This year's Trucker Fest boosted sore spirits run ragged by downturns in the economy and tough times in the trucking industry. The event kicked off with a truckers' parade, led by Neal and Barbara Holsomback, OOIDA members from Resaca, GA, in their award-winning truck, "Plum Classy." Trucker Fest is sponsored by the Alamo Travel Center and Newport Communications/Roadstar Magazine.

Each truck and driver was announced to the huge crowds lining Virginia Street, as they rolled under the arch proclaiming Reno "The Biggest Little City in the World." Thousands of CDL holders were treated to free dinners and complimentary coffee was served in the restaurant.

The Alamo employs 240 people and is owned and operated by the Cashell family. The Alamo recognize that truckdrivers have choices on where they stop for fuel, showers, food, laundry and service facilities - and it's an easy choice to make when you're treated right and made welcome.

Adjacent to the vendor tents in the parking lot, 35 show trucks competed in the Stars & Stripes Truck Beauty Contest. Joey Holiday provided musical entertainment and driver contests included an old fashioned water balloon toss and musical hay bales.

More than 8,000 fans were treated to a concert by country music star Neal McCoy. This event was at no charge to CDL holders, who had a special seating section.

Despite triple digit temperatures prevailed but members of the California Highway Patrol and Nevada Highway Patrol hardly broke a sweat as they inspected the show trucks from top to bottom - some even wearing white gloves.

At the same time, the Best Buddy Pet Contests featured trucking animals - most of the furred or feathered varieties. A shaggy gray-haired poodle and her matching owner took top prize in the look-alike competition.

One special new award, presented by long-time OOIDA member "Diesel Dave" Sweetman was for his Pick of the Litter (see below). According to Sweetman, "I thought it might be a different slant to focus on someone who shares their knowledge, is a good mentor and is, at the same time, a class act on all accounts. More than just a "good neighbor" award, I hope to showcase some of the people who make a positive difference."
--By Suzanne Stempinski

Winners:
Class 2 - Combo 1995 & newer
1 -- Rhett Butler Trucking/Larry Weaver, 2001 KW muraled T2000 w/1998 53' Utility
2 -- L&L Trucking/Jody Laroue, 2000 maroon Frtlnr Classic/2000 Manoc Van - "One Last Ride"
3 -- Image Enhancers/Art Parrino, 1995 silver/raspberry Frtlnr FLD120/1979 Dorsey van

Class 3 - Combo 1986-1994
1 -- Sandvik Trucking/Al Scibilia & Rick Torres, 1992 Pete 379/1993 Ravens Flatbed - "Delirious Desire"
2 -- H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 KW W900L/1987 Dorsey reefer - "Not Too Blue"
3 -- Interstate Dist/Rick Vaders, '89 Frtlnr FLD/1996 Alloy van

Class 7 - Bobtail 1986 & newer
1 -- Trees Forever/Tim Thornhill, 1986 tan & red Pete 359
2 -- Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge, 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"
3 -- Transport America/Theresa Ferneyhough, 1997 white Frtlnr FLD 120

Class 11 - Company truck combo
1 -- US Food Service/John Benavides, 1996 Intl
2 -- All Coast Forest Products/Mark Sallady, 1996 Pete/1968 brown flatbed
3 -- All Coast Forest Products/John Swearingen, 1997 Pete/1984 Raven flatbed
3 -- Western State Wholesale/Leo Monteon, 1981 green Pete 359/1990 J&L Tanks

Class 12 - Company truck bobtail
1 -- Midwest Continental/Bill & Joyce Rucker, 1999 blue & white KW T600
2 -- All Freight/Dee Jones, 2000 black & teal Frtlnr Classic - "Bob's Pride"
3 -- EverFresh Farms/Ken Stone & Ken O'Rear, 2001 blue Pete 379 - "The Gambler"

Class 13 - Specialized
1 -- Bill Pierce, 1986 red & black Pete359/1999 Zieman - "Boss Hog"
2 -- Pacific Water Truck/George Plaugher, 1997 white Pete 357

Class 14 - Professional Show Truck
1 -- Mike Humphries/Mark Strickland, 1980 yellow Pete 359

Class 15A - Antique Combo
1 -- Gene Smith, 1949 green Pete/1983 Fontane dropdeck - "El Turbo"
2 -- Ron & Valerie Salvador, 1951 orange Pete 350/1996 Turboy flatbed

Class 15B - Antique bobtail
1 -- Phil's Trucking/Phil Oak, 1967 green & gold Pete 358A dump - "Green Hornet"
2 -- Jim Morehouse, 1957 red Pete SUV

Class 16 - First show
1 -- Ted Brodsky, 2001 silver & green Pete 379
2 -- Thomas & Nina England, 1996 sunfire red Pete 379

Class 17 - Custom paint & graphics - combo
1 -- Sandvik Trucking/Al Scibilia & Rick Torres, 1992 burgundy Pete 379/1993 Ravens flatbed - " Delirious Desire"
2 -- H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 blue KW W900L/1987 Dorsey reefer - "Not Too Blue"
3 -- M.A.S. Enterprises/Matt Speaker, 1998 garnet red Frtlnr XLT/1998 Transcraft Eagle

Class 18 - Custom paint - bobtail
1 -- EverFresh Farms/Ken Stone & Ken O'Rear, 2001 blue Pete 379 - "The Gambler"
2 -- Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge, 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"

Class 19 - Custom paint & mural combo
1 -- L&L Trucking/Jody Laroue, 2000 maroon Frtlnr Classic/2000 Manoc van - "One Last Ride"
2 -- Rhett Butler Trucking/Larry Weaver, 2001 white muraled KW T2000/1998 Utility Trlr

Class 21A - Interior cab only
1 -- Trees Forever/Tim Thornhill, 1986 tan & red 359
2 -- Bill Pierce, 1986 red & black Pete 359 - "Boss Hog"
3 -- Western States Wholesale/Leo Monteon, 1981 green Pete 359

Class 21B - Interior OEM sleeper
1 -- Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge; 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"
2 tie -- H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 blue KW W900L - "Not Too Blue"
2 tie -- Rhett Butler Trucking/Larry Weaver, 2001 white muraled KW T2000
3 -- All Freight Systems/Dee Jones, 2000 black & teal Frtlnr Classic - "Lost In The Fifties"

Class 21C - Interior custom aftermarket sleeper
1 -- Sandvik Trucking/Al Scibilia & Rick Torres, 1992 burgundy Pete 379 - "Delirious Desire"

Class 22 - Engine
1 -- Trees Forever/Tim Thornhill, 1986 tan & red Pete 359
2 -- Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge, 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"
3 tie -- H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 blue KW W900L - "Not Too Blue"
3 tie -- Sandvik Trucking/Al Scibilia & Rick Torres, 1992 burgundy Pete 379 - "Delirious Desire"

Class 23A - Lights combo
1 -- Rhett Butler Trucking/Larry Weaver, 2001 white muraled KW T2000/1998 Utility
2 tie -- Interstate Distributing/Rick Vaders, 1989 Frtlnr Fld/1996 van
2 tie -- H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 blue KW W900L/1987 Dorsey reefer - "Not Too Blue"
3 -- M.A.S. Enterprises/Matt Speaker, 1998 garnet red Frtlnr XLT/1998 Transcraft Eagle

Class 23B - Lights bobtail
1 -- Mike Humphries/Mark Strickland, 1980 yellow Pete 359
2 -- Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge, 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"
3 -- Everfresh Farms/Ken Stone & Ken O'Rear, 2001 blue Pete 379 - "The Gambler"

Special awards

First annual Diesel Dave's "Pick of the litter"
Gene & Hilda Smith, 1949 green Pete/1983 Fontane dropdeck - "El Turbo"

People's choice
Sandvik Trucking/Bill Sandvik & Chuck Prigge, 1996 white & purple Pete 379 - "Kaotic"

Competitors' choice
H&H Trucking/Rob Harris, 1994 blue KW W900L/1987 Dorsey reefer - "Not Too Blue"

Best of show combo
Sandvik Trucking/Al Scibilia & Rick Torres, 1992 Pete 379/1993 Ravens flatbed - "Delirious Desire"

Best of show bobtail
Trees Forever/Tim Thornhill, 1986 tan & red Pete 359