Gorgeous trucks win thousands at SuperRigs

Impessably turned out tractor of Jay Blackbourn was perfectly
poised to pick up first runner up prized of $7,000. Note how
 the tires are all set at the same point of rotation!

The Shell Rotella SuperRigs beauty show has been going for 34 years and I am privileged to have been a judge for most of them.

Over time, the event has morphed from a small regional show as it moved around the country to become the must-attend premium show on the calendar.

The trucks have evolved, too, from nice working trucks with some stainless steel – and yes, back then we even had a cabover class – to the eye-popping, traffic-stopping paint, color, chrome and stainless steel of the top trucks today.

And while the few hundred dollars prize money of those early shows has escalated to the tens of thousands today, it does not even closely track the investment and love the owners put in the trucks that come to SuperRigs today.

Complete 2016 Shell Rotella SuperRigs Results

Best of Show

$10,000 from Shell Rotella and $5,000 from MAC Trailer

Place in the 2017 Rotella SuperRigs Calendar

This rare Peterbilt 379X by Charles Self picked up second
runner up and then picked up $4,000. The X model was at
 the end of the 379 limited run and this one’s genuine throughout.

Jake Lindamood, Irving, Texas

1988 Peterbilt 379

Best of Show 1st Runner Up

$4000 from Shell, $3,000 from MAC Trailer

Jay Blackbourn, Fennimore, Wisconsin

2015 Peterbilt 389

Best of Show 2nd Runner Up

$2000 from Shell, $2,000 from MAC Trailer

Charles Self, Neosho, Missouri 2004 Peterbilt 379X

Chosen by ballot at the event, the Peoples’ Choice award went
to Jay Hawthorne for his Pete 389 and Wabash;van trailer.
Consistent theme and traditional design had wide appeal.

Most Hardworking Trucker

Chad Berry, Medford, Wisconsin

2012 Peterbilt 386; 2017 MAC with Curtain

People's Choice

Jay Hawthorne, Grand Mound, Iowa

2015 Peterbilt 389 Pride Class; 2015 Wabash DVHDHPC

Working Truck - Limited Mileage

Luke Leister, Pierpont, Ohio

2015 Peterbilt 389; 2017 MAC End Dump

Henry Lopez, San Antonio, Texas

2015 Peterbilt 389; 2015 Armorlite

Suzanne Rodriquez. Salinas, California

1999 Peterbilt 379 Ext. Hood

Best Lights

Luke Leister, Pierpont, Ohio

2015 Peterbilt 389; 2017 MAC End Dump

There were some outstanding entries for Best Engine,
but the consistency of design saw the prize going
to Josh Reed. Hard to imagine it's working every day.

The interior treatment of Eric Holthaus’ 85 Pete
 carried the design theme from the outside to the interior.
 White areas are crackle finish and workmanship excellent.

Best Theme

Suzanne Rodriquez, Salinas, California

1999 Peterbilt 379 Ext. Hood

Best Engine

Josh Reed, Pioneer, Ohio

2015 W900L Kenworth; 2015 MAC Flatbed

Best Interior

Eric Holthaus, Seneca, Kansas

1985 Peterbilt 359

Show Truck

Billy Rethwisch, Tomah, Wisconsin

2016 Peterbilt 389; 2015 Mueller

Brian Davis, Owensville, Indiana

2015 Peterbilt 386; 2016 Wilson DH501

This impeccable heavy haul tractor regularly hauls
 180,000 pounds and gets off highway a lot. But it’s good
enough to win first place in Tractor Trailer for PaulPiretti.

Dustin Dickerson, Thorntown, Indiana

1991 Mac RD

1st Place Tractor/Trailer Division

$1,500

Paul Piretti, Springfield, Missouri

2015 Peterbilt 389 Pride Class; 2015 Etnyre

2nd Place Tractor/Trailer Division

$1,000

Andre Bellemare, Berthierville, Quebec

1995 Freelander Co8

3rd Place Tractor/Trailer Division

Darren Hutchison, Atkinson, Illinois

2007 T800 Kenworth; 2016 Wilson Livestock Trailer

Jarrod Russel took fourth place tractor trailer with this
 livestock hauling Pete and Wilson trailer, both bought
in 2015 but with hard working miles on them already.

4th Place Tractor/Trailer Division

Jarrod Russell, Jerseyville, Illinois

2015 Peterbilt 389; 2015 Wilson Cattle Trailer

5th Place Tractor/Trailer Division

Chad Berry, Medford, Wisconsin

2012 Peterbilt 386; 2017 MAC with Curtain

Best Chrome

Austin Roach, Jacksonville, Illinois

Kenworth W900A 79

1st Place Tractor Division

$1,500

Joel Dawes, Waterford, Wisconsin

2014 T660 Kenworth

Unassuming Kenworth W900 A-model from 1979 sported 
immaculate and tasteful chrome and polished stainless steel
and gave Austin Roach the title as well as scoring second place.

2nd Place Tractor Division

$1,000

Sid Calangelo, Carthage, Missouri

2015 Kenworth W900L

3rd Place Tractor Division

David Foster, Joplin, Missouri

2005 Kenworth W900L Studio

4th Place Tractor Division

Top spot in Classic was taken by Billy Baker with this 2000
Kenworth W900L. Fine attention to detail and creativity earned
  the award, making the trip from Ontario, Canada worthwhile.  

Kiegan Nelson, Onalaska, Wisconsin

2013 Peterbilt 389

5th Place Tractor Division

Sean M. McEndree Sr., Salado, Texas

2006 Peterbilt 379 Flat Top

1st Place Classic Division

$1,500

Billy Baker, St. Catherine’s, Ontario

2000 Kenworth W900L

2nd Place Classic Division

$1,000

Austin Roach, Jacksonville, Illinois

Green always shows well, but such was the competition
 that Joel Dawes ’88 Peterbilt 379 scored fifth. Still,
Classic was by far the busiest category.

Kenworth W900A 79

3rd Place Classic Division

Eric Holthaus, Seneca, Kansas

1985 Peterbilt 359

4th Place Classic Division

Jim Loggains, Carthage, Missouri

1994 Kenworth W900L

5th Place Classic Division

Joel Dawes, Waterford, Wisconsin

1988 Peterbilt 379