nd Frank Fiero.
OUTLAW CLASS: 1st Alfonso Hernandez; 2nd Frank Fiero.
SHOW & SHINE WINNERS
PROFESSIONAL SHOW TRUCK: Isaac Aguilar of Sandvik Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (2006-2009): (tie) Robert Davis AND Harley Mitchell.
3-AXLE CONV (2001-2005): (tie) Jeff Houts AND Chris Sotello.
3-AXLE CONV (1996-2000): Nick Mitchell of Michael Most Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (1991-1995): James Davis of JDT Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (1985-1990): Bob Watkins of L.A. County Sheriff.
2-AXLE CONV (2006-2009): Brian Bambarger of Clearwater Pipeline.
2-AXLE CONV (2001-2005): Mark Pounds of Central Valley Transport.
2-AXLE CONV (1996-2000): John Silva of Silva Hay.
2-AXLE CONV (1991-1995): Ryan Hooten of Ryan’s Feed.
2-AXLE CONV (1985-1990): Andy Smith of Andy Smith Trucking.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1996-2009): Mike Puppi of D&M Hay Sales, Inc.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1990-1995): Kevin Young of G. Young Trkg. & Son.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1996-2009): Gilbert Gonzales of Gonzales G&R Co.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1966-1984): Ron Kelsey of Kelsey’s Trucking.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1900-1965): Mike Maggini of Maggini & Sons.
NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: Juan Gonzales of A & L Truck Supply.
LOCAL DELIVERY: Brian Bambarger of Clearwater Pipeline.
TRANSIT MIXER: Rogelio Roa of Bonanza Concrete.
DUMP TRUCK: Danny Flanegen of Farino Construction.
DUMP TRUCK W/BOOSTER AXLE: Derrick Payton of Big Boy Trucking.
END DUMP: Corey Gouthro of Neal Trucking.
TRANSFER DUMP: Bruce Campbell of Bruce Campbell Sand & Gravel.
DUMP TRUCK & PUP: Dean Berg of Tarascou Trucking.
WRECKER: Ruben Cendejas of Arrowhead Water.
SERVICE TRUCK: Brian Bambarger of Clearwater Pipeline.
SPECIALTY RIG: Maxwell “Pops” Johnson of Jetta Studio Rentals.
HOBBY TRUCK: Jake Blackwell’s “Extinguisher”.
SMALL FLEET: (tie) L.A. County Sheriff AND Tarascou Trucking.
BEST ROCKWOOD INTERIOR: Roger Wade of Wade Trucking.
SPECIALTY TRAILER: Robert Davis of Green Thumb Produce.
FLATBED: John Silva of Silva Hay.
HEAVY EQUIPMENT HAULER: Ryan Nelson of Redlands Transport.
CAR CARRIER: Gary Cheek of Hot Shot.
TANKER (STEEL): Steve Vermeer of S & C Service.
TANKER (ALUMINUM): Bob Doyle of Golden Bear.
OVER-THE-ROAD-TRUCK: Bob Watkins of L.A. County Sheriff.
SPECIALTY TROPHIES
LONGEST TOW: Jon Insolo (from Wayne, New Jersey).
BEST ENGINE: Chris Hasty of Jetspeed Inc.
BEST DRESSED CREW: Arrowhead Water.
SPONSOR’S CHOICE (10-4): Steve Vermeer of S & C Services.
KING OF THE HILL: Rudy Rodriguez of Rodriguez Trucking.
QUICKEST PICKUP TRUCK: Larry Sayeg.
QUICKEST BIG RIG: Frank Fiero of F & M Racing.
BEST REACTION TIME: Charles Messelroad of Jan’s Towing.
MOST CONES KNOCKED DOWN: Doug Miller of Farino Construction.
BEST INTERIOR: Ryan Hooten of Ryan’s Feed.
BEST SLEEPER: Roger Wade of Wade Trucking.
BEST PETERBILT: Bob Doyle of Golden Bear.
BEST FREIGHTLINER: Nick Mitchell of Michael Most Trucking.
BEST KENWORTH: Jesus Saucedo of Nava Trucking.
BEST METAL SHINE: Bob Doyle of Golden Bear.
BEST ART DETAIL: Nick Mitchell of Michael Most Trucking.
BEST OF SHOW: Chris Hasty of Jetspeed Inc.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Chris Hasty of Jetspeed Inc.