COVER FEATURE - NOVEMBER 2008

A GREAT TIME FOR A GOOD CAUSE

ANNUAL SHOW RAISES MONEY FOR KIDS IN NEED

By Daniel J. Linss - Editor

For the 28th year in a row, hundreds of proud truckers gathered to strut their stuff down the drag strip, show off their shine in the parking lot and raise money for children in need.  Simply put, the 28th Annual Truckin’ for Kids Show & Drags was another great time for a good cause.  Held on September 27 & 28, 2008 at Toyota Speedway in Irwindale, California, this event drew in thousands of spectators, over 250 trucks and several vendors.

The show got going early Saturday morning as the trucks began to pour into the parking lot and the vendors began setting up their booths.  Throughout the day, the show truckers rubbed on their rigs while the drag racers made all of their final adjustments, preparing for the exciting and fun races on Sunday.  When it finally got dark, truckers fired up their lights for the “Light The Lot” light show and contest.

After a late night on Saturday, Sunday morning seemed to come faster than it should have.  Throughout the night and into the morning, many more trucks joined the show, filling much of the parking lot (but there is still plenty of room for growth).  Considering the current state of the trucking industry and the entire country, the show had a great turnout.  And this year seemed to have more wild race trucks than ever, which was nice to see.

Out by themselves, on one end of the parking lot, Rush Peterbilt had their own “display” of trucks.  Featuring about 40 Peterbilts (and two cool KWs), this area had plenty going on.  Vince Jenkins, who was featured way back when on our June 2001 cover, fired up the grill and cooked for anyone and everyone who walked by and looked hungry.  With ribs, chicken, brats and all the fixins’ (drinks too), Vince was everybody’s favorite guy.  We’d like to thank him (and Ron Kelsey) for feeding our crew a few times, too.

Everywhere we looked was a past cover truck (and a few that are destined to be) - it was like a 10-4 reunion.  And if cover trucks are there, that means plenty of friends, too.  Guys like Jeff Botelho, James Davis, Mike Maggini, Mark & Keith Pounds, Bruce “Poco Loco” Fuller and his wife Ines, Mark Tarascou, Ken Talley, the SAMASA boys and many more.  It was also nice to spend time with some of our advertisers and friends like Rick & Terri Nay, Bryan from Wideload, Carl Carstens and Lindsay Denor of Rockwood, Vic Caliva, Jack Phillips from Commercial Tire, Darrell and Mark from The Truck Gazette, Jay Sherrel of Diesel Connection and several others.

The judges began walking the lot early Sunday morning and did their best to finish scoring every truck as fast as possible.  And with over 250 trucks in attendance, there were plenty of stand-out rigs to catch their eye and slow down their progress.  Some of the usual suspects included Mike & Melvin Maggini and their pair of yellow Peterbilts with green flames; Jeff Botelho and his wildly-flamed blue trucks (including a convertible Peterbilt); Robert Doyle of Golden Bear Marketing and his impeccable gasoline tanker; and A & L Truck Supply’s custom, red, antique show Pete.  But there were a few names and trucks that you might not know as well, too.

Some of the big rigs that stood out in our eyes included Fowler Trucking’s red and white Pete transfer; Rolando Nava’s slammed 1988 white and maroon T-600 KW; Jessica Martinez Trucking’s orange and black pirate-themed 1989 Peterbilt with most of the chrome pieces blacked-out; and Marcel Pontbriand’s meticulously-detailed 1989 Pete that came out all the way from Montreal (Canada).  His truck is covered from top to bottom with murals and handmade accessories, some of which were made out of wood.  Marcel and his truck won the People’s Choice award and the Best of Show trophy.

One thing that we are finally beginning to see at the truck shows are customized Peterbilt 389s.  After replacing the legendary 379 model two years ago, truckers are finally giving in and accepting the new, more efficient truck.  On-hand at the show were several great examples of what can be done with a 389, including cool entries from Rodriguez Trucking, American Wrecking and Cummins Transport.

Out on the drag strip, Pat Kyle was showing everybody how to get it done - again!  For the fourth straight year in a row, Pat’s distinct orange KW took 1st Place in the Super Drag Truck class, narrowly beating out Paulo Hernandez and his cool black Kenworth race truck.  Frank Fiero beat Alfonso Hernandez to take the win in the Outlaw class while Mark Tarascou showed that even a big, heavy transfer could get ‘er done by doing some fantastic burnouts and winning the 3-Axle Catch-All class.  In the Ladies Eliminator class, Connie Carver-Broder proved to be the fastest woman on the track.

Of course the best thing about this event is the fact that it raises money for various children’s charities.  Over the years, this event has earned well over half a million dollars.  This year, the primary beneficiary was the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation - an organization that is focused on finding a cure for diabetes and its complications.  We’d like to thank everyone that came out to the show.  We’d also like to thank and acknowledge Frank Pangburn of Truckin’ for Kids and his entire crew of volunteers.  Once again you guys hosted a great time for a good cause!  We’ll see you next year.

 

SATURDAY NIGHT “LITE THE LOT” WINNERS

BOBTAIL LIGHTS: Derrick Payton of Big Boy Trucking.
COMBINATION LIGHTS: Maxwell “Pops” Johnson of Jetta Studio Rentals.
ANTIQUE LIGHTS: Melvin Maggini of Maggini & Son Trucking.

 

WORKING CONTEST WINNERS

3-AXLE CLOSED BODY BACKING: 1st Donald Arias; 2nd Jason Amell.
3-AXLE FLATBED BACKING: 1st Keith Pounds; 2nd David Madeeno.
DOUBLES BACKING: 1st Markie Pounds; 2nd Keith Pounds.
TRUCK & TRAILER BACKING: 1st Brett Qualls; 2nd Mark Tarascou.
TRUCK & PUP BACKING: 1st Mark Tarascou; 2nd Dean Berg.
TRANSFER DUMP: 1st Sean Westover; 2nd Mark Tarascou.

 

TRUCK DRAG WINNERS

PU/VAN/SUV (SLICKS): 1st John Sapone; 2nd Larry Sayeg.
PU/VAN/SUV (STREET TIRES): 1st Aaron Gutierrez; 2nd Gene England.
DIESEL-POWERED PICKUP: 1st Oscar Rico; 2nd Will Alfonso.
2-AXLE CABOVER: 1st Francisco Madrigal; 2nd Connie Carver-Broder.
2-AXLE CONV: 1st Mark McLeroy; 2nd Mark Pounds.
3-AXLE CABOVER: 1st David Hernandez; 2nd Max Barry.
3-AXLE CONV: 1st Wes Wimmer; 2nd Amy McKee.
ALL OTHER 3-AXLES: 1st Mark Tarascou; 2nd Todd Atkins.
LADIES ELIMINATOR: 1st Connie Carver-Broder; 2nd Amy McKee.
OUTLAW CLASS: 1st Frank Fiero; 2nd Alfonso Hernandez.
SUPER DRAG TRUCKS: 1st Pat Kyle; 2nd Paulo Hernandez.

 

SHOW & SHINE WINNERS

PROFESSIONAL SHOW TRUCK: Mike Maggini of Maggini & Son Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (2005-2008): Bryan Archibald of Triple A Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (2001-2004): Shawn McClintic of Arrowhead Water.
3-AXLE CONV (1996-2000): Alberto Caballero of Betuco’s Trucking.
3-AXLE CONV (1991-1995): Jose Dueñas & Yoki Sanchez of SAMASA.
3-AXLE CONV (1984-1990): Ernie Rubio of Jessica Martinez Trucking.
2-AXLE CONV (2005-2008): Dan Prutsman of Farino.
2-AXLE CONV (2001-2004): Mark Pounds of Central Valley Transport.
2-AXLE CONV (1996-2000): Pete Parker.
2-AXLE CONV (1991-1995): Terry Brodek Sr. of C Crest Ranch.
2-AXLE CONV (1984-1990): Gilbert Gonzales of Gonzales G & R Inc.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1996-2007): Johnny Fricioni of Trench Plate Rental.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1991-1995): Robert Keffer of Ownby Trucking.
3-AXLE CABOVER (1983-1990): David Hernandez of Hernandez Bros.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1996-2000): Gilbert Gonzales of Gonzales G & R Inc.
2-AXLE CABOVER (1984-1990): Markie Pounds of Central Valley Trans.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1962-1983): Ron Kelsey of Kelsey’s Trucking.
WORKING ANTIQUE (1946-1961): Armin McKee of McKee’s Tractor.
NON-WORKING ANTIQUE: Paul Ogden of Ogden Enterprises.
LOCAL DELIVERY: (tie) Markie & Mark Pounds of Central Valley Transport.
SMALL FLEET: (tie) Central Valley Transport & L.A. County Sheriff’s Dept.
LARGE FLEET: Arrowhead Water.
SPECIALTY TRAILER: Shawn McClintic of Arrowhead Water.
FLATBED: Markie Pounds of Central Valley Transport.
HEAVY HAULER: Richard Cobb of Hawthorne Rent It Service.
TRANSIT MIXER: Jose Ayala of Bonanza Concrete.
DUMP TRUCK: Armando Delgado of Armies Demolition.
DUMP TRUCK W/BOOSTER AXLE: Derrick Payton of Big Boy Trucking.
BOTTOM DUMP: Josh Williams of RTS.
END DUMP: Jimmy DeLeon of American Wrecking.
TRANSFER DUMP: John Murray of M & J Transfer.
DUMP TRUCK & PUP: Dean Berg of Mark Tarascou Trucking.
WRECKER: Ruben Cendejas of Arrowhead Water.
SERVICE TRUCK: Jack Kelly of Sundance Construction.
SPECIALTY RIG: Maxwell “Pops” Johnson of Jetta Studio Rentals.
CAR CARRIER: Darrin Steele of United Road.
TANKER (A): Bob Doyle of Golden Bear Marketing.
TANKER (B): Michael Salcedo of Arrowhead Water.
BEST ROCKWOOD INTERIOR: Jim Huss of Jim Huss Trucking.
OVER-THE-ROAD TRUCK: Patrick Ford of Ford & Sons.
HOBBY TRUCK: Jeff Botelho of Botelho Bros. Trucking.

 

SPECIALTY TROPHIES

BEST REACTION TIME: John Sapone.
QUICKEST TRUCK: Frank Fiero.
QUICKEST PICKUP: Larry Sayeg.
BEST DRESSED CREW: Pothole Express Racing Team.
BEST ART & GRAPHICS: Ernie Rubio of Jessica Martinez Trucking.
BEST ENGINE: Jim Huss of Jim Huss Trucking.
BEST INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): Ron Kelsey of Kelsey’s Trucking.
BEST SLEEPER: Dave Wendlandt of L.A. County Sheriff’s Department.
BEST BRIBE: Biagi Brothers
LONGEST TOW: Marcel Pontbriand of TLC Inc. (Montreal, Canada).
UGLIEST TRUCK: Bloomington Tow Truck.
SPONSOR’S CHOICE: Jose Dueñas & Yoki Sanchez of SAMASA.
BEST METAL SHINE: Bob Doyle of Golden Bear Marketing.
BEST PETERBILT: Juan Gonzales of A & L Truck Supply.
BEST FREIGHTLINER: Richard Cobb of Hawthorne Rent It Service.
BEST KENWORTH: Robert Keffer of Ownby Trucking.
KING OF THE HILL: RD Reed.
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Marcel Pontbriand of TLC Inc.
BEST OF SHOW: Marcel Pontbriand of TLC Inc.