The Men’s Olympic Bobsled team recently visited two Kenworth dealers to show their appreciation for help financing their medal-winning effort at the winter Olympics held earlier this year in Salt Lake City.

Rod French is dealer principle at Kenworth Mid-Iowa and Kenworth of Omaha in Nebraska. Many years ago, he became friends with Olympic bobsledder Travis Bell, through Bell’s father. So last fall, Bell asked French if he would be interested in donating money for new, faster sled runners. The runners are the foundation of the sled, and proved to be a key component during the games.
French cut them a check, and cheered wildly when he watched the Olympics on TV. The bobsled team medalled for the first time in 46 years, capturing silver and bronze medals. Because of French’s involvement, the Olympic bobsled featured a special decal entitled the “Spirit of Iowa.”
“The trucking industry is built upon pride and a consistency to strive for excellence,” says French, “which parallels the success behind this bobsled team. This is an opportunity for the trucking industry to partner with an event that draws attention to a very positive aspect of the American spirit.”
In thanks for French’s contribution, earlier this month the bobsled team made four stops at French’s dealerships, and schoolchildren were invited to meet the Olympians and see their bobsleds.
But that’s not the only trucking connection. Travis Bell has a CDL, having driven trucks during the summer while he was in college. And Kenworth and the bobsled team both use the University of Washington Kirsten Wind Tunnel.
For more information on the U.S. Bobsled team, visit www.usabobsledandskeleton.org.