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ELECTRIC TRUCKS ON DISPLAY

Iowa 80 Constructs Exhibit on Vintage Electric Trucks

WALCOTT, IOWA — In recent times we have witnessed sharp increases in gasoline and diesel prices. Combined with the public’s heightened awareness of the environment, this has led to the renewed interest in, and the reintroduction of, electrically powered vehicles.

Many are under the impression that electric vehicles are a relatively new concept, when in fact use of electric trucks in the U.S. is more than 100 years old.

The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, which is adjacent to Iowa 80 Truckstop, I-80 Exit 284, has constructed a new exhibit on vintage electric trucks to educate the public on the history and origins of electric vehicles. Included in the exhibit is a 1911 Walker Electric Milk Delivery Truck.

“We are pleased to be able to share this fantastic piece of history with the general public,” says Dave Meier, Museum Curator. “Since there wasn’t a supporting infrastructure for the electric vehicle, the gasoline powered vehicle became
the favored type and many don’t even realize that both were invented at roughly the same time.”

The exhibit displays information about how electric vehicles came to be, their use as well as specific information about the 1911 Walker on display. The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum is open to the general public Wednesday thru Sunday. Admission is free.

DUNCAN DRIVES TO VICTORY

Con-way Freight Driver Tops Field At National Truck Driving Championships

Con-way Freight, a less-than-truckload (LTL) freight carrier and the largest subsidiary of Con-way Inc. (NYSE: CNW), announced  company  driver Dale Duncan was named Grand Champion at the 72^nd annual American Trucking Associations National Truck Driving Championships, held in Pittsburgh Aug. 18-22.

Duncan, who also captured first place in the 5-Axle competition, won the Grand Champion title as the nation’s top truck driver in competition with more than 400 of America’s best professional truck drivers – 88 of which were Con-way drivers.

As a resident of Spring Valley, Calif., Duncan is based at Con-way Freight’s San Diego service center. He previously won the Grand Champion title in 2006. Duncan joined Con-way Freight in 1990 and has driven professionally for 26 years — achieving approximately 1.25 million career miles. The company will award Duncan a cash prize for being named Grand Champion.

Two other Con-way Freight drivers won their respective divisions — Bob Dolan, based out of the company’s Allentown, Pa., service center, placed first in the Straight Truck division, and Mike Stickley, based at the Winchester, Va., service center, came in first in the 4-Axle division.

Con-way Freight driver Brandon Souder, based out of the company’s Florence, Ky., service center, competed in the Flatbed division and was named Rookie of the Year, and will also receive a cash prize from Con-way Freight. Four other Con-way Freight drivers completed the final competition in the top three in their divisions.

Con-way Freight will honor Duncan, Dolan and Stickley with new Ford F-150 pickup trucks, along with the use of customized commercial tractors displaying each driver’s name and championship title.

“This was by far the most impressive winning performance ever turned in by Con-way Freight’s driver sales representatives at these national championships,” said John G. Labrie, president, Con-way Freight. “We had a record contingent of 88 competitors this year, the Grand Champion, a record number of national champions and top-three finishers in the finals, and a Con-way Freight driver as Rookie of the Year — a first.

“I’m incredibly proud of our team. Their accomplishments speak volumes about the professionalism and dedication to safety these true champions demonstrate not only on this national stage, but every day on the highways for our customers.”

Con-way Freight fielded champions from 37 states for the Nationals this year. Each contestant first qualified by capturing a division title in state competition. One driver from sister company Con-way Truckload also took part in the national championships. Additionally, three Con-way Freight drivers from Canada topped their divisions in provincial competition earlier this year.

“I want to extend special congratulations to Dale Duncan on his second Grand Champion title,” said Labrie, who noted that the victory of Duncan and his fellow national champions continues a winning streak for Con-way Freight this year across several venues.

To qualify for the state and national competitions, each driver must have an accident-free safety record for the previous year. At the national competition, also known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” each driver faced testing in three areas: a timed written exam, a pre-trip inspection test and a driving skills test. Drivers competed in a total of nine equipment classes: 3-Axle, 4-Axle, 5-Axle, 5-Axle Flatbed, 5-Axle Sleeper, Step Van, Straight Truck, Tankers and Twins.

The national competition annually brings together more than 400 of the nation’s most skilled and accomplished commercial truck drivers. Since the championships began in 1937, 13 Con-way Freight drivers have been named National Champion in their equipment classes.

The four additional Con-way Freight drivers who placed in the top three in their divisions are:

• Leroy Williams Sr. from the Baton Rouge, La., service center placed second in the Straight Truck division
• Chris Poynor from the Pasco, Wash., service center finished second in the Twins division
• Rich Sweeney from the Springfield, Mass., service center came in second in the 5-Axle Flatbed division
• Rick Kinsey, from the Winchester, Va., service center placed third in the 5-Axle Flatbed division

Follow Con-way Freight on Twitter: http://twitter.com/Con_way_.

LONE STAR STATE CUSTOM RIGS WIN BIG

Mendez’ Texas Chrome Shop “Project 1″ Peterbilt Captures Best of Show

It wasn’t a surprise for anyone attending the 2009 Great American Trucking Show in Dallas to see a heavy contingency of custom rigs entered in Overdrive’s Pride & Polish truck beauty show. After all, trucking is big in Texas.

The surprise was just how good the boys in the Lone Star state are when it comes to customizing their rides.

Texas-based Z-Bar Transport, Lindamood Demolition, Bill Hall Jr Trucking, and trucks customized by the Texas Chrome Shop hauled away more than half of the Pride & Polish trophies.

Roland (left) and Raul Mendez Jr. created a lot of interest in their Texas Chrome Shop by winning the Best of Show at this year's 2009 GATS Pride & Polish in Dallas with their Project 1 Peterbilt.

The truck capturing the most attention at the 11th annual GATS was the Mendez brothers radical Project 1 Peterbilt. Raul Jr. and Roland Mendez rolled in their beautiful rig off the trailer with the paint still wet and a few trim pieces still needing to be bolted on before the judging began.

The San Antonio, Texas, entry built by the Texas Chrome Shop ended up winning the prestigious Best of Show honors beating out the Chrome Shop Mafia’s Ivy’s Poison, another brand new limited mileage show truck.

“We have customized 650 customer’s trucks over the years our little shop has been in business,” says Raul Mendez Jr.

“But this is the first  truck owned by our family to be customized. Roland came up with the concept two years ago,” explains Raul Jr. ” Steve Cervantes, our in-house artist, sketched his idea out and we let the drawing hang in on our office wall until this last February. We’d just look at the picture and talk about what we wanted and how to get it done.”

Custom fiberglass door panels, killer sound system, and creative design were just part of the reason the Texas Chrome Shop's Project 1 caught show judges and show goer's eyes.

Roland says they rolled their ’98 Peterbilt 379 into the shop in February to start the work. ” The last four months we’ve worked night and day getting it done. Everyone in our shop had a role in how it turned out. Everyone took a lot of pride in their job and it shows.”

“Project 1 is the Texas Chrome Shop’s way of letting the country know what we can do down in San Antonio,” adds Raul Jr.

” We can turn anyone’s dream [of owning a radical custom show truck] into a reality. The guys we have in our custom and paining shop are some of the best in the world.”

Bill Hall, Sr., of Bill Hall Jr Trucking, another of the San Antonio show truck contingency at this year’s GATS, says, “I am very proud of our four trucks. This is our very first truck show and we won a lot of awards.  He flashes a smile, then says, “I’m glad to see I’m not the only owner of a trucking company who puts a lot of money in their rigs.”

Hall says he puts a lot of money into making their 100-plus trucks look nice because “it’s good for the company when our customers see we take pride in what we do and what we drive.”

The rig Hall showed at this year’s GATS and a number of others at the show were customized by San Antonio-based ACW Specialties.

Ice Road Truckers' Alex Debogorski presented Farmer's Oil Jeremy Graves with the Best of Show Limited Mileage Combo trophy. Graves' tanker aslo won the People's Choice Award.

Another big winner, Farmers Oil’s Jeremy Graves. His ’07 379 Peterbilt tanker combo was voted the most popular truck by the show attendees and awarded the coveted People’s Choice trophy.

“This is the one trophy of all I value the most because it says my peers  and the folks walking around the show think my truck is the best at one here–and that’s a very, very high honor.”

Below is complete list of Pride & Polish winners:

Winner’s List

The Great American Trucking Show Truck Beauty Competition (August 20-22, 2009)

Presented by Overdrive’s Pride & Polish

Thanks to all the show truck competitors and sponsors:  10-4 Magazine; 75 Chrome Shop; Custom Rigs Magazine; Dynaflex Exhaust Technologies; Firestone; Howes Lubricator Products; Truk Rodz by Jones Performance; Mobil Delvac; OOIDA; Overdrive Magazine; Overdrive Radio Network;  PPG;  Rand McNally;  Roadworks Manufacturing; Rockwood Products; Valley Chrome/Wingmaster; and WTI Fenders.

Brad Johnson, Lindamood Demolition

BEST OF SHOW WORKING BOBTAIL – Floyd Moore, Cagle Rock Trucking, 2000 Red Peterbilt 379

BEST OF SHOW WORKING COMBO – Brad Johnson, Lindamood Demolition, 2007 Brown & Tan Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 CPS Round Bottom Dump, “King Ranch”

BEST LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL- Roland Mendez, Texas Chrome Shop, 1997 Orange Peterbilt 379, “Project One”

BEST LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO-Jeremey Graves, Farmers Oil, 2007 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 Mississippi Tank, “Bucket List”

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER– Jeremey Graves, Farmers Oil, 2007 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 Mississippi Tank, “Bucket List”

ROADWORKS BEST USE OF CHROME- Larry Swingle, Kenny Year Trucking,  1978 Red & Beige, 1978 Kenworth W900

TRUK RODZ BEST THEME- Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Burnt Orange Mack Superliner with a 2006 Great Dane Reefer, “Thumper”

FIRESTONE’S MOST TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED CAB- Roland Mendez, Texas Chrome Shop, 1997 Orange Peterbilt 379, “Project One”

Valley Chrome Plating Bumper to Bumper Award– Pete Zamora, Z-Bar Transportation, 2002 Black & Orange Peterbilt 379 with a 2006 CTS End Dump “Walking Tall”

Classes:

Michael Briseno, Lindamood Demolition

1^ST PLACE           Mike Bresino. Lindamood Demolition, 2006 Blue Pete 379, “Over the Top”

2^ND PLACE            Floyd Moore, Cagle Rock Trucking, 2000 Red Peterbilt 379

3^RD PLACE           JR Schleuger, Lifetime Nut Covers, 2003 Blue Kenworth W900, “Blue Baron”

NEW TRUCK BOBTAIL, UNDER 75,00 MILES

1^ST PLACE, “New Venture Award”  Kenny and Stacy Yeary, 2010 Blue & Black Kenworth W900

2^ND PLACE            Victor Maiden, Stevens Transport, 2010 Black Kenworth T660, “Alliance”

FIRST SHOW BOBTAIL

1^ST PLACE, “Rising Star Award” Elvis Williamson, Southern Miss Trucking, 1995 Hot Pink & White Peterbilt 379, “Thriller”

2^nd PLACE             Mark Elkins, William Parker, 1988 Red & Black Peterbilt 379

Yeary Trucking Kenworth

ANTIQUE, NON-WORKING

1^ST PLACE “Grand Antique” Jimmy Wiley, Kenny Yeary Trucking, 1986 Blue & Black Kenworth W900

2^ND PLACE Larry Swingle, Kenny Year Trucking,  1978 Red & Beige, 1978 Kenworth W900

3^rd PLACE            Justin Smith, US Truck Parts, 1967 Black Mack B61

WORKING COMBO  2002 & OLDER

1^ST PLACE            Kelly Ast, 1987 Orange & White Peterbilt 359 Ex Hd with a 2010 Timpte Grain Trailer

2^ND PLACE             James McPherson, Lindamood Demolition, 2002 White Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 Reitnouer flatbed

3^RD PLACE Tommy Roach, 1999 White & Blue Peterbilt 379 Ex Hd with a 2005 Wilson CF-900 flatbed, “Twang Thang”

WORKING COMBO 2003 and Newer

1^ST PLACE              Jonathan Dyck, Jade Transport, 2007 Green Peterbilt 379 Legacy with a 2000 Polar Tanker

2^ND PLACE             David Kosar Jr, Rite Way, 2007 Blue Peterbilt 379 with a 1998 Great Dane, “Just Passin Thru”

Henry Hall's "Vamanos" end-dump combo

SPECIALIZED COMBO

1^ST PLACE          Brad Johnson, Lindamood Demolition, 2007 Brown & Tan Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 CPS Round Bottom Dump, “King Ranch”

2^ND PLACE          Pete Zamora, Z-Bar Transportation, 2002 Black & Orange Peterbilt 379 with a 2006 CTS End Dump “Walking Tall”

3^RD PLACE          Henry Hall, Halls Trucking of Texas, 2004 Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2007 Clements Dump “Vamanos”

FIRST SHOW COMBO

1^ST PLACE, “Rising Star Award”  Justin Hall, 2003 Blue & White Kenworth W900L Studio with a 2008 Clement Starlite Dump, “El Patron”

2^nd PLACE          Bill Hall Jr, 2004 Green Peterbilt 379 with a 2000 Travis Powerlite End Dump

3^RD PLACE Tie    Larry Payne 2005 Yellow Peterbilt 379 with a 2007 Barret Livestock Trailer

Jonathan Dyck, Jade Transport tanker combo

3^RD PLACE Tie    Cody Lindamood, Lindamood Demolition, 2000 Green Peterbilt 379 with a 2000 J & J Dump

INTERIOR, CAB ONLY

1^ST PLACE Jake Lindamood, Lindamood Demolition, 2007 Brown & Tan Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 CPS Round Bottom Dump “King Ranch“

2^ND PLACE Kenny Ast, 1987 Orange & White Peterbilt 379 Ex Hd with a 2010 Timpte Grain Trailer

3^RD PLACE Jonathan Dyck, Jade Transport, 2007 Green Peterbilt 379 Legacy with a 2000 Polar Tanker

INTERIOR, OEM SLEEPER

1^ST PLACE Henry Hall, Hall’s Trucking of Texas, 2004 Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2007 Clements Dump, “Vamanos”

2^ND PLACE Kenny Yeary, 2010 Blue & Black Kenworth W900

Pete Zamora, Z-Bar Trucking

3^RD PLACE Floyd Moore, Cagle Rock Trucking, 2000 Red Peterbilt 379

MOBIL DELVAC WORKING ENGINE CLASS

1^ST PLACE Jake Lindamood, Lindamood Demolition, 2007 Brown & Tan Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 CPS Round Bottom Dump “King Ranch“

2^ND PLACE Pete Zamora, Z-Bar Trucking,  2002 Black & Orange Peterbilt 379 with a 2006 CPS End Dump, “Walking Tall”

3^RD PLACE       Henry Hall, Hall’s Trucking of Texas, 2004 Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2007 Clements Dump, “Vamanos”

BOBTAIL CUSTOM PAINT & GRAPHICS OR MURAL

1^ST PLACE     Kenny Yeary, 2010 Blue & Black Kenworth W900

2^ND PLACE     Floyd Moore, Cagle Rock Trucking, 2000 Red Peterbilt 379

COMBO CUSTOM PAINT & GRAPHICS OR MURAL

1^ST PLACE      Jake Lindamood, Lindamood Demolition, 2007 Brown & Tan Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 CPS Round Bottom Dump, “King Ranch”

2^ND PLACE       Pete Zamora, Z-Bar Trucking,  2002 Black & Orange Peterbilt 379 with a 2006 CPS End Dump, “Walking Tall”

3^RD PLACE       Jonathan Dyck, Jade Transport, 2007 Green Peterbilt 379 Legacy with a 2000 Polar Tanker

LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL

2^ND PLACE            Isaac Aguilar, Sandvik Trucking, 1992 Burgandy Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

3^RD PLACE           Thomas Ivy, 1986 Blue Peterbilt 359, “Ivy’s Poison”

LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO

2^nd PLACE          Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Burnt Orange Mack Superliner with a 2006 Great Dane Reefer, “Thumper”

Ivy's Poison, a 1986 Peterbilt built by the Chrome Shop Mafia

MOBIL DELVAC BEST LIMITED MILEAGE TRUCK ENGINE-Isaac Aguilar, Sandvik Trucking, 1992 Burgandy Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE INTERIOR - Roland Mendez, Texas Chrome Shop, 1997 Orange Peterbilt 379, “Project One”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL PAINT -Thomas Ivy, 1986 Blue Peterbilt 359  ”Ivy’s Poison”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO PAINT-Jeremey Graves, Farmers Oil, 2007 Red & Black Peterbilt 379 with a 2008 Mississippi Tank “Bucket List”

ROCK ON!

Two young businessmen find way to make bucks at GATS

B rody Yeary (12) and Andy Wiley (10) are quite the entrepreneurs. The Weatherford, Texas, duo, armed with only a screwdriver and keen business sense, roamed the Pride & Polish display area mid-week offering to remove rocks from tire treads. Rocks in tires cost valuable show points.

The young businessmen charged $1 per tire for their efforts, making $33 total. Andy (pictured) said the name of their business is “Rock Removers, Inc.”

His parents, Jimmy and Shonda Wiley, are part of the Yeary Trucking entourage showing their rigs here at GATS.

BENTZ SHUTS DOORS

Sleeper sales collapse leads to company closing operations

In a telephone interview today, Bentz Transport Products, Inc. president Keith Bentz told ExpeditersOnline the company is officially closing its doors tomorrow, Tuesday, August 18.

Bentz said, “The root cause is a collapse in sales across all of our product lines. With no recovery in sight, there is no way to continue on.”

This ends the Indiana-based company’s 16 year history of serving expediters and other truck markets. Read more…

PowerDrive Inverters Up Performance

Rugged, compact 12-volt inverters bring AC power inside the cab

PowerDrive^TM, a mobile power solutions brand, has announced the launch of their new line of automotive power inverter products ranging from 300  to 2000 watts.  These robust power inverters convert a vehicle’s 12-volt battery power to household AC power, providing you with the rugged power that drives your lifestyle. They are designed to bring you all the comforts of home while on the road.

PowerDrive^TM feature-rich Power Inverters include models offering up to three grounded AC outlets to power and charge laptop computers, coffee makers, TVs, power tools, DVD players, digital cameras and more.

Within each of the eight models offered are the right balances of power, safety and convenience. Five models ranging from 300 to 2000 watts easily install into your vehicle for a constant supply of household power. For those who demand convenience and require less power, there are three models designed to simply plug into a vehicle’s 12-volt power port.

“Leveraging our extensive retail experience with professional drivers and leisure travelers, we’re excited to launch our innovative line of PowerDrive^TM Power Inverters.” said Michael Stiefel, PowerDrive^TM Brand Manager. “If you’re looking for rugged power to charge your mobile lifestyle, look no farther than PowerDrive^TM.”

To see the complete line of these new inverters, check out displays at automotive retailers and travel centers across the United States.  Learn more on-line at www.PowerDriveInverters.com.

The National Association of Show Trucks will dedicate two of its upcoming shows to the memory of NAST members and supporters who passed away in the past year.

The 14th Annual Richard Crane Memorial Truck Show on September 18 – 20 in St. Ignace, Mich., will be dedicated to the following:

* Gina Kemner Clarke, a founding member of NAST, who died on Feb. 26,
2009, just four days after her 60th birthday;

*Bette Garber, truck photographer extraordinaire, who died Nov. 13, 2008;

*Bobby Lindamood, who passed away on June 22; and

*Bill Morgan, who passed away June 24.

Registration will start on Thursday, with judging beginning Saturday
morning. The Parade of Lights across the Mackinac Straits Bridge will
take place Saturday starting at dusk. The Memorial at the Richard Crane
Show will be throughout the weekend with the tribute at the awards
ceremony on Sunday.

Lindamood, owner of Lindamood Demolition in Dallas, Texas, will also be
remembered at the First Bobby Lindamood Memorial Truck Show, Oct. 2 – 4,
in Ft. Worth, TX. The show will be held at At:

Cabelas
12901 Cabela Drive
on Ft. Worth, TX

Registration will begin on Thursday, Oct. 1, at noon and run to 6 pm. It
will resume on Friday, Oct. 2, at noon and end at 8 pm. Judging will
start at 10 am on Saturday, Oct. 3 and lights will be judged at dusk.
Awards will be given out on Sunday at noon.

The Cabela’s event is a new show, replacing a show that had been held
for several year’s at Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth.

For more information about these events and about The National
Association of Show Trucks, please contact Bo Trout 734-604-3242 or
Chuck Kemner 863-605-1608, or visit the Web site at http://www.nastshowtrucks.org/.

From the Editor’s Desk

CUSTOM RIGS HEADED FOR GATS DEBUT

Custom shops working overtime for Dallas Pride & Polish

By Bruce W. Smith, Editor

Poison Ivy being painted at the Chrome Shop Mafia in preparation for its debut at GATS Pride & Polish.

Our Great American Trucking Show in Dallas is just a few weeks down the road (Aug-19-22).

That also means a lot of our Custom Rigs readers and customizing partners are sweating few bullets trying to tidy up the last bits on rigs they are bringing to our Pride & Polish beauty show.

How do I know that? Well, Bryan Martin at the Chrome Shop Mafia e-mailed and said they are working feverishly trying to get the final touches done on a brand new custom rig called “Poison Ivy,” which is owned by a Texan.

Meanwhile, my buddy down at Triple R Diesel, Raul Mendez, sent us a few snaps of three equally cool custom rigs they are bringing from their shop in Atascosa, Texas, to Dallas.

One is the bad-ass end dump combo shown above, and the other two are heavily customized bobtails. And he says, “We are working from 8am to midnight every night to get all three done in time.”

Man, these shop’s four rigs alone would be worth seeing first-hand, let alone the others I know will be showing up to take a shot at the Pride trophies. If you haven’t made plans to attend, swing a load through the Lone Star state and spend a day checking out the convention and seeing the custom rigs!

We want to spray our fuel tanks and fenders with the same material as you see used in pickup beds. Can you recommend a good product to use that can be tinted to compliment our truck’s colors? Do we need to prep the tanks and fenders in any special way to ensure the stuff doesn’t peel off? — Stan Christiansen, Amarillo, TX