2010 STARTS OFF RIGHT!
MATS PROVES THAT THINGS ARE LOOKING UP
What a great way to start the 2010 truck show season! After a pretty bleak year at most of the shows in 2009, the 39th annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) kicked things off with plenty of exhibitors, attendees and show trucks. Held at the huge Kentucky Exposition Center in Louisville, KY on March 25-27, the show featured 965 exhibiting companies, more than one million square feet of exhibits and events, and over 70,000 attendees. And, if that was not enough, everyone’s attitude seemed to be positive, optimistic and happy – we actually heard no complaining!
Attendees utilized the three show days to visit all of the various specialized areas and exhibits, which included a Driver Recruitment & Wellness Center, an Internet & Technology Center, and a special area highlighting EPA SmartWay companies. Friday night, Mobil Delvac sponsored a concert by John Anderson & The Grascals in Freedom Hall. Celebrity appearances at the show included Richard Petty, Ronn Capps, Sammy Kershaw, Aaron Tippin and ice road trucker Alex Debogorski. Other on-site activities included seminars about important industry issues like CSA 2010 and driver health, OEM Ride-N-Drives, and hundreds of thousands of dollars worth of cash and product giveaways.
Although MATS is where most companies unveil their latest products, there were fewer introductions this year. However, attendees were able to check out the most recent engine technologies such as EGR, SCR, electric, and other alternative fuels and systems, throughout the show. Kenworth revealed their latest aerodynamic truck, the T700, and International rolled out their ProStar+ tractor. Both of these trucks feature emission-compliant engines and boast of added fuel efficiency, comfort and styling.
Our booth, which was located in the newer North Wing, was always busy. In fact, we ran out of everything we brought to give away (magazines, posters and centerfolds) at 12:30 on Saturday. Thank goodness we had Marion Stolz (photo 3) of Courtland, MN (a devoted reader, subscriber and friend of the magazine) show up on Thursday to help us out in the booth. We now call her “Saint Marion” for obvious reasons – she and her son Jim (a trucker) stuck around for all three days and were a tremendous help (they even brought us some of our favorite Summer Sausage and beef sticks from Schmidt’s Meat Market in Nicollet, MN and a case of Minnesota-brewed Grain Belt Premium beer!
With the exception of Thursday, which saw a huge downpour, the weather outside was fantastic, and perfect for strolling around and taking pictures of the 90 or so trucks competing in the Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Championship. There were also two builders, with two unique trucks, entered in the 6th Annual Big-Rig Build-Off (see page 31). For some reason, green, black and orange were by far the most prevalent colors this year. Most of the popular trucks on the lot featured some (or all) of these colors. Jonathan Eilen’s near-new black and orange 2010 Peterbilt 389 and matching 2008 Mac end dump (photo 6) was a good example of this fact. Jonathan and his rig took several awards, including the People’s Choice trophy (photo 1). Truck show veterans Bob & Shelly Brinker and their pirate-themed Freightliner Classic XL took top honors in several classes and were awarded Best of Show in the Working Bobtail class.
Another show veteran, Billy Baker, brought his newly-restored 1949 Kenworth Bullnose and polished Utility reefer (photo 2) all the way from Canada and earned the Jake Eilen Annual Memorial Award (photo 10). At the award ceremony, he told a touching story about how he met the Eilen boys – Jake, Pat and Jonathan – when they were very young. They were driving with their dad Tom when they saw Billy pass by going the other direction in one of his cool trucks. The boys made their dad turn around and chase Billy down so they could pull him over and check out his truck. Billy said, “I knew right then and there that those boys would grow up to be fine truck drivers.”
In addition to the old favorites, a few notable new-comers made their debut at MATS, including Wayne Nagel, who debuted a super-clean red 2010 Kenworth T660 and polished tanker, and got a lot of attention. John Silva, who has been attending truck shows for years but had never been to MATS, brought his bright red hay-hauling Peterbilt (which was featured on our March 2010 cover) all the way from California and took 1st Place in the Working Combo class. Hank Hall, a Texas trucker, showed off his black 2004 Peterbilt and Clement end dump after adding marbleized silver paint to the engine, radiator, door panels, floor, and several other places. He only got a 2nd and 3rd Place trophy, but his “Vamonos” rig sure looked good. In the “First Show” classes, Jack Krueger and his slick 1994 rust-colored Kenworth (photo 8), and Jose Betancourt, with a sharp green 1995 Peterbilt 379 and polished Great Dane spread-axle (photo 5), both took home 1st Place trophies – and both were very popular with the crowds!
Another new-comer was Doug Flegal (photo 4) of Edgerton, Ohio. Doug has been trucking all his life and going to Louisville for years, but he had never entered a truck in the show. Last November, Doug and his son Ben, with help from a few friends, began rebuilding their 1985 Kenworth W900B, which already had 1.7 million miles showing on the odometer. Doug and Ben did almost all of the work themselves in their own shop – even the paint. The simple black truck features strapless fuel tanks, a painted 400 Big Cam Cummins motor, hidden lights, and plenty of custom-built pieces, including several Punisher skull-shaped emblems (inspired by a tattoo that Doug has on his arm) in various locations on the truck. The foot pedals inside the cab also utilize this skull-shaped design, and the skull’s eyes on the pedals even light up – red on the brake and green on the gas! Doug’s clean ride earned four 1st Place trophies in the Limited Mileage Bobtail classes.
Last year, Todd & Beth Roccapriore wowed the crowd (and won four 1st Place trophies) with their “Chopped 93” Peterbilt. Looking to outdo even themselves, this year they introduced the “Widow Maker” – a green and black 2004 Peterbilt and matching 40’ Mac end dump with a spider-web and Maltese cross theme (photo 7). Every single piece on this truck was modified in some way – every piece! Their brag board described it as “Your worst nightmare with 1000 hp, 6” chopped roof, custom glass, 6000+ watt stereo, stripper pole, and a driver with a really bad attitude. Roll that all into one and you have the Widow Maker.” The truck also has four custom massaging seats – two in the cab and two in the sleeper. Todd & Beth, along with Dennis Chupron (photo 9 on the next page), took five trophies, including Best of Show in the Working Combo class. This truck was by far one of the most popular and talked about rigs on the lot.
So, the 2010 truck show season has officially begun. This year might not be as good as it was in the heyday just a few years back, but at least it seems that things are finally headed in the right direction. We’re looking forward to a good year, and to seeing many of you at the upcoming shows across the country. Next year’s Mid-America Trucking Show is scheduled for March 31 - April 2, 2011. Mark your calendars now, because you won’t want to miss this one – it is still the biggest and best show of them all!
BOBTAIL (NEW): 1st Justin Fette, Eilen & Sons Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389; 2nd Jim Perrie, 2009 Peterbilt 389.
BOBTAIL (2001 & NEWER): 1st Bryan Lundberg, 2005 KW W900L; 2nd Anthony R. Cunningham, 2009 Freightliner Cascadia; 3rd Michael Van Ness, 2004 Peterbilt 379.
BOBTAIL (2000 & OLDER): 1st Bob & Shelly Brinker, 2000 FL Classic; 2nd J.D. Miles, 1998 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Louis Esposito, 2000 FL Century.
BOBTAIL (FIRST SHOW): 1st Jack Krueger, 1994 KW W900L; 2nd Clarion County Career Center, 1995 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Sam Kholi, 1999 KW W900.
BOBTAIL (SPECIALIZED): 1st Lynn & Shelly Baxter, Magary Trucking, 2006 Freightliner Straight Truck; 2nd Chad Mills, 2007 Freightliner M2; 3rd Brad Sweet & Dalton Stebbins, 1999 Peterbilt 378 Tow Truck.
BOBTAIL (ANTIQUE): 1st Don Doverspike, 1980 KW W900A; 2nd Clarion County Career Center, 1985 Marmon; 3rd R.W. Hoskins, 1968 Pete 358.
BOBTAIL (LTD. MILEAGE): 1st Doug Flegal, 1985 KW W900B; 2nd Issac Aguilar, 1992 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Travis D. Lyon, 1987 KW K100E.
COMBO (NEW): 1st Brian Dabney, 2010 Kenworth W900L & 40’ Mac Dump; 2nd Todd Landoll, 2010 Peterbilt 389 & 53’ Landoll Trailer.
COMBO (WORKING): 1st John Silva, 2000 Peterbilt 379 & Utility Semi & Pull Trailers; 2nd Cliff King, 2007 Peterbilt 386 & 53’ Wabash; 3rd Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Mack Super Liner & 48’ Great Dane.
COMBO (COMPANY TRUCK): 1st Phillip Clayton, 2005 Peterbilt 379 & 48’ Great Dane; 2nd Rick Crenshaw, 1999 Peterbilt 379 & 48’ Great Dane.
COMBO (FIRST SHOW): 1st Jose Betancourt, 1995 Peterbilt 379 & 48’ Great Dane; 2nd Wayne Nagel, 2010 Kenworth T-660 & 44’ Tanker.
COMBO (SPECIALIZED): 1st Dennis Chupron, Clean Slate Environmental, 2004 Peterbilt 379 & 40’ Mac End Dump; 2nd Jonathan Eilen, Eilen Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389 & 40’ Mac End Dump; 3rd Hank Hall, Hall’s Trucking of Texas, 2004 Peterbilt 379 & 38’ Clement End Dump.
COMBO (ANTIQUE): 1st David Ratliff, 1970 Peterbilt 359 & 1979 Great Dane; 2nd Billy Baker, 1949 Kenworth Bullnose & 48’ Utility Reefer; 3rd Bob Mitchell, 1972 Peterbilt 359 & 1969 40’ Great Dane.
COMBO (LTD. MILEAGE): 1st Cecil H. Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 & 2010 Bottom Dump; 2nd Pete Northrop, 1990 KW K100 & 45’ Walker Tanker.
ENGINE (WORKING): 1st Jonathan Eilen, Eilen Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389; 2nd Dennis Chupron, Clean Slate Environmental, 2004 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Justin Fette, Eilen & Sons Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389.
ENGINE (LTD. MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Doug Flegal, 1985 KW W900B.
ENGINE (LTD. MILEAGE COMBO): Cecil H. Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379.
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Jonathan Eilen, Eilen Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389 & 40’ Mac End Dump; 2nd Justin Fette, Eilen & Sons Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389; 3rd Paul Saline, 2009 Kenworth W900L.
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): 1st Bob & Shelly Brinker, 2000 Freightliner Classic XL; 2nd Matthew McCord, 2007 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Brian Dabney, 2010 Kenworth W900L & 40’ Mac Dump.
INTERIOR (CUSTOM SLEEPER): 1st Cliff King, 2007 Peterbilt 386 & 53’ Wabash; 2nd Lynn & Shelly Baxter, Magary Trucking, 2006 Freightliner; 3rd Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Mack Super Liner & 48’ Great Dane.
INTERIOR (LTD. MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Doug Flegal, 1985 KW W900B.
INTERIOR (LTD. MILEAGE COMBO): Cecil H. Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379.
PAINT (WORKING BOBTAIL): 1st Justin Fette, Eilen & Sons Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389; 2nd Bob & Shelly Brinker, 2000 Freightliner Classic XL; 3rd Paul Saline, 2009 Kenworth W900L.
PAINT (WORKING COMBO): 1st Jonathan Eilen, Eilen Trucking, 2010 Peterbilt 389 & 40’ Mac End Dump; 2nd Hank Hall, Hall’s Trucking of Texas, 2004 Peterbilt 379 & 38’ Clement End Dump; 3rd Dennis Chupron, Clean Slate Environmental, 2004 Peterbilt 379 & 40’ Mac End Dump.
PAINT (LTD. MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Doug Flegal, 1985 Kenworth W900B.
PAINT (LTD. MILEAGE COMBO): Cecil H. Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 & 2010 Bottom Dump.
LIGHTS (BOBTAIL): 1st Bob & Shelly Brinker, 2000 Freightliner Classic XL; 2nd Bill & Marie Sandvik, 2005 Peterbilt 379; 3rd Lynn & Shelly Baxter, Magary Trucking, 2006 Freightliner.
LIGHTS (COMBO): 1st Dennis Chupron, Clean Slate, 2004 Peterbilt 379 & 40’ Mac End Dump; 2nd Bob Mitchell, 1972 Peterbilt 359 & 1969 Great Dane; 3rd Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Mack Super Liner & 48’ Great Dane.
LIGHTS (LTD. MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Dean Bugg, 1984 Peterbilt 359.
LIGHTS (LTD. MILEAGE COMBO): Cecil H. Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 & 2010 Bottom Dump.
ROADWORKS BEST USE OF CHROME (BOBTAIL): Paul Saline, 2009 red and white Kenworth W900L.
ROADWORKS BEST USE OF CHROME (COMBO): Cliff King, Castle Rock Transportation, 2007 gold Peterbilt 386 & 53’ Wabash Dry Van.
TRUK-RODZ BEST THEME: Kevin Vierkant, Rock on Enterprises, 1999 green and yellow Peterbilt 379 with John Deere theme.
FIRESTONE’S MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CAB: Travis D. Lyon, 1987 black lilac and wild orchid Kenworth K100E.
ARVIN MERITOR’S CLEANEST UNDERCARRIAGE (BOBTAIL): Issac Aguilar, Sandvik Trucking, 1992 burgundy Peterbilt 379.
ARVIN MERITOR’S CLEANEST UNDERCARRIAGE (COMBO): Dennis Chupron, 2004 green and black Peterbilt 379 & 40’ Mac End Dump.
JAKE EILEN ANNUAL MEMORIAL AWARD: Billy Baker, 1949 red and white Kenworth Bullnose & 48’ 1999 Utility Reefer.
BEST OF SHOW WORKING BOBTAIL: Bob & Shelly Brinker, 2000 muraled Freightliner Classic XL “The Legend of the Black Pearl”
BEST OF SHOW WORKING COMBO: Owned by Todd & Beth Roccapriore, Shown by Dennis Chupron, 2004 green and black Peterbilt 379 & 40’ Mac End Dump “Widow Maker”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Jonathan Eilen, 2010 black and orange 2010 Peterbilt 389 & 40’ Mac End Dump “Iron Afflicted”
MID-AMERICA’S 2010 BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF: 1st Outlaw Customs out of Henderson, CO; 2nd Botelho Custom Trucks from Los Banos, CA.
BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF CHAMPION: For the second year in a row, the boys from Outlaw Customs in Henderson, CO took home the gold. This year’s entry, which is a 1984 Peterbilt 359 owned by Kevin McIntyre of Port Charlotte, Florida, features a 5” chop with suicide doors and shaved handles, a 300” wheelbase, a copper-topped Cat 3406B engine, a separate competition-level sound system in both the cab and sleeper, and a uniquely-fabricated (rounded) front bumper and battery boxes. But the “wow” factor on this truck can be found in all the details - like truly strapless fuel tanks, air cleaners and exhaust, a one-piece windshield with a billet center post, billet fuel tank doors mounted on the sleeper panels above the tanks, reversed (dished) fuel tank ends, a narrow roll-down rear window, and countless other items. Kevin will actually be working this truck, on a regular basis, pulling a reefer trailer for Peace River Citrus. We’d like to congratulate Alex & Andy Gobel, Nic Gillan, Jon Gill and everyone else at Outlaw Customs for another job well-done.
BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF CHALLENGER: Jeff Botelho of Botelho Custom Trucks in Los Banos, CA once again put together a truly unique, head-turning rig (many of you might remember the convertible Peterbilt he made a few years ago). Built as a “Limo” truck, Jeff took a 2002 Peterbilt 379 fleet truck and stretched it out to 360 inches, and then lengthened the stock 5-foot cab to 15’3” long. The rig also got 4’ windows on each side that power up and down, signature “Botelho” flames, a green frame, engine and dash, a tan and brown limo-style leather interior, and a big sound system. Other cool features include prototype aluminum rims made by Alt Wheels in Brea, CA (which will soon be available to the public), a weed-burner side exhaust, and a Cat C-16 engine juiced-up by the truck’s owner Jerad Wittwer of PDI in St. George, Utah, that produces an amazing 2,000 hp to the flywheel! Jerad plans on using the truck to promote his company and to pull his 53’ horse trailer to rodeo events.
