The second show of 2014 for Overdrive\u2019s Pride & Polish Championship series was hosted by River States Customz on June 27-28 in La Crosse, Wisconsin.\u00a0 The River States Customz facility showcased about 40 trucks competing in the 2013\/2014 Championship series.\u00a0 This was the first time that River States had hosted a Pride & Polish event, and everyone involved in the show was pleased with the results. \u00a0And with so many amazing rides residing nearby in the Wisconsin area, some of the coolest rigs in the country were there \u2013 and the competition was fierce.<\/p>\nngg_shortcode_0_placeholder\n
Founded in 1972, River States Truck and Trailer is the premier truck and trailer dealer and service center in Western Wisconsin.\u00a0 Still family owned and operated, River States has grown to employ over 150 staff members at their three full-service dealerships and two satellite locations (River States Customz specializes in custom truck fabrication and painting).\u00a0 \u201cWe are very excited about the turnout at the event,\u201d said Kacee Schwartz from River States Customz.\u00a0 \u201cThese competitors put their heart and soul into these trucks and the public were in awe as they got an up-close look at them.\u201d<\/p>\n
Competitors put their best side up in the extreme white glove competition of the Pride & Polish portion of the event, while folks in the Wash & Show classes enjoyed a more relaxed but still head-turning contest.\u00a0 Main classes included working trucks, limited mileage trucks, antiques, and a builder\u2019s class.\u00a0 Specialty classes highlighting paint, interior, engine and lights were also offered.\u00a0 \u201cPride & Polish is a great opportunity for drivers to show off their rigs and be part of the fun,\u201d said Doug Holder of the Pride & Polish management team.\u00a0 \u201cWe appreciate River States Customz for helping sponsor the competition.\u00a0 They worked hard to help us create an awesome experience for the competitors.\u201d<\/p>\n
A large crowd enjoyed getting an up-close look at these highly-customized trucks, visiting with a wide variety of trucking industry vendors, food and beverage vendors, a kids coloring contest, and attendees enjoyed a Friday night fireworks display.\u00a0 The lot was glowing and packed with happy spectators as the trucks lit up the lot at night with a show of lights.<\/p>\n
Some of the notable winners included Seth Denning of Prime Time Express in Corsica, SD and their 2006 cream and orange Peterbilt 379, which took home the Best of Show trophy in the Limited Mileage Bobtail class.\u00a0 In the Best of Show Limited Mileage Combo class, Vinnie Diorio of Richfield, WI and his 2013 orange and purple Peterbilt 379 and 2009 MAC curtainside trailer once again earned the top honors.\u00a0 Truck show veterans Bob & Shelley Brinker of Grayling, MI and their popular pirate-themed Freightliner Classic XL won the Best of Show award in the Working Bobtail class, while truck show newcomer Eric Bilgo of Jackson, WI and his 1995 Black & Bronze Peterbilt 379 and 2014 MAC curtainside \u201cDown with the Sickness\u201d took home the Best of Show trophy in the Working Combo class.<\/p>\n
All of these \u201cbest of show\u201d winners have now earned the opportunity to compete in the Pride & Polish National Championship at The Great American Trucking Show (GATS) in Dallas on August 21-23, 2014.\u00a0 With five different events being held in locations across the country, all of the \u201cbest of show\u201d winners from each of these events will converge at the GATS show in Dallas, Texas to compete for the lofty title of National Champion for the year.<\/p>\n
Since Bob & Shelley Brinker, Vinnie Diorio and Paul Marcotte have already qualified for the nationals at other events, the next best finishers have been invited to compete \u2013 in this case, Kenny Fisher of Muscoda, WI and his 1997 mocha and green Peterbilt 379 has now qualified to compete in the Working Bobtail class, while John McKevitt of Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada and his sweet 1984 blue Kenworth K100 cabover and 2004 Great Dane reefer has now qualified to compete in the Limited Mileage Combo class.<\/p>\n
In the Wash & Show classes, which feature a more relaxed judging criteria, Mark Wilm of Hack A Way Forest Products in Baraboo, WI and their 2003 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 earned the Best of Show Bobtail award, while Jerry Linander of Winona, MN and his 2007 Black Kenworth W900L and 2014 Great Dane got the big trophy in the Best of Show Combination class.\u00a0 The coveted People\u2019s Choice award went to Brian Davis of Davis Bros. in Owensville, IN for their 2005 Black & Blue Peterbilt 379 and 2012 Wilson Hopper (their super-clean \u201cSuper Freak\u201d rig also earned 1st place in the Builder\u2019s class).<\/p>\n