HIGH STAKES – HIGHER STACKS
THE LAS VEGAS TRUCK SHOW IS ALWAYS A SOLID BET
When gambling in Las Vegas, sometimes you get a Royal Flush, and other times you just get a Full House. Both are probably winning hands, but one, obviously, is much better than the other. When gambling with truck shows, the Great West Truck Show (GWTS) in Las Vegas has always been a Full House – not the best hand, but still a winner. And such was the case this year.
The GWTS was held on June 17-19 at the Las Vegas Convention Center in Las Vegas, Nevada. Although the show seemed to be about the same size as last year, show management reported that the show floor grew 17% and that overall visitor registrations grew 2% to 16,798. Of the qualified registered attendees, there was an increase in attendance by fleet management/owners, middle management and several other categories. The show producers were encouraged by the support they received from exhibiting companies and attendees, and very pleased with the event’s growth and progress, even in these tough times.
Much like last year, the floor space was not overwhelming, and neither was the amount of show trucks. But walking the show floor and talking to exhibitors, most had good things to say and most were satisfied with the event. And although only about 35 trucks were entered in the Pride & Polish Truck Beauty Contest, it was still a solid collection of equipment.
In addition to the exhibits and show trucks, there were also several educational seminars, including the TruckSmart Summit. The Summit, which was put together by the California Trucking Association and many other knowledgeable contributors, provided pertinent, timely information to help truckers and company owners stay ahead of the changes occurring in the trucking industry. There was also a Health, Wellness and Safety Pavilion, lots of free truck parking and plenty of cash and prize giveaways.
As usual, the Pride & Polish trucks stole the show. The two most successful competitors, in terms of trophies, were John Silva (photo 5) and Michael Most. John’s red Peterbilt hay hauler, which was featured on our March 2010 cover, earned three 1st place trophies and Best of Show Combo, while Michael’s yellow Freightliner Classic (photo 3) took home two 1st and 2nd place awards and Best of Show Bobtail. Another strong competitor was Wes Malmgren of Aurora, Utah (photo 2). Wes and his green and black 2004 Peterbilt won two 1st place trophies and a 3rd place award.
Other notable winners included Cliff King (this month’s cover feature), Boots Chivington and his black and orange Kenworth (which was featured inside our July 2010 edition), and Carlos Andelou’s lavender Peterbilt from Lil’ Ray’s (photo 7). Cliff earned two trophies, Boots (photo 1) took home two awards including Best of Show Limited Mileage, and Carlos bagged two trophies, including Best Paint. Bill & Marie Sandvik won a few trophies with two of their rigs, including their latest brown and red creation (photo 4), which took 1st place in its class. Yamko Truck Lines, as well as Bruce & Sandra Malmgren, also took home quite a few pieces of hardware.
At the end of the awards ceremony, two special trophies were given out to recognize the hard work that goes into preparing a truck for competition. Rosie Botelho and Jackie Silva, who cleaned on trucks all night and got black from head to toe, both earned the “Grease Monkey” award.
Next year’s show is scheduled for June 9-11, 2011 at the Las Vegas Convention Center. So, mark your calendars and start saving your pennies, because Vegas is always a gamble – the question is, will you get a Full House or that illusive Royal Flush? Only time will tell. The good news is that both hands will win you the pot. Good luck!
WORKING BOBTAIL (FIRST SHOW): 1st Theresa DeSantis – 1985 Red Peterbilt 359 (photo 6); 2nd Carson Stevens/Glade Stevens – 2006 Black Peterbilt 379; 3rd Kent Swapp – 1957 Black Kenworth W-923.
WORKING BOBTAIL (2005 & NEWER): 1st Bill & Marie Sandvik – 2005 Brown & Red Peterbilt 379; 2nd Bruce & Sandra Malmgren – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379; 3rd (tie) Dan Richardson/Swift Transportation – 2010 Burgundy Kenworth T2000 AND Mike Miller – 2006 Copper Peterbilt 379.
WORKING BOBTAIL (2004 & OLDER): 1st Michael Most – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic; 2nd Bob & Shelley Brinker – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic; 3rd Wes Malmgren – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379.
WORKING COMBO (COMPANY TRUCK): 1st Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia & 1991 Brenner Tank; 2nd Phillip Clayton/Danny Ray – 2005 Red Peterbilt 379 & 2000 Great Dane; 3rd Tony Lewis/Golden State Foods – 2010 White International & 2010 Utility.
WORKING COMBO (2005 & NEWER): 1st Cliff King – 2007 Brown Peterbilt 386 & 2006 Wabash; 2nd Stephen Ashburn – 2005 Blue Flamed Peterbilt 379 & 2006 Boydstun Car Carrier; 3rd Juan Henriquez/Yamko Truck Lines – 2010 Black Cherry Peterbilt 388 & 2002 Container.
WORKING COMBO (2004 & OLDER): 1st John Silva/Silva Hay – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379 & 1990 Utility Doubles; 2nd Tyler Picknell – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Wilson Step Deck; 3rd Carlos Andelou/Lil’ Ray’s Transport – 1988 Purple Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Fontaine Flatbed.
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Wes Malmgren – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379; 2nd (tie) Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia & 1991 Brenner Tank AND Tyler Picknell – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Wilson Step Deck; 3rd Armando Burguan/Yamko Truck Lines – 2009 Black Cherry Peterbilt 389.
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): 1st Michael Most – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic; 2nd Bob & Shelley Brinker – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic; 3rd Bruce & Sandra Malmgren – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379.
ENGINE: 1st John Silva/Silva Hay – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379 & 1990 Utility Doubles; 2nd Michael Most – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic; 3rd Bob & Shelley Brinker – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic.
PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st Wes Malmgren – 2004 Green & Black Peterbilt 379; 2nd (tie) Bob & Shelley Brinker – 2000 Muralled Freightliner Classic AND Michael Most – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic; 3rd Bruce & Sandra Malmgren – 2006 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379.
PAINT (COMBO): 1st Carlos Andelou/Lil’ Ray’s Transport – 1988 Purple Peterbilt 379 & 2003 Fontaine Flatbed; 2nd Michael Salcido/Arrowhead Water – 2007 Red Freightliner Columbia & 1991 Brenner Tank; 3rd Tyler Picknell – 1996 Dark Green Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Wilson Step Deck.
LIMITED MILEAGE (INTERIOR): Jeff Botelho/PDI – 2002 Black Flamed Peterbilt 379 “Limo” Truck.
LIMITED MILEAGE (ENGINE): Isaac Aguilar/Sandvik Trucking – 1992 Burgundy & Silver Peterbilt 379.
LIMITED MILEAGE (PAINT): Boots Chivington – 2000 Black & Orange Kenworth W900L.
BEST OF SHOW LIMITED MILEAGE: Boots Chivington – 2000 Black & Orange Kenworth W900L.
BEST OF SHOW WORKING BOBTAIL: Michael Most – 1998 Yellow Freightliner Classic.
BEST OF SHOW WORKING COMBO: John Silva/Silva Hay – 2000 Red Peterbilt 379 & 1990 Utility Doubles.