Novosad Wins Truck-Lite Trophy from NAST

The National Association of Show Trucks presented its series-topping Truck-Lite Trophy last month at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

Throughout its 2007 truck show season, the association awarded "trophy finalist" status to one champion truck at each NAST show. The run-off competition was held at the Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky., and the Truck-Lite Trophy went to Truett Novosad of Caldwell, Texas.

Novosad works his immaculately prepared white and blue 2001 Peterbilt doing heavy hauling daily. The former University of Houston football letterman (class of 2000) grew up in trucking, traveling with his father starting in 1979. He and his wife Melissa have been showing for four years. "This is great! Prior to winning the Truck-Lite Trophy," Truett said, "The highlight of our showing career was being on the Shell Super Rigs calendar in 2007."

Second place went to Gerald Kissinger of Stoughton, Wis., and his red 1991 Mack Superliner and 2006 Great Dane trailer sporting an American flag mural. Kissinger is a Best-in-Show champion from the Waupun Truck 'N' Show, and has been a stalwart fundraiser for the Make-A-Wish Foundation. He and his wife Kay run Independent Operators Inc., a 22-truck fleet hauling Wisconsin cheese and dairy products. Jerry has been trucking for 33 years.

The third place winner was Rick Hitchock of Webberville, Mich. Hitchock and his wife, Jennifer, prepared their white and red 2005 Peterbilt 379 for the Truck-Lite Trophy finals. The son of a past NAST president, Brian, Rick has been trucking for seven years. He generally pulls eight-axle Michigan special tank trailers loaded with fertilizers and other liquids.

Other finalists were Jerry Hassevoort, Hamilton, Mich., with a 1986 Peterbilt and 2001 Utility reefer; Joseph Schmitt, Brillion, Wis., with a 2003 Kenworth and Great Dane reefer, Ron and Carol Commissaris, Wyoming, Mich., with their 2007 Peterbilt and Great Dane reefer, and Phil Knowlan, Coldwater, Mich., with his 1994 Peterbilt.