Truck Driver News: Pride & Polish Virtual Truck Show

Today’s globe fundamentally depends on the trucking sector, a pivotal artery that interlinks enterprises and residential hubs across colossal expanses. At the heart of these potent road beasts, you’ll find committed truckers who make sure products reach their destination safe and sound. To celebrate the hard work, creativity, and dedication of truckers, Overdrive magazine hosts an annual event that shines a spotlight on the beauty and functionality of these behemoths of the road – the Pride & Polish virtual truck show competition. Looking ahead, the 2023 edition is set to be a real adrenaline rush. It’s all about taking what worked in the past and making it even better.

The Road to Glory: Entry and Judging

The anticipation is high as the entry period for Overdrive’s annual Pride & Polish virtual truck show competition opened last week. Truck owners and operators from across the nation can submit their prized vehicles for consideration until Labor Day, September 4th. This contest isn’t solely about flaunting shiny truck bodies; it’s more of a tribute to the blood, sweat, and tears truck drivers pour into their machines. The categories in the competition include Working Bobtail, Working Combo, Interior, Antique, and Limited Mileage/Show.

Truck aficionados, here’s your golden opportunity to strut your stuff! Envision it as a congenial rivalry where you get the chance to match up your vehicle against others and possibly earn some well-deserved acclaim. It goes beyond mere acknowledgment—it’s about expressing pride in that reliable beast of burden that plays such an integral role in your existence.

Once the entry period closes, the judging process begins. This is a unique aspect of the competition as it is not just industry experts who decide the winners. Rather than sticking to the conventional methods, this competition flips the script and brings in a period of public voting. This switch enables those who live and breathe trucking – our Overdrive readership and fellow truckers – to have their say, backing up their favorite rigs with votes.

The Stars of Last Year’s Virtual Truck Show

As we anticipate the excitement of the 2023 Pride & Polish competition, let’s take a moment to look back at the finalists from the previous year. These rigs, they’re not just about the diverse categories of the competition. They’re a testament to truckers’ relentless effort and commitment that goes into making their vehicles stand out.

In the Antique category, a trio of stunning vehicles caught the attention: Wayne Lucken’s 1968 Peterbilt 358, known as “Plum Krazy”; Gary Wasko’s 1975 White Freightliner Powerliner, fondly referred to as “Dirty Dozen”; and Horace M. Goldman’s 1987 Peterbilt 359.

The Interior category, which highlights the comfort and style within these trucks, showcased David Parmer’s 1973 White Freightliner, aptly named “Big Green Mean Machine”; Rick and Terry Henderson’s 2022 Peterbilt 389; and Robert Hallahan’s 2022 Peterbilt 389, charmingly dubbed “Joke’s on You.”

In the Limited Mileage/Show Truck/Builders category, the competition was equally fierce, featuring Kenny Wilson of Ken Wilson Trucking’s 1980 Freightliner FLC120; Marvin Graves’ 1963 Mack B61; and Duane and Jenay Rotert’s 1972 Kenworth W900, which all demonstrated the fine craftsmanship of truck enthusiasts.

The Working Bobtail and Working Combo classes put a spotlight on an array of trucks, each hailing from a distinct period. From Leased owner-operator Horace M. Goldman’s 1987 Peterbilt 359 to leased owner-operator Brooke Taylor’s 1996 Kenworth W900B named “Miss Kitty,” the competition demonstrated the evolution of these vehicles.

As we explored the Working Combo category, we encountered a range of powerful combinations, from leased owner-operator Chris Rose’s 2007 Peterbilt 379 hooked to a 2001 Kentucky moving van, to independent owner-operator Wally Daniels’ 2014 Peterbilt 389 hooked to a 2020 Rampant 40-ton RGN.

The Working Bobtail, 2015 & Newer category showcased modern marvels, including leased owner-operator John McCormick’s 2021 Kenworth W900L known as “Bandit,” Rick and Terry Henderson’s 2022 Peterbilt 389, and Mark Havens’ 2023 Peterbilt 389 EXHD.

Looking Forward to the 2023 Edition

As we eagerly await the results of this year’s Pride & Polish competition, it’s clear that the event is more than just a showcase of impressive trucks. This whole gig boils down to saluting the relentless determination, solidarity, and unyielding tenacity that powers this trucker’s universe. Every rig, with its unique narrative, mirrors the sweat and inventiveness of the person who owns it. Be it a retro truck, preserved with painstaking precision, or a state-of-the-art juggernaut commanding the asphalt, these mechanical marvels exemplify the tenacity and perpetual vigor inherent to the soul of our trucking industry.

The Pride & Polish competition brings together truckers, enthusiasts, and readers to honor the often unsung heroes of the road. As the entry period remains open through Labor Day, there’s still time for truck owners to seize the opportunity and showcase their rigs to the world. Convinced your rig can outshine the competition? Seize the moment! Jump into this challenge and allow your comrades in trucking to cast their judgment with their votes.

In the end, the Pride & Polish virtual truck show isn’t just about winning; it’s about the sense of community, the passion for the open road, and the enduring legacy of the trucking industry that it represents. So, let the engines roar and the wheels turn as we celebrate the extraordinary world of trucks through the lens of Overdrive’s Pride & Polish competition.