EXPECTATIONS EXCEEDED!
SHOW DOESN’T BREAK RECORDS BUT IS STILL GOOD
The 38th annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) did not break any records in 2009, but considering the current state of our economy, it was still a good event. Held on March 19-21 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, the show featured 935 exhibiting companies, representing 46 states and 10 foreign countries, spread across a stage of over 1 million square feet of exhibits and events. An estimated 70,000 trucking professionals, hailing from all 50 states and 51 foreign countries, made the trip for the most anticipated three days of the trucking year.
With a few last-minute cancellations of some heavy-hitters like Peterbilt, Kenworth and Panelite, everyone was wondering what the show would be like this year. It was definitely smaller than we had ever seen it, but even a small show in Louisville is still twice the size of any other show out there. There were also less show trucks competing outside, but still a respectable amount (about 75).
Walking around the show, we noticed a few booths that were worth mentioning - most notably, the Cummins booth. With one of the largest booths in the show and an impressive array of bright red displays and red neon lights, the booth had over 25 big screen TV monitors mounted throughout the space. On one wall, there were at least 9 of these big screens, mounted all together, forming one huge screen. It was pretty awesome. Cummins was promoting their new ISX15 engine, which is
EPA-ready for 2010, and more efficient than their current models.
Freightliner had an “Innovation Truck” on display in their booth which featured extensive amounts of aerodynamics and other fuel-saving devices. The truck was painted flat black and lit up underneath with blue neon lights. Mac Trailer had a nice memorial to Jake Eilen in their booth, as well as a huge rotating platform, slowly spinning circles, with one of their trailers on it.
Arrow Truck Sales and its industry sponsors announced Dennis Lott as the winner of Arrow’s Back On The Road 2009 campaign. The ceremony was hosted by radio personality Dave Nemo and country music star Aaron Tippin. As the winner, Lott received a nice 2006 Volvo VNL 670 truck, a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express, and many other valuable products and services.
One new product that was unveiled at the show that caught our eye was Grote’s LightForm LEDs. These lights are just a thin sheet of flexible plastic material embedded with a pattern of tiny diodes. Only 1 millimeter thick, the illuminated sheet can be flexed, bent, twisted and rolled. Very cool!
Outside, in front of the Exposition Center, the National Association of Show Trucks invited their top four qualifying rigs from 2008 to compete for the Truck-Lite Trophy. Bobby Lindamood’s brown and cream 2007 Peterbilt and matching round-bottom dump trailer was named as the 2008 Truck-Lite Trophy Series Champion. Not only did he get a huge trophy, but he also got a check for $5,000. Our congratulations go out to Bobby and the entire Lindamood crew!
Out back, where the rest of the show trucks were competing, several stood out (see photos) including Homer Schultz’ 1993 blue Pete wrecker, Paul Stanchio’s new 2009 Pete 388 and 2009 Cottrell car carrier, painted bright orange with dark blue flames, and Marcel Pontbriand’s dark blue Pete and matching trailer covered with hand-painted murals and custom-made accessories. Also looking impressive was our cover truck (Dale Blevins’ custom 1942 Autocar shown by Cori Stuefen of Peterbilt of Joplin) and Jim Carello’s latest creation, a wild International LoneStar built by the crew at Elizabeth Truck Center in New Jersey. The People’s Choice winner of this year’s Big-Rig Build-Off went to Alex & Andy Gobel of Outlaw Customs for their Batman-looking Peterbilt, while the Industry’s Choice trophy was awarded to S & J Truck Sales for their “Big Red” Pete 359.
At a touching award’s ceremony that we won’t soon forget, tearful memorials were given for John Kimball, Jake Eilen and Bette Garber. It was also noted that one of the competitors, Charlie Shefcyk, had passed away just a week before the show. Todd & Beth Roccopriore’s black & purple Peterbilt “Chopped 93” was shown and dedicated to his memory. Next year’s show is scheduled for March 25-27, 2010. Let’s hope that it brings with it more optimism and happiness, and less tragedy and sadness.
BOBTAIL (2001 & OLDER): 1st Bud Westhafer, 1995 Red Kenworth W900; 2nd David Wood, 1998 Silver Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood; 3rd Darwin Bratcher, 2001 Red Freightliner Columbia.
BOBTAIL (2004 & NEWER): 1st Dallas McCord, 2007 Orange & White Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood; 2nd Matthew McCord, 2007 Peterbilt Orange & White Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood; 3rd Jeremiah Wolfe, 2007 White & Green Peterbilt 379.
BOBTAIL (NEW TRUCK): 1st Marty Marcum, 2009 Black Peterbilt 389; 2nd Scott Ruwe, 2009 Red & Black Peterbilt 386; 3rd Dick Fisher, 2009 Blue Kenworth T-800 Dump Truck.
BOBTAIL (SPECIALIZED): 1st Homer Schultz III, 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck; 2nd Brad Sweet, 2007 Red Peterbilt 378 Wrecker; 3rd Nathaniel Mason, 1997 Blue Peterbilt 378 Tanker Truck.
BOBTAIL (COMPANY): 1st Vince Hogan, Schneider National, 2008 Orange Freightliner Cascadia; 2nd Barry Kasdorf, Jade Transport, 2008 Green Peterbilt 389; 3rd David Brewster, Smith Transport, 2007 Black Peterbilt 379.
BOBTAIL (FIRST SHOW): 1st William Benjamin, 1998 Red Peterbilt 379; 2nd Jim Langton, 2006 Red Kenworth T-2000; 3rd Rebecca Jo Marlin, 1987 Beige & Brown Peterbilt 359.
BOBTAIL (ANTIQUE): 1st Todd Cox, 1975 Blue Dodge 950 Big Horn; 2nd Robert Downey, 1953 Green & White Peterbilt 350; 3rd David Ratliff, 1970 Blue & White Peterbilt 359.
BOBTAIL (LIMITED MILEAGE): 1st Dale Blevins, 1942 White & Silver Autocar; 2nd Glen S. Page, 2007 Black Peterbilt 379 Legacy; 3rd Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Burgundy & Silver Peterbilt 379.
COMBO (2005 & OLDER): 1st Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer; 2nd Phillip Clayton, 2005 Red Peterbilt 379 & 2007 Great Dane Super Seal; 3rd Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van.
COMBO (2007 & NEWER): 1st Kevin Pascavis, 2009 White & Orange Peterbilt 389 & 2007 Mac Trailer; 2nd Cliff King, 2007 Gold Peterbilt 386 & 2006 Wabash Dry Van; 3rd Josh Lyle, 2007 Red & Grey Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mac Flatbed.
COMBO (FIRST SHOW): 1st Justin Steed, Henderson Heavy Haul, 2004 Black Kenworth W900L & 2009 IST Wind Blade; 2nd Philip J. Mairer, 2007 Black & Orange Kenworth W900L & 2009 East Trailer; 3rd Shannon Cain, 1999 Pearl White Kenworth W900L & 1995 Wilson Hopper.
COMBO (LIMITED MILEAGE): 1st Paul Stanchio, 2009 Orange & Blue Flamed Peterbilt 388 and 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier; 2nd Vinnie Diorio, 2005 Orange & Grey Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mac Trailer; 3rd Ronald Baird, 2000 Green Peterbilt 379 and 2000 Heil Tanker.
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): 1st Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer; 2nd Scott Ruwe, 2009 Red & Black Peterbilt 386; 3rd Josh Lyle, 2007 Red & Grey Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mac Flatbed.
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): 1st Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van; 2nd Homer Schultz III, 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck; 3rd Kevin Pascavis, 2009 White & Orange Peterbilt 389 & 2007 Mac Trailer.
INTERIOR (CUSTOM SLEEPER): 1st Jonathan Kimball, 2005 Black Peterbilt 379; 2nd Cliff King, 2007 Gold Peterbilt 386 & Wabash Dry Van; 3rd Bill Gibson, 1997 Yellow Peterbilt 379 & 2006 Transcraft Eagle.
INTERIOR (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Burgundy Peterbilt 379.
INTERIOR (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO): Vinnie Diorio, 2005 Orange & Grey Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mac Trailer.
ENGINE (WORKING): 1st Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van; 2nd Homer Schultz III, 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck; 3rd Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer.
ENGINE (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Burgundy Peterbilt 379.
ENGINE (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO): Jeremy Graves, 2007 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mississippi Tank.
PAINT (BOBTAIL): 1st Dallas McCord, 2007 Orange & White Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood; 2nd Matthew McCord, 2007 Peterbilt Orange & White Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood; 3rd Bud Westhafer, 1995 Red Kenworth W900.
PAINT (COMBO): 1st Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer; 2nd Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van; 3rd Bill Gibson, 1997 Yellow Peterbilt 379 & 2006 Transcraft Eagle.
PAINT (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Jason Carello, 2008 White & Candy Red International Lone Star.
PAINT (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO): Paul Stanchio, 2009 Orange & Blue Flamed Peterbilt 388 & 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier.
LIGHTS (BOBTAIL): 1st Homer Schultz III, 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck; 2nd Edward Black, 1987 Blue & Silver Peterbilt 359; 3rd Carl Ragland, 2007 Lime Green & White Peterbilt 379.
LIGHTS (COMBO): 1st Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van; 2nd Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer; 3rd Bill Gibson, 1997 Yellow Peterbilt 379 & 2006 Transcraft Eagle.
LIGHTS (LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL): Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Burgundy Peterbilt 379.
LIGHTS (LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO): Paul Stanchio, 2009 Orange & Blue Flamed Peterbilt 388 & 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier.
ROADWORK’S BEST USE OF CHROME: Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Purple & Black Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood & 2009 Mac Dump Trailer – “Chopped 93”
TRUK-RODZ’ BEST THEME: Jeremy Graves, 2007 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 & 2008 Mississippi Tanker – “Bucket List”
BEST OF SHOW WORKING BOBTAIL: Homer Schultz III, 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck.
BEST OF SHOW WORKING COMBO: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Muralled Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van – “Little Train”
PEOPLE’S CHOICE: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Midnight Blue Muralled Peterbilt 379 & 1992 Stoughton Dry Van – “Little Train”
BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF (PEOPLE’S CHOICE): Outlaw Customs, 2000 Slate Grey Peterbilt 379 – “Vigilante”
BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF (INDUSTRY’S CHOICE): S & J Truck Sales, 1981 Autumn Leaf Red Peterbilt 359 – “Big Red”