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Features
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66
Viewpoint
Industry Update
September 2015
Vol ume 29
Issue 9
Bill Mack’s Entertainment Beat
Grandpa Jones Lives On!
NO LONGER A FAD
but CB radios still a must for pro drivers
NASCAR News
18 Wheel Eats
Safety Tips
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12 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

ViewPoint
By Megan Cullingford-Hicks
Tax Time is Here.
Are You Prepared?
By Megan Hicks
A New Point of View
We’re solidly into Overwhelmed!
another another time. Turns out, “another
hase has begun his senior year (cue
the gasps) and just one week in, we
C
Most would year, agree with that the they President and
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hate adore my animals, and the one pain will begin of losing to look one
change. officially Learning to sworn live with in a new to is like acute…and But THE whether ONE. never you more are so more than when disciplined
It occurs than to I’m me I angry, that with searching heartbroken, your taxes for a stunned, trucking and
it’s
another have perspective four already years can had be “the of rocky…especially
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country really where liked back
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out perspective.
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months, what life will as he that knows debt it will total cease look and like he overwhelming mess as me, it’s to imperative even bother that researching you as
a new city, getting divorced, losing a loved risk the heartbreak again? But the reality
one, needs in losing 2017?), to make a pet, a decision the your holidays child about going the behind next away step. to us is, what a trucker my might personal keep be a life track better is not of fit all complete for your you. spending
through There to overcome is the a reason year. this You and people can check track who out own it the
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college, We’ve (hopefully even narrowed changing all it your down lanes lights to going for are to truckers college down pets. inability
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options could be costing you the job of a
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good reputations?
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drive a route so often, you
I received an amazing call
begin how down to forget go the about mountain the drive itself, of expenses and Truckers are from allowed a friend to Then who write was begin off helping any your
sometimes figuring receipts that wondering that out. still if need your to be tallied expense necessary a neighbor for find research. them a good to complete
their jobs—from for his one pens year do
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of
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to old they
industry dog. The hire
without choices you has him having so to steer.
from, what are
But overwhelmed to my accountant.
with this habit that I have the best of magazines to
breed?
meals (check
Beagle.
comes the
their the
How
experience stipulations
on that) more) to weigh assurances requirements, station that costs the do
could
this not be Fate? After 25 (or
possibility he’s intentions not sure of falling throughout how into a rut the year of managing
even than this take leaving stuff, the the of comfort keying totals and and anything owner else truly not wanted they reimbursed offer to rehome perks by
rather to
zone, first step. even if you’re unhappy.
you want like
figures into my spreadsheet as I go and your company. the dog, we met Murphy, who
It’s
So
easier
we noodled
to deal with the devil
got along
medical
wonderfully
benefits,
with
you
out—start filing them
know
by
than
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the devil you Murphy orderly If you lack the discipline a pet policy, to track
Guinness (sensing a theme?).
rider
don’t,
down fashion. right?
a short But list of somewhere between, oh, these totals He’s throughout beautiful
policy, the and year sign
was (wel-acome
in to need the of club!), a companion at bonus, least our
on
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Sometimes February colleges he of our
can one choices year are and ours February to make of much
etc. toss Sheltie. the
and
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my neat and orderly receipts We receipts brought in folders him home or envelopes as the newest Hicks
we want—rut or no. Or we can opt family member. And the adapting
easily scratch
marked
has
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now
he’s turns familiar into a with daunting stack of paper with each month and then your spend list because a day
to venture to a new world. We live with the begun. Am I still angry that my family life was
and/or has a good
you don’t fit their
consequences slips in varying either sizes way large but at enough least the to altered each February in a way tallying I did not them want? up I am. for the Do I
impression of. Then begin researching via the needs or they don’t fit yours. Others will begin
choice swallow is ours small to make. children. And this year grieve tax man. and hide With in the what bathroom it saves to cry? you I do. in
handy dandy internet. By learning some of to look like good options. Then, ask around;
But sometimes the choices are for But sometimes unwanted change can lead
the is basics no different. about each I might (location, have cost, made majors it find taxes, a I current bet that driver day or is the two biggest who can oneday
some payday inside you scoop. enjoy all Remember year. that no
give
us—out of our control—and those can be to amazing things if you don’t spend too much
offered, to June distance or July from before home, I began requirements simply you
the toughest to adapt to. Not only are you time digging in your heels trying to prevent
to be accepted), he’ll automatically begin to company is perfect but hearing from current
learning stockpiling a new way invoices of life and after a receipts big change, with something Email your that is view unpreventable. point to Megan@
whittle out those that are not good fit and employees is often the best way to really
but every it’s easy intention to be bitter of because getting the to change them TruckersConnection.com.
Whether you’re forced to make a change
others will begin to look more promising. Once learn about a company’s environment. Once
was made and you had no voice in the you don’t want to make, or you have a change
some start to shine as the most appealing, you have it narrowed down to one or two top
decision-making.
to deal with that was completely out of your
we’ll Find go your and visit favorite them, magazines take a look at around, TruckDriverMagazines.com
talk choices, call them TRUCKER’S to take the CONNECTION next step. 11
Through an unexpected and awful tragedy, control, keep an open mind. It’s ok to be upset
to some current students and get the skinny Don’t let the amazing amount of trucking
I recently lost a beloved pet—a young, female and miss your old way of life. But you also
on the good, the bad and the ugly. And then options overwhelm you to the point of missing
Beagle. Losing a pet ranks up there with might be very surprised at the potential in the
hopefully that narrows the field even further out on a great one.
some of the worst experiences of my life. I new. All things happen for a reason.
Send your viewpoint to Megan@truckersconnection.com
Send your viewpoint to Megan@truckersconnection.com
www.TruckersConnection.com TRUCKER’S CONNECTION 17

Industry
Update
ATA Urges FMCSA To ‘Do More’ To Improve CSA Monitoring System
In comments recently filed, the American
Trucking Associations urged the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration to do more to
improve its Compliance, Safety, Accountability
carrier monitoring system.
“ATA is grateful that FMCSA has been receptive
to the industry’s request that CSA better
account for accident exposure and to compare
“After having a year to consider the recommendation
from the National Transportation
Safety Board-requested independent Review
Team to distinguish form and manner violations
from those that cause crashes, FMCSA
appears to have dismissed it out of hand,”
said Rob Abbott, ATA Vice President of Safety
Policy. “We find this very troubling because the
carriers with similar operations.
We are disap-
opportunity to improve
agency is missing an
We find this very troubling
pointed, though, that the because the agency is missing an safety by placing more
agency is still proposing
focus on high-risk carriers.”
opportunity to improve safety
only minor changes to
CSA,” said ATA President by placing more focus on highrisk
The review team,
carriers.
and CEO Bill Graves.
along with GAO and
The trucking lobby
Congress, has found
filed the comments in response to FMCSA’s
request for public comment titled “Proposal for
Future Enhancements to the Safety Measurement
System.”
ATA in a news release explaining its filing,
said that since CSA’s launch, that it has supported
the goals of CSA, but how FMCSA administers
the program and the data it uses are
“fundamentally lacking.”
Most recently, a DOT-appointed independent
review team offered a series of recommendations
to reform the program.
fault with the data FMCSA’s uses to compute
CSA scores which often have little relationship
to future crash risk, and can create a misleading
portrayal of a carrier’s safety record.
“ATA has repeatedly called on the agency to
remove the scores CSA produces from public
view while it fixes these serious issues,” Graves
said. “Ironically, while Congress is putting final
touches on legislation to require that FMCSA
take this step, the agency is only proposing
superficial changes to the system and actually
suggests making more flawed data public.”
Senate Passes 6-Year Highway Bill, Short Patch Still Needed
The Senate has passed a long-term transportation
bill, but lawmakers still plan to consider
a 3-month patch to keep highway and transit
aid flowing to states, since the House has left
for the August recess.
The $350 billion long-term bill was approved
on a vote of 65 to 34. It would make
changes to highway, transit, railroad and auto
22 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Industry
Update
safety programs. But its sponsors
were only able to find enough money
to pay for the first three years of the
six-year bill.
The Senate turned after the vote
to a House bill that extends the government’s
authority to process aid
payments through Oct. 29. House Republican
leaders opted for the patch to
give themselves more time to work on
a long-term bill.
Senate DRIVE Act would keep some CSA scores from public view, OK
hair testing
a provision to cut CSA percentile scores from
One might say the Senate was “driven”
public view.
recently, working over its allotted hours and
The DRIVE Act also calls for developing
passing the House’s $8 billion, three-month
a pilot program for under-21 interstate drivers
extension (HR 3236) and a measure of its
and allowing hair testing for drug use rather
own, H.R. 22, the DRIVE Act, which contained
than urine tests.
And oh yes, passed a funding
“patch” to keep the Highway
Trust Fund solvent until October.
House and Senate leaders
will take up the DRIVE Act this
fall to work out a long-term highway
funding fix, media sources
reported.
24 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Industry
Update
ATA Calls On Congress To Support Graduated CDL Program
The American Trucking Associations
called on Congress to support legislation that
would lead to a graduated licensing program
for commercial drivers.
“We applaud Sen. (Deb) Fischer, R-Neb.,
for introducing legislation that could bring us
closer to a graduated licensing program for
commercial drivers hauling freight across
state lines,” said ATA President and CEO Bill
Graves. “Right now, an 18-year-old can drive
a truck within the borders of his state, but
not to deliver goods across state lines – this
means a young adult could drive a truck from
El Paso, Texas, to Dallas – a distance of more
than 600 miles – but couldn’t cross the street
to deliver that same load from Texarkana, Texas,
to Texarkana, Arkansas. This is something
we can easily correct and, at the same time,
move toward a graduated CDL system.”
Graves said ATA supported Fischer’s legislation,
which would take steps toward rationalizing
licensing laws by allowing states to permit
limited interstate travel by 18- to 21-year-olds,
and take a big step toward a graduated licensing
program for commercial drivers.
“Graduated licensing is a proven and effective
for reducing the risk of young drivers of
passenger vehicles – millions of drivers have
gotten their licenses this way – and it has been
a top policy priority for many organizations,
including some that are attacking Fischer’s
proposal now,” said ATA Executive Vice President
Dave Osiecki. “Research has conclusively
shown the benefits of graduated licensing for
young drivers. Some groups’ resistance to this
commonsense commercial licensing proposal
is as illogical as the current rules limiting interstate
driving by young adults.”
26 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Entertainment Beat
After posting a few funny bits about
Grandpa Jones on my Facebook
page, I received a tremendous
amount of comments. It was suggested
that I do a feature on the gentleman in my
Trucker’s Connection column.
Louis Marshall Jones passed away
February 19, 1998 at age 84 … but his banjopickin’,
hilarious character, “Grandpa” Jones,
lives on in treasured memories by those who
knew him. There are millions of devoted fans
who enjoyed his presence on the “Grand Ole
Opry”, “Hee-Haw!” and countless personal
appearances. He was given the grand honor
Grandpa Jones Lives On!
of being inducted into the Country Music
Hall-of-Fame in Nashville in 1978.
Almost everyone who was an
acquaintance of the gentleman has an
unlimited amount of funny stories related to
the outstanding performer in their memory
banks. I’ll never forget the night that
Hank Thompson, Moe Bandy and I
exchanged what we referred to as
“Jones gems” for hours while seated
at a table in the Opryland Hotel
in Nashville. There was continual
laughter. I’ll share a few of those
gems with you as we go back in
time:
Grandpa was preparing
to go onstage at a nightclub in
Dallas where the owner had a
bad reputation for “short-changing”
the artists when paying them for
their entertaining appearances.
Grandpa had been advised by
some of his peers to demand
cash in advance before beginning
his performance. Just before
showtime, the owner handed the
elderly performer a wad of assorted
dollar bills. Grandpa, wetting his
thumb, counted them slowly …then
re-counted them at least two more
times before the owner asked, “Is
it all there, Mr. Jones?” Grandpa
placed the loot in his pocket, looked at the
owner and growled, “Just barely.”
When I was a disk jockey in San Antonio,
the radio station arranged to book a show
consisting of more then a dozen top country
music stars for a weekend extravaganza
in the huge municipal auditorium. In
order to make their appearances more
beneficial prior to the Saturday and Sunday
32 30 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

By Bill Mack
By Bill Mack
performances, we arranged
for them to play Friday night
gigs at various night spots
in the area. Because of a
big error, Grandpa Jones
was booked to play “The
Farmer’s Daughter,” the
most popular dance hall
in San Antonio, known for
spotlighting the heavy-beat
music of Bob Wills, Hank
Thompson and other big
western-swing bands that
were popular at the time.
Grandpa with his old banjo
and his tiny band consisting
of his wife, Ramona, and
her fiddle, a rhythm guitar
strummer and a bass-fiddle
thumper were to be the headline act.
The next morning, I joined Grandpa in
the hotel coffee shop. I asked, “How did
things go at the Farmer’s Daughter last
night?” Grandpa solemnly replied, “Nobody
danced! You’d have thought I was singin’
‘Silent Night’ and other Christmas carols! I
knew I was in trouble when some cowboy in
the crowd yelled, ‘Can I borrow a dime from
you, Grandpa? We wanna hear th’ jukebox
… so we can dance!’”
After touring with two brothers who were
known for their habit of taking various pills
to “lift them up” before performing, Grandpa
uttered, “Them boys would swallow buttons
if you’d hand ‘em a glass of water!”
Singing star Sonny James lived near
Grandpa on the outskirts of Nashville. One
morning, he saw Grandpa standing in deep
water almost reaching his knees in his corn
field following a big soaking rain during
the night. He had his hands on his hips,
obviously in deep thought as Sonny stopped
his car, lowered the window and yelled, “Is
everything okay, Grandpa?” His old friend
growled, “I don’t know whether to drain it …
or stock it with fish, Sonny.”
I was headed toward the backstage
entrance to the Ryman Auditorium, home
of the “Grand Ole Opry” in Nashville. It
was a very dark night, but I saw Grandpa
Jones entering his car in the parking lot. I
approached him as he stood by the car door
and yelled, “Hi Grandpa!” He asked, “What
is it?” I replied, “It’s Bill Mack!” Since he had
a very difficult hearing problem, combined
with the darkness of the night, he shouted,
“Who?” I repeated, “Bill Mack!” Grandpa,
obviously confused with the conversation,
growled loudly, “I ain’t seen Bill Mack! I gotta
go! Have a good night!” before slamming
the car door, starting his engine and backing
out of his parking place.
The next night I was at a gathering in
Nashville chatting with George Strait when
www.TruckersConnection.com TRUCKER’S CONNECTION 31

Entertainment Beat
Continued
I noticed Grandpa,
his wife and several
other people seated
at a table. Grandpa
motioned for me to
come to him. After
shaking his hand, he
said, “Bill, as I was
gittin’ in my car last
night following my
appearance on th’
‘Opry’, some weird
dude approached
me, lookin’ for you!
I didn’t give him any
information. As I said, he looked a bit
spooky!”
Grand Ole Opry
star Jeannie Seely
said, “One time,
back in the ‘60s,
Grandpa and I were
sharing a dressing
room in the old
Ryman Auditorium.
This was before it
was equipped with
an air-conditioner.
It was so hot in
there that when
I applied a little
makeup and took
the time to reach for
something else it was melting off! Grandpa
was dabbing something on his face to make
him look older. I was trying to make myself
look pretty. I looked at him and said, ‘This
is a hassle, isn’t it, Grandpa?’ He just kept
Almost everyone who was
an acquaintance of the
gentleman has an unlimited
amount of funny stories
related to the outstanding
performer in their
memory banks.
dabbing as he mumbled, “Yes, it is. But I’ve
got some sad news for you. As time goes
on, my job is gonna git easier, while yours
is gonna git harder! Then, he gave me that
trademark laugh. He was so quick when
it came to being hilarious. He was also a
precious gentleman.”
When Opry star Stoney Cooper had
a heart attack around the same time
Grandpa Jones had gallstone surgery,
Cooper received hundreds of cards and
letters, while Grandpa received dozens.
Grandpa rationalized this by stating, “I
guess gallstones don’t ‘draw’ as good as
heart attacks!”
On January 3, 1988, Grandpa Jones
suffered a stroke just after performing
his last set for the
Grand Ole Opry. As
a huge group of his
fellow entertainers
surrounded him,
waiting for the
ambulance to
arrive, Grandpa
looked up at them
and laughed, “I don’t
know what’s goin’
on here, but from
lookin’ at th’ crowd,
I’d guess one of
them ‘super-stars’ is
in our midst!”
According to his peers and countless
friends, there will never be a more
entertaining super-star than Louis
Marshall Jones … better known as
“Grandpa” Jones.
Visit Bill at BillMackCountry.com
32 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

G
o on any truck driver forum and you’ll
see questions from new drivers about
a specific piece of technology – the CB
radio.
Those raised on satellite TV and smartphones
seem to regard the CB as a sort of
technological artifact, like rotary phones.
“Do I really need a CB?” the new
drivers ask.
And the answer from the veteran truckers
is always yes, yes you do. As one experienced
driver put it, “It's not a dying tool; it's
a forgotten tool by many drivers. Any trucker
that gives a **** has a CB.”
Those new drivers are too young to remember,
but there was a time when everyone
in the country thought they needed a CB.
For those who weren’t alive to experience
it, the CB radio craze of the 1970s must seem
inexplicable. Why would so many people get
excited about a means of communication
used primarily by truckers, contractors and
hobbyists? How did phrases like “10-4, good
buddy” and “What’s your 20?” enter the vernacular?
Why did people who never drove
anything with more than four wheels adopt
handles? (Even First Lady Betty Ford had
one – First Mama).
Sometimes fads are inexplicable (Pet
Rocks, anyone?), but the CB radio mania
was largely fueled by the 1973
gas crisis. The federal government
imposed a nationwide 55 mph
speed limit and frustrated truckers
and others turned to their CBs to
trade information about cheap gas
and speed traps. Once the Federal
Communications Commission
dropped its license requirement,
it became a cheap way for
non-truckers to partake in an exotic
culture.
40 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

NO
LONGER
A FAD
but CB radios still a must for pro drivers
CB radio was only one facet
of the public’s fascination with
trucking. C.W. McCall’s “Convoy” hit No. 1 on
the pop and country charts in 1975. Movies
such as Smokey and the Bandit, Convoy and
White Line Fever were in the theaters and
B.J. and the Bear and Movin’ On were TV
series.
Newcomers installed CB radios in their
wood-paneled station wagons and stay-athomes
monitored their base
stations.
Truckers
found the
airwaves
suddenly
crowded
with people
who just
wanted to
chat, preach,
tell dirty jokes
and generally
waste time.
Genuine truckers,
who used
CBs for their intended
purpose, were baffled by the craze
and frustrated by the suddenly crowded airwaves.
www.TruckersConnection.com TRUCKER’S CONNECTION 41

NO LONGER A FAD
In hindsight, CB radios were a precursor
to social media. On Channel 19, people could
assume new identities, communicate with
friends and strangers, argue and share whatever
information they cared to pass on.
Newcomers installed CB radios
in their wood-paneled station
wagons and stay-at-homes
monitored their base stations.
Like all fads, the CB radio craze eventually
died out. The novelty wore off and people
moved on to Star Wars and Cabbage Patch
Kids.
The days of drivers having to rely on the
CB radio to communicate are long gone. Driving
apps and GPS units provide directions.
Cell phones let drivers stay in touch with family
and friends and cabs are stuffed full of electronics
to allow communication with dispatchers,
who can track truck locations.
But that doesn’t mean CBs have joined
flip phones and VCRs in the ever-growing
heap of obsolete technologies, said Gary
Hill, category manager for CB accessories
brands at RoadPro Family of Brands, which
manufactures CBs and accessories under the
RoadPro, RoadKing, Wilson, K40, Astatic and
Francis brands.
“They’re still an important safety tool for
drivers,” said Hill.
Any long-haul trucker knows there are
big parts of the country with poor cell phone
42 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

NO LONGER A FAD
reception, particularly out West. A CB also is
the fastest way to notify other drivers of traffic
conditions, road hazards and bad weather.
CBs also let drivers alert each other if they
spot something wrong on a truck they pass.
And some terminals still insist on communicating
with drivers through CBs.
“Truckers no longer have to rely on it to
do everything, but nothing else does exactly
what it does,” Hill said, adding that, unlike cell
phones, CB radios don’t come with monthly
bills.
A CB also is the fastest way to
notify other drivers of traffic
conditions, road hazards and
bad weather. CBs also let drivers
alert each other if they spot
something wrong on a truck
they pass.
While truckers might keep the volume
low to avoid “radio Rambos” looking for arguments
and people talking to hear themselves
talk, they still rely on the CB. And it’s still proving
its worth.
Several years
ago near Pittsburgh,
a man veered off
the road into the
woods. He called
for help on his CB
and was overhead
by a base operator
who called police
and directed them
to the stranded
motorist. Incredibly,
it turned out
the two had communicated
by CB
20 years earlier
44 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

NO LONGER A FAD
“Truckers no longer have to
rely on it to do everything, but
nothing else does exactly what
it does,” Hill said, adding that,
unlike cell phones, CB radios
don’t come with monthly bills.
when the motorist was a trucker.
And then there’s this extraordinary
story from Tennessee about how a group
of truckers, using CB radios to coordinate,
boxed in a motorist who had snatched his
son and was fleeing the state.
So while the public is unlikely
to ever go through another CB radio
craze, truckers will continue to
use it the way it was intended to
be used.
46 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

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48 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION Hundreds of Jobs www.TruckJobSeekers.com

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52 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION Hundreds of Jobs www.TruckJobSeekers.com

Nascar
News
Sprint Cup
Schedule
Sunday, Sept. 6
Darlington
7:00 p.m. ET, NBC
Saturday, Sept. 12
Richmond
7:30 p.m. ET, NBC Sports
Sunday, Sept. 20
Chicago
3 p.m. ET, NBC Sports
Sunday, Sept. 27
New Hampshire
2 p.m. ET, NBC Sports
Jeff Gordon Focused On Competing, The
Future of the Chase
The recent Windows 10 400 was Jeff Gordon’s
final start at Pocono Raceway. While he appreciates
the support Pennsylvania fans have given him
over the years, he wasn’t sentimental about
his last trip to the Tricky Triangle because he’s
still a win away from making the Chase for the
NASCAR Sprint Cup.
“I’m so focused on the competition and trying
to compete at a high level, trying to get ourselves
in a position to win the race, win the pole,
be in the Chase, I just can’t and haven’t been able
to allow it to sink in,” Gordon said. “It might not
happen until the race is over at Homestead. I have no
idea when that’s going to impact or sink in.”
In his final full-time season, Gordon wants to
do more than just make the Chase; he wants to compete
for his fifth championship.
“Obviously having a bad finish like that, it can
shake things up in a hurry,” Gordon said. “I think
our team is very capable of getting ourselves in the
Chase, but we want more than that. We want to be
battling for wins, and we’re fighting extremely hard
to do that. We know what a win can do in securing
that spot, but we’re also a strong team that has overcome
adversity in the past. We’re going to fight all
the way through Richmond to make sure no matter
what, whether it’s by points or with a win, that we get
ourselves in there.
“I love the challenge that this race track presents
on track,” Gordon said. “I’ve been driving for a team
that has great performance on tracks like this as well.
We’ve been known to get down the straightaways
pretty good. This place has a lot of straightaway, but
I also like the shifting and the unique corners that
are here as well.”
Gordon acknowledged how the negative side
of the fast straightaways figured into the single moment
that stands out from his 23 years of racing at
the facility.
56 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Nascar
News
“I wrecked really bad in Turn 1, that stands out,”
Gordon said, referring to a 2006 crash. “It’s funny
those types of incidents stand out to you as much as
some of the good moments that you have. You never
forget moments like that. Let’s put it that way.
“I can remember coming here early, early on
and maybe even watching a race here or an IndyCar
race here on TV prior to me ever racing here and
just in awe of how long the front straightaway was,
how fast the cars are going into Turn 1. And I always
said, ‘You don’t ever want to have a brake problem
going into Turn 1 at Pocono,’ and I had one and experienced
it so that stands out to me.”
But the people of Pocono Raceway have left a
lasting impression as well. On Friday, track president
Brandon Igdalsky presented Gordon with a $24,000
check for the Jeff Gordon Foundation to go with
nearly $58,000 raised Thursday night for Gordon’s
foundation and The NASCAR Foundation at a charity
poker tournament. In addition to the funds, Igdalsky’s
team painted “Gordon” on the track, which
didn’t go unnoticed by the driver of the No. 24 car.
“This track has been really special to me over
the years,” Gordon said. “I thought it
was enough that you put my name at
the start/finish line but what we did
last night at the event and this (check)
is above and beyond.”
The fans of the area welcomed
Gordon as a young racer, even before
he joined NASCAR’s premier series,
and he’s continued to benefit from
their support throughout his racing
career.
“I go back to when I raced dirt
around Pennsylvania and Ohio and
Indiana in sprint car racing and how
big racing is in this state,” Gordon
said. “And I think that was very evident to me immediately
when I got in the Cup Series and started
flying into the airports here, and it was always the
biggest crowds of fans that we had, anywhere we
went, standing there waiting for the teams and the
drivers to arrive, wanting to get a glimpse, a picture,
an autograph.
“That’s been maintained throughout all the
years, and when I put a fan club together, our largest
number of members were from Pennsylvania, if you
took it by state. This is a big racing part of the country,
and I think that’s why the track has continued to
do so well through the years because they have people
that love racing, that love NASCAR racing.”
58 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

18 WHEEL
EATS
By Renee West
In today’s world of trucking, most truck stops
offer fast food as the only option for a quick
meal. These are often unhealthy and perhaps
not as fresh as they should be. But along
the roadways are diamonds in the rough--family
owned restaurants that serve great food at reasonable
prices and accommodate 18 wheels.
One of the places most visited by me and my
husband is Hood’s Truck Stop and Restaurant,
which opened in 1963 and is owned by Nancy
Dalmas. It is located at exit 61 in Bois D’Arc,
Missouri. When you enter the restaurant you are
greeted by a warm and welcoming atmosphere
from all the smiling faces
of the wait staff. The
décor is contemporary
and simple, very clean
and comfortable. Both
of us ordered an 8oz
ribeye steak with baked
potato. I ordered mine
extra well done--which
is usually dry and burnt
by others--however,
this was cooked to
perfection, very moist and tender. We frequent
Hoods any time we’re nearby, and every meal
we have ordered has been terrific. The service
is always great, nothing to complain about here.
The prices are reasonable, and plenty of parking
is available for big trucks. This is a great, familyfriendly
place to dine; they do not allow smoking
or alcohol, which I believe makes it all the more
inviting. The truck stop offers hot showers, laundry
services, a game room, and more.
While in Mississippi, be sure to stop at the
Express Lane Truck Stop off I-20 on exit 88.
Located next door is Penn’s Catfish restaurant,
opened in 1967 by Roger Penn. When we visited
last, my husband Mark ordered the seafood platter
for $14.99 which includes catfish, shrimp, and
stuffed crab. Mark, who has the hardest pallet to
please, was amazed at the flavor of the entire
meal. The catfish was cooked to a golden brown
with a light crust. It was moist and so tender it
seemed to melt in his mouth. The tartar sauce
enhanced the flavor. I ordered the chicken finger
plate, which was terrific; however, having trying
the catfish, it didn’t compare.
The restaurant offers a buffet if you are in a
hurry and need a good meal quick. The atmosphere
is family friendly, pleasing, clean, and
uplifting. For the price
you can’t go wrong
giving this place a
try. The restaurant
was a little short on
wait staff the night
we were there. One
of the waitresses had
a son who came to
our table to help because
his mom was
so overwhelmed with
other customers. This young man kept our tea
full and was very helpful in making sure we had
everything we needed. I was really amazed at his
willingness to help. He added a little extra flavor
to our night and made the experience even more
enjoyable.
• Hoods Family Restaurant exit 61 off I-44:
1651 State Hwy K, Bois D’Arc, Mo. 65612
Ph: 417-732-2686 Open 24/7
• Penn’s Catfish exit 88 off I-20: 1550 Hwy
35, S Forest, Miss. 39074 Ph: 601-469-
2536 Open Mon -Sun 11-9 Friday and Saturday
nights close at 10. Buffets (except
Sat.) 11-2 for $12.08/person
60 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Safety
Tips
By Bob Hataway
Sitting Duck
A driver was traveling southbound on I-45 near
Madisonville, TX heading for Houston. The sun was
setting quickly and it was getting dark. Suddenly, his unit
began to shut down intermittently on it’s on. He braked
and pulled over to the emergency lane. The engine died
completely. His attempts at restarting were to no avail.
He immediately got out of his tractor and set his
triangles. He walked to the front of the tractor to pull his
hood over. Getting his cell phone, he walked to the edge
of the road and called into to his dispatch.
Out of the blue, he heard the screeching of brakes and
the deadening thud of a collision. Looking back, he saw
that a car had run into the back of his trailer and there was
smoke everywhere.
He ran back to help but could not approach the vehicle due to the fire that had exploded.
Two people were killed in the accident.
A tragedy of this magnitude teaches us several things:
1. By law we are a hazard to the flow of traffic even when we are on the emergency lane
with an emergency. You can be there by virtue of the shutdown, but know that you are a
hazard to traffic.
2. Turn on every light you have so you can be seen. In the darkness, you are in a hazardous
position. Choose a place that you can escape injury should it be necessary.
3. If possible when shutting down, try to make it to a place where you can get your unit
completely off the paved surface.
That's the way I see it.
Bob Hataway heads up TransAlive USA, Inc., an organization
dedicated to helping truckers when they have
accidents away from home. More information is available
by calling 800-USA-HURT. www.transalive.com
62 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

64 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

THE CONNECTION
Marketplace
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TODAY’S PROFESSIONAL TRUCKER
HAVE A PRODUCT OR SERVICE PERFECT
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www.TruckersConnection.com TRUCKER’S CONNECTION 65

Puzzle
Airports
SOLUTION ON PAGE 68
Beijing
Bromma
Bromna
Bykova
Charleroi
Croydon
Dorval
Dublin Airport
Dulles
Dumont
Dyce
Elmdon
Ezeiza
Fornebu
Gatwick
Healthrow
Hurn
JFK
Kai Tak
Kastrup
Kennedy
La Guardia
Lod
Logan
Maplin
Marabel
Nadi
Narita
Northolt
O'Hare
Orly
Oslo
Prestwick
Rhoose
Ringway
Roissy
Ronalsway
Schipol
Shannon
Speke
St Paul
Stansted
Tacoma
Tegel
Tempelhof
Venice
Winnipeg
Yeadon
66 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com

Index
Andrus Transportation Services . . . . . .43
Barr Nunn ........................27
BCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .2-4
Bennett Motor Express. . . . . . . . . . . . . .20
Cal Ark ........................Insert
California Overland ................45
Celadon. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Insert, 15
Central Hauling Co. .............Insert
Central Refrigerated Services .....Insert
Crane Transport ...................38
Davis Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .48
Heartland Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21
High Country. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .55
Hogan Transport . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .59
Interstate Trucker ..................64
JMN Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .47
K & B Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .53
Keen Transport ....................14
Ken Turowski Attorney .............65
Lessors, Inc. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .19
Logistics One . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Logix Transportation ...............48
Marten Transport .................8-9
Melton Truck Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . .34-35
Mercer Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18
Messilla Valley . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .16
Minstar ...........................70
NCI ..............................28
Nu-Way Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . .13
P.I. & I. Motor Express ..............33
Petro . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .50
Prime, Inc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insert
Red Classic Transit ................6-7
Red Eye Radio .....................54
Reliable Carriers ...................67
RTI. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Insert
Stageline Express . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .29
Styline Logistics. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .64
Summit Transportation .............49
Super Service ......................69
TMC Transportation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23
Tradewinds. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .57
Trans Am .........................63
Transco Lines. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .61
Transport America ..............10-11
Transport Design. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .52
Triple D Supply ....................46
Truckers Helper. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .65
TruckMovers ......................25
US Xpress . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .39
USA Truck ........................51
XPO. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .37
WORDFIND PUZZLE (PAGE 66) SOLUTION
68 TRUCKER’S CONNECTION www.TruckersConnection.com