Mid-America truck beauty show a shinning success with surprise winners

The economy may be looking bleak and truckers down in the dumps, but one wouldn’t have sensed it by the look of the custom rigs and smiles on the faces of everyone attending Overdrive’s annual Pride & Polish Truck Beauty Championship and Big Rig Build-Off at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, KY, March 19-21.

An estimated 70,000 trucking enthusiasts entered the convention grounds while 72 custom rigs glistened on the parking lot under mostly sunny Kentucky skies during the event. Custom rig owners competed for a laundry list of Pride & Polish hardware including the coveted “Best of Show” titles in both Working Bobtail and Working Combo.

The top two winners surprised many truck beauty show attendees, but not judges. Homer Schultz III’s 1993 Blue Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck carried away Best of Show Working Bobtail while Canadian Marcel Pontbriand’s 1989 Midnight Blue Muralled Peterbilt 379 and 1992 48 ft Stoughton Van, “Little Train,” captured Best of Show Working Combo.

This year also saw a new tribute handed out called the “Take Pride In Your Ride” plaque in memory of Jacob R. Eilen, and young owner-operator and avid truck beauty show competitor who died in an accident late last year.

The engraved ovel-shaped mirror plaque was presented to Todd & Beth Roccopriore out of Portland, CT, whose close friend, Charlie Shefcyk, died just three days before MATS.

“Uncle Charlie” was the driving force behind the building of “Chopped 93,” the couple’s immaculate Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer. Todd Roccopriore says Shefcyk last words were to promise him they’d make the Louisville Pride & Polish. Shefcyk’s last request was honored in winning fashion.

Here are the other winners who took home P&P hardware:

SPECIAL AWARDS

BEST OF SHOW WORKING BOBTAIL

Homer Schultz III, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck

BEST OF SHOW WORKING COMBO

Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 48ft Stoughton Van, “Little Train”

BEST LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL

Cory of Joplin Peterbilt for owner Dale Blevins, 1942 Autocar, “Big Bad John”

BEST LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO

Paul Stanchio, 2009 Peterbilt 388 and 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier, “Hot Wheels”

PEOPLES CHOICE

Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 48ft Stoughton Van, “Little Train”

ROADWORKS BEST USE OF CHROME

Todd and Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

TRUK RODZ BEST THEME

Jeremy Graves, 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mississippi Tank , “Bucket List”

CLASS WINNERS

WORKING BOBTAIL 2001 & Older

First:Bud Westhafer, 1995 Kenworth W-900, “El Patron”

Second: David Wood, 1998 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood, “Silver Streak”

Third: Darwin Bratcher, 2001 Freightliner Columbia

WORKING BOBTAIL 2004 & Newer

First: Dallas McCord, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood, “Orange Appeal”

Second: Matthew McCord, 2007 Peterbilt Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood 379

Third: Jeremiah Wolfe, 2007 Peterbilt 379, “Let’s Boogie”

BOBTAIL NEW TRUCK UNDER 75,000 MILES

First (“NEW VENTURE AWARD”): Marty Marcum, 2009 Peterbilt 389

Second: Scott Ruwe, 2009 Peterbilt 386

Third: Dick Fisher, 2009 Kenworth T-800 Dump Truck

BOBTAIL SPECIALIZED

First: Homer Schultz III, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck

Second: Brad Sweet, 2007 Peterbilt 378 Wrecker, “Dreammaster”

Third: Nathaniel Mason, 1997 Peterbilt 378 Tanker Truck, “Million Dollar Baby”

COMPANY BOBTAIL

First: Vince Hogan, Schneider National, 2008 Freightliner Cascadia

Second: Barry Kasdorf, Jade Transport, 2008 Peterbilt 389

Third: David Brewster, Smith Transport, 2007 Peterbilt 379, “379 The Legend’

FIRST SHOW BOBTAIL

First (“RISING STAR AWARD”): William Benjamin, 1998 Peterbilt 379

Second: Jim Langton, 2006 Kenworth T-2000, “Let Freedom Ring”

Third: Rebecca Jo Marlin, 1987 Peterbilt 359, “Tara II”

ANTIQUE BOBTAIL

First (“GRAND ANTIQUE AWARD”): Todd Cox, 1975 Dodge 950 Big Horn

Second: Robert Downey, 1953 Peterbilt 350

Third: David Ratliff, 1970 Peterbilt 359

FIRST SHOW COMBO

First: Justin Steed, Henderson Heavy Haul, 2004 Kenworth W900L and 2009 IST Wind Blade

Second: Philip J Mairer, 2007 Kenworth W900L and 2009 East Trailer

Third: Shannon Cain, 1999 Kenworth W900L and 1995 Wilson DW Hopper

WORKING COMBO 2005 & OLDER

First: Todd & Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

Second: Phillip Clayton, 2005 Peterbilt 379 and 2007 Great Dane Super Seal, “Nitro Express”

Third: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 Stoughton Dry Van, “Little Train”

WORKING COMBO 2007 & NEWER

First: Kevin Pascavis, 2009 Peterbilt 389 and 2007 Mac trailer, “Rollin for Jake”

Second: Cliff King, 2007 Peterbilt 386 and 2006 Wabash Dry Van

Third: Josh Lyle, 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mac Flatbed

INTERIOR, CAB ONLY

First: Todd and Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

Second: Scott Ruwe, 2009 Peterbilt 386

Third: Josh Lyle, 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mac Flatbed

INTERIOR, OEM SLEEPER

First: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 Stoughton Dry Van, “Little Train”

Second: Homer Schultz III, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck

Third: Kevin Pascavis, 2009 Peterbilt 389 and 2007 Mac trailer, “Rollin for Jake”

INTERIOR, CUSTOM AFTERMARKET SLEEPER

First: Jonathan Kimball, 2005 Peterbilt 379

Second: Cliff King, 2007 Peterbilt 386 and Wabash Dry Van

Third: Bill Gibson, 1997 Peterbilt 379 and 2006 Transcraft Eagle

MOBIL DELVAC ENGINE CLASS

First: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 Stoughton Dry Van, “Little Train”

Second: Homer Schultz III, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck

Third: Todd and Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

BOBTAIL CUSTOM PAINT & GRAPHICS OR MURAL

First: Dallas McCord, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood, “Orange Appeal”

Second: Matthew McCord, 2007 Peterbilt Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood 379 Extended Hood

Third: Bud Westhafer, 1995 Kenworth W-900, “El Patron”

COMBO CUSTOM PAINT & GRAPHICS OR MURAL

First: Todd and Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

Second: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 Stoughton Dry Van, “Little Train”

Third: Bill Gibson, 1997 Peterbilt 379 and 2006 Transcraft Eagle

BOBTAIL LIGHTS

First: Homer Schultz III, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Tow Truck

Second: Edward Black, 1987 Peterbilt 359

Third: Carl Ragland, 2007 Peterbilt 379

COMBO LIGHTS

First: Marcel Pontbriand, 1989 Peterbilt 379 and 1992 Stoughton Dry Van, “Little Train”

Second: Todd and Beth Roccopriore, 1993 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood and 2009 Mac Dump Trailer, “Chopped 93”

Third: Bill Gibson, 1997 Peterbilt 379 and 2006 Transcraft Eagle

LIMITED MILEAGE BOBTAIL

Second: Glen S. Page, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Legacy #871, “Purpose Driven”

Third: Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

Fourth: Colin Stuart, 1984 Peterbilt 359, “Working Class”

Fifth: Jason Carello, 2008 International Lone Star

LIMITED MILEAGE COMBO

Second: Vinnie Diorio, 2005 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mac Trailer, “Picture Me Rollin”

Third: Ronald Baird, 2000 Peterbilt 379 and 2000 Heil Tank, “Hoffman’s Hotrod”

MOBIL DELVAC BEST LIMITED MILEAGE TRUCK ENGINE

Bobtail: Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

Combo: Jeremy Graves, 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mississippi Tank , “Bucket List”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE INTERIOR

Bobtail: Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

Combo: Vinnie Diorio, 2005 Peterbilt 379 and 2008 Mac Trailer, “Picture Me Rollin”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE PAINT

Bobtail: Jason Carello, 2008International Lone Star

Combo: Paul Stanchio, 2009 Peterbilt 388 and 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier, “Hot Wheels”

PRIDE & POLISH BEST LIMITED MILEAGE LIGHTS

Bobtail: Isaac Aguilar, 1992 Peterbilt 379, “Still Deliriouz”

Combo: Paul Stanchio, 2009 Peterbilt 388 and 2009 Cottrell Car Carrier, “Hot Wheels”

2009 MID-AMERICA BIG-RIG BUILD-OFF

PEOPLE’S CHOICE WINNER: Outlaw Customs, 2000 Peterbilt 379, “Vigilante”.

INDUSTRY’S CHOICE WINNER: S&J Truck Sales, 1981 Peterbilt 359, “Big Red”.

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; Mercer Transportation; Mobil Delvac; OOIDA; Overdrive Magazine; Overdrive Radio Network; PPG; Roadworks Manufacturing; Rockwood Products; Valley Chrome/Wingmaster; and WTI Fenders.