Bob & Shelley Brinker, Grayling, Mich., took home the Truck-Lite Trophy at the 2007 Mid-America Trucking Show, scoring tops in their 2000 Freightliner, themed after the movie "Pirates of the Caribbean."
Theirs was one of six qualifying trucks from the 2006 NAST (National Association of Show Trucks) Truck-Lite Trophy show circuit. The Truck-Lite Trophy represents the show truck National Championship.
During a year-long competition that showcased some of the nation's finest show trucks, one qualifier was selected from each of six NAST shows.
The Brinker's earned the 2003 Truck-Lite Trophy with the same Freightliner, then named "Dragon On." The truck was completely repainted in 2005 and features detailed muraling, inside and out, along with nearly 300 Truck-Lite LEDs.
Bob Brinker has been driving since 1981. Shelly, a full time sergeant in the Michigan Army National Guard, also holds a CDL and its military equivalent. Shelley was a co-driver for 10 years.
Second place went to Ron & Jan Huey, Greensburg, Ind., veteran show-truckers but newcomers to the Truck-Lite Trophy. Their silver 2000 International bobtail was decorated with nearly 200 lights. Ron has dedicated the last 30 years of his life to the industry and has put more than 1.3 million miles on his International. With over 24 truck shows under his belt, Ron has decided to retire his show truck at the top of his game.
Other qualifiers for the runoff competition were:
Pierre Cinq-Mars, Iron Bridge Ontario, 2002 Western Star
Rick Hitchcock, Webberville Mich., 2005 Peterbilt
Billy Hopkins, Kaufman Texas, 2001 Peterbilt
Joe Schmitt, Brillion Wis., 2003 Kenworth
Truck-Lite has been the title trophy sponsor for NAST since 1998. Together, NAST and Truck-Lite continue to promote a positive image of the trucking industry. To qualify for the Trophy Series Championship, all trucks must be true working trucks used daily in commercial service.
For more information about NAST or to enter any of the seven 2007 NAST Truck-Lite Trophy Shows, visit www.nastshowtrucks.org, or call Bo Trout, NAST president, at (734) 604-3242.
