121520_TT_AllPages

Vol. 33, No. 24 | December 15-31, 2020 | www.thetrucker.com 

Aim your 

camera 

at the 

code for 

more news! 

OOIDA president Todd Spencer makes bid for top 

spot at FMCSA as Biden names cabinet candidates 

iStock Photo 

HOS relief for vaccine 

Because of the continuing 

national emergency caused 

by the COVID-19 pandemic, 

the FMCSA its hours-ofservice 

waiver and expanded 

it to include delivery of the 

COVID-19 vaccine. 

Page 3 

Navigating the news 

Wrong-way trucker collision........4 

$10 million narcotics seizure......5 

The Trucker Trainer.................8 

Shell’s Starship.......................9 

Rhythm of the Road.............13 

At the Truck Stop..................14 

2,000th CAT Scale................... 15 

Ask the Attorney...................16 

Freight outpaces capacity...........17 

Fleet Focus.................................19 

Auto Transport Modules............21 

Folds of Honor.......................... 23 

THE TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES 

GRAIN VALLEY, Mo. — Todd Spencer, president 

and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent 

Drivers Association (OOIDA) has formally 

notified President-elect Joe Biden’s transition 

team that he is interested in serving as the next 

administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety 

Administration (FMCSA). 

“Representing our nation’s small-business 

truckers has been my life’s work,” Spencer said in 

a letter dated Nov. 24. “I still aspire to do this for 

many years to come, but sometimes we are compelled 

to make a difference in other ways.” 

Spencer, who became a professional truck 

driver in 1974 and still holds a commercial driver’s 

license (CDL), noted that he has seen many 

changes in trucking regulations during his nearly 

50 years in the industry. He has worked with 

OOIDA since 1981. 

“The system we have in place now simply 

does not work,” he stated in the letter. 

“We have never had more regulations than we 

do today, and we have never had more enforcement 

of or compliance with those regulations, yet 

highway safety continues to trend in the wrong 

direction,” he continued. “This is because regulations 

often exclude input or direct involvement 

from those behind the wheel of a truck, and they 

almost never reflect the diverse operational nature 

of the trucking industry.” 

FMCSA’s primary mission is to reduce 

crashes involving large trucks, something 

that Spencer believes he can help accomplish, 

Courtesy: OOIDA 

Todd Spencer, president and CEO of the Owner-Operator Independent Driver Association, has 

notified President-elect Joe Biden’s transition team that he is interested becoming the administrator 

of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. 

according to a Nov. 30 statement released by 

OOIDA. Spencer followed up with a Dec. 3 

letter addressed directly to Biden, in which 

the OOIDA leader outlined regulatory priorities 

the association believes will help FMCSA 

achieve this mission. In addition, the letter details 

a number of issues Spencer said have the 

most impact on smaller trucking companies and 

owner-operators. 

“President-elect Biden and his team at the Department 

of Transportation have an opportunity 

to advance policies that not only support smallbusiness 

truckers, but promote highway safety,” 

See OOIDA on p11 m 

ATA calls for trucking workforce to be 

among first to receive COVID-19 vaccine 

Courtesy: Frankie Faulk 

Christmas on the road 

Just because truckers are on 

the road most of the year — 

including during the holidays 

— doesn’t mean that they 

can’t bring a little Christmas 

cheer along for the ride. 

Page 23 

iStock Photo 

The American Trucking Associations has asked 

policymakers across various levels of government 

to give the trucking industry priority as 

an essential workforce when administering the 

COVID-19 vaccine. 


ARLINGTON, Va. — The American Trucking 

Associations (ATA) has called on policymakers 

across various levels of government, 

asking that members of the trucking industry be 

among the groups of essential workers receiving 

prioritized access to COVID-19 vaccines. 

On Dec. 1, ATA sent letters to the White 

House, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 

Advisory Committee on Immunization 

Practices, President-elect Joe Biden and the National 

Governors Association, stressing the essential 

role of the trucking industry. 

“Our workforce represents a central and critical 

link in the nation’s supply chain and will 

play an essential role in the imminent COVID-19 

vaccine distribution process,” wrote Bill Sullivan, 

ATA’s executive vice president for advocacy. 

“As the trucking industry is called upon to 

deliver vaccines across the country, it is imperative 

that truck drivers have prioritized access to 

the vaccine to minimize the potential for supply 

chain delays and disruptions.” 

Since the onset of the pandemic, the trucking 

industry has been crucial throughout all 

phases of the national response effort, providing 

direct and indispensable support to workers of 

every category across the front line, from health 

See First on p11 m

2 • December 15-31, 2020 Nation 

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Nation December 15-31, 2020 • 3 

FMCSA expands emergency declaration to include transport of COVID-19 

vaccine; extends hours-of-service regulatory relief through end of February 


WASHINGTON — Because of the continuing 

national emergency caused by the 

COVID-19 pandemic, the Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administration has extended 

Emergency Declaration No. 2020-002, 

which was set to expire Dec. 31, through 

Feb. 28, 2021. In addition, the declaration 

has been expanded to include motor carriers 

and commercial drivers transporting 

COVID-19 vaccines. 

The extension and expansion waives 

hours-of-service regulations for commercial 

motor vehicle drivers and carriers that 

are providing direct assistance in support of 

COVID-19 emergency relief efforts. Relief 

efforts are limited to the transportation of: 

1. Livestock and livestock feed; 

2. Medical supplies and equipment related 

to the testing, diagnosis and treatment 

of COVID-19; 

3. Vaccines, constituent products and 

medical supplies and equipment, including 

ancillary supplies/kits for the administration 

of vaccines, related to the prevention 

of COVID-19; 

4. Supplies and equipment necessary 

for community safety, sanitation and prevention 

of community transmission of 

COVID-19, such as masks, gloves, hand 

sanitizer, soap and disinfectants; and 

5. Food, paper products and other groceries 

for emergency restocking of distribution 

centers or stores. 

“Direct assistance” does not include 

routine commercial deliveries, including 

mixed loads with a nominal quantity of 

qualifying emergency relief added to obtain 

the benefits of this emergency declaration. 

While hours-of-service regulations are 

waived for qualifying vehicles, drivers 

must continue to comply with state laws 

and regulations, including speed limits 

and other restrictions, in addition to prohibitions 

on texting or using a hand-held 

mobile phone while driving. 

Motor carriers shall not require or allow 

fatigued drivers to operate a commercial 

motor vehicle. A driver who informs 

a carrier that he/she needs immediate rest 

shall be given at least 10 consecutive hours 

before the driver is required to return to 

service. 8 

iStock Photo 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has extended through February 28, 2021, 

an Emergency Declaration that provides regulatory relief for commercial drivers and carriers 

providing direct assistance to COVID-19 relief efforts. In addition, the declaration has been 

expanded to include shipments of COVID-19 vaccine. 

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Courtesy: Seattle Department of Transportation Blog 

Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan announced that the city will repair the West Seattle Bridge rather 

than replacing it. 

Seattle mayor elects to repair, instead of 

replace, the cracked West Seattle Bridge 

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS 

SEATTLE — Seattle Mayor Jenny Durkan 

said the city will repair, instead of replace, 

the West Seattle Bridge, a critical 

link between that community and the city. 

The city’s most used bridge has been closed 

to traffic for eight months, since the city found 

fast-spreading cracks in the structure. 

KING5 News reports the bridge could 

reopen to traffic as soon as mid-2022, according 

to the Seattle Department of Transportation. 

Repairs could add 15 to 40 years 

to the bridge’s lifespan and would cost 

about $47 million upfront, with an additional 

$50 million for traffic mitigation and 

$10 million for low bridge repair. 

Durkan’s decision comes after “months 

of careful examination of the bridge’s 

structural integrity, analysis of the costs 

and benefits of all possible options, and 

engagement with the communities affected 

by the bridge closure.” 

One of the key reasons to repair the 

bridge rather than replace it is economic 

recovery, which relies on mobility. 

Seattle Councilmember Lisa Herbold, 

who represents West Seattle, said she heard 

from her constituents that restoring safe 

access as quickly as possible is the priority. 

However, if the bridge repair doesn’t 

last as long as officials hope, Durkan said 

the city will have to replace it. That could 

take until 2026, and a partial replacement 

of the superstructure could open in the 

same time frame. Both options would be 

projected to last 75 years. 8 

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Wrong-way tractor-trailer collides with oncoming 

trucker on Oregon interstate, arrested on DUI charges 

USPS 972 

Volume 33, Number 24 

December 15-31, 2020 

C 

s 


COTTAGE GROVE, Ore. — The operator 

of a 2020 International tractor-trailer 

was arrested Sunday, Nov. 22, after driving 

the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Oregon 

and crashing into another rig, according to 

a statement released by the Oregon State 

Police. 

At about 1:37 a.m. Nov. 22, the agency 

received reports of a commercial motor vehicle 

traveling north in the southbound lanes 

of I-5 near milepost 163. According to the 

report, an officer from the Cottage Grove 

Police Department located and attempted to 

stop the tractor-trailer, driven by Tyler Stafford, 

53, of Shelbyville, Texas; however, 

Stafford attempted to elude law enforcement 

by pulling onto the shoulder and continued 

northbound along the interstate. 

Near milepost 173, Stafford’s vehicle 

crashed into a southbound 2019 Volvo 

tractor-trailer, operated by Daryl Rickman, 

53, of Portland, Oregon. Stafford’s rig then 

crashed into the concrete barrier and burst 

into flames. 

Stafford attempted to flee the scene on 

foot but was apprehended by an officer 

from the Cottage Grove Police Department. 

Stafford was arrested for multiple charges 

including driving under the influence, 

reckless driving and reckless endangering. 

The report notes that neither Stafford 

Courtesy: Oregon State Police 

This 2020 International tractor, allegedly driven by Tyler Stafford of Shelbyville, Texas, 

struck a concrete barrier and burst into flames after hitting another tractor-trailer while traveling 

the wrong way on Interstate 5 in Oregon on Sunday, Nov. 22. 

nor Rickman were injured during the incident. 

The accident caused a three-hour closure 

of the southbound lanes of I-5 in the area; 

the northbound lanes were closed for about 

30 minutes. 

The Oregon State Police troopers were 

assisted by Cottage Grove Police Department, 

the Lane County Sheriff’s Office, 

South Lane Fire and Rescue and the Oregon 

Department of Transportation. 8 

The Trucker is a semi-monthly, national newspaper for the 

trucking industry, published by The Trucker Media Group at 

1123 S. University, Suite 325 

Little Rock, AR 72204-1610 

Chief Executive Officer 

Bobby Ralston 

bobbyr@thetruckermedia.com 

General Manager 

Megan Hicks 

meganh@thetruckermedia.com 

Managing Editor 

Wendy Miller 

wendym@thetruckermedia.com 

Staff Writer/Designer 

Linda Garner-Bunch 

lindag@thetruckermedia.com 

Production Manager 

Rob Nelson 

robn@thetruckermedia.com 

Graphic Artist 

Christie McCluer 

christie.mccluer@thetruckermedia.com 

Special Correspondents 

Cliff Abbott 

cliffa@thetruckermedia.com 

Lyndon Finney 

lyndonf@thetruckermedia.com 

Federal prosecutors file petition to reconsider three vacated 

convictions of Pilot executives relating to rebate scheme 


NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Federal prosecutors 

are seeking to restore the tossed convictions 

for the former president of Pilot Flying J 

and two of his former employees related to a 

rebate scheme to cheat trucking companies out 

of millions of dollars. 

The petition filed this week asks a 6th U.S. 

Circuit Court of Appeals panel to reconsider its 

ruling that jurors should not have heard recordings 

of racist language by the former president, 

Mark Hazelwood. 

The panel’s split decision in October vacated 

convictions for Hazelwood, who received 

the harshest prison sentence at 12 ½ years, and 

two others. The panel ordered the case to be 

sent back to a lower court for a new trial, ruling 

further that it would not be necessary to assign 

the case to a different judge. 

At trial, the jury heard secret recordings of 

Hazelwood using racial slurs and profanely 

criticizing his board of directors and his boss’s 

football team and fans. Hazelwood later apologized 

for his language. 

The majority wrote that the racist recordings 

were wrongly admitted on the “theory that 

if the defendant was reckless enough to use 

language that could risk public outrage against 

the company, he was a ‘bad businessman,’ and 

as a bad businessman, he was also reckless 

enough to commit fraud.” 

In their petition for reconsideration, prosecutors 

wrote that they offered the recordings to 

“rebut Hazelwood’s assertion that he was too 

good an executive and businessman to do anything 

that could jeopardize the company’s viability 

and success” because the racist remarks 

“would have damaged Pilot’s success and reputation” 

if they became publicly known. 

“By stating that Hazelwood’s racist and 

sexist remarks merely revealed his ‘seriously 

misguided personal beliefs,’ the majority implied 

that racism can be compatible with good 

business practices,” prosecutors wrote. 

Hazelwood was convicted in 2018 of conspiracy, 

wire fraud and witness tampering. Former 

company vice president Scott “Scooter” 

Wombold was convicted of wire fraud and 

sentenced to six years in prison, and former 

account representative Heather Jones was convicted 

of conspiracy to commit wire and mail 

fraud and sentenced to more than 2 ½ years. 

Fourteen former Pilot Flying J employees 

pleaded guilty earlier. 

iStock Photo 

A petition filed with a 6th U.S. Circuit Court 

of Appeals panel seeks to restore the convictions 

of Mark Hazelwood, former president 

of Pilot and Flying J, along with two of 

his former employees, in a rebate scheme. 

Pilot Flying J is controlled by the family 

of Cleveland Browns owner Jimmy Haslam 

and former Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam. The 

Haslams have not been charged with any 

wrongdoing. The former governor has not been 

involved with the company in recent years. 

The company earlier agreed to pay an $85 

million settlement to defrauded customers and 

a $92 million penalty to the government. 8 

Kris Rutherford 

krisr@thetruckermedia.com 

Contributing Writers 

Sarah DeClerk 

Dwain Hebda 

Sam Pierce 

For advertising opportunities, 

please contact Meg Larcinese 

at megl@thetruckermedia.com. 

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E-mail: info@thetruckermedia.com 

Web: www.thetrucker.com 

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per year. Periodicals Postage Paid at Little Rock, AR 

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CBP seizes more than $10 million in narcotics hidden in commercial 

shipments in multiple incidents during the week of Thanksgiving 


LAREDO, Texas, and PROGRESO, Texas 

— In three separate enforcement actions, U.S. 

Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents 

seized narcotics with a total value of $10,254,879 

during Thanksgiving week. 

The first incident took place Monday, 

Nov. 23, when CBP officers assigned 

to the cargo facility at the World Trade 

Bridge in Laredo encountered a stake bed 

truck manifesting evaporator machines 

from Mexico. The 2004 GMC/C4 stake 

bed truck and shipment were referred for 

a canine and nonintrusive imaging system 

inspection, resulting in the discovery of 

seven packages containing 226.19 pounds 

of alleged methamphetamine within the 

shipment. The narcotics have an estimated 

street value of $4,523,839. 

On Wednesday, Nov. 25, CBP officers 

at the World Trade Bridge referred a 2003 

International tractor hauling a flatbed trailer 

loaded with a shipment of marble for a 

secondary inspection. CBP officers checked 

the shipment using a canine and nonintrusive 

imaging system examination, resulting 

in the discovery of 119 packages containing 

256.61 pounds of alleged cocaine concealed 

within the shipment. The narcotics have an 

estimated street value of $1,978,800. 

“These interceptions aptly illustrate 

CBP’s ongoing commitment to keeping 

our borders safe and secure from illicit 

drug trafficking,” said Eugene E. Crawford, 

acting port director for the Laredo 

Port of Entry. 

In both instances, CBP officers seized 

the narcotics; the cases were turned over 

to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement-Homeland 

Security Investigations 

special agents for further investigation. 

On Thanksgiving Day, Nov. 26, at the 

Progreso, Texas, Port of Entry, a CBP officer 

referred a tractor with an empty trailer 

for a secondary examination. Using a canine 

and nonintrusive imaging equipment 

as part of the secondary examination, officers 

discovered 16 packages of heroin 

weighing 36 pounds, along with 163 packages 

of cocaine weighing 381 pounds, 

concealed within the trailer. The narcotics 

are valued at $3,752,240. 

“CBP continues to analyze smuggling 

methods and utilize intelligence, experience 

and technology to keep our border 

communities safe and secure.” said Walter 

Weaver, port director for the Port of 

Progreso. “This is a substantial amount 

of narcotics that will not make it into our 

communities.” 

CBP officers seized the narcotics and 

tractor-trailer; the case remains under investigation 

by Homeland Security Investigations. 

8 

Budget restrictions could impact winter 

road maintenance, Wyoming DOT says 

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

On Wednesday, Nov. 25, customs officers at the World Trade Bridge discovered nearly 257 

pounds of cocaine hidden in a shipment of marble. 

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BENEFITS 


CHEYENNE, Wyo. — Because of decreased 

revenue, the Wyoming Department 

of Transportation (WYDOT) is facing a 

tight budget and will strictly follow its set 

plan for winter road maintenance, the department 

said in a statement. 

“That means crews will still plow the 

roads, but they may remain snowy. Road 

shoulders also may not get plowed immediately 

and crews may have to get to those 

sections later or the next day,” the statement 

said. 

“We want to assure the public that we 

will continue to maintain the roads during 

winter storms to ensure we provide a safe 

and effective transportation system,” said 

WYDOT Director K. Luke Reiner. “Our 

crews will be out there diligently working 

to clear the roads.” 

To help ensure safe driving conditions, 

WYDOT will use road-traction materials, 

such as salt and magnesium chloride; these 

supplies are included in the department’s 

budget. In addition, the department will 

adhere to the state’s snowplow priority 

plan, which outlines how often department 

crews go out and maintain high-, mediumand 

low-volume roads. 

“We will have to strictly adhere to our 

winter maintenance budget, which means 

there likely won’t be any wiggle room to 

go over budget if we have a particularly 

severe winter,” Reiner said. “However, 

we will continue to provide winter maintenance 

services based on our limited budget.” 

Major highways and school bus routes 

will continue to be the department’s top 

priority in inclement weather. 

“We are asking motorists to make sure 

they plan ahead, slow down for wintry conditions 

and be prepared to drive on roads 

that may be snowy,” Reiner said. “We will 

do everything within budgetary limits to 

ensure roads are maintained and safe for 

motorists.” 

For information about winter travel in 

Wyoming and WYDOT’s snowplow priority 

plan, visit www.dot.state.wy.us. 8 

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Proposed I-10 bridge spanning Alabama’s Mobile River, Mobile Bay back on table 


MOBILE, Ala. — The idea of constructing 

a new bridge to span the Mobile River is 

back on the table on Alabama’s coast, where 

opposition to tolls killed the $2 billion project 

last year. 

The Eastern Shore Metropolitan Planning 

Organization has asked the state transportation 

agency for an update on plans, WPMI- 

TV reported. 

Commissioner Joe Davis, a member of 

the organization, said the need for the bridge 

has never gone away, and it was time to talk 

options again. Opposition to tolls that could 

have been as high as $6 killed the project previously. 

“I’m not opposed to a toll as long as the 

locals have a free option, and that was the 

crowning blow that killed the project with the 

eastern shore MPO about a year ago, was that 

everything was going to be tolled,” said Davis. 

The proposed Interstate 10 bridge across 

the Mobile River and Mobile Bay would have 

spanned about 10 miles (16 kilometers) and 

soared hundreds of feet above the water near 

downtown. Fairhope City Council President 

Jack Burrell says talking about the project 

with state engineers was a positive step. 

“I believe they have a lot of time and 

effort invested in this. I have to believe 

that they want it to move forward and they 

know that we need it. I’m hoping that, in 

the very near future, that we can get together 

and maybe get it on the visionary plan,” 

said Burrell. 

Transportation officials spent about $60 

million on the project, planning a bridge 

and purchasing land, before the state pulled 

the plug last year because of opposition to 

tolls. Proponents say the bridge is needed to 

ease congestion and improve safety on I-10 

around Mobile. 8 

DRIVE 

WITH PRIDE 

iStock Photo 

Constructing a new 10-mile-long bridge spanning the Mobile River and Mobile Bay in Mobile, 

Alabama, would ease traffic congestion and improve safety, proponents say. 

Love’s expands contactless payment options 

to reduce risk of COVID-19 exposure 


OKLAHOMA CITY — To help protect 

customers and staff from the risk of exposure 

to COVID-19, Love’s Travel Stops across 

the country are offering expanded options for 

contact-free payment for both inside and outside 

transactions. 

“With the holiday driving season upon 

us, we want our customers to know about the 

increased amount of options they have when 

paying for fuel and other items like food, 

drinks and snacks,” said Ginny Webb, Love’s 

chief information officer and vice president 

of technology. “Being able to purchase items 

quickly and safely is very important to our 

customers and we are pleased to be able to 

offer these contactless options.” 

Mobile and contactless technology helps 

limit COVID-19 exposure and offers more 

convenience for the customer, and Love’s 

remains committed to ongoing enhancements 

of security features. Here are the options customers 

can use at Love’s: 

• Apply Pay, Samsung Pay or Google Pay. 

• Tap-and-go credit cards, such as Visa, 

Mastercard, American Express or Discover. 

• New smart terminals that, combined 

with Love’s credit processing software, cut 

checkout time in half. 

To fill up their tanks, professional drivers 

can use Love’s Mobile Pay on the Love’s 

Connect app to answer prompts, pay for fuel 

and receive contactless, digital receipts using 

their mobile phones. In addition, the 

app’s mobile receipts feature provides access 

to contactless receipts from all transactions 

made by swiping or scanning their My Love 

Rewards card. 

Contactless transactions inside Love’s 

locations have more than doubled in the last 

year. Four-wheel customers using contactless 

options to pay at the pump have increased by 

more than five times in 2020. 8 

Courtesy: Love’s Travel Stops 

Using tap-and-go credit cards is one way 

customers can take advantage of contactless 

payment options at Love’s Travel Stops 

across the nation.

TruckIns_Oct_2020_FullPg 9/11/20 2:52 PM Page 1 



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New Year’s resolutions: It’s not about what you should do; it’s about what you will do 

Bob Perry 

The Trucker 

Trainer 

It’s that time of year again when we start 

thinking about — you guessed it — your 

New Year’s resolutions. Soon your email inbox 

will be filled with all kinds of solutions 

from people and companies that believe they 

know what’s best for you: Eat this, don’t eat 

that, exercise, exercise and more exercise. 

This time of year, the most frequent questions 

I get — either via email, during radio 

interviews or at family gatherings (which 

will not be happening this year) — are: 

Which program is best? Low fat or high fat, 

or low carbs? Plant-based or vegan? Lowimpact 

cardio or high-impact cardio? 

In the end, these are all lifestyle-changing 

approaches, and to stop the crazy roller 

roaster ride, you need to first examine your 

own personal lifestyle and your willingness 

to commit to a new lifestyle approach to 

manage your health and well-being. 

First, I suggest you re-examine previous 

programs you have attempted. What 

were your likes and dislikes? Why do you 

think they failed to produce the results you 

wanted? We are all different, but most any 

structure programs can work. It’s a question 

of one’s ability to embrace and maintain the 

new lifestyle. 

In the life of a professional driver, your 

options are limited — which maybe a good 

thing. Sometimes, when we have unlimited 

options, we tend to jump around from one 

workout routine to another if we don’t see instant 

results. Drivers have limitations living 

on the road, but make no mistake, successful 

diet and exercise programs are always 75% 

nutrition and 25% workout. For drivers, it’s 

about preparation and prevention. 

Invest in tools needed to make sure you 

have good nutritional sources to reach for, 

such as a fridge, a microwave, a blender and 

a portable lunchbox stove (that’s the preparation). 

Next, make sure you have healthy, nutritious 

foods available to help keep you from 

making bad choices (that’s the prevention). 

Now, about that workout. 

Keep this in mind: It’s not about the exercise 

you SHOULD do; it’s about the one you 

WILL do. This where your creativity comes 

into play. Find an exercise you enjoy and will 

maintain on the road — walking, running, bicycling 

(some drivers invest in bike racks), 

exercise bands, using 1-gallon water jugs for 

weight-resistance training and so forth. 

For driver-friendly workout routines, 

download the Fit to Pass App or email me at 

bperry@espyr.com. 

Known as The Trucker Trainer by 

professional drivers nationwide, Bob Perry 

brings a unique perspective to the transportation 

industry OTR truck drivers. Perry comes 

from a family of professional drivers and has 

played a critical role in the paradigm shift 

of regulatory agencies, private and public 

sector entities, and consumers to understand 

the driver health challenge. For OTR workout 

programs reach out to Perry at trucker 

trainer@icloud.com. Also, you can 

now download the Fit to Pass app 

available for both Android and 

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Courtesy: Shell Rotella 

Shell’s Starship 2.0 Class 8 truck, created through a collaboration with AirFlow Truck Co., is 

currently in the testing phase. In 2021, the high-tech vehicle will make a coast-to-coast journey 

across the U.S. 

Shell’s Starship 2.0 truck enters testing 

phase before coast-to-coast run in 2021 


HOUSTON — Testing of Shell Rotella’s 

Starship 2.0 Class 8 truck has begun in preparation 

for another coast-to-coast run in 2021. 

The official 2021 efficiency run will build on 

key takeaways from the initial program in 

2018 and introduce new, innovative technologies. 

The Starship Initiative is a collaborative 

effort between Shell Lubricants and AirFlow 

Truck Co. to develop a hyper-fuel-efficient 

Class 8 tractor-trailer that offers reduced 

emissions and increases overall efficiency and 

economy for the freight industry. 

The second-generation Starship Airflow 

tractor-trailer features a custom aerodynamic 

design, and its creators hope to demonstrate 

improvements in both fuel economy and reducing 

CO2 emissions. 

Starship 1.0 

The first Starship Initiative truck successfully 

completed a test run of more than 2,300 

miles across the U.S., marking the first coastto-coast 

journey of a prototype Class 8 vehicle 

of this type. During the first-generation Starship’s 

run, the truck was used in real-world 

trucking operations and exposed to real-world 

conditions, including unplanned stops and torrential 

rains along the way. 

The final total truck and cargo weight was 

close to 73,000 pounds, 28% heavier than the 

average total gross vehicle weight of 57,000 

pounds for a U.S. on-highway Class 8 truck. 

The payload — material destined for a new 

offshore reef installation in Florida — weighed 

in at 39,900 pounds, 77% more mass than the 

U.S. average payload of 22,500 pounds. 

Despite far-from-perfect road and weather 

conditions, the drive itself was a success. 

Starship attained 178.4 ton-miles per gallon, 

nearly a 2.5 times improvement over the 

North American average freight ton efficiency 

of 72 ton-miles per gallon for trucks. 

During the journey, which traversed vastly 

different roads and terrain and was affected 

by varying weather conditions, Starship 1.0’s 

total average fuel economy was 8.94 miles 

per gallon, compared to the average U.S. fuel 

economy for transport trucks at 6.4 miles per 

gallons. The best fuel economy attained during 

the drive was 10.2 miles per gallon. 

For more information about the Starship 

Initiative program, visit rotella. 

shell.com. 8 


North Dakota ranks best in annual highway 

conditions report; New Jersey at bottom of list 


LOS ANGELES — North Dakota has 

the nation’s most cost-effective state-owned 

road systems, while New Jersey is ranked at 

the bottom, according to the Reason Foundation’s 

25th Annual Highway Report. The 

report measures the condition and cost-effectiveness 

of state-controlled roads in 13 categories, 

including pavement condition, traffic 

congestion, fatalities and spending per mile. 

According to this year’s report, the general 

quality and safety of the nation’s highways 

incrementally improved and spending 

on state-owned roads increased to a total of 

$151.8 billion, up 9% from the previous report. 

The U.S. overall made progress in seven 

of the reports nine performance-focused 

categories, including structurally deficient 

bridges, traffic congestion and fatalities; 

however, the pavement condition of the 

nation’s urban interstate system worsened 

slightly. More than 25% of the country’s urban 

interstate mileage in poor condition was 

in just three states — California, New York 

and Wyoming. 

In addition, the study showed that drivers 

in 11 states waste at least 50 hours each year 

because of traffic congestion. Commuters in 

the three most-congested states — Delaware, 

Illinois and Massachusetts — spend more 

than 100 hours a year sitting in traffic. 

Thirty-five out of the 50 states reduced 

their overall traffic fatality rates. Massachusetts, 

Minnesota and New Jersey reported 

the overall lowest fatality rates, while South 

Carolina, Mississippi, Louisiana and Arizona 

had the highest. 

In the report’s spending categories, Missouri, 

Mississippi, South Carolina, North 

Dakota and Tennessee reported the lowest 

expenditures per mile of state-controlled 

highway, while New Jersey, Massachusetts, 

Alaska, Delaware and Maryland spent the 

most per mile of highway. 

The condition of the nation’s bridges 

improved slightly. Of the 613,517 highway 

bridges reported, 46,771 (7.6%) were rated as 

structurally deficient. The best rankings go to 

three states where less than 2% of bridges are 

structurally deficient — Texas, Nevada, and 

Arizona; meanwhile, Rhode Island reported 

23% of its bridges as structurally deficient. 

The Top 10 states in complete highway 

performance and cost-effectiveness are: 

1. North Dakota; 

2. Missouri; 

3. Kansas; 

4. Kentucky; 

5. Idaho; 

6. South Carolina; 

7. Tennessee; 

8. Mississippi; 

9. Arkansas; and 

10. Montana. 

States at the bottom of the list are: 

41. Maryland; 

42. Hawaii; 

43. California; 

44. New York; 

45. Washington; 

46. Rhode Island; 

47. Massachusetts; 

48. Delaware; 

49. Alaska; and 

50. New Jersey. 

Five states made double-digit improvements 

in overall performance and cost-effectiveness 

rankings — Arkansas improved 

from 32nd to ninth overall; Mississippi 

moved from 25th to eighth; Wisconsin went 

from 38th to 22nd; South Carolina jumped 

from 20th to 6th; and Iowa improved from 

31st to 20th overall. 

“Although it is tempting to ascribe these 

ratings to geography or population, a more 

careful review suggests that numerous factors, 

including terrain, climate, truck traffic volumes, 

See Report on p11 m 

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Courtesy: Omaha Police Department 

At issue was a demonstration on July 25 over the lack of charges against a white bar owner 

in the death of a 22-year-old Black man. As part of the demonstration, protesters blocked 

Farnam Street bridge in Omaha, Nebraska. Police said the protesters failed to obtain a permit 

and ordered them out of the street. 

Judge tosses cases involving Omaha 

protesters who blocked bridge 


OMAHA, Neb. — A judge has dismissed 

cases against 25 people who were arrested and 

jailed for blocking traffic at a bridge during a 

summer racial injustice protest in Omaha. 

The Omaha World-Herald reports that 

Douglas County Judge Marcena Hendrix 

ruled Wednesday, Nov. 25, that Omaha’s ordinance 

prohibiting the obstruction of a highway 

or street is “overly broad” and “clearly 

regulates protected speech.” 

At issue was a demonstration on July 25 over 

the lack of charges against a white bar owner 

in the death of a 22-year-old Black man. James 

Scurlock was shot to death during unrest that 

followed George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis. 

Owner of New York trucking company 

charged with lying to U.S. DOT 


ROCHESTER, N.Y. — Tony Kirik, 39, of 

Rochester, New York, is facing criminal charges 

for allegedly making false statements to the 

U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) 

Federal Motor Commission Safety Administration 

(FMCSA), and conspiring to do the same. 

The charges carry a maximum penalty of five 

years in prison and a $250,000 fine. 

Assistant U.S. Attorney John J. Field, who 

is handling the case, stated that, according 

to the criminal complaint, Kirik owned and 

controlled a trucking business called Dallas 

Logistics. The company was put in the name 

of a nominee owner to conceal the fact that 

it was affiliated with another trucking company, 

Orange Transportation, that Kirik also 

controlled. 

Orange Transportation had received a negative 

rating from the DOT, and that negative 

rating would have been applied to Dallas Logistics 

had the true relationship between the 

As part of the demonstration, protesters 

blocked the Farnam Street bridge. Police said 

the protesters failed to obtain a permit and ordered 

them out of the street. Protesters who 

didn’t comply were arrested. 

Hendrix struck down a city ordinance that 

makes it “unlawful for any person purposely 

or knowingly to obstruct any highway or 

other public passage, whether alone or with 

others, without being licensed or privileged 

to do so.” 

Interim City Attorney Matt Kuhse said he 

will consider next week whether to appeal. 

“Our position is that the ordinance is not 

targeting speech,” Kuhse said. “Nor is it void 

(because of) vagueness.” 8 

two entities been disclosed to the FMCSA. 

To prevent the government from learning the 

two entities were related and affiliated, Kirik 

directed his employees to create and present 

false documents and representations to the 

FMCSA. 

The defendant made an initial appearance 

on Wednesday, Nov. 23, before U.S. Magistrate 

Judge Marian W. Payson and was released. 

The criminal complaint is the result of an 

investigation by special agents of the DOT’s 

Office of Inspector General, under the direction 

of Special Agent-in-Charge Douglas 

Shoemaker, Northeast Region, and the Internal 

Revenue Service, Criminal Investigation 

Division, under the direction of Jonathan D. 

Larsen, Special Agent-in-Charge, New York 

Field Office. 

The fact that a defendant has been charged 

with a crime is merely an accusation, and the 

defendant is presumed innocent until and unless 

proven guilty. 8


b OOIDA from page 1 b 

Spencer said in the Dec. 3 letter. “We’ve outlined 

several ways the new administration can 

achieve these two critical goals, including 

expanding truck parking capacity, reducing 

excessive detention time, ensuring the safe 

and transparent development of automated 

vehicles, and many others.” 

OOIDA also recommends the new administration 

work to improve the manner in 

which carriers’ safety performance is measured, 

specifically highlighting the need to 

more accurately assess crash risk and crash 

causation. 

Driver-training standards are another issue 

noted in the Dec. 3 letter, which encourages 

the Biden administration to improve 

driver training standards and explore how 

driver compensation affects safety. 

“Too many new drivers enter the industry 

without the basic skills to safely operate 

a CMV,” said Spencer. “And too many 

folks in our industry are pushing policies 

that make careers in trucking less appealing 

and less sustainable, which we know is contributing 

to today’s precariously high driver 

turnover rates.” 

Other concerns noted in the Dec. 3 letter 

include holding carriers’ minimum insurance 

coverage at $750,000, broker transparency, 

worker classification and more. 

If selected to head up FMCSA, Spencer 

would replace current deputy administrator 

Wiley Deck, who became the agency’s 

third director in less than a year after Jim 

Mullen stepped down in August. Mullen had 

replaced former director Ray Martinez, who 

abruptly left FMCSA in October 2019. 

While the Biden administration has not 

made an appointment for the U.S. Department 

of Transportation’s (DOT) top spot at 

the time of this writing in early December, 

three contenders have been touted by national 

media outlets. 

The top pick for Biden’s Secretary of 

Transportation, according to Politico, is 

Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, former 

president of the Los Angeles City Council 

and a retired lieutenant in the U.S. 

Navy Reserve. Other names to watch are 

Earl Blumenauer, an Oregon congressman 

and former member of the Portland City 

Council, and Rahm Emanuel, a former Illinois 

congressman who is a former mayor 

of Chicago and served as chief of staff to 

President Barack Obama. 

Biden’s pick for Secretary of Transportation 

will replace Elaine Chao, who 

was selected by President Donald Trump 

in 2016 and confirmed in January 2017. 

Chao, who served as U.S. Secretary of 

Labor from 2001 to January 2009, is 

the first Asian-American woman to be 

appointed to the president’s cabinet in 

American history. 8 


CPB to route empty CMVs entering U.S. 

from Mexico to Columbia-Solidarity Bridge 


LAREDO, Texas — As of Dec. 7, 2020, 

empty northbound tractor-trailers, entering 

the U.S. from Mexico will be routed to the 

Columbia-Solidarity Bridge as part of a pilot 

program, according to an announcement from 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP) 

office of field operations at the Laredo Port of 

Entry. Bona fide participants in trusted trader 

programs — CBP-Trade Partnership Against 

Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure 

Trade (FAST) — may continue to use the 

World Trade Bridge, CBP said. 

“CBP has experienced a steady increase in 

commercial traffic at World Trade Bridge over 

the last decade,” said Eugene Crawford, acting 

port director for the Laredo Port of Entry. 

“This redirection of empty tractors and trailers 

through Colombia-Solidarity Bridge will 

help greatly to alleviate wait times at World 

Trade Bridge, provide for a more orderly and 

efficient facilitation of lawful trade while CBP 

maintains its robust border security posture 

and ensures compliance with more than 400 

federal laws and regulations.” 

According to a press release from CBP, 

Laredo trade operations leadership has reached 

out to the international trade community, 

Courtesy: U.S. Customs and Border Protection 

In an effort to reduce congestion on the World 

Trade Bridge in Laredo, Texas (shown here), 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has 

launched a pilot program to route northbound 

empty commercial trucks to the Columbia- 

Solidarity Bridge. 

including customhouse brokers and carrier 

associations from both the U.S. and Mexico, to 

discuss and communicate this effort to adjust 

traffic flow to better facilitate lawful trade in 

advance of the bulletin’s issuance. 

In June 2021, the pilot program to separate 

empty from laden commercial traffic will be 

reviewed for effectiveness and a collaborative 

decision will be made before formally continuing 

or discontinuing the program. 8 

b First from page 1 b 

care professionals and first responders to 

grocers and pharmacists. This role now 

expands further as the nation begins mobilizing 

for the largest vaccine distribution 

campaign in history. 

The letters cite the industry’s designation 

as essential by the Department of Homeland 

Security’s Cybersecurity and Infrastructure 

Security Agency, noting that more than 

80% of U.S. communities rely exclusively 

on trucks to receive necessary goods. 

“Our nation’s ability to successfully confront 

the COVID-19 pandemic depends on 

the resilience and integrity of our transportation 

networks,” Sullivan wrote. “The trucking 

industry is proud to play an outsized role 

in COVID-19 response and recovery efforts, 

and we ask that you consider the essential 

nature of the trucking workforce as you implement 

plans for vaccine distribution. 

“As we saw at the outset of the pandemic, 

when supply lines are disrupted, 

consequences are fast to follow,” 

he concluded. 8 

b Report from page 9 b 

urbanization and congestion, system age, budget 

priorities, and management and maintenance 

practices all significantly impact state highway 

performance,” said Baruch Feigenbaum, lead author 

of the report and managing director of transportation 

policy at Reason Foundation. 

“The states with the three largest highway 

systems—North Carolina, Texas and Virginia—all 

rank in the top 21 this year. Meanwhile, 

states with the smallest amount of mileage to 

manage, like Hawaii, Rhode Island and New 

Jersey, are some of the worst-performing 

states,” he noted. “Prioritizing maintenance, 

targeting and fixing problem areas, and reducing 

bottlenecks are among the successful strategies 

states can use to improve their quality 

and efficiency.” 

The Annual Highway Report is based on 

spending and performance data submitted by 

state highway agencies to the federal government 

for 2018 as well as 2019 urban congestion 

data from INRIX and bridge condition 

data from the Better Roads inventory for 

2019. 8 

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Perspective December 

15-31, 2020 • 12 

‘ 

A virus diary: 2020 wasn’t the kind of year anyone expected it to be 

Wendy Miller 

editor@thetruckermedia.com 

Mad Dog’s 

Daughter 

As this edition of The Trucker hits the 

stands, I’ll be crossing the one-year mark as 

the editor of this publication. I’ll admit — this 

year has turned out much different than I had 

expected. 

The year started off fast with opportunities 

to learn more about the industry. I attended 

press events on behalf of this longstanding 

publication and met vendors at 

the Truckload Carriers Association’s 2020 

convention — which is worth noting as the 

last large-scale trucking-industry gathering 

before the COVID-19 pandemic shut down 

the country temporarily. 

All of the traveling to shows and conventions 

came to a halt almost overnight. The cancellation 

of the Mid-America Trucking Show 

was the first real indication that this, a pandemic 

affecting the entire world, was really happening. 

Shortly thereafter, The Trucker staff 

was sent home and we embraced the challenge 

of producing publications virtually. That might 

seem simple, but it was no small feat. 

At first, the virus had not personally affected 

me. During the initial “peak” of the virus, 

I didn’t know anyone who had experienced 

COVID-19. As time went on, the pandemic 

crept closer and closer. I’ve yet to come 

face-to-face with the illness, but many 

around me have. 

In early May, one of my junior high teachers 

died from COVID-19. She was an avid history 

lover and had traveled abroad just as the 

novel coronavirus became a household term. 

She spent roughly a month on a ventilator before 

losing her battle to the virus and becoming 

a statistic. 

Shortly thereafter, my best friend tested 

positive for the virus. This was especially 

surprising because she is a self-proclaimed 

“homebody” and had barely ventured out of 

her house since the onset of the pandemic 

(other than for food and cigarettes, of course). 

Luckily, she remained asymptomatic. This 

was great news considering the has chronic 

bronchitis (at least partially due to the cigarettes, 

I’m sure). 

What’s worse is that the friend I’ve mentioned 

has three boys, all under the age of 14. 

Two of the three tested positive, but the third 

has yet to contract the virus, and none showed 

any symptoms. On the other hand, her children’s 

father tested positive as well — and did 

not remain asymptomatic. He never had to be 

admitted to the hospital, but it was close. 

As the virus crept closer to my personal 

life, there was no denying the effects it brought 

to the trucking industry, which dominates my 

work life. As we navigated a world of being 

confined to our homes, the FMCSA suspended 

the (mostly) loathed hours-of-service regulations 

— for the first time ever — to make 

sure the public had enough supplies to make it 

through the stint of quarantine. 

I don’t think anyone truly appreciated toilet 

paper until 2020. They also didn’t appreciate 

the truckers who brought toilet paper — 

and just about everything else — to the store 

shelves. That quickly changed. 

Truckers rolling to the rescue wasn’t all 

sunshine and rainbows, however. The economic 

downturn and a virtually nonexistent 

demand for some items caused freight rates to 

dip to record lows. 

By May, we saw truckers take to the streets 

of Washington to protest those low rates and 

the possibility of freight brokers looking to 

take advantage of the situation, among other 

things affecting the lives of drivers. The initiative 

spread across the country as truckers in 

other areas hosted slow rolls and protests. 

Pandemic aside, the group caught the attention 

of the FMCSA, and now there are ongoing 

efforts to evaluate broker transparency, which 

was one of the roots of the protests. At least 

something good came out of the pandemic. 

Then the country started to open back up. As 

the economy started to mend, so did some of the 

trucking-industry woes. However, the case numbers 

began to rise, and the virus started creeping 

into my life again. At this point, I have immediate 

family who have contracted COVID-19, as 

well as several friends and acquaintances who 

have their own COVID-19 experiences. So far, 

I’ve remained clear of its path. 

But many people have had a much closer 

encounter with COVID-19, including those 

behind the wheel. A quick scroll of Facebook 

trucking groups will show that truck drivers 

are, in fact, contracting the virus. The Trucker 

shared the story of one such case. Glenn 

Helmly and his co-driver contracted the virus 

and showed us what it’s like to try to not only 

get tested while on the road driving a tractortrailer, 

but also what the journey home can be 

like in that condition. Both Helmly and his 

driving partner have both made a full recovery. 

Now, here we are at the end of 2020. This is 

the last edition of The Trucker for this tumultuous 

year, and there are two stories within its 

pages about the vaccine for this virus. The production 

of the vaccine has been faster than any 

we’ve seen. Will it work? Will there be side 

effects? Will the distribution of the vaccine go 

as smoothly as the White House expects it to? 

Will the ATA be heard, and truck drivers be 

placed on the list to receive the vaccine toward 

the top of the list? Will 2021 bring a sense of 

normalcy again? We shall see. 

In the meantime, I hope all of you out there 

on the road have a safe and happy Christmas 

and New Year. This year has been a challenge, 

but America’s truck drivers have answered 

the call simply by doing what they do every 

day regardless of the pandemic. We appreciate 

your sacrifices. 

Until next year, be cool, be safe and be 

careful. 

Wendy Miller is the managing editor of 

The Trucker newspaper. Although she has 

an extensive background in journalism, 

she also comes from a trucking family. The 

title of this column, “Mad Dog’s Daughter” 

is an ode to her dad, who goes by his 

CB handle, Mad Dog, more often than his 

real name. 8 

WORTH REPEATING 

In this section, The Trucker news staff selects quotes from stories throughout 

this issue that are just too good to only publish once. In case you missed it, you 

should check out the stories that include these perspectives. 

If you have an opinion you would like to share, email editor@thetruckermedia.com. 

“As we saw at the outset of the 

pandemic, when supply lines are disrupted, 

consequences are fast to follow.” 

— Bill Sullivan, executive vice president for 

advocacy for ATA, emphasizing the importance 

of trucking and asking that drivers receive 

priority access to a COVID-19 vaccine 

Full story on Pages 1 and 11. 

“ 

It might be work, but 

it’s not ‘work’ to me. There’s 

nothing better.” 

— Jason Mayrand, owner 

of Michigan-based Flat Top 

Transport, on being a 

business owner 

Full story on Page 14. 

“Our customers just love this truck, 

whether they’re military or government or 

just commercial. They really love this truck 

and what it represents.” 

— Ken Armstrong, co-driver of Tri-State 

Motor Transit’s Folds of Honor truck, about 

the impact the nonprofit has on veterans, 

their families and the general public 

Full story on Pages 23 and 25.



Kris Rutherford 

krisr@thetruckermedia.com 

Rhythm of 

the Road 

Perspective December 15-31, 2020 • 13 

‘Pinball Machine’ lyrics as sad as any Jimmie Rodgers song — and its writer’s life 

Jimmie Rodgers, “The Father of Country 

Music,” never recorded a trucking song. However, 

his brief career as a brakeman for the 

railroad offered content for many songs that 

followed. And while Rodgers didn’t live to see 

big rigs on the nation’s highways, his railroad 

“blues” recordings had a tremendous impact 

on the truck-driving songs that became a staple 

of country music by the 1950s. 

In many ways, Rodgers’ short but groundbreaking 

recording career set the stage for the 

many musicians who broke country music’s 

direct ties to the South and brought it nationwide 

popularity. 

Lonnie Irving was one such performer. His 

story is as sad as that of Rodgers, but during 

Irving’s brief career, he recorded what is arguably 

the saddest trucking song ever written — 

and his only hit — “Pinball Machine.” 

Lonnie Leon Irving was born in Stoneville, 

North Carolina, on May 26, 1932, a year 

before Rodgers death from tuberculosis. The 

second of six boys born into a farming family, 

Irving initially led the life of any farmer’s 

son — a combination of chores and schooling. 

After graduating from high school, Irving enlisted 

in the Air Force on Christmas Day, 1950. 

Training in San Antonio, he joined the 2949th 

Air Force Repair Squadron, an assignment that 

kept him stateside during the Korean War. 

Upon Irving’s honorable discharge in 1952, 

he returned to North Carolina, taking a job as 

a truck driver with Hennis Truck Lines in Winston-Salem. 

A year later he married Shirley 

Moorefield, and the couple had two children 

later in the decade. 

While working as a truck driver, Irving became 

serious about his music. He gained a regional 

following, performing with his banjo on 

nights and weekends in North Carolina, and his 

career as a truck driver soon gained a following 

around much of the eastern U.S. 

The influence of Rodgers and other musicians 

who came before Irving is clear in 

Irving’s musical style. Listening to one of Irving’s 

records, one can’t help but recognize 

the heavy bluegrass styling. Arising out of Appalachia 

in the 1940s, the bluegrass style had 

a profound influence on Irving’s music. When 

country music’s contributors performed music 

closely related to the blues and then combined 

it with the folk music from the mountains of 

West Virginia and Kentucky, a new form of 

music was born — bluegrass. 

With such influences, it’s no wonder Irving’s 

hit, “Pinball Machine,” tells a sad — and 

reportedly true — story of the life of a retired 

truck driver. Irving claimed that John James 

Wall, a former truck driver he met at a truck 

stop in Gallipolis, Ohio, inspired the song. 

In the spoken introduction to “Pinball 

Machine,” Irving tells the story of the chance 

meeting with Wall. The lyrics, backed by Irving’s 

banjo, give listeners an idea of the 

lessons Irving learned from the 70-year-old 

driver. The song tells a sad tale, so set “Teddy 

Bear” or your favorite Red Sovine song 

to the side. To hear “Pinball Machine” is to 

hear what might be the saddest trucking song 

ever recorded. 

The theme of “Pinball Machine” revolves 

around addiction and gambling. “Pinball Machine” 

is a nickname Wall earned from drivers 

who knew him well. Whenever Wall entered a 

truck stop, the pinball machine lured him like a 

cigarette or a shot of whiskey. He’d feed quarter 

after quarter into the machines, hoping to 

strike it rich by hitting the “16,” which in pinball 

is apparently some sort of major achievement 

— a jackpot of sorts. 

The man known as Pinball Machine was 

addicted to the game, a fact revealed in his 

words: “I wish they’d outlaw those old pinball 

machines; many weeks they have caused me to 

live on sardines.” Unfortunately, Pinball Machine’s 

addiction impacted his entire life. 

Pinball Machine recalls a particular time 

when he phoned home and spoke to his wife, 

the mother of his young children. In the song, 

she begs him to come home, but Pinball Machine 

says he has to run a load of hogs to Chicago. 

Before hanging up, she tells him, “Send 

your babies some money; they are hungry and 

cold,” and reminds him, “John you give up 

my lovin’ just to drive an old truck.” 

The driver makes the trip to Chicago with 

plans of returning home in a few days. But as is 

so often the case, addiction takes priority over 

responsibility. Days turn into weeks that add 

up to two months — at which time he couldn’t 

return home because he’d fed the pinball machines 

all of his money. When he finally does 

arrive home, his wife and children are gone. As 

Walls is informed by a friend, “Pneumonia got 

your babies, and your wife took her life.” 

To make a sad story even more depressing, 

Walls told Irving, “I’ve lost all my friends; I 

can’t sleep for bad dreams. I dream about an 

old truck and a pinball machine.” With that, 

Irving ends the tale on a sad, sad note: “I’ll 

never forget the last words the old man said 

— ‘Oh, Lord, if I could live my life over,’ and 

then he fell dead.” 

Like Jimmie Rodgers, Lonnie Irving lived 

a short life. And like Rodgers he reached stardom 

while in poor health. While Rodgers’ 

story is sad and much of it is reflected in his 

blues-based music, Irving didn’t just sing what 

could be the saddest truck driving song ever 

recorded. According to some sources, Irving 

also lived the song, and he based the lyrics on 

a true experience. 

Perhaps Irving ended the song with the old 

driver dying by his side as a message to other 

See Rhythm on p25 m 

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Mayrand’s Flat Top Transport, based in 

Holland, Michigan, is a good example. 

“We’ve got seven trucks now,” he said, 

“all Peterbilt glider kits with pre-electronics 

engines.” 

One of Mayrand’s trucks, a 2017 Peterbilt 

389, was selected for Series 19 of 

the Cat Scale Super Trucks card series. 

The grey Pete has a red frame and sports a 

Detroit Diesel engine and a 13-speed transmission. 

For the card photo, he paired the 

Pete with a highly polished MAC pneumatic 

tank trailer. 

Mayrand said he named Flat Top Transport 

for his grandfather, a professional 

driver, who passed away when Jason was 

just 16. 

“I rode with him all the time,” Mayrand 

said. “On one trip out west, I knew trucking 

was what I wanted to do.” 

He named his trucking company after 

his grandfather’s CB handle, and today he 

uses the handle himself. 

“We take a lot of grief from drivers that 

see our trucks that aren’t flat-tops,” he said, 

“but then we explain the story behind the 

name.” 

Although trucking runs in his family, 

Mayrand is proud that he started his own 

business rather than inheriting one from his 

father or grandfather. 

“My wife and I started this business 

from scratch and built it into what it is today,” 

he stressed. “I don’t think I want it 

to get much bigger; it’s at a good size right 

now.” 

These days, Mayrand brings his 3-yearold 

son, “Wayjay” (Waylon Jay), along 

whenever he can. 

“The kid is a truck nut,” he explained. 

“His room is lined with posters for Renegade 

products. He has his own Instagram 

page. He’s even got his own air-freshener 

fragrance.” 

Wayjay has appeared in advertising for 

Renegade products, which sold “Wayjay’s 

Little Leather” air freshener. Wayjay’s Instagram 

page is filled with truck photos and 

the description “a red haired, juice sippin’, 

nap takin’, diaper wearin’, Truck lovin’ son 

of a gun!” 

On one recent trip, this tiny future 

trucker found a copy of The Trucker and 

the publication’s Jobs Magazine at a Petro 

truck stop. 

“He gets all the free magazines he can,” 

explained Mayrand. “He got a copy of one 

with the Snows on the cover.” (The October 

issue of Jobs Magazine, published by 

The Trucker Media Group, features Daniel 

and Phyllis Snow and their classic Freightliner, 

“The Goose.”) 

Mayrand also has a 13-year old daughter 

and a 1-year-old son. 

“We used to love to go boating, but we 

couldn’t do it the way we liked with the 

‘littles,’ he said. “So, we bought an RV instead 

so we can go camping and make a trip 

south every winter.” 

Flat Top Transport is truly a family 

business. The company hauls mostly 

food-grade dry bulk products in pneumatic 

tankers, usually returning empty to avoid 

cross-contamination of product. Some 

grain products are hauled, too, and a van 

trailer was recently added to the fleet that 

is pulled by an owner-operator who leases 

to the company. 

“My wife does the books and the accounting. 

I do the dispatching and simple 

repairs, and I try to be the fill-in guy when 

a truck needs a driver,” Mayrand said. “We 

don’t do a lot of broker loads. Almost all of 

our loads are directly for our customers.” 

The family attends truck shows when 

they can, according to Mayrand. One of 

their trucks took first place at the Richard 

Crane truck show in St. Ignace, Michigan, 

last year, and they have also won at the 

Union Grove Truck Show in Wisconsin. 

“We wanted to make Louisville this 

year (the Mid-America Trucking Show) but 

it was canceled,” he said. “We try to make 

other shows, too, but when it gets busy, the 

business comes first.” 

A current project for Mayrand is the 

complete teardown and restoration of his 

first truck, a Peterbilt 379. Mayrand plans 

to equip the truck with a Double Eagle 

sleeper and keep the design “old school,” 

he said. He plans to show the truck, eventually 

passing it along to his children when 

they are old enough to enjoy it. 

“We’ve taken it down to the frame rails, 

and I’ve got new rails on order,” he said. 

The business doesn’t leave much time 

for hobbies or other activities, Mayrand 

noted, but he says he loves what he does. 

“It might be work, but it’s not ‘work’ 

to me,” he remarked. “There’s nothing 

better.” 

With a family like Mayrand’s, it seems 

Flat Top Transport will be in good hands 

for years to come. 8 

Photos courtesy of Jason Mayrand 

Top: One of Jason Mayrand’s seven trucks, a 2017 Peterbilt 389, was selected for Series 19 of 

the Cat Scale Super Trucks card series. Center, left: Mayrand’s children, from left, are 1-yearold 

Harvey, 13-year-old Teagan and 3-year-old Waylon. Mayrand said his business, Flat Top 

Transport is truly a family business. Center, right: Mayrand’s wife, Jeanette, does all of the 

bookkeeping for the business. Bottom: Flat Top Transport consists of seven Peterbilts, which 

are all glider kits with pre-electronics engines.

— Advertorial — 

CAT Scale celebrates opening of 2,000th location 

WALCOTT, Iowa — On Nov. 18, the CAT saturate the market. We are so appreciative of 

Scale Co. opened a new truck scale at the all of our truck stop partners, and we are honored 

to be able to celebrate with Road Ranger 

Road Ranger in Marion, Illinois, marking the 

company’s 2,000th truck scale. 

and their great staff.” 

“When we started CAT Scale, I don’t think In 1977, CAT Scale founder, Bill Moon, 

anyone envisioned we’d have 2,000 scales in installed the first CAT Scale in South Holland, 

Illinois. In 1988, there were 28 CAT 

operation. It’s definitely a milestone to celebrate,” 

said Delia Moon Meier, CAT Scale’s Scales in existence. After that, the company 

senior vice president. “I remember my dad, expanded rapidly. Now there are 2,000 CAT 

Bill CATTheTrucker112020 Moon, thinking that 7.75x8.5.qxp_Layout 100 or 150 would 1 11/19/20 brand 10:28 truck AM scales Page 1in 47 states and seven 

Canadian provinces, with more opening each 

month. 

Professional drivers depend on CAT Scales, 

the company noted in a prepared statement. Drivers 

who weigh on a CAT Scale are covered by 

a no-excuses guarantee: If a driver receives an 

overweight fine after weighing as “legal” on a 

CAT brand scale, the CAT Scale Co. will either 

pay the fine or appear in court with the driver as 

an expert witness in to get the fine dismissed. 

Photos courtesy of CAT Scale Co. 

The CAT Scale Co. on Nov. 18 celebrated the 

opening of its 2,000th truck scale with a ribboncutting 

ceremony at the Road Ranger in Marion, 

Illinois. Shown in the bottom photo are, from 

left: Kirkland Edwards; Heather DeBaillie; Delia 

Moon Meier, CAT Scale’s senior vice president; 

Wade Wright, the CAT Scale mascot; Marko 

Zaro, Road Ranger’s CEO; Carey Howard; 

Rick Wachal; and Mike Housenga. 

Now there are 2,000 

CAT brand truck scales 

in 47 states and seven 

Canadian provinces with 

more opening 

each month. 

Fast. Easy. Safe. 

Weigh and pay on your mobile device without leaving the truck. 

You know you can trust CAT Scale for guaranteed accurate weights. You can get those same 

guaranteed weights even faster by using the Weigh My Truck app. 

Spend less time weighing, 

so you can spend more time on the road. 

1-877-CAT-SCALE (228-7225) 

catscale.com | weighmytruck.com

F 

T 

a 

16 • December 15-31, 2020 Perspective 

Brad Klepper 

exclusive to the trucker 

Ask the 

Attorney 

Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, 

most U.S. states issued some type of 

“stay-at-home” or “shelter-in-place” orders 

prohibiting travel and closing all 

businesses except those deemed essential. 

In essence, these orders shut down 

retail establishments, bars and restaurants 

(which impacted me greatly), movie theaters, 

gyms (which had virtually no impact 

on me) and any other places groups 

of people might gather. 

It was inconvenient, but most of us 

made it through unscathed — and with 

20 years’ worth of toilet paper stockpiled 

somewhere. The restrictions were eventually 

lifted, and people began to get out 

again; nothing like it used to be, mind you, 

but people were getting out of the house. 

Well, it appears we may be heading 

back toward those restrictions. 

As COVID-19 continues to surge 

across the country in record-breaking 

numbers, we may be looking at another 

shutdown of sorts. In fact, some states’ 

governors have already taken steps to 

limit business hours and prohibit travel. 

Again. 

But is that enough? Is it the right thing 

to do? Should the federal government get 

involved? More importantly, CAN the 

federal government get involved or issue 

a nationwide mandate? That’s a good 

question. 

Many argue that the federal government’s 

ability to intervene in a health crisis 

arises through the Commerce Clause 

of the Constitution. The Commerce 

Clause gives Congress the exclusive authority 

to regulated interstate and foreign 

commerce. This includes the authority to 

quarantine and impose other steps to prevent 

the spread of disease from foreign 

countries and between states. Also, the 

Public Health Service Act authorizes the 

Secretary of Health and Human Services 

to lead federal public health and medical 

responses arising from public health 

emergencies. 

In contrast, the states’ ability to control 

the spread of dangerous diseases 

within their jurisdictions comes from the 

10th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution 

and U.S. Supreme Court cases going 

back almost 200 years. The 10th Amendment 

reserves to the states all powers 

not specifically given to the federal government. 

As a result, the states have the 

authority to issue quarantines, create 

business restrictions and take other 

emergency actions. 

In fact, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously 

held in Gibbons v. Ogden (1824) 

that the power to quarantine and take 

other actions in the name of public health 

belonged largely to the states. In the case, 

Justice Marshall cited the 10th Amendment 

in saying that the police powers are 

largely reserved to the states. He further 

explained that these powers include the 

ability to impose isolation and quarantine 

conditions. 

In other words, the federal government 

has control over commerce with foreign 

nations and between the states, while the 

states have control within their borders. 

Arguably, the federal government could 

impose restrictions within the states under 

the Commerce Clause, but this has 

never been attempted — not even during 

the 1918 Spanish Flu pandemic that 

killed 40 million worldwide, including 

675,000 Americans. 

While the current administration has 

downplayed the need for a federal mandate, 

the next administration may take a 

different position. However, keep in mind 

that while state governors have broad powers 

to invoke restrictions and quarantines 

within their borders, the power of the U.S. 

president is significantly more limited by 

law and Supreme Court precedent. 


Federal versus state authority: Who has the final say on pandemic restrictions? 

As a result, I believe that any attempt 

at a centralized federal response would 

result be unprecedented, and would likely 

be challenged in court on constitutional 

grounds. 

So, what will happen? I believe “recommendations” 

may be issued via executive 

order, but no centralized response 

will be forthcoming. Instead, it will be up 

to individual states to best determine how 

to handle the current health crisis. 

In the meantime, I suggest we all pray 

for a vaccine to be released and readily 

available as soon as possible. I mean, I 

really need to get back to the bar … I 

mean gym. 

Brad Klepper is president of Interstate 

Trucker Ltd., a law firm entirely dedicated 

to the legal defense of the nation’s 

commercial drivers. Interstate Trucker 

represents truck drivers throughout the 

48 states on both moving and nonmoving 

violations. Klepper, a lawyer who 

has focused on transportation law and 

the trucking industry in particular, is 

also president of Driver’s Legal Plan, 

which allows member drivers access to 

his firm’s services at discounted rates. 

He works to answer drivers’ and carriers’ 

legal questions about trucking 

and life over the road. For more information, 

visit interstatetrucker.com or 

driverslegalplan.com. 8

Business 

December 15-31, 2020 • 17 

Freight availability outpaces truck capacity, continues to drive rates higher 

as the market balance tightens; economic pressures reach record levels 

Cliff Abbott 


Freight levels rose faster than the number 

of available trucks in October, driving prices 

higher. That’s the general consensus among 

several data sources viewed. 

ACT Research (actresearch.net), for example, 

reported its For-Hire Trucking Volume 

Index at a seasonally adjusted 70.7. Under the 

ACT system, anything higher than 50 is growth 

in the market. At the same time, ACT’s Pricing 

Index dropped slightly to 69.2. 

Perhaps the most meaningful of the ACT 

indexes is its Supply-Demand Balance Index, 

which came in at 74.9. This means freight is 

far outpacing capacity or, more simply, there 

aren’t enough available trucks to haul everything 

being offered for shipment. An index of 

50 would mean the amount of freight and number 

of trucks are in balance, but the index has 

topped 65 for five consecutive months. 

“As capacity tightened further, volume (demand) 

remained elevated, tightening the market 

balance even further from already tight levels 

in recent months,” said Tim Denoyer, ACT 

Research’s vice president and senior analyst in 

a late-November press release. 

Denoyer pointed out that new Class 8 

truck sales have been robust and could increase 

capacity in the market, but the possibility 

of a steel shortage could slow production 

in coming months. 

The Cass Freight Index for shipments 

(cassinfo.com) came in at 1.180, just 0.3% 

above September levels but 2.4% better than 

October 2019. It was the first month this year 

that shipment totals exceeded the same month 

of last year. It’s important to note that the Cass 

index shows shipment totals for a variety of 

modes of transportation including trucking, 

rail, pipeline, ship and air. 

The American Trucking Associations’ 

(trucking.org) For-Hire Truck-Tonnage Index 

is exclusive to trucking, but it is restricted to 

reports from ATA members. The data provided 

mostly comes from larger carriers receiving 

contract rates and doesn’t always reflect what 

the entire trucking market is doing. October is 

a case in point. 

While other sources were reporting increased 

shipments in October, the ATA reported 

its index fell 6.3% from September numbers. 

In September, the ATA reported a 6.7% 

increase after being in negative territory for 

July and August, later revising the September 

gain downward to 5.7%. 

For comparison, the ATA index in October 

was 106.8. Since the index is based on 2015 

numbers, the October index was 6.8% higher 

than October 2015. 

There are a couple of reasons for the difference 

in ATA’s numbers compared to other 

sources. The biggest is probably a customer 

base that includes a lot of manufacturers. 

Shipments of retail goods have been carrying 

the economy, while manufacturing has yet 

to return to its pre-pandemic level. Another 

reason is that large carriers are typically hit 

harder by driver shortages, a growing problem 

in the industry. 

Spot rates are generally much faster to 

respond to economic pressures, and they are 

FMCSA clarifies agricultural commodity definitions for farmers, commercial drivers 

iStock Photo 

The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has published a final rule clarifying 

agricultural commodity and livestock definitions in hours-of-service (HOS) regulations. 

iStock Photo 

Spot rates are generally much faster to respond to economic pressures, and they are currently 

reaching record levels. Flatbed rates of $2.44 per mile declined by a penny per mile in November 

compared to October rates 

currently reaching record levels. Van rates averaged 

$2.45 per mile nationally in November, 

a nickel higher than October and 8 cents 

higher than September. Refrigerated rates averaged 

$2.69 in another record month. Flatbed 

rates of $2.44 per mile declined by a penny 

per mile in November compared to October 

TRUCKER NEWS SERVICES 

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Department 

of Transportation’s Federal Motor 

Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) 

has published a final rule clarifying agricultural 

commodity and livestock definitions 

in hours-of-service (HOS) regulations, the 

agency announced Nov. 19. FMCSA worked 

closely with the U.S. Department of Agriculture 

(USDA) on the rule in an effort to 

provide clarity for the nation’s farmers and 

commercial drivers. 

“The agriculture industry is vital to our 

nation, and this new rule will provide clarity 

and offer additional flexibility to farmers and 

commercial drivers, while maintaining the 

highest level of safety.” said U.S. Transportation 

Secretary Elaine L. Chao. 

“I applaud Secretary Chao for recognizing 

these obstacles and working with USDA to 

come up with common sense definitions for 

agricultural commodities and livestock that 

meet both the needs of agricultural haulers 

rates, ending months of increases. The decline 

is probably based more on seasonality than on 

economic conditions, since construction tends 

to slow as the weather cools. 

The impact of retail shipments continued to 

climb, and could grow even higher if current 

See Rates on p18 m 

and public safety — critical concerns for all 

of trucking,” said U.S. Secretary of Agriculture 

Sonny Perdue. 

Currently, during harvesting and planting 

seasons as determined by each state, drivers 

transporting agricultural commodities, 

including livestock, are exempt from the 

HOS requirements from the source of the 

commodities to a location within a 150-airmile 

radius from the source. The agricultural 

commodity rulemaking from FMCSA was 

prompted by indications that the current definition 

of these terms may not be understood 

or enforced consistently when determining 

whether the HOS exemption applies. 

FMCSA published an advanced notice 

of proposed rulemaking in July 2019 to solicit 

feedback from the agriculture community. 

Based on a review of the public comments, 

FMCSA has published this new rule 

to clarify the meaning of these existing 

definitional terms to ensure that the HOS 

See FMCSA on p18 m

18 • December 15-31, 2020 Business 

GM walks away from stake in electric vehicle maker Nikola 

ASSOCIATED PRESS 

NEW YORK — General Motors will not be 

taking a stake in the electric vehicle company 

Nikola, which announced Monday, Nov. 30, that 

it would scuttle one of its marquee vehicles, an 

electric and hydrogen-powered pickup that was 

to be called the Badger. 

Shares of Nikola plunged 21% at the opening 

bell. 

Nikola on Nov. 30 released updated terms 

between the companies for a supply agreement 

related to GM’s fuel-cell system, replacing an 

agreement signed in September. That deal would 

have given GM an 11% stake in Nikola. 

The earlier agreement would have allowed 

Nikola to use GM’s new battery electric truck 

underpinnings for the Badger and its fuel cell and 

battery technology as well. But that is no longer 

part of the agreement. 

With that end of the partnership now gone, 

Nikola said Monday that it will begin refunding 

deposits made by customers who wanted first 

dibs on the company’s pickup truck. 

“In a nutshell, the signing of GM as a partner 

is a positive, but ultimately no ownership/equity 

stake in Nikola and the billions of R&D potentially 

now off the table is a major negative blow 

to the Nikola story,” said Wedbush analyst Dan 

Ives. “This went from a game-changer deal for 

Nikola to a good supply partnership, but nothing 

to write home about.” 

However, there were tremors under the potential 

partnership in late September. GM cast doubt 

on whether the $2 billion partnership would close 

as scheduled, saying that discussions with Nikola 

were ongoing. 

That announcement, which sent Nikola shares 

sliding, came just days after Nikola founder and 

Chairman Trevor Milton resigned after Hindenburg 

Research, a company that’s betting Nikola 

stock will drop, accused Nikola of Fraud. Nikola 

denies the allegations and called them misleading. 

Hindenburg said Nikola’s success was an “intricate 

fraud,” including a video showing a truck 

rolling downhill to give the impression it was 

cruising on a highway, and stenciling the words 

“hydrogen electric” on the side of a vehicle that 

was actually powered by natural gas. 

The Securities and Exchange Commission 

and the Justice Department are reportedly investigating. 

GM has said it did proper due diligence 

before entering the partnership. 

Nikola said Monday that its work on heavy 

trucks will continue. And GM will still be part of 

a global supply agreement that would integrate 

GM’s Hydrotec fuel-cell system into Nikola’s 

commercial semi-trucks. 

“Heavy trucks remain our core business and 

we are 100% focused on hitting our development 

milestones to bring clean hydrogen and batteryelectric 

commercial trucks to market,” said Nikola 

CEO Mark Russell. 

Nikola is based in Phoenix. 8 


Courtesy: Nikola 

General Motors announced Monday, Nov. 30, 

that it will not close a deal that would have 

given the company 11% ownership of Nikola. 

In a separate statement, Nikola said it would 

continue the development of electric heavyduty 

trucks. 

b FMCSA from page 17 b 

exemptions are utilized as Congress intended. 

“Our nation’s farmers and agriculture 

haulers will benefit from this clarification 

of the rules and will be able to deliver their 

products in a safer and more efficient manner. 

These improved rules will help farmers 

move commodities and get food to our 

grocery stores. We have heard the concerns 

from our farmers and ag haulers and we’ve 

worked closely with USDA and the industry 

to provide regulatory clarity and craft 

this new rule,” said FMCSA Deputy Administrator 

Wiley Deck. 

FMCSA continues to work closely with 

the U.S. Department of Agriculture to eliminate 

confusion and further align the agencies’ 

interpretations of agricultural commodity 

definitions. 8 

iStock Photo 

Van rates averaged $2.45 per mile nationally in November, a nickel higher than October and 

8 cents higher than September. Refrigerated rates averaged $2.69 in another record month. 

b Rates from page 17 b 

buying trends continue. In its “Monday Morning 

Blog” entry for Thanksgiving week, even 

before the Black Friday shopping holiday, FTR 

Intel (ftrintel.com) led with the headline, 

“Holiday sales are already 11% above last 

December.” 

The blog quoted U.S. Census Bureau figures 

showing that U.S. industrial production 

increased by 1.1% in October, while manufacturing 

rose by a percentage point. Production of 

both durable and nondurable goods increased 

as well. Additionally, both existing home sales 

and permits for new home construction rose in 

October. All of these are indicators of a growing 

economy. 

The latest issue of ACT Research’s Transportation 

Digest described the down-andthen-up 

roller coaster ride the trucking industry 

has experienced this year. The report 

attributed online sales as having an impact on 

retail markets. 

“According to the Bureau of the Census, 

retail data show non-store sales, primarily 

e-commerce, from May to September 

were over 17% of retail activity, a material increase 

from a 14.5% average in 2019,” noted 

Kenny Vieth, ACT Research’s president and 

senior analyst. “Stating the obvious, e-retailing 

got a big boost when the shutdown drove 

households to do emergency shelf stocking and 

avoid brick-and-mortar retail locations.” 

The news, however, isn’t all rosy. 

COVID-19 infection rates have risen to new 

heights, and hospital wards across the country 

are overwhelmed with patients. In response, 

jurisdictions across the country have been 

implementing shut-down rules for businesses, 

along with mask mandates. Democrats that 

have called for a national shutdown may get 

their wish as President-elect Joe Biden takes 

office in January. Even without federal mandates, 

however, numerous states, as well as cities, 

have already implemented restrictions. 

Truck drivers are already experiencing difficulty 

finding open restaurants where they can 

obtain meals, and some fast-food locations are 

restricting hours or closing dining areas. 

On the flip side, legislators are still trying 

to hammer out a stimulus/relief plan that 

would provide supplemental unemployment 

payments and other benefits, possibly including 

cash payments, to Americans who are still 

suffering the economic effects of the pandemic. 

An added incentive could be the U.S. 

government budget, which expired Dec. 11. A 

stimulus bill could be tied to a new budget or a 

continuing resolution as a bargaining chip. 

Barring a complete shutdown, trucking is 

poised for a strong close to 2020 and a good 

start to the new year. 8


Business December 15-31, 2020 • 19 

A little year-end preparation can help to start the new year right 

Cliff Abbott 


It’s that time of year again: The snow is 

falling in many parts of the country, and every 

truck owner’s dreams are filled with new 

steer tires, engine overhauls and chrome accessories. 

Hopefully, your dreams are more of 

the family type — spending the holidays with 

loved ones and sharing time, love and gifts. 

But the end of the year does bring some 

business options, too. Decisions made now 

can impact how much tax you’ll pay this year 

and next. 

Take steer tires, for example. A quality set 

can easily cost $1,000, including mounting 

and balancing. As a business expense, you 

won’t pay income tax on the cost of those 

tires. And, if you’ve had a great year and 

made a tidy profit on which you’d like to 

reduce your taxes, you’ll want to spend that 

$1,000 now, before the calendar runs out on 

2020. On the other hand, if you expect your 

business to break even or even show a loss 

for the year, it might be better to hold off on 

that tire purchase until after Jan. 1 so the expense 

will count for the 2021 tax year. 

You can make the same decision about 

needed repairs or other expenses, including 

the last fuel fill of the year. You may even be 

able to pay your insurance bill early so you 

can count the expense in 2020, although paying 

it late is not an option. 

Don’t forget that the “income tax” you’ll 

pay on your profits will include self-employment 

tax. Self-employment tax is your 

Social Security tax of 6.2% plus Medicare 

tax of 1.45%, for a total of 7.65%, plus an 

identical share that would have been paid by 

your employer (if you had one). The grand 

total will be 15.3% on TOP of your incometax 

liability. 

It’s obvious that you’ll want to take each 

deduction during the tax year that benefits 

you most. You won’t have a choice for many 

expenses, but for expenses in December you 

Fleet Focus 

may have the option of waiting if doing so 

benefits your budget. 

December is a great time to gather up 

those receipts, too. Remember, every penny 

you can show was spent on the business is 

a penny you won’t have to pay income tax 

on. If you walk into your tax advisor’s office 

April 14 with a shoebox full of paper receipts, 

there’s a good chance your tax return 

will be late. Start preparing now. 

Receipts for fuel, repairs and maintenance, 

and truck items are a no-brainer, but 

drivers often overlook smaller expenses that 

add up as well. Products such as cleaners and 

accessories for the truck — including bedding, 

air fresheners and other items — are 

considered business expenses, provided they 

are used for the truck. Tools, flashlights and 

batteries, sunglasses and other items can also 

be business expenses. 

Industry publications can be business 

expenses too — but don’t try to claim your 

copy of The Trucker, since it’s free. Dues 

paid to trucking unions or organizations such 

as the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers 

Association (OOIDA) are business expenses. 

Clothing such as rain gear, gloves and steeltoed 

boots may be deductible. The IRS allows 

a deduction for a percentage of phone 

and internet expense. You use both in your 

business, so take maximum advantage. 

If you claim the standard IRS deduction 

for meals and incidentals, your records 

should include documentation of the days 

you spent away from home. Copies of your 

records of duty status will do the trick, but if 

you’re using electronic logs you may need a 

printout for your records in case of an audit. 

Motels, parking fees and shower costs that 

aren’t reimbursed may also be deductible. 

Don’t forget ATM or fuel card fees, and if 

iStock Photo 

When it comes to filing taxes, many purchases that can be written off might be obvious. 

Don’t forget, though, that tools, flashlights and batteries, sunglasses and other items can 

also be business expenses. 

your bank charges service fees for your business 

account; you can subtract those, too. 

If you purchase a laptop computer, a tablet 

or even a smartphone, you may be able to 

claim at least a portion of the cost as a business 

expense. 

If you don’t already have a tax advisor, 

now is a great time to find one. You might 

easily find someone to complete your tax 

forms, but you should be confident that your 

advisor is taking advantage of every opportunity 

to save you money. Another advantage 

that a tax professional who is familiar with 

trucking can offer is advice for next year. 

Finally, the end of the year is a great 

time to review your business practices. You 

should know your cost-per-mile of operation, 

including where the biggest areas for 

improvement are. You may decide, for example, 

that adding aerodynamic accessories 

to your equipment will help. Not only 

is the purchase cost a business expense you 

can deduct, but you’ll also get the fuel savings. 

You may find that your repair costs 

and down time are costing you more than 

the payment on newer equipment would. A 

good tax advisor can help with these types 

of decisions. 

As an owner-operator, you’ve got a business 

to run year-round. A little extra attention 

at year’s end, however, can help jump-start a 

better — and more profitable — new year. 8 

THANK YOU to All of the Drivers Out There 

We are still hiring! 

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- 401K match & paid vacation 

Driver requirements 

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www.agtrucking.com

20 • December 15-31, 2020 Business 


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Equipment December 

15-31, 2020 • 21 

Childhood fascination with auto haulers leads to development 

of self-contained transport module for use in drop vans 

Linda Garner-Bunch 

lindag@thetruckermedia.com 

McLEAN, Va. — As a teen, Ernest Dandridge 

Jr. was fascinated with auto haulers. 

In fact, he told The Trucker, he often visited 

a local Ford dealership just to watch the 

car carriers delivering new vehicles to the 

lot. His interest was so intense that he even 

reached out to the auto hauler in the hope of 

satisfying his curiosity. 

“I wrote to the primary Ford transport 

company, Nu-Car Carriers Inc., expressing 

my fascination,” he said. “A senior vice president 

invited me to their headquarters outside 

of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. I got to know 

the head engineer, who taught me how to do 

car-trailer layout work.” 

Dandridge’s next step was to visit East Coast 

Ford plants to learn more about the industry. 

“As a young adult, I got to know and learn 

from some of the pioneers in the car-hauling 

equipment industry,” he said, adding that 

those pioneers included Don Cottrell, founder 

of Georgia-based Cottrell Trailers, and Leonard 

Strick, founder of Strick Trailers. 

In fact, Dandridge said, after retiring 

from Strick Trailers, Strick started a separate 

firm in the Philadelphia area — and recruited 

Dandridge. 

“The units consisted of a long wheelbase 

tilt cab tractor with a box on it, coupled to 

a trailer van. (Strick) wanted to haul lightweight 

freight in high volume or haul cars,” 

Dandridge said, adding that Strick taught 

him the ins and outs of working with thirdparty 

manufacturing firms. 

The more Dandridge learned about the 

design and function of auto haulers, the more 

fascinated he became. While his early experience 

was with open car haulers, he soon 

developed an interest in enclosed vehicle 

transport systems. 

Today, Dandridge is president of Ernest 

Dandridge Carrier Design Services Inc., 

based in Fairfax County, Virginia. Working 

with Kentucky Trailer of Louisville, Kentucky, 

he has developed a trademarked product 

that converts a drop-frame/electronic 

van to a secure, enclosed vehicle transport. 

Unlike other enclosed car haulers, which are 

permanently built into place, Dandridge’s 

Removable Adjustable Decks/Auto Transport 

Modules are self-contained, a feature 

that allows them to be transferred from one 

trailer to another. In addition, the module 

design allows the units to be teamed with a 

standard Class 8 freight tractor with no ad- 

See Transport on p22 m 

Courtesy: Ernest Dandridge Carrier Design Services Inc. 

Removable Adjustable Decks/Auto Transport Modules, created by Ernest Dandridge Carrier 

Design Services Inc., are designed for use in drop vans. The modules are secured 

with steel locking arms that engage the van’s vertical wall posts; if there are no wall posts, 

the modules can be bolted to the floor. 

EROAD introduces high-def Clarity 

Dashcam to fleet-solutions lineup 

Courtesy: TuSimple 

As part of the partnership between Goodyear Tire & Rubber Co. and TuSimple, the companies 

will conduct wear studies designed to help understand how autonomous trucks and tires can 

help better predict maintenance, understand tire longevity and reduce fleets’ carbon impact. 

Goodyear, TuSimple to collaborate on 

autonomous vehicle freight operations 


AKRON, Ohio — The Goodyear Tire & 

Rubber Co. recently announced a strategic relationship 

with TuSimple, a global autonomous 

trucking technology company, to provide tires 

and tire management solutions to TuSimple’s 

autonomous freight network (AFN). 

As part of this collaboration, Goodyear 

will provide products and repair services to enhance 

the safety and operation of autonomous 

trucks, the company noted in a Nov. 17 statement. 

Additionally, Goodyear and TuSimple 

will conduct wear studies designed to help 

understand how autonomous trucks and tires 

can help better predict maintenance, understand 

tire longevity and reduce fleets’ carbon 

impact. Collected data from the study 

will also deliver insights into the difference 

between an autonomous navigation system 

See Goodyear on p22 m 

THE TRUCKER NEWS STAFF 

PORTLAND, Ore. — EROAD has 

added the Clarity Dashcam to its integrated 

suite of technologies designed to help 

fleets stay in compliance, operate safely 

and efficiently manage operations. The 

camera, which can be used in front-facing 

or dual front/driver-facing modes, captures 

high-definition video. The connected 

device sends 20-second video clips back 

to EROAD in real time when triggered by 

safety events or by the driver. 

“We are proud to be continuing the 

journey to safer roads with the launch 

of the EROAD Clarity Dashcam,” said 

EROAD CEO Steven Newman. “We look 

forward to seeing the next set of results 

that our customers achieve in reducing 

accidents on our roads, and the gains they 

achieve by reducing insurance claims and 

repair costs by improving driver safety.” 

The Clarity Dashcam is integrated with 

EROAD’s fleet management solution, 

and clips are made available for review 

in a new video review center, MyEROAD 

Replay. Video clips are displayed with 

Courtesy: EROAD 

EROAD’s Clarity Dashcam is powered by 

the truck’s ignition. A safety event, such as 

speeding, sudden braking or swerving, or 

a collision, triggers the sending of a video 

to the MyEROAD platform for review. 

speed graphs and safety event data for 

easy incident investigation; each video 

clip captures 10 seconds before and after 

the triggering event. Videos can be shared 

easily within an organization for review, as 

well as with third parties for purposes of 

incident investigation and resolution. 

See Clarity on p22 m

22 • December 15-31, 2020 Equipment 


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b Clarity from page 21 b 

“EROAD is proud to add a highquality, 

easy-to-use dashcam solution to 

the EROAD suite of solutions,” said Norm 

Ellis, President of EROAD North America. 

“Video of drivers’ actions behind the wheel 

is critical for coaching, for understanding 

safety events and accidents and for helping 

fleets protect their drivers and their 

businesses in case of an accident.” 

EROAD Clarity Dashcam requires no 

action on the driver’s part. The camera is 

powered up by the truck ignition, and a 

safety event — such as speeding, sudden 

b Goodyear from page 21 b 

and a human driver with respect to the tires. 

“With our leadership in products, fleet 

support and advanced innovations, Goodyear 

is applying knowledge to help deliver 

performance and safety with autonomous vehicles,” 

said Erin Spring, Goodyear’s director 

of new ventures. 

TuSimple launched its AFN in July with 

the goal of providing reliable low-cost 

b Transport from page 21 b 

ditional equipment, such as a PTO, required. 

The modules are designed to take full 

advantage of a drop van’s vertical space to 

more efficiently load vehicles, Dandridge 

said, adding that the decks can be pivoted 

to further maximize loading space. Auto 

haulers can use a single module or multiple 

modules, depending on the size of the load 

being transported. The modules are secured 

with steel locking arms that engage 

the van’s vertical wall posts; if there are 

no wall posts, the modules can be bolted 

to the floor. 

“The module’s upper decks pivot on 

greater angles than some other enclosed car 

hauler’s upper decks, and the upper decks 

also go flat to the trailer floor,” he noted. 

In addition to small, boutique-type moving 

services that transport premium vehicles 

for private parties, Dandridge says the modules 

are ideal for commercial haulers who 

transport confidential prototypes for OEMs, 

premium new retail vehicles or show 

vehicles. 

“Our firm can point truckers to used 

trailer dealers that recondition, repaint 

and DOT-certify trailers, saving a trucker 

the cost of a new trailer,” Dandridge said, 

noting that even before the onset of the 

COVID-19 pandemic many drivers and carriers 

were dealing with rising taxes, insurance 

rates and toll fees. 

“Used trailers are not subject to the 12% 

federal excise tax (FET), and neither are 

self-contained modules,” he added. “Thus, a 

trucker can save via a used trailer purchase 

and also get brand-new interior (module) 

braking or swerving, or a collision — 

will trigger the sending of a video to the 

MyEROAD platform for review. The driver 

can also manually send a clip back by 

pressing a button on the dash. Managers in 

the office can review triggered clips and can 

also pull video stored on the device using 

MyEROAD Replay, with no need to contact 

EROAD for help. 

The EROAD Clarity Dashcam and 

MyEROAD Replay video review center 

will initially be available to current EROAD 

customers and select prospects in limited 

quantities starting this month, with full 

availability during the first quarter of 2021. 

For more information, visit www.eroad. 

com/solutions/fleet-safety/dashcam. 8 

freight transportation throughout the lower 

48 United States through the use of Level 4 

autonomous trucks. 

“Autonomous trucks offer game-changing 

advantages for both shippers and fleets,” 

said Robert Brown, senior director of external 

affairs for TuSimple. “One of the most 

powerful advantages is the increased capacity, 

which comes as a result of the fact autonomous 

trucks can operate nearly continuously, 

and with this dramatic increase in truck utilizations 

comes the need to better understand 

predictive maintenance requirements.” 8 

Courtesy: Ernest Dandridge Carrier Design Services Inc. 

The Removable Adjustable Decks/Auto 

Transport Modules are self-contained, a 

feature that allows them to be transferred 

from one trailer to another. 

equipment — or they might already have a 

drop-frame trailer that could be used.” 

Dandridge’s firm also offers electrified 

trailer options that include a solar charging 

system for the module’s battery power pack, 

plus a battery-powered camera system that 

allows drivers to monitor the upward lifting 

of vehicles inside a trailer. 

For more information, contact Ernest 

Dandridge Carrier Design Services Inc. at 

703-904-1875. 8

Features 

December 15-31, 2020 • 23 

A powerful message: Custom-wrapped truck highlights nonprofit’s 

service to families of military members who gave lives for America 

Sarah DeClerk 

SPECIAL TO THE TRUCKER 

Old Glory plays many roles in the lives 

of service members. It flies in front of their 

homes, adorns their uniforms and, for some, 

drapes their caskets when they are killed in 

the line of duty. The families left holding the 

flag after it is folded into a triangle face not 

only sorrow for their lost loved one, but uncertainty 

about their futures. 

Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization 

that provides scholarships to spouses and 

children of those who were killed or injured 

during military service, works to ensure that 

paying for education is one less thing those 

families must worry about. 

In June 2019, Tri-State Motor Transit Co. 

celebrated its sponsorship of the organization 

by unveiling a custom-wrapped truck dedicated 

to Folds of Honor. 

“They have a very powerful message. 

It’s to honor their sacrifice and educate their 

legacy,” said Ken Armstrong, co-driver 

of the truck. “I’m very proud to represent 

Folds of Honor because of the good that 

they do in helping the spouses and children 

of America’s fallen.” 

Lt. Col Dan Rooney, a PGA professional 

and F-16 fighter pilot with the Air Force Reserve, 

was inspired to start the organization 

after returning home from his second tour 

of duty in Iraq, the Folds of Honor website 

states. As Rooney’s flight landed on American 

soil, the pilot told passengers that the 

plane was carrying the remains of Cpl. Brock 

Bucklin, and asked that they remain seated 

while his casket was carried from the plane. 

Courtesy: Ken Armstrong 

The sacrifices of service members and their families are a reality for Ken Armstrong, left, 

and his co-driver, Steven Caudill. The pair drive a custom-wrapped truck dedicated to Folds 

of Honor. 

Through his airplane window, Rooney 

watched Bucklin’s twin brother walk with the 

casket to meet the family, including Bucklin’s 

young son. Bucklin felt called to pay 

tribute to service members and their families, 

and teach civilians about the sacrifices made 

by military families, the website continues. 

Since Rooney founded Folds of Honor 

in 2007, the organization has awarded about 

24,500 educational scholarships in all 50 

states, as well as in Guam, Puerto Rico, Australia, 

the Philippines and Italy, the website 

states, adding that, on average, 89% of each 

dollar raised goes to the scholarship program. 

“They’re a very reputable charity,” 

Armstrong said. “They say what they mean. 

They do what they say. I just think they’re a 

great, worthwhile cause for anybody to get 

involved with.” 

The one-of-a-kind wrap includes information 

about the organization’s mission, 

as well as its symbol — an American flag 

folded into a triangle. On the passenger side 

of the cab is a woman holding a flag to her 

chest; on the driver side are small hands 

touching a flag. 

Tri-State paid about $10,000 for the wrap, 

Armstrong said. The truck itself is a 2020 

Kenworth T680 with a Cummins engine. 

It’s the first Kenworth Armstrong has driven 

during his nearly 20-year driving career. He 

said people often stop to take pictures of the 

design and talk about Folds of Honor while 

he is on the road. 

“Every week, we get people making comments 

about the truck, whether they’re fellow 

drivers, whether they’re drivers from 

other companies, whether it’s even military 

or law enforcement,” he said. “They’re always 

making comments about the truck, and 

it’s really benefited not just Tri-State, but especially 

Folds of Honor.” 

Armstrong met a young woman who was 

personally affected by Folds of Honor in 

August 2019, when Tri-State displayed the 

truck at the Great American Truck Show 

in Dallas. The organization provided her 

with a scholarship to complete her degree 

See Honor on p25 m 

Courtesy: Rene Anderson 

The lights on Rene Anderson’s truck are powered by extension 

cords running to a 3,000-watt inverter inside the truck. 

Christmas on wheels: 

Holiday bling adds seasonal 

spirit to these big rigs 

Wendy Miller 

wendym@thetruckermedia.com 

Just because truckers are on the road most of the year — including 

during the holidays — doesn’t mean that they can’t bring a little 

Christmas cheer along for the ride. 

Some drivers choose to deck out the exterior of their rig with 

lights, while others go for a subtle dash display and a Christmas tree 

in the passenger seat. 

For Frankie Faulk, who has been a lease-operator for Prime Inc. for 

two years, decorating her truck brings a bit of comfort while she’s away 

from her children, other family and friends during the holiday season. 

“My first year to [decorate my truck] was last Christmas,” Faulk 

said. “I received so much positivity from people everywhere [I went], 

so I decided to keep doing it. Seeing others happy makes me happy.” 

Faulk, of Lumberton, North Carolina, adorned the front of her 

truck with red tinsel and candy canes to match the color of her 2020 

See Bling on p25 m 

Courtesy: Frankie Faulk 

Frankie Faulk said she decorates her truck to bring comfort 

while she is away from her children during the holidays.

24 • December 15-31, 2020 Features THETRUCKER.COM T 

Meet WITney: Women In Trucking unveils new driver ambassador trailer 


PLOVER Wis. — The Women In Trucking 

Association (WIT) unveiled its new driver 

ambassador trailer — officially dubbed “WITney” 

— during the 2020 Accelerate! Virtual 

Conference & Expo last month. WIT launched 

its driver ambassador program in February to 

help raise awareness of the nonprofit organization’s 

mission, promote the career opportunities 

women have in trucking, celebrate the 

accomplishments of women in the industry, remove 

obstacles faced by female truck drivers, 

and increase membership for the organization. 

Kellylynn McLaughlin, a professional 

over-the-road commercial motor vehicle 

driver and training engineer for Schneider 

National, is the official WIT Driver Ambassador; 

the program is managed by Debbie 

Sparks, vice president of WIT. 

Since the driver ambassador program’s 

launch, McLaughlin has provided interviews 

with industry media and has spoken 

at driving schools, associations, Girl Scout 

events, and other industry events. When the 

COVID-19 pandemic halted her in-person 

speaking engagements, McLaughlin pivoted 

by taking to social media to share helpful 

information in her “A Day in the Life of a 

Driver” video series. In addition, she writes 

monthly blogs for WIT. 

During the next phase of the program, 

McLaughlin will soon travel the country, 

hauling the eye-catching WIT-branded trailer. 

“ 

I cannot wait to hit 

the road with our new 

expo trailer. It’s going to 

be a powerful and very 

visible symbol of what 

women have to offer the 

freight industry.” 

— Kellylynn McLaughlin 

Official WIT Ambassador 

A handful of trailer wrap manufacturers submitted 

concepts and bids for the design; the 

WIT driver ambassador task force selected 

the final concept from Turbo Studio. The 

official trailer wrap features an empowered 

woman wearing a superhero cape and grasping 

a steering wheel, along with the messages 

“Redefining the Road,” “Safe, Strong, 

Independent” and “You Can Do It!” Turbo 

Graphics will install the wrap. 

Inside the trailer is an educational mobile 

unit that introduces the career of professional 

truck driving, features personal success stories 

from female drivers, and shares the history 

of WIT and its mission. Interactive kiosks 

Courtesy: Women In Trucking 

The Women In Trucking Association’s official driver ambassador trailer houses a mobile 

educational unit designed to promote the role of women in the industry. 

will quiz visitors on their knowledge of the 

trucking industry. Visitors can also experience 

a state-of-the-art driver simulator, donated by 

Advanced Training Systems, and check out a 

display of a woman’s industry uniform. 

As many in the industry know, professional 

drivers like to name their rigs. To engage its 

supporters, WIT called on its members and 

the industry at large to submit name suggestions 

for the trailer. More than 100 submissions 

were received, including Luella (named 

after the first female commercial truck driver), 

Tanya Trucker, Wander Woman, Willa Storm 

and WITney – an homage to the association’s 

abbreviation. After receiving the most votes, 

WITney was selected as the official name of 

the WIT driver ambassador trailer. 

“I cannot wait to hit the road with our 

new expo trailer,” McLaughlin said. “It’s going 

to be a powerful and very visible symbol 

of what women have to offer the freight industry. 

I will be so proud to haul it.” 

Numerous sponsors have helped bring the 

trailer to life, including Schneider, Walmart, 

Michelin, Cummins, Freightliner, Bolt Custom 

Trucks, TVC ProDriver, Arrow Truck, 

Safety4Her, Juno Jones Shoes, Thermo 

King, Koesters, and Patriot Lift. Additional 

sponsors are welcome. 

“The driver ambassador program illustrates 

how a community can come together 

and bring a vision to life. Without the support 

of our sponsors, this would not have 

been possible,” said WIT’s Sparks. 8 

Aim your camera 

Find the best 

truck-driving 

jobs 

as well news, videos and job 

resources ... all in one place! 

at the code to 

find jobs.


Features December 15-31, 2020 • 25 

b Bling from page 23 b 

Courtesy: Ken Armstrong 

Ken Armstrong, co-driver for Tri-State Motor Transit’s Folds of Honor Truck, said the truck helps 

raise awareness about Folds of Honor’s mission to provide scholarships to children and spouses 

of service members who were disabled or killed in the line of duty. 

b Honor from page 23 b 

after her father was killed in Afghanistan. 

“You can just see what goes on in the 

minds of a family after they lose a loved one 

overseas,” Armstrong said. “She spoke very 

positively of the whole Folds of Honor [organization] 

and how they stepped forward to 

help her achieve her dreams.” 

The sacrifices of service members and 

their families are a reality for Armstrong 

and his original co-driver of the truck, Ken 

Williams — both are military veterans. Armstrong’s 

new co-driver, Steven Caudill, who 

joined the company in June, is also a veteran. 

“One of the prime reasons that we were 

assigned to this truck is because we are veterans, 

and we professionally represent not 

only our employer, but Folds of Honor,” 

Armstrong said. 

Professionalism and safety are key to Armstrong, 

who said he works to keep the truck as 

clean as possible while on the road. The truck 

and its drivers have made a positive impression 

on Tri-State’s customers, he added. 

“Our customers just love this truck, 

whether they’re military or government or 

just commercial,” he said. “They really love 

this truck and what it represents. They’ve 

contacted our company to talk about us, or 

talk about the truck, or both us and the truck, 

because we really take [our work] seriously.” 

Every time Armstrong and Caudill meet a 

customer, they say the most important words 

a driver can say: “Thank you. We appreciate 

your business,” Armstrong noted. 

Armstrong said he also takes pride in 

his professional appearance. Even before he 

joined Tri-State and was assigned to the Folds 

of Honor truck, he began ordering custommade 

work shirts from the Joplin 44 Petro and 

the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott. Every shirt 

is embroidered with the American flag. 

“Customers really appreciate that,” he 

said. “They like a professionally dressed, 

clean, well-groomed driver.” 

Just as he seeks to represent his company 

in a courteous, professional manner, trucking 

companies must put their best foot forward 

when representing the industry, he added. 

“What I really love about Tri-State is 

that they are very proactive in presenting a 

positive image, not just about themselves, 

but also about worthy causes like Folds of 

Honor … and projecting a positive image 

for the trucking industry in general,” he 

said. “They’re very proactive, and I like 

that.” 8 

International, which she has affectionately named 

Ruby as an homage to a passage from Proverbs 31: 

“She is more precious than rubies.” 

Across the country, Rene Anderson, a driver of 

22 years, went for a brighter look this year by adding 

festive lights to the grille and around the inside of the 

windshield of her 2012 Peterbilt 587. 

“I live in my truck and decorate for major holidays 

every year, but Christmas is my favorite,” 

Anderson said. 

The lights are powered by extension cords linked 

to a 3,000-watt inverter inside the truck. Of course, 

outdoor-specific cords are used for the grill lights, 

while regular extension cords take care of the inside 

of the truck. 

Anderson, who is currently leased to Hallahan 

Transport of La Crosse, Wisconsin, said it took her 

about two days to decorate her truck, but said she 

enjoys having a bit of Christmas comfort as she rolls 

through December. 

Decorating isn’t all about the outside of the 

truck. Aschanti Abernethy, who is originally from 

Germany, and is based in Florida but primarily calls 

the road home, has a Christmas tree riding shotgun 

in her 2019 Volvo VNL, which she says makes her 

truck feel “homey” during the holiday season. 

Abernethy has been driving for about two-and-ahalf 

years for Bulmaks Inc., a family-owned company. 

She said Christmas is her favorite holiday, and being 

on the road doesn’t keep her from enjoying the season. 

Do you have a decked-out truck you’d like to 

share with us? Submit a photo at thetrucker.com/ 

newstip. 8 

Courtesy: Aschanti Abernethy 

Aschanti Abernethy has a Christmas 

tree riding in the passenger seat of her 

2019 Volvo VNL. 

b Rhythm from page 13 b 

drivers — the lonely life of the road has consequences. 

Or maybe he just thought the ending 

needed to come quickly and with little for 

listeners to be happy about. But one thing is 

certain: Irving didn’t enjoy the success of his 

hit song for long. 

Following the release of “Pinball Machine” 

by Starday Records in February 

1960, Irving was diagnosed with leukemia. 

He did see his record reach #13 on the 

country charts, and saw two more singles 

released — “Gooseball Brown” in August 

of that year, followed by “Truckers Vitis” in 

November. But that ended Lonnie Irving’s 

flirt with stardom. 

On Dec. 2, 1960, only six months after 

being diagnosed with leukemia, Irving died 

(ironically or maybe eerily) from pneumonia, 

a complication of the disease. He was 

buried near the North Carolina town where 

he grew up. 

Until next time, allow me to ask one favor. 

If you know of a trucking song as sad as “Pinball 

Machine” with an equally sad story surrounding 

it, let me know. I’ll bet we can trace it 

back to Jimmie Rodgers. 8

26 • December 15-31, 2020 thetrucker.com 

** FILLER ** FILLER ** 

\\ttnas01\layout\display\0.EPS 

No Image 




No Image 


Drivers and Owner- 

Operators across 

the country turn to 

The Trucker for upto-date 

news and 

information about 

the 

industry. 

Promote your 

product or 

service here! 

For display or 

line ad 

information 

email request to 

meganh@ 

thetruckermedia 

.com 

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2 • The Trucker NATIONAL EDITION August 1-15, 2005


December 15-31, 2020 • 27 



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4 • The Trucker NATIONAL EDITION August 1-15, 2005

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