10-4 Magazine - For Today's Trucker

FOCUSED ON THE FUTURE
By Daniel J. Linss - Editor

Once again, Kentucky became the heart of trucking for three days as truckers and trucking industry personnel crammed into the Kentucky Fair & Exposition Center for the 33rd Annual Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) March 25-27, 2004. With 1,050 exhibiting companies from 46 states and 13 countries, 74,454 individuals from all 50 states and 57 countries, more than a million square feet of exhibit space in three huge buildings, and 130 of the hottest show trucks ever to assemble, MATS once again proved that it is the biggest trucking show in the world.

Show management was extremely pleased with the attendance and, despite ongoing construction, noted the abundance of decision-makers in every wing. Simply put, buyers were buying and sellers were selling! The attitude at this year’s show was noticeably improved and upbeat - a good indication that the industry is finally starting to rebound from its long slump. There weren’t any “monumental” new product announcements from the major manufacturers, but there were a lot of cool new items to check out, like truck wheel spinners from Valley Chrome Plating. A few of the show trucks outside already had their new spinners, which were real crowd-pleasers (everybody loves to spin them).

And speaking of the trucks outside, WOW! Our friends with Stars & Stripes Show Truck Events packed in as many trucks as space would allow (and then a few more) for the 4th Annual Paul K. Young Truck Beauty Championships. Big winners this year included Darian Stephens, Harvey & Karen Zander, Leonard & Charlene Testerman, Clint Dicks, Eilen & Sons Trucking (several of their trucks took home trophies), and Western Distributing (Dino unveiled their totally custom 1954 KW).

But the truck that drew the largest crowds and was talked about the most was one that didn’t win one single trophy - probably because it was a little “out there” and possibly a bit ahead of its time. The truck, which was built by the guys at 4 State Trucks in Joplin, Missouri, was called “The Outlaw Truck” and featured no chrome, a primer-looking paint job, no lights (except for two headlights in the front bumper and two 4-inch round white LEDs on the back), powder-coated black pipes and a host of other neat things, including real bullet holes. They actually took this thing out into a field and shot it full of holes with a high-powered rifle! If Bonnie & Clyde drove a truck, this is what it would look like. You will definitely be seeing more of this rig in 10-4 in the months to come.

With beautiful warm weather, people were free to walk around and really enjoy themselves. Inside, celebrities including Toby Keith, Crystal Gayle, Ken Schrader, Matt Kenseth, Michael Waltrip, Chubby Checker, members of Lynyrd Skynyrd and more made appearances throughout the show. Friday night, Kenworth presented the Charlie Daniels Band at Freedom Hall. With songs about freedom, family and the flag, Charlie Daniels had the crowd of CDL holders singing right along.

Next year’s show is scheduled for March 24-26, 2005 and promises to be even bigger and better, so mark your calendars now. By staying focused on the future and not dwelling on the past, this could be trucking’s best year in a long while - so let’s all go out and make it happen!

COMBO (2000 & NEWER): K&M Classic/Mike & Kathy Sanders – 2004 Viper Red Peterbilt 379/1998 Wabash Reefer
COMBO (1992-1999): Mike McLane/Max Haertling – 1997 White & Red Kenworth W900L/1998 Great Dane Reefer – “Mad Max”
COMBO (1991 & OLDER): Leonard & Charlene Testerman – 1983 Red & Black Pete 359/2004 Reitnouer Stepdeck
COMBO (COMPANY TRUCK): John Ray Enterprises/John Ray – 1999 Mocha Pearl Peterbilt 379/1994 Utility Reefer
COMBO (SPECIALIZED): Gailand Johnston – 1986 Kenworth Red W900L/2003 Polar Tanker – “Old Red”
COMBO (FIRST SHOW): Corey Medler – 1999 Black/Yellow Kenworth W900L/2004 Benson Dump Train
BOBTAIL (UNDER 50,000 MILES): Kevin Fessler – 2004 Garnet Red Western Star Low Max
BOBTAIL (2002 & NEWER): Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Blue International 9900 ix – “Icy Blu 2”
BOBTAIL (2000-2001): Frankie & Renee Story – 2000 Yellow Kenworth W900L – “Same Ol’ Story”

BOBTAIL (1997-1999): Chris Lewis – 1999 White & Blue Peterbilt 379 – “New Identity”
BOBTAIL (1992-1996): Darian Stephens – 1995 Purple Freightliner Classic XL – “Keystone JR”
BOBTAIL (1991 & OLDER): Sam Watson – 1974 Blue Kenworth W900A – “Rainbow”
BOBTAIL (CABOVER): Smith Transport/Brian Tank – 1986 Black Peterbilt
BOBTAIL (COMPANY TRUCK): TDT, Inc/Clint Dicks - 2000 White & Orange Peterbilt 379
DUMP TRUCK: Eilen & Sons Trucking/Pat Eilen -2003 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379/2004 Mac Dump – “Nitro Bucket”
TOW TRUCK: Ernie’s Wrecker Service/Ernie Vole – 1999 Viper Red Peterbilt 378 – “Showtime”
BOBTAIL (FIRST SHOW): Dave Black Trucking/Erik Heidenreich – 2002 Purple Metallic Peterbilt 379 – “Plain Jane”
EXPEDITE TRUCK: L&K Expedite/Loren Kelsey – 2001 Burgundy Western Star 4900
ANTIQUE (NON-WORKING): A.J. Wendt/Jason Alt – 1972 Black Peterbilt 359
INTERIOR (CAB ONLY): Eilen & Sons Trucking/Pat Eilen – 2003 Silver & Blue Peterbilt 379/2004 Mac Dump – “Nitro Bucket”
INTERIOR (OEM SLEEPER): Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Blue International 9900 ix – “Icy Blu 2”
INTERIOR (AFTERMARKET SLEEPER): Darian Stephens – 1995 Purple Freightliner Classic XL – “Keystone JR”

PAINT/GRAPHICS COMBO: Eilen & Sons Trucking/Jonathan Eilen – 1988 Blue Peterbilt 379/1994 – Featherlite Transporter
PAINT/GRAPHICS BOBTAIL: Darian Stephens – 1995 Purple Freightliner Classic XL – “Keystone JR”
PAINT/MURAL COMBO: Western Distributing/Rick Walker – 1953 Bluish Peterbilt 350A/2002 Utility Reefer – “Miss Behavin’”
PAINT/MURAL BOBTAIL: Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Blue International 9900 ix – “Icy Blu 2”
ENGINE: Darian Stephens – 1995 Purple Freightliner Classic XL – “Keystone JR”
LIGHTS COMBO: (tie) Rhett Butler Trucking/Dean Mitchell – 2003 Gold Kenworth W900L/1999 Utility Van (tie) Mike McLane/Max Haertling – 1997 White & Red Kenworth W900L/1998 Great Dane Reefer – “Mad Max”
LIGHTS BOBTAIL: Darian Stephens – 1995 Purple Freightliner Classic XL – “Keystone JR”
THEME COMBO: Eilen & Sons Trucking/Jonathan Eilen – 1988 Blue Peterbilt 379/1994 Featherlite Transporter

THEME BOBTAIL: TDT, Inc/Clint Dicks - 2000 White & Orange Peterbilt 379
LOW MILEAGE COMBO: Duplainville Transport, Inc./Chuck Karnitz – 2001 White Peterbilt 379/2001 Great Dane Van
LOW MILEAGE BOBTAIL (1987 & OLDER): Western Distributing/Dino Guadagni – 1954 Blue Kenworth – “Inferno Joe”
LOW MILEAGE BOBTAIL (1988 & NEWER): Rusty Wyrick – 1998 Pearl White Western Star Constellation – “French Quarters”
BEST OF SHOW COMBO: Leonard & Charlene Testerman – 1983 Red & Black Pete 359/2004 Reitnouer Stepdeck – “Rollin’ Thunder”
BEST OF SHOW BOBTAIL: Harvey & Karen Zander – 2003 Blue International 9900 ix – “Icy Blu 2”
COMPETITOR’S CHOICE: TDT, Inc/Clint Dicks - 2000 White & Orange Peterbilt 379