Castrol Tection Extra has narrowed the field of contestants in its Big Honkin' Truck Makeover to the final three. Online visitors to the company's web site and visitors at this year's Mid-America Trucking Show will vote to determine
which lucky owner-operator will receive a $50,000 truck makeover from the Chrome Shop Mafia crew.
The grand prize winner will be announced on March 29 in Louisville.
From now until Feb. 28, visitors of www.castroltruckmakeover.com will be able to vote for their favorite entry online. Those votes will be tallied and added to those collected at MATS. The grand prize winner will be announced on the final day of MATS, Saturday, March 29.
"We are extremely impressed with the amount of amazing entries we received, and are excited to know that so many drivers continue to possess a passion for their trucks," said Tracy Drelich, assistant promotions manager from Castrol. "It was a difficult decision, but we narrowed it down to three finalists. We are confident the public will choose the truck and owner-operator most worthy of a Big Honkin' Truck Makeover."
Tim Heddins from Gruver, Texas; Hendrik Kramer from Albuquerque, N.M.; and Donald Wolford Jr. from Greencastle, Pa., were chosen as the finalists for the coveted $50,000 truck makeover grand prize. Their entries were judged on originality, creativity, relevance of essay to theme and photographic appeal.
The three finalists have more than 35 years of combined experience in the trucking industry and have driven millions of miles across the United States.
Tim Heddins hopes that winning the makeover would not only help keep his truck on the road, but also expand the size of the cab to allow his wife to travel with him.
"My wife alerted me about the contest when she was surfing online one day," Heddins said. "It would be wonderful to share the winning experience with my wife - what better way to thank her."
After graduating high school, finalist Hendrik Kramer moved from South Africa to pursue his passion for driving. Kramer says his 1984 Freightliner is the source of his greatest interest, as well as the livelihood of his family. "Although the truck is dependable I spend most of my free time on the maintenance of the truck, hours that could instead be spent with my family."
Donald Wolford comes from a long line of truck drivers. "My grandfather drove the big trucks, and for me there was never a second choice - it was the only thing I ever wanted to do," said Wolford. "I take pride in my work and in the appearance of my truck; winning the Big Honkin' Truck Makeover contest would help improve the way that I conduct my life and business."
The winning truck will receive a $50,000 interior, exterior and communications makeover customized by The Chrome Shop Mafia and 4 State Trucks Inc.
The makeover will include products from the following sponsors:
• Go Green Fuel Hydrogen Enrichment Technology system
• Continental Tire North America
• Alcoa Wheels
• National Seating
• Sirius Satellite Radio
• Grote Industries
• Your Truck Stop
The runner-up and second prize winners will not walk away empty-handed. The runner-up will receive a $3,000 BP gift card, good for goods and merchandise at any BP location. The second prize winner will receive a $500 gift card good towards the purchase of electronics for his/her truck. All three winners also will receive a year's supply of Castrol Tection Extra.