As official emcee of the parade, concert and fireworks display, Valerie Ferrari (photo 3) and her team from 94.5 “The Mountain” (Reno’s country music station) did a fine job of keeping everyone informed, amused and involved in all of the evening happenings. Providing live simulcasts of each event and running several promos the week before the show began helped get the events at Truckerfest and the significance of appreciating truckers to the forefront of everyone’s mind in Reno - whether they were involved in the trucking industry or not.
Sunday revealed the long-awaited-for results of the Stars & Stripes competition, sponsored by Chevron. 33 of the finest rigs came to compete in the event. Winners in the Best of Show Combo, Best of Show Bobtail, Competitor’s Choice and People’s Choice were competing not only for the pride of winning but also $400 cash (for the winner of each category). First-place finishers in the regular classes each won $100 and earned “bragging rights” for the rest of the show. The fact that People’s Choice winner Chuck Prigge of Sandvik Trucking donated his $400 back to the Trucker Buddy program showed the spirit of the entire show, where many truckers came together to support each other and make sure everyone felt like they were a member of one big happy family.
The 240 employees of the Alamo (with some extra help from many of their teenage children) took care of everybody by preparing thousands of free steak dinners for all CDL holders and their companions in attendance at the show. And we’re not talking about one night - they cooked these dinners every day of the show! And we’re not talking about a lousy, small, boring sack lunch type of meal - we’re talking freshly barbecued steak, baked beans, corn, potato salad, bread, soda and strawberry shortcake for dessert. Thanks go to Crete Carrier Corporation, Interstate Distributors, Landstar System and Schneider National for sponsoring all these delicious dinners. A special “thank you” also goes out to Bob Cashell, Esther and Charlie of The Alamo Travel Center, for taking such good care of everyone at 10-4.
In between all of these fun activities each day of the show, there seemed not to be enough time to participate in all the trucker games, stop and enjoy the live entertainment by Joey Holiday, or visit all of the exhibitor’s booths. Transportation companies were on hand recruiting drivers; the CHP, DOT and NHP were there
educating drivers and answering questions; manufacturers like APP Forged Wheels, TruckGen, Wax Dynamics, Vortox, Michelin, and others were showing off their latest products; several booths featured NASCAR fun including exciting racing videos and the opportunity to “drive” a remote-controlled racecar on a miniature NASCAR track; and the list could go on. There was a lot to see and do at Truckerfest 2001.
Congratulations and thanks to everyone involved in making this event so much fun. Take a few well-deserved weeks off before the 11 months of preparation for Truckerfest 2002 begins and everything starts all over again!! Special thanks go out to Suzanne Stempinski for flying out from her home in Chicago to help organize the show truck competition. Here is a complete list of all the winners: