WEBVTT
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:13.599
If I have one thing to really tell people that they must do that they need to go off these trucks because there is so much high energy for it.
00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:33.359
Well, hello and welcome to Transportation Nation.
00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:38.640
I'm Lee Gentry, your host, and we have a very good friend, good second host, I guess.
00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:39.600
Guest host.
00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:40.479
Guest host.
00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:41.039
That's true.
00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:41.920
Jason Brady.
00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:42.479
Good morning.
00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:43.280
Good morning, Lee.
00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:43.759
How are you doing?
00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:44.079
Good.
00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:45.520
You're normally behind the camera.
00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:46.159
That's right.
00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.320
This is a little bit different for me today.
00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:52.479
I'm normally back there with Tim and the production team.
00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:56.159
And uh today I get to be in front of the camera.
00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:02.719
I'm not sure if I like it or not, but uh I do like sitting next to you, and I'm really excited about what we're gonna talk about today.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:04.159
It is a pretty special episode.
00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:11.920
So today we're gonna be talking about getting ready for going to one of the largest truck shows in the nation, Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:17.840
Yeah, so did you know, Lee, I'm gonna drop some uh little facts on you here.
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:18.560
Facts, okay.
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:25.040
Yeah, so it is the really the first major truck show of the year uh every year.
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:25.760
That's true.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:26.959
Uh kickoff, right?
00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:28.400
It's the kickoff, right?
00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:41.040
And and we'll talk about right the very end of the truck show year here in a little bit, but this is the kickoff uh over one million square feet of exhibit space.
00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:42.079
Is that not there?
00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:43.840
That is I mean, it's nuts.
00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.719
I mean, so if you're going, make sure you're wearing your walking shoes.
00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:49.120
Uh-huh.
00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:51.359
Uh you are going to get some steps in.
00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:56.719
Uh, and then the other piece of this, this has been going on for over 50 years now.
00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:07.840
So this has been and and what I was thinking about last night was imagine how much technology in the trucking industry has changed over the last 50 years.
00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:08.879
Oh my gosh.
00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:13.039
I mean, you you've been in this business for for that long, or if not longer.
00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:13.599
Yes, sir.
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:15.039
I hate to admit that, but yes, sir.
00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:15.360
Yeah.
00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:16.400
So so yeah.
00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:17.520
So let me ask you this.
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:24.560
So if you were to go back to Matt's early in your career, how different would it be?
00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:26.080
Oh my gosh.
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:28.240
Uh yeah, big time different.
00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:32.560
I mean, it's funny what I mean, Venice's been going there for a long time.
00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:37.520
I know a lot of the other companies have been going there a long time too, but man, what a difference today.
00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:39.280
Now, I haven't been there in a few years.
00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:41.840
Um, used to go there all the time.
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:46.879
And you know, the technology back then isn't what it is today.
00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:52.400
Back then, we didn't have the stuff in the trucks that they drivers have today.
00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:57.199
And even the laws or the that's required by the trucks now are different today.
00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.680
When I started driving a truck, I need to say this, but I think I started driving a truck in 1977.
00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.360
And um all I needed was a chauffeur's license.
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.039
And I think diesel fuel back then was 50 cents a gallon, Jason.
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:13.280
Yeah, so a little bit's changed.
00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:15.120
Uh a lot has changed, yes, sir.
00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:15.840
Yeah, yeah.
00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:24.719
So so yeah, I think that that to me, you know, I'm I'm a lot newer in the industry uh than you are, uh, by a few years.
00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:44.000
Uh you know, my my career took a very sharp right turn about three and a half years ago when I took when I joined Bennett, and I came into an industry that I knew nothing about or very little about, uh, and quickly learned that there is so much to learn about the trucking industry.
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:44.479
Oh my god.
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.919
So my first year at Matt's, this will be my fourth year.
00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:55.120
My first year at Matt's, I walked into you know that exhibit space and it overwhelmed me.
00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:05.599
Uh the number of people, the number of vendors, the amount of technology, safety, just the then you walk out in the parking lot and you see these gorgeous trucks.
00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:05.840
Yeah.
00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.080
Like that to me is the most exciting piece, you know.
00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:10.319
And I'm I'm hoping for for good weather.
00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:31.519
Uh, I know we've been having some strange weather this year, but if I had one thing to really tell people that they must do at Matt's, is they need to go walk the parking lot and walk around to see some of these trucks because there is so much pride, time, and energy poured into these trucks that sit up there on the lot.
00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:33.519
Are they still gonna have show and shine up there?
00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:34.879
That's what you're kind of referring to.
00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:36.879
Don't they have that going on too this year?
00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:41.120
Yeah, it's the PKY uh truck show.
00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:44.319
So they'll have that this year, uh, like they do every year.
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:48.079
They usually do a light show, which is really cool that evening.
00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:54.000
Um, you know, and and Bennett's fortunate enough to be sponsoring the Friday night concert this year.
00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:55.040
Oh, that's right.
00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:55.680
That's right.
00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:58.079
Let's let's not give out any details.
00:04:58.480 --> 00:04:59.439
Let's don't get too far ahead.
00:04:59.680 --> 00:04:59.839
Okay.
00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.920
So let's let's back up a little bit, Lee.
00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:06.720
Let's talk about what, you know, because we're gonna be up there, right?
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.079
You and I are gonna be up there, you're gonna be doing a podcast from up there.
00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:10.720
Yes, sir.
00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:18.079
Uh, you know, you gave me a stack of papers about this thick to go through with vendors and all of the things that are happening.
00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:25.519
Have you been able to wrap your head around what your plan is once you get up there?
00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:30.639
Well, I tell you what, my first plan is to I'm gonna walk and see what's going on on the floor.
00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:32.319
Because I haven't been there in a few years.
00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:34.800
So again, you want to see the new shiny trucks.
00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:40.399
You want to see what's going on there, you want to see who's what technology they're at what's going on out there.
00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:45.600
And of course, I'm looking forward to to meeting some of our partners that helps us out here at the company.
00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.600
So that's kind of the first things I want to do.
00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:51.519
Kind of get the lay of the land and see who's there, especially see all the shiny good stuff.
00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:53.279
I definitely want to go out in the parking lot.
00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.720
I think the weather's gonna allow it.
00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.439
It might be a little chilly, but not bad.
00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.959
I I think we can live with it.
00:05:59.199 --> 00:05:59.680
Yeah, yeah.
00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:01.279
Long-term forecast looks really good.
00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:01.759
It does.
00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:06.560
That changes by the minute, but uh definitely looks looks like we're gonna get some good weather.
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.439
I think so.
00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:08.079
I think so.
00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.040
You know, one of the the cool things getting up there early.
00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:14.000
I'm going up uh, I believe Tuesday morning.
00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:23.040
Uh one of the cool things is watching all the trucks get washed and uh the guys and girls that are just out there just polishing their trucks doing.
00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:25.199
Well, they take such pride in their equipment.
00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:28.639
Yeah, they do, they do, and that's that's really interesting.
00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:38.079
Uh last year I went to a part of the exhibit that I hadn't or part of the uh whole exhibit space that I hadn't been to before.
00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:46.639
They literally had a dump truck up on a lift so that you could walk underneath it.
00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.240
Uh I don't even know the name of the company, but that's what they do.
00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:53.120
They create these lifts so that they can work on these trucks.
00:06:53.519 --> 00:07:10.560
Uh just mind-blowing to me like how much this industry has grown, how much the technology has started to pour into the industry, and just how many people are a part of it.
00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:21.920
You know, I I read as as we were getting ready for this, I read that you know, the one of the best things about Matt's it's it's not a truck show, it's a it's a community gathering, right?
00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:33.519
And that community consists of executives from these companies and organizations that support the industry, uh owner operators, which we always love to talk to up there.
00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:43.759
In fact, that's kind of our our bread and butter up there is to really get a chance to interact with owner operators and spend some time getting to know them and uh and whatnot.
00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:45.199
Uh but it really is.
00:07:45.360 --> 00:08:00.560
It's it's a community uh event, and you know, part of that event are some of the entertainment venues that they they've created, and Toby's done a great job of pulling together a venue this year uh and some entertainment on Friday night that we're lucky enough to be a part of.
00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.680
You want to talk about that a little bit?
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:04.879
I know are you are you ready to talk about entertainment on Friday night?
00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.439
Let's do it.
00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:05.759
Why not?
00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.319
Let's do it.
00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:06.720
All right.
00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.600
Who who's who's and we're sponsoring that, right, on Friday night?
00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:09.920
Yep.
00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.639
So Bennett, Bennett's the sponsor again this year, which we're fortunate enough to be a part of that.
00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:20.800
And you know, we've got a great partnership uh that we've developed over the years with Toby Young, who really spearheads this.
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:31.920
Yeah, he's uh and one thing about that guy is I mean, again, this is a million square foot of space, not including all of the stuff that's going out in the parking lot, right?
00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:34.720
All of the show parts and everything out in the parking lot.
00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:43.759
So he's covering this giant space with 20,000, 30, 40,000 people coming through over that, you know, three-day period.
00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:44.320
Yep.
00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:53.600
And you talk to the guy and it's like this just very calm, you know, laid back, like nothing's going on.
00:08:53.759 --> 00:09:05.519
He just he never really I've never seen the guy get rattled, which uh I mean, it's a testament to his his you know grasp of what he's doing and and and how he's doing it.
00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.480
He puts on a great show.
00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.960
But I think that has to do with he's got a good team.
00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:15.519
You've got to have a good like you you just did our symposium here for Bennett, and you couldn't have done that by yourself.
00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.799
No, gosh, no.
00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:22.799
I mean, you know, anytime somebody says, well, you know, oh, you do a good job of this, you do a good job of that, you're right.
00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:25.679
You have to have a strong team to to support you.
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.919
Uh and I'm fortunate enough for that.
00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:30.559
I think Toby's fortunate enough to have the same.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:32.720
Uh, but on Friday night, go ahead.
00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.120
All right, who's gonna be there?
00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.039
So we've got Long Haul Paul.
00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:37.600
Nice.
00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:42.159
Uh I know he's in the trucking industry's uh a pretty well-known name.
00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:43.600
He's gonna open up.
00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:50.320
And then we have Mark Ware, who played at Star Stripes and White What White Lines truck show last year.
00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:54.159
Uh and then to cap off the night, we have Frank Foster.
00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:54.799
Nice.
00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:03.440
Uh now I'd be lying to you if I had told you I knew who Frank Foster was, uh, but I think I'm one of the few who don't.
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.720
Uh he's definitely someone who's well known in this industry.
00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:14.080
Uh I've started listening to some of his music, and I can't believe I didn't know who this guy was uh a couple months ago.
00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:18.799
Now I do, and he's been in my playlist regularly.
00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.759
Oh, that's interesting.
00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.320
I'll tell you.
00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.480
Well, I'm gonna have to add him to mine as well.
00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.080
So this is up Friday night.
00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.279
What time is the concert?
00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.320
It's a good question.
00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:30.159
So uh we open up, I think the gates open up at 6 p.m.
00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:30.799
Okay.
00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:35.279
Uh Long Haul Paul will go on and play a set, and then Mark Ware will come on after that.
00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.960
And I believe around 8 p.m.
00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.679
is when Frank takes the stage.
00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:50.159
Uh, and everything should wrap up around 10 15, 10 30 that night so everybody can get a good night's sleep, get ready for the last day Saturday of the truck show.
00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:54.559
Uh, and then we'll finish off the truck show with a tractor pull.
00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:54.960
Yeah.
00:10:55.120 --> 00:11:00.320
So, and uh, you know, pretty cool way to end the the the the uh whole event.
00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:07.679
And I think that's been a growing part of of the Matt's truck show every year has been this tractor pull.
00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:10.000
Uh so be a pretty interesting to be a part of that.
00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.279
Very nice, very nice.
00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.559
So let's talk, let's go back to Friday night on the concert, though.
00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.480
Um do you need a ticket?
00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.919
Do you need a ticket to get in?
00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:18.559
You do.
00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.200
Okay.
00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:29.840
So you can stop by the um Bennett booth anytime uh once the doors open on Thursday, come by the Bennett Booth.
00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:32.879
Uh the booth numbers on the screen.
00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:39.440
So if they come by the Bennett booth, uh we will be giving away tickets uh as many as you want.
00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.720
So if you have two friends that you want to bring along, you have ten friends.
00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.759
You ask for tickets.
00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.279
So there's no limit on tickets.
00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.320
No limit on tickets.
00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.840
Just make sure you use them when you take them.
00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:50.559
Now, if you come ask me for 50 tickets, that could be a problem.
00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:52.000
Yeah, that's gonna be a little bit of a problem.
00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:53.200
Could be a challenge, not a problem.
00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:58.799
You're gonna have to you're gonna have to to bring 50 people over and prove to me that you need those 50 tickets.
00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:04.320
But yeah, but we'll we'll be giving out tickets the whole weekend or Thursday and all day Friday.
00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.159
Uh uh last year.
00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.480
I think that that place holds about 10,000 people.
00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:12.399
And we've we filled it up last year, so again this year.
00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.120
See, you should.
00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.440
And you got a good good group coming to sing there.
00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:17.600
That's that's gonna be pretty pretty fun.
00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:20.799
I heard there might be a couple of surprises during the concert as well, right?
00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.159
Normally, there normally is.
00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:27.759
When David Lowry is involved, uh there's normally a surprise or two that's gonna happen.
00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.399
So we'll see.
00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:30.720
Yeah, most yeah, for sure, for sure.
00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:34.799
So, yeah, pretty, pretty exciting uh to be at the truck show this year.
00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:39.360
I know that I know I've talked to Courtney George, she's with Reese Across America, she's gonna be there.
00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:42.799
Looking forward to chatting with her and seeing what's all going on there.
00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:46.799
She's a big supporter of ours as we prepare for Reese Across America.
00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:50.960
But um, I'm not sure where you want to go next, but I I'd like to talk about.
00:12:51.200 --> 00:13:13.840
So I think I think David, Lowry, and Evan's gonna be there and tell us kind of what's going on there because I know I talked to Evan yesterday, and you're gonna talk about the November truck show, I know, later into this into this episode, but I do want to mention that for our truck show in November, we're bringing back the patriotic patriotic truck show, right?
00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.240
Right.
00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:14.559
Yeah.
00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:19.440
And so there's a lot going on at Louisville that Evan and Dave are gonna be talking about during that whole setup.
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.440
Do you want to do you have time to share a little bit about that?
00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.080
You bet.
00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.399
Yeah.
00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:30.720
So, you know, not to take away from the Mid-America truck show, because again, it's you know, we've we've learned a lot from what Toby's done.
00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.120
Sure.
00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:39.360
It's like I said, 50 years of of putting on a very successful, uh, you know, consistent show.
00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:48.639
Uh you know, David and and you had a part in this a few years ago wanting to start a truck show of our own.
00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:58.000
Uh, and a lot of what we've learned from Toby's show and some of the other shows, I know you know, Tony Justice has a show that he does every year.
00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:14.000
You know, we've been fortunate enough to be a part of of Matt's, a part of, you know, the large cars and guitars show and some of the others that we've been able to say, you know, okay, let's take the best of these and let's let's build a show and let's put some purpose behind it, right?
00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:26.399
That purpose being Reese Cross America and and raising money to to make sure that all of our servicemen and women are never forgotten in December, you know, during Reese Cross America Day.
00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:44.639
Uh and so the cool thing is we've been fortunate enough last year uh at Matt's truck show, we stamped our first passport for Star Stripes and White Lines, which is now the national championship of truck shows, right?
00:14:44.960 --> 00:15:05.840
So, what the passport is, is anybody that enters some of these other shows um and is a part of these other shows, you know, Evan and David um, you know, work with these guys, uh ladies and and men around these shows to find the best of the best, right?
00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:11.759
The ones that they want to, these elite trucks that they want to invite to Star Stripes and White Lines in November.
00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:18.879
And so this kicks off that national championship run.
00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:27.600
And to get a stamp in your passport and an as is an invitation to Star Stripes and White Lines to be a part of the national championship.
00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:45.360
Interestingly enough, and I and I hope we get to talk to him when we get up there, uh the the winner of this show last year uh of Star Stripes and White Lines, he was the first person that we stamped a passport stamp in at Matt's last year.
00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.240
That's pretty cool.
00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.919
Yeah, so it was pretty incredible.
00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:56.559
I was up there, I got to be a part of it, got to meet, you know, meet him, and you know, to see him win was was pretty awesome.
00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:59.120
Uh and so we'll see what happens this year.
00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:08.960
Yeah, it's gonna be exciting uh uh about seeing that there, and I'm looking forward to watching and and and being a part of that from afar, watching it from afar.
00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.679
But uh yeah, a lot of cool stuff's going on there.
00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:15.360
I know the women in the drivers uh or women in not women's drivers.
00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:17.120
I'm sorry, you're saying women in the driver's seat.
00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.279
Yeah.
00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.600
But it's women in trucking is gonna be there.
00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:23.200
And I know our some of our folks are gonna be there attending there too, right, Jason?
00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.399
For that part, I hope.
00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:28.799
Yeah, so we're a Ruby sponsor with women in trucking, something that you know, Ms.
00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:35.840
Taylor's always really poured a lot of time and energy in through our WIDS program, our women in the driver's seat program.
00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:52.879
So Alicia Eccles, who's the chairs our WIDS program, her and some and uh Carrie McCoy with Ace are gonna be up there uh and be a part of the the the WIT uh event that they're gonna do, the women in trucking event that they're doing up there.
00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:55.759
Um I got to do it last year.
00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:09.279
Uh they do a really, really good job of recognizing you know the the women that you know really continue to be a bigger and bigger part of this industry.
00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:18.319
Uh and to see that part of Matt's continue to grow and be successful is really, really pretty awesome.
00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:26.319
Uh and for for us at Bennett to be a part of that uh is is is special, but also very, very important to us.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.880
Yeah, it is very important to us, very cool.
00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:35.680
So again, um we're going to Matt's truck show in Louisville, Kentucky, uh the kickoff truck show.
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.279
So a lot going to be going on there.
00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:42.480
So um so for you watching, listening that are interested in going, it opens on Thursday, right?
00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.519
Uh Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.960
Um, so we talked a little bit about the truck pool.
00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:51.119
When when when is it exactly that?
00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.039
And don't we have somebody in there that we know?
00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:59.519
Yeah, so the tractor pool is the kind of I guess what the grand finaleity.
00:17:59.680 --> 00:17:59.839
Okay.
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.240
Grand grand finale of the show.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.960
Yes, sir.
00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:09.200
Uh so I believe the show ends at four.
00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.200
Uh Matt's closes down at four.
00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.680
Okay.
00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.640
Uh, and then at five o'clock, they have the tractor pool.
00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.160
And where is the tractor pool at?
00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.200
Do you know where it's gonna be at?
00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:19.200
It's in the arena.
00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.599
Okay.
00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:23.200
Yeah, so it's the same arena that the Friday night concert's in, right?
00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.599
Correct.
00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:23.839
Yeah.
00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.039
So we'll have the concert on Friday night, and they'll flip that.
00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:36.000
And Saturday they'll do the tractor pool, which is uh if you've never been to a tractor pool before, it's definitely worth going to.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:43.440
Uh have to look and see what the tickets cost, but I know that that's you know pretty, pretty reasonable.
00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:47.200
Uh and we have our very own Ryan DeBro.
00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.160
There you go.
00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.720
There you go.
00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.319
He's a national national champion in the tractor pool.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:58.240
I believe his class will be one of the last ones to run Saturday evening.
00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.359
And playing with fire is the name of the Playing with Fire.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.440
And it's pretty awesome.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.319
It's pretty awesome.
00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:11.920
And he's he's just, I mean, he became a part of Ace and Bennett because he just fits our culture.
00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.759
He's just a good family man.
00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:20.480
Uh, you always see his wife and kids at the the pools, so he makes it a family, you know, family event.
00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:23.039
Um and just just fun.
00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.799
And to see him be successful is is pretty awesome.
00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.359
It is.
00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.880
Yeah, he is and you're right.
00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:33.599
I mean, his wife and kids, they're they're amazing, they're an amazing family to see.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.839
So um, yeah, looking forward to being there.
00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.680
And and again, we're gonna be set up.
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.680
I'm gonna do some episodes there.
00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:41.759
Um, and we'll be set up in the woods.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.960
So please stop by and say me.
00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:47.599
I'd love to talk to you and meet you and uh get to know you as at at at Matt's.
00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:51.119
And um, so it's gonna be gonna be an exciting weekend.
00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:55.920
So as we wrap this one up, I know you talked a little bit about the November show.
00:19:56.160 --> 00:20:06.559
So I know maybe you've already kind of touched that with that passport, but what what are you looking forward to for going to the truck show in November here at the uh Echo Park Speedway?
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:12.000
Yeah, so Star Stripes and White Lines started.
00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:14.240
This will be our third year, is that right?
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:20.160
Three, year three, I think this is Year three of the truck show, year four of the ball drop of the ball drop.
00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.559
Right?
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.200
Does that make sense?
00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.400
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:31.599
So year three, uh year one small truck show inside Echo Park Speedway, which was then it was Atlanta Motor Speedway.
00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.160
Yes, sir.
00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.039
So we've gone through a whole net name change with that.
00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:39.759
Um I think we had about 60 trucks total.
00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.160
I'm I'm being generous in that.
00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.920
Uh I think you are being generous.
00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.240
Yeah.
00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.559
Okay.
00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:48.160
Flash forward to the next year, it continued to grow.
00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:56.799
Uh 2025, we had over 200 trucks, and it was incredible.
00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:09.920
Uh in addition to that, we had an open new open class where if you have a you know souped up pickup truck or uh, you know, 65 Mustang, you could bring that.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.920
And then we had Jeeps and motorcycles.
00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.839
We're changing that a little bit this year.
00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:21.680
Uh, I think we're gonna try to pull the Jeeps and motorcycles out and maybe do something separate with them, but still have an open class to grow.
00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:23.519
A couple reasons around that.
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:34.799
Uh one, uh you know, it's a good opportunity for us to to raise funds for Reese Across America, uh, like we are with Star Stripes and White Lines.
00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:42.640
But two, we anticipate this year that the truck show is going to fill the whole infield at Echo Park Speedway.
00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.160
That's gonna be exciting.
00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:49.039
I think we're gonna have upwards of four hundred trucks this year.
00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.519
Oof.
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:54.720
And that's gonna be a good problem to have to try to figure out where we're gonna put those.
00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:59.759
Uh the cool thing about having a truck show inside a speedway.
00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:03.920
Is we're going to be selling track laps again this year.
00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.720
Oh, neat.
00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:15.440
Where you can pay and all of the money that we raise or take in from the track laps goes directly to buy Reese for Reese Cross America.
00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:23.279
And you can take your truck, your rig, uh out on the track and do laps on Echo Park Speedway.
00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.680
So we're going to be doing that again this year.
00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.359
It's going to be a little bit different.
00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:30.799
We have to regulate it a little bit more, but you're still going to have the opportunity to do it.
00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.920
Safety, safety, safety.
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.680
Yeah, it's all about safety, you know.
00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.519
I mean, and and we've been fortunate.
00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:40.960
We, you know, the the folks that have taken to the track the last few years have been incredibly safe.
00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:49.759
But we noticed some things this past year that we need to do as an organization to help ensure that safety even more.
00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:57.920
And so we've worked with the with Echo Park, with Kim Snyder and her team over there to make sure that those safety measures are going to get in place.
00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.799
But it's still going to be equally fun.
00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.160
We're going to have entertainment this year like we did last year.
00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:09.680
Uh it's November 6th and 7th, and it is the national championship of truck shows.
00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:14.880
So the national champion will be crowned again this year at Star Stripes and White Lines.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.279
Yeah.
00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.079
Pretty exciting.
00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:19.119
And I can't help but mention uh the ball drop.
00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.799
So I'm trying to talk you in.
00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:25.200
Jason's kind of running the show, so I'm trying to bribe him, but hopefully he's gonna allow us.
00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.960
It's a Huey helicopter.
00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:33.759
And Jason and I have already met with them, and I'm hoping he's gonna let us drop the balls inside the track, not outside the track this year.
00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:39.200
But we've reduced the cost of the balls to$50 a ball, but the prize money is still the same.
00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:47.920
$10,000 closest to the pin,$5,000 second closest,$2,500 third, and the farthest ball away from the pin gets$1,000.
00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:48.640
Yeah.
00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:51.519
You can you can be the unlucky one and still win a thousand dollars.
00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.559
Not a bad gig.
00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:52.880
Right?
00:23:52.960 --> 00:24:08.880
You know, and so uh last year we were fortunate enough that everyone who won, uh the$10,000 winner, the$5,000,$2,500, and even the$1,000 farthest from the pen, uh donated that money back to help buy Reese.
00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.599
Correct.
00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:16.319
And just like the track laps, that is money that goes directly to uh Reese Cross America.
00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:28.160
So our goal as a company is to cover twenty thousand nine hundred grave sites at Andersonville National Cemetery here in Andersonville, Georgia, to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, right?
00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:30.640
So that's why we're doing all of this.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:35.200
And so it you can go to the website right now and purchase a ball, right?
00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.200
Right now to SSWL.
00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.079
I think that's it.
00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.279
SSWL Truckshop.
00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:42.960
SSWL Truckshow.com Truckshow.com.
00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:50.799
And uh you can go out there right now and purchase you a ball and uh and be a lucky winner, hopefully, for ten thousand dollars at least, maybe.
00:24:51.039 --> 00:25:03.680
Maybe registration's gonna be open, so if you want to register your truck, uh again, it's it is the elite division, the those that are going for the national championship uh are invite only.
00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:09.599
However, this truck show, just like Matt's, is open for anyone that wants to register.
00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:15.920
So we'll do a wash and shine or show and shine, you know, we'll we'll have different levels of competition.
00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.880
So if you want to come, you're more than welcome to come.
00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:26.240
It's not a Bennett event, you know, although Bennett is behind Star Stripes and White Lines, it is not just for Bennett.
00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:29.440
We want to open it up to the entire trucking industry.
00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:37.039
Last year, like I said, we had some Bennett trucks, but the majority are were owner operators that you know weren't a part of Bennett.
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:45.519
Uh, but it's also a good opportunity for for those that you know have a truck that they want to put in the show and maybe want to learn a little bit about Bennett.
00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.960
You know, it's a good opportunity.
00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:50.559
And if not, it's just a good chance to hang around some pretty awesome people.
00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.759
I agree with that as well.
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:58.160
Well, Jason, it's been great learning about Matt's truck show and about uh Star Stripes and White Lines as well in November.
00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.559
But uh looking forward to seeing everybody at Matt's.
00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.200
Any closing thoughts about Matt's that we may have forgotten?
00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:12.400
Yeah, so one funny thing uh I think is the fact that, you know, there's a bunch of giveaway stuff that everybody puts on the table.
00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:12.720
Yes.
00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:17.119
One thing I want you to uh to be on the lookout for, we did this about three years ago.
00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:20.079
We did a little video on what we called swag swipers.
00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:33.119
Uh all of the different types of styles that people take when they uh come up to your table to to take a little flashlight or keychain or whatever it is the companies have out there.
00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:38.480
There are there are people there that are going to uh I call them swag swipers.
00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.279
That's what they're there for.
00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:43.039
They're to collect all of the pens and all of the fun stuff.
00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:54.640
Uh so again, it's a great opportunity to see some awesome technology, innovations in safety, hang out with some pretty incredible people, and have fun people watching.
00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.079
Yeah, that that is a fact.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.640
All right, so everybody will see you up at Matt's Truck Show.
00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:05.200
I'm gonna throw it over to Kaylin, and Caitlin will share with you how to find us on Transportation Asian until our next episode.
00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:07.599
God bless and be safe on the road.
00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:15.440
Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and never miss an episode.
00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:28.799
Together, we can move into the city.
00:00:00.080 --> 00:00:13.599
If I have one thing to really tell people that they must do that they need to go off these trucks because there is so much high energy for it.
00:00:31.199 --> 00:00:33.359
Well, hello and welcome to Transportation Nation.
00:00:33.520 --> 00:00:38.640
I'm Lee Gentry, your host, and we have a very good friend, good second host, I guess.
00:00:38.960 --> 00:00:39.600
Guest host.
00:00:39.920 --> 00:00:40.479
Guest host.
00:00:40.640 --> 00:00:41.039
That's true.
00:00:41.280 --> 00:00:41.920
Jason Brady.
00:00:42.079 --> 00:00:42.479
Good morning.
00:00:42.640 --> 00:00:43.280
Good morning, Lee.
00:00:43.359 --> 00:00:43.759
How are you doing?
00:00:43.920 --> 00:00:44.079
Good.
00:00:44.159 --> 00:00:45.520
You're normally behind the camera.
00:00:45.759 --> 00:00:46.159
That's right.
00:00:46.320 --> 00:00:48.320
This is a little bit different for me today.
00:00:49.520 --> 00:00:52.479
I'm normally back there with Tim and the production team.
00:00:52.640 --> 00:00:56.159
And uh today I get to be in front of the camera.
00:00:56.240 --> 00:01:02.719
I'm not sure if I like it or not, but uh I do like sitting next to you, and I'm really excited about what we're gonna talk about today.
00:01:02.960 --> 00:01:04.159
It is a pretty special episode.
00:01:04.239 --> 00:01:11.920
So today we're gonna be talking about getting ready for going to one of the largest truck shows in the nation, Mid America Truck Show in Louisville, Kentucky.
00:01:12.239 --> 00:01:17.840
Yeah, so did you know, Lee, I'm gonna drop some uh little facts on you here.
00:01:18.159 --> 00:01:18.560
Facts, okay.
00:01:18.719 --> 00:01:25.040
Yeah, so it is the really the first major truck show of the year uh every year.
00:01:25.359 --> 00:01:25.760
That's true.
00:01:25.840 --> 00:01:26.959
Uh kickoff, right?
00:01:27.200 --> 00:01:28.400
It's the kickoff, right?
00:01:28.560 --> 00:01:41.040
And and we'll talk about right the very end of the truck show year here in a little bit, but this is the kickoff uh over one million square feet of exhibit space.
00:01:41.359 --> 00:01:42.079
Is that not there?
00:01:42.719 --> 00:01:43.840
That is I mean, it's nuts.
00:01:43.920 --> 00:01:48.719
I mean, so if you're going, make sure you're wearing your walking shoes.
00:01:48.879 --> 00:01:49.120
Uh-huh.
00:01:49.200 --> 00:01:51.359
Uh you are going to get some steps in.
00:01:51.599 --> 00:01:56.719
Uh, and then the other piece of this, this has been going on for over 50 years now.
00:01:57.120 --> 00:02:07.840
So this has been and and what I was thinking about last night was imagine how much technology in the trucking industry has changed over the last 50 years.
00:02:08.080 --> 00:02:08.879
Oh my gosh.
00:02:09.280 --> 00:02:13.039
I mean, you you've been in this business for for that long, or if not longer.
00:02:13.280 --> 00:02:13.599
Yes, sir.
00:02:13.680 --> 00:02:15.039
I hate to admit that, but yes, sir.
00:02:15.280 --> 00:02:15.360
Yeah.
00:02:15.439 --> 00:02:16.400
So so yeah.
00:02:16.479 --> 00:02:17.520
So let me ask you this.
00:02:17.599 --> 00:02:24.560
So if you were to go back to Matt's early in your career, how different would it be?
00:02:25.280 --> 00:02:26.080
Oh my gosh.
00:02:26.240 --> 00:02:28.240
Uh yeah, big time different.
00:02:28.400 --> 00:02:32.560
I mean, it's funny what I mean, Venice's been going there for a long time.
00:02:32.719 --> 00:02:37.520
I know a lot of the other companies have been going there a long time too, but man, what a difference today.
00:02:37.680 --> 00:02:39.280
Now, I haven't been there in a few years.
00:02:39.439 --> 00:02:41.840
Um, used to go there all the time.
00:02:42.000 --> 00:02:46.879
And you know, the technology back then isn't what it is today.
00:02:47.199 --> 00:02:52.400
Back then, we didn't have the stuff in the trucks that they drivers have today.
00:02:52.639 --> 00:02:57.199
And even the laws or the that's required by the trucks now are different today.
00:02:57.360 --> 00:03:03.680
When I started driving a truck, I need to say this, but I think I started driving a truck in 1977.
00:03:04.159 --> 00:03:07.360
And um all I needed was a chauffeur's license.
00:03:07.520 --> 00:03:11.039
And I think diesel fuel back then was 50 cents a gallon, Jason.
00:03:11.759 --> 00:03:13.280
Yeah, so a little bit's changed.
00:03:13.520 --> 00:03:15.120
Uh a lot has changed, yes, sir.
00:03:15.360 --> 00:03:15.840
Yeah, yeah.
00:03:16.000 --> 00:03:24.719
So so yeah, I think that that to me, you know, I'm I'm a lot newer in the industry uh than you are, uh, by a few years.
00:03:24.960 --> 00:03:44.000
Uh you know, my my career took a very sharp right turn about three and a half years ago when I took when I joined Bennett, and I came into an industry that I knew nothing about or very little about, uh, and quickly learned that there is so much to learn about the trucking industry.
00:03:44.159 --> 00:03:44.479
Oh my god.
00:03:44.719 --> 00:03:47.919
So my first year at Matt's, this will be my fourth year.
00:03:48.080 --> 00:03:55.120
My first year at Matt's, I walked into you know that exhibit space and it overwhelmed me.
00:03:55.199 --> 00:04:05.599
Uh the number of people, the number of vendors, the amount of technology, safety, just the then you walk out in the parking lot and you see these gorgeous trucks.
00:04:05.680 --> 00:04:05.840
Yeah.
00:04:06.000 --> 00:04:08.080
Like that to me is the most exciting piece, you know.
00:04:08.159 --> 00:04:10.319
And I'm I'm hoping for for good weather.
00:04:10.479 --> 00:04:31.519
Uh, I know we've been having some strange weather this year, but if I had one thing to really tell people that they must do at Matt's, is they need to go walk the parking lot and walk around to see some of these trucks because there is so much pride, time, and energy poured into these trucks that sit up there on the lot.
00:04:31.759 --> 00:04:33.519
Are they still gonna have show and shine up there?
00:04:33.759 --> 00:04:34.879
That's what you're kind of referring to.
00:04:35.279 --> 00:04:36.879
Don't they have that going on too this year?
00:04:37.199 --> 00:04:41.120
Yeah, it's the PKY uh truck show.
00:04:41.279 --> 00:04:44.319
So they'll have that this year, uh, like they do every year.
00:04:44.480 --> 00:04:48.079
They usually do a light show, which is really cool that evening.
00:04:48.319 --> 00:04:54.000
Um, you know, and and Bennett's fortunate enough to be sponsoring the Friday night concert this year.
00:04:54.319 --> 00:04:55.040
Oh, that's right.
00:04:55.199 --> 00:04:55.680
That's right.
00:04:56.079 --> 00:04:58.079
Let's let's not give out any details.
00:04:58.480 --> 00:04:59.439
Let's don't get too far ahead.
00:04:59.680 --> 00:04:59.839
Okay.
00:05:00.079 --> 00:05:01.920
So let's let's back up a little bit, Lee.
00:05:02.079 --> 00:05:06.720
Let's talk about what, you know, because we're gonna be up there, right?
00:05:06.800 --> 00:05:10.079
You and I are gonna be up there, you're gonna be doing a podcast from up there.
00:05:10.319 --> 00:05:10.720
Yes, sir.
00:05:10.959 --> 00:05:18.079
Uh, you know, you gave me a stack of papers about this thick to go through with vendors and all of the things that are happening.
00:05:18.560 --> 00:05:25.519
Have you been able to wrap your head around what your plan is once you get up there?
00:05:25.839 --> 00:05:30.639
Well, I tell you what, my first plan is to I'm gonna walk and see what's going on on the floor.
00:05:30.800 --> 00:05:32.319
Because I haven't been there in a few years.
00:05:32.480 --> 00:05:34.800
So again, you want to see the new shiny trucks.
00:05:34.879 --> 00:05:40.399
You want to see what's going on there, you want to see who's what technology they're at what's going on out there.
00:05:40.560 --> 00:05:45.600
And of course, I'm looking forward to to meeting some of our partners that helps us out here at the company.
00:05:45.680 --> 00:05:47.600
So that's kind of the first things I want to do.
00:05:47.759 --> 00:05:51.519
Kind of get the lay of the land and see who's there, especially see all the shiny good stuff.
00:05:51.680 --> 00:05:53.279
I definitely want to go out in the parking lot.
00:05:53.439 --> 00:05:54.720
I think the weather's gonna allow it.
00:05:54.959 --> 00:05:57.439
It might be a little chilly, but not bad.
00:05:57.680 --> 00:05:58.959
I I think we can live with it.
00:05:59.199 --> 00:05:59.680
Yeah, yeah.
00:05:59.839 --> 00:06:01.279
Long-term forecast looks really good.
00:06:01.519 --> 00:06:01.759
It does.
00:06:02.079 --> 00:06:06.560
That changes by the minute, but uh definitely looks looks like we're gonna get some good weather.
00:06:06.959 --> 00:06:07.439
I think so.
00:06:07.519 --> 00:06:08.079
I think so.
00:06:08.319 --> 00:06:11.040
You know, one of the the cool things getting up there early.
00:06:11.120 --> 00:06:14.000
I'm going up uh, I believe Tuesday morning.
00:06:14.240 --> 00:06:23.040
Uh one of the cool things is watching all the trucks get washed and uh the guys and girls that are just out there just polishing their trucks doing.
00:06:23.519 --> 00:06:25.199
Well, they take such pride in their equipment.
00:06:25.439 --> 00:06:28.639
Yeah, they do, they do, and that's that's really interesting.
00:06:28.879 --> 00:06:38.079
Uh last year I went to a part of the exhibit that I hadn't or part of the uh whole exhibit space that I hadn't been to before.
00:06:38.639 --> 00:06:46.639
They literally had a dump truck up on a lift so that you could walk underneath it.
00:06:47.120 --> 00:06:50.240
Uh I don't even know the name of the company, but that's what they do.
00:06:50.319 --> 00:06:53.120
They create these lifts so that they can work on these trucks.
00:06:53.519 --> 00:07:10.560
Uh just mind-blowing to me like how much this industry has grown, how much the technology has started to pour into the industry, and just how many people are a part of it.
00:07:10.720 --> 00:07:21.920
You know, I I read as as we were getting ready for this, I read that you know, the one of the best things about Matt's it's it's not a truck show, it's a it's a community gathering, right?
00:07:22.079 --> 00:07:33.519
And that community consists of executives from these companies and organizations that support the industry, uh owner operators, which we always love to talk to up there.
00:07:33.680 --> 00:07:43.759
In fact, that's kind of our our bread and butter up there is to really get a chance to interact with owner operators and spend some time getting to know them and uh and whatnot.
00:07:43.920 --> 00:07:45.199
Uh but it really is.
00:07:45.360 --> 00:08:00.560
It's it's a community uh event, and you know, part of that event are some of the entertainment venues that they they've created, and Toby's done a great job of pulling together a venue this year uh and some entertainment on Friday night that we're lucky enough to be a part of.
00:08:00.720 --> 00:08:01.680
You want to talk about that a little bit?
00:08:01.920 --> 00:08:04.879
I know are you are you ready to talk about entertainment on Friday night?
00:08:05.120 --> 00:08:05.439
Let's do it.
00:08:05.519 --> 00:08:05.759
Why not?
00:08:06.000 --> 00:08:06.319
Let's do it.
00:08:06.480 --> 00:08:06.720
All right.
00:08:06.800 --> 00:08:09.600
Who who's who's and we're sponsoring that, right, on Friday night?
00:08:09.839 --> 00:08:09.920
Yep.
00:08:10.000 --> 00:08:14.639
So Bennett, Bennett's the sponsor again this year, which we're fortunate enough to be a part of that.
00:08:14.720 --> 00:08:20.800
And you know, we've got a great partnership uh that we've developed over the years with Toby Young, who really spearheads this.
00:08:20.959 --> 00:08:31.920
Yeah, he's uh and one thing about that guy is I mean, again, this is a million square foot of space, not including all of the stuff that's going out in the parking lot, right?
00:08:32.000 --> 00:08:34.720
All of the show parts and everything out in the parking lot.
00:08:34.960 --> 00:08:43.759
So he's covering this giant space with 20,000, 30, 40,000 people coming through over that, you know, three-day period.
00:08:43.919 --> 00:08:44.320
Yep.
00:08:44.639 --> 00:08:53.600
And you talk to the guy and it's like this just very calm, you know, laid back, like nothing's going on.
00:08:53.759 --> 00:09:05.519
He just he never really I've never seen the guy get rattled, which uh I mean, it's a testament to his his you know grasp of what he's doing and and and how he's doing it.
00:09:05.679 --> 00:09:06.480
He puts on a great show.
00:09:06.720 --> 00:09:08.960
But I think that has to do with he's got a good team.
00:09:09.600 --> 00:09:15.519
You've got to have a good like you you just did our symposium here for Bennett, and you couldn't have done that by yourself.
00:09:15.840 --> 00:09:16.799
No, gosh, no.
00:09:16.960 --> 00:09:22.799
I mean, you know, anytime somebody says, well, you know, oh, you do a good job of this, you do a good job of that, you're right.
00:09:22.960 --> 00:09:25.679
You have to have a strong team to to support you.
00:09:25.840 --> 00:09:27.919
Uh and I'm fortunate enough for that.
00:09:28.000 --> 00:09:30.559
I think Toby's fortunate enough to have the same.
00:09:30.720 --> 00:09:32.720
Uh, but on Friday night, go ahead.
00:09:32.799 --> 00:09:35.120
All right, who's gonna be there?
00:09:35.360 --> 00:09:37.039
So we've got Long Haul Paul.
00:09:37.200 --> 00:09:37.600
Nice.
00:09:37.840 --> 00:09:42.159
Uh I know he's in the trucking industry's uh a pretty well-known name.
00:09:42.320 --> 00:09:43.600
He's gonna open up.
00:09:43.840 --> 00:09:50.320
And then we have Mark Ware, who played at Star Stripes and White What White Lines truck show last year.
00:09:50.480 --> 00:09:54.159
Uh and then to cap off the night, we have Frank Foster.
00:09:54.399 --> 00:09:54.799
Nice.
00:09:54.960 --> 00:10:03.440
Uh now I'd be lying to you if I had told you I knew who Frank Foster was, uh, but I think I'm one of the few who don't.
00:10:03.519 --> 00:10:06.720
Uh he's definitely someone who's well known in this industry.
00:10:06.879 --> 00:10:14.080
Uh I've started listening to some of his music, and I can't believe I didn't know who this guy was uh a couple months ago.
00:10:14.320 --> 00:10:18.799
Now I do, and he's been in my playlist regularly.
00:10:19.120 --> 00:10:19.759
Oh, that's interesting.
00:10:19.840 --> 00:10:20.320
I'll tell you.
00:10:20.399 --> 00:10:22.480
Well, I'm gonna have to add him to mine as well.
00:10:22.639 --> 00:10:24.080
So this is up Friday night.
00:10:24.159 --> 00:10:25.279
What time is the concert?
00:10:25.600 --> 00:10:26.320
It's a good question.
00:10:26.480 --> 00:10:30.159
So uh we open up, I think the gates open up at 6 p.m.
00:10:30.480 --> 00:10:30.799
Okay.
00:10:31.039 --> 00:10:35.279
Uh Long Haul Paul will go on and play a set, and then Mark Ware will come on after that.
00:10:35.360 --> 00:10:36.960
And I believe around 8 p.m.
00:10:37.279 --> 00:10:39.679
is when Frank takes the stage.
00:10:39.840 --> 00:10:50.159
Uh, and everything should wrap up around 10 15, 10 30 that night so everybody can get a good night's sleep, get ready for the last day Saturday of the truck show.
00:10:50.240 --> 00:10:54.559
Uh, and then we'll finish off the truck show with a tractor pull.
00:10:54.639 --> 00:10:54.960
Yeah.
00:10:55.120 --> 00:11:00.320
So, and uh, you know, pretty cool way to end the the the the uh whole event.
00:11:00.559 --> 00:11:07.679
And I think that's been a growing part of of the Matt's truck show every year has been this tractor pull.
00:11:07.840 --> 00:11:10.000
Uh so be a pretty interesting to be a part of that.
00:11:10.320 --> 00:11:11.279
Very nice, very nice.
00:11:11.360 --> 00:11:14.559
So let's talk, let's go back to Friday night on the concert, though.
00:11:14.799 --> 00:11:16.480
Um do you need a ticket?
00:11:16.639 --> 00:11:17.919
Do you need a ticket to get in?
00:11:18.159 --> 00:11:18.559
You do.
00:11:18.879 --> 00:11:19.200
Okay.
00:11:19.440 --> 00:11:29.840
So you can stop by the um Bennett booth anytime uh once the doors open on Thursday, come by the Bennett Booth.
00:11:29.919 --> 00:11:32.879
Uh the booth numbers on the screen.
00:11:33.120 --> 00:11:39.440
So if they come by the Bennett booth, uh we will be giving away tickets uh as many as you want.
00:11:39.600 --> 00:11:42.720
So if you have two friends that you want to bring along, you have ten friends.
00:11:42.879 --> 00:11:43.759
You ask for tickets.
00:11:44.080 --> 00:11:45.279
So there's no limit on tickets.
00:11:45.519 --> 00:11:46.320
No limit on tickets.
00:11:46.559 --> 00:11:47.840
Just make sure you use them when you take them.
00:11:48.080 --> 00:11:50.559
Now, if you come ask me for 50 tickets, that could be a problem.
00:11:50.799 --> 00:11:52.000
Yeah, that's gonna be a little bit of a problem.
00:11:52.320 --> 00:11:53.200
Could be a challenge, not a problem.
00:11:53.440 --> 00:11:58.799
You're gonna have to you're gonna have to to bring 50 people over and prove to me that you need those 50 tickets.
00:11:58.960 --> 00:12:04.320
But yeah, but we'll we'll be giving out tickets the whole weekend or Thursday and all day Friday.
00:12:04.559 --> 00:12:06.159
Uh uh last year.
00:12:06.240 --> 00:12:08.480
I think that that place holds about 10,000 people.
00:12:08.559 --> 00:12:12.399
And we've we filled it up last year, so again this year.
00:12:12.639 --> 00:12:13.120
See, you should.
00:12:13.200 --> 00:12:15.440
And you got a good good group coming to sing there.
00:12:15.519 --> 00:12:17.600
That's that's gonna be pretty pretty fun.
00:12:17.919 --> 00:12:20.799
I heard there might be a couple of surprises during the concert as well, right?
00:12:20.879 --> 00:12:22.159
Normally, there normally is.
00:12:22.960 --> 00:12:27.759
When David Lowry is involved, uh there's normally a surprise or two that's gonna happen.
00:12:27.840 --> 00:12:28.399
So we'll see.
00:12:28.639 --> 00:12:30.720
Yeah, most yeah, for sure, for sure.
00:12:30.960 --> 00:12:34.799
So, yeah, pretty, pretty exciting uh to be at the truck show this year.
00:12:34.879 --> 00:12:39.360
I know that I know I've talked to Courtney George, she's with Reese Across America, she's gonna be there.
00:12:39.519 --> 00:12:42.799
Looking forward to chatting with her and seeing what's all going on there.
00:12:42.879 --> 00:12:46.799
She's a big supporter of ours as we prepare for Reese Across America.
00:12:46.960 --> 00:12:50.960
But um, I'm not sure where you want to go next, but I I'd like to talk about.
00:12:51.200 --> 00:13:13.840
So I think I think David, Lowry, and Evan's gonna be there and tell us kind of what's going on there because I know I talked to Evan yesterday, and you're gonna talk about the November truck show, I know, later into this into this episode, but I do want to mention that for our truck show in November, we're bringing back the patriotic patriotic truck show, right?
00:13:14.080 --> 00:13:14.240
Right.
00:13:14.320 --> 00:13:14.559
Yeah.
00:13:14.879 --> 00:13:19.440
And so there's a lot going on at Louisville that Evan and Dave are gonna be talking about during that whole setup.
00:13:19.519 --> 00:13:21.440
Do you want to do you have time to share a little bit about that?
00:13:21.759 --> 00:13:22.080
You bet.
00:13:22.159 --> 00:13:22.399
Yeah.
00:13:22.480 --> 00:13:30.720
So, you know, not to take away from the Mid-America truck show, because again, it's you know, we've we've learned a lot from what Toby's done.
00:13:31.039 --> 00:13:31.120
Sure.
00:13:31.360 --> 00:13:39.360
It's like I said, 50 years of of putting on a very successful, uh, you know, consistent show.
00:13:39.759 --> 00:13:48.639
Uh you know, David and and you had a part in this a few years ago wanting to start a truck show of our own.
00:13:48.720 --> 00:13:58.000
Uh, and a lot of what we've learned from Toby's show and some of the other shows, I know you know, Tony Justice has a show that he does every year.
00:13:58.159 --> 00:14:14.000
You know, we've been fortunate enough to be a part of of Matt's, a part of, you know, the large cars and guitars show and some of the others that we've been able to say, you know, okay, let's take the best of these and let's let's build a show and let's put some purpose behind it, right?
00:14:14.159 --> 00:14:26.399
That purpose being Reese Cross America and and raising money to to make sure that all of our servicemen and women are never forgotten in December, you know, during Reese Cross America Day.
00:14:26.559 --> 00:14:44.639
Uh and so the cool thing is we've been fortunate enough last year uh at Matt's truck show, we stamped our first passport for Star Stripes and White Lines, which is now the national championship of truck shows, right?
00:14:44.960 --> 00:15:05.840
So, what the passport is, is anybody that enters some of these other shows um and is a part of these other shows, you know, Evan and David um, you know, work with these guys, uh ladies and and men around these shows to find the best of the best, right?
00:15:06.000 --> 00:15:11.759
The ones that they want to, these elite trucks that they want to invite to Star Stripes and White Lines in November.
00:15:12.000 --> 00:15:18.879
And so this kicks off that national championship run.
00:15:19.279 --> 00:15:27.600
And to get a stamp in your passport and an as is an invitation to Star Stripes and White Lines to be a part of the national championship.
00:15:28.000 --> 00:15:45.360
Interestingly enough, and I and I hope we get to talk to him when we get up there, uh the the winner of this show last year uh of Star Stripes and White Lines, he was the first person that we stamped a passport stamp in at Matt's last year.
00:15:45.600 --> 00:15:46.240
That's pretty cool.
00:15:46.399 --> 00:15:47.919
Yeah, so it was pretty incredible.
00:15:48.639 --> 00:15:56.559
I was up there, I got to be a part of it, got to meet, you know, meet him, and you know, to see him win was was pretty awesome.
00:15:56.720 --> 00:15:59.120
Uh and so we'll see what happens this year.
00:15:59.440 --> 00:16:08.960
Yeah, it's gonna be exciting uh uh about seeing that there, and I'm looking forward to watching and and and being a part of that from afar, watching it from afar.
00:16:09.120 --> 00:16:11.679
But uh yeah, a lot of cool stuff's going on there.
00:16:11.759 --> 00:16:15.360
I know the women in the drivers uh or women in not women's drivers.
00:16:15.519 --> 00:16:17.120
I'm sorry, you're saying women in the driver's seat.
00:16:17.200 --> 00:16:17.279
Yeah.
00:16:17.519 --> 00:16:19.600
But it's women in trucking is gonna be there.
00:16:19.679 --> 00:16:23.200
And I know our some of our folks are gonna be there attending there too, right, Jason?
00:16:23.440 --> 00:16:24.399
For that part, I hope.
00:16:24.720 --> 00:16:28.799
Yeah, so we're a Ruby sponsor with women in trucking, something that you know, Ms.
00:16:28.960 --> 00:16:35.840
Taylor's always really poured a lot of time and energy in through our WIDS program, our women in the driver's seat program.
00:16:36.240 --> 00:16:52.879
So Alicia Eccles, who's the chairs our WIDS program, her and some and uh Carrie McCoy with Ace are gonna be up there uh and be a part of the the the WIT uh event that they're gonna do, the women in trucking event that they're doing up there.
00:16:53.120 --> 00:16:55.759
Um I got to do it last year.
00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:09.279
Uh they do a really, really good job of recognizing you know the the women that you know really continue to be a bigger and bigger part of this industry.
00:17:09.759 --> 00:17:18.319
Uh and to see that part of Matt's continue to grow and be successful is really, really pretty awesome.
00:17:18.400 --> 00:17:26.319
Uh and for for us at Bennett to be a part of that uh is is is special, but also very, very important to us.
00:17:26.720 --> 00:17:28.880
Yeah, it is very important to us, very cool.
00:17:29.039 --> 00:17:35.680
So again, um we're going to Matt's truck show in Louisville, Kentucky, uh the kickoff truck show.
00:17:35.759 --> 00:17:37.279
So a lot going to be going on there.
00:17:37.359 --> 00:17:42.480
So um so for you watching, listening that are interested in going, it opens on Thursday, right?
00:17:42.799 --> 00:17:45.519
Uh Thursday, Friday, and Saturday.
00:17:45.759 --> 00:17:48.960
Um, so we talked a little bit about the truck pool.
00:17:49.200 --> 00:17:51.119
When when when is it exactly that?
00:17:51.200 --> 00:17:53.039
And don't we have somebody in there that we know?
00:17:53.279 --> 00:17:59.519
Yeah, so the tractor pool is the kind of I guess what the grand finaleity.
00:17:59.680 --> 00:17:59.839
Okay.
00:18:00.240 --> 00:18:02.240
Grand grand finale of the show.
00:18:02.480 --> 00:18:02.960
Yes, sir.
00:18:03.119 --> 00:18:09.200
Uh so I believe the show ends at four.
00:18:09.279 --> 00:18:11.200
Uh Matt's closes down at four.
00:18:11.440 --> 00:18:11.680
Okay.
00:18:11.839 --> 00:18:14.640
Uh, and then at five o'clock, they have the tractor pool.
00:18:14.880 --> 00:18:16.160
And where is the tractor pool at?
00:18:16.240 --> 00:18:17.200
Do you know where it's gonna be at?
00:18:17.519 --> 00:18:19.200
It's in the arena.
00:18:19.519 --> 00:18:19.599
Okay.
00:18:20.079 --> 00:18:23.200
Yeah, so it's the same arena that the Friday night concert's in, right?
00:18:23.440 --> 00:18:23.599
Correct.
00:18:23.680 --> 00:18:23.839
Yeah.
00:18:23.920 --> 00:18:27.039
So we'll have the concert on Friday night, and they'll flip that.
00:18:27.200 --> 00:18:36.000
And Saturday they'll do the tractor pool, which is uh if you've never been to a tractor pool before, it's definitely worth going to.
00:18:36.160 --> 00:18:43.440
Uh have to look and see what the tickets cost, but I know that that's you know pretty, pretty reasonable.
00:18:43.680 --> 00:18:47.200
Uh and we have our very own Ryan DeBro.
00:18:47.680 --> 00:18:48.160
There you go.
00:18:48.319 --> 00:18:48.720
There you go.
00:18:48.960 --> 00:18:52.319
He's a national national champion in the tractor pool.
00:18:52.559 --> 00:18:58.240
I believe his class will be one of the last ones to run Saturday evening.
00:18:58.480 --> 00:19:01.359
And playing with fire is the name of the Playing with Fire.
00:19:01.920 --> 00:19:03.440
And it's pretty awesome.
00:19:03.599 --> 00:19:04.319
It's pretty awesome.
00:19:04.400 --> 00:19:11.920
And he's he's just, I mean, he became a part of Ace and Bennett because he just fits our culture.
00:19:12.079 --> 00:19:13.759
He's just a good family man.
00:19:13.839 --> 00:19:20.480
Uh, you always see his wife and kids at the the pools, so he makes it a family, you know, family event.
00:19:20.640 --> 00:19:23.039
Um and just just fun.
00:19:23.119 --> 00:19:26.799
And to see him be successful is is pretty awesome.
00:19:27.039 --> 00:19:27.359
It is.
00:19:27.440 --> 00:19:28.880
Yeah, he is and you're right.
00:19:28.960 --> 00:19:33.599
I mean, his wife and kids, they're they're amazing, they're an amazing family to see.
00:19:33.680 --> 00:19:35.839
So um, yeah, looking forward to being there.
00:19:35.920 --> 00:19:37.680
And and again, we're gonna be set up.
00:19:37.759 --> 00:19:39.680
I'm gonna do some episodes there.
00:19:39.839 --> 00:19:41.759
Um, and we'll be set up in the woods.
00:19:41.839 --> 00:19:42.960
So please stop by and say me.
00:19:43.039 --> 00:19:47.599
I'd love to talk to you and meet you and uh get to know you as at at at Matt's.
00:19:47.839 --> 00:19:51.119
And um, so it's gonna be gonna be an exciting weekend.
00:19:51.279 --> 00:19:55.920
So as we wrap this one up, I know you talked a little bit about the November show.
00:19:56.160 --> 00:20:06.559
So I know maybe you've already kind of touched that with that passport, but what what are you looking forward to for going to the truck show in November here at the uh Echo Park Speedway?
00:20:06.880 --> 00:20:12.000
Yeah, so Star Stripes and White Lines started.
00:20:12.160 --> 00:20:14.240
This will be our third year, is that right?
00:20:14.480 --> 00:20:20.160
Three, year three, I think this is Year three of the truck show, year four of the ball drop of the ball drop.
00:20:20.400 --> 00:20:20.559
Right?
00:20:20.640 --> 00:20:21.200
Does that make sense?
00:20:21.359 --> 00:20:22.400
Yeah, that makes sense.
00:20:22.640 --> 00:20:31.599
So year three, uh year one small truck show inside Echo Park Speedway, which was then it was Atlanta Motor Speedway.
00:20:31.839 --> 00:20:32.160
Yes, sir.
00:20:32.240 --> 00:20:35.039
So we've gone through a whole net name change with that.
00:20:35.279 --> 00:20:39.759
Um I think we had about 60 trucks total.
00:20:40.160 --> 00:20:42.160
I'm I'm being generous in that.
00:20:42.319 --> 00:20:43.920
Uh I think you are being generous.
00:20:44.079 --> 00:20:44.240
Yeah.
00:20:44.400 --> 00:20:44.559
Okay.
00:20:44.880 --> 00:20:48.160
Flash forward to the next year, it continued to grow.
00:20:48.319 --> 00:20:56.799
Uh 2025, we had over 200 trucks, and it was incredible.
00:20:56.960 --> 00:21:09.920
Uh in addition to that, we had an open new open class where if you have a you know souped up pickup truck or uh, you know, 65 Mustang, you could bring that.
00:21:10.079 --> 00:21:11.920
And then we had Jeeps and motorcycles.
00:21:12.000 --> 00:21:13.839
We're changing that a little bit this year.
00:21:14.000 --> 00:21:21.680
Uh, I think we're gonna try to pull the Jeeps and motorcycles out and maybe do something separate with them, but still have an open class to grow.
00:21:21.839 --> 00:21:23.519
A couple reasons around that.
00:21:23.680 --> 00:21:34.799
Uh one, uh you know, it's a good opportunity for us to to raise funds for Reese Across America, uh, like we are with Star Stripes and White Lines.
00:21:34.960 --> 00:21:42.640
But two, we anticipate this year that the truck show is going to fill the whole infield at Echo Park Speedway.
00:21:42.960 --> 00:21:44.160
That's gonna be exciting.
00:21:44.559 --> 00:21:49.039
I think we're gonna have upwards of four hundred trucks this year.
00:21:49.200 --> 00:21:49.519
Oof.
00:21:50.000 --> 00:21:54.720
And that's gonna be a good problem to have to try to figure out where we're gonna put those.
00:21:54.880 --> 00:21:59.759
Uh the cool thing about having a truck show inside a speedway.
00:22:01.039 --> 00:22:03.920
Is we're going to be selling track laps again this year.
00:22:04.160 --> 00:22:04.720
Oh, neat.
00:22:05.279 --> 00:22:15.440
Where you can pay and all of the money that we raise or take in from the track laps goes directly to buy Reese for Reese Cross America.
00:22:16.480 --> 00:22:23.279
And you can take your truck, your rig, uh out on the track and do laps on Echo Park Speedway.
00:22:23.519 --> 00:22:25.680
So we're going to be doing that again this year.
00:22:26.000 --> 00:22:27.359
It's going to be a little bit different.
00:22:27.519 --> 00:22:30.799
We have to regulate it a little bit more, but you're still going to have the opportunity to do it.
00:22:31.119 --> 00:22:31.920
Safety, safety, safety.
00:22:32.160 --> 00:22:33.680
Yeah, it's all about safety, you know.
00:22:33.759 --> 00:22:35.519
I mean, and and we've been fortunate.
00:22:35.680 --> 00:22:40.960
We, you know, the the folks that have taken to the track the last few years have been incredibly safe.
00:22:41.440 --> 00:22:49.759
But we noticed some things this past year that we need to do as an organization to help ensure that safety even more.
00:22:50.079 --> 00:22:57.920
And so we've worked with the with Echo Park, with Kim Snyder and her team over there to make sure that those safety measures are going to get in place.
00:22:58.000 --> 00:23:00.799
But it's still going to be equally fun.
00:23:01.119 --> 00:23:04.160
We're going to have entertainment this year like we did last year.
00:23:04.319 --> 00:23:09.680
Uh it's November 6th and 7th, and it is the national championship of truck shows.
00:23:09.839 --> 00:23:14.880
So the national champion will be crowned again this year at Star Stripes and White Lines.
00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:15.279
Yeah.
00:23:15.440 --> 00:23:16.079
Pretty exciting.
00:23:16.240 --> 00:23:19.119
And I can't help but mention uh the ball drop.
00:23:19.440 --> 00:23:20.799
So I'm trying to talk you in.
00:23:20.960 --> 00:23:25.200
Jason's kind of running the show, so I'm trying to bribe him, but hopefully he's gonna allow us.
00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:26.960
It's a Huey helicopter.
00:23:27.279 --> 00:23:33.759
And Jason and I have already met with them, and I'm hoping he's gonna let us drop the balls inside the track, not outside the track this year.
00:23:34.000 --> 00:23:39.200
But we've reduced the cost of the balls to$50 a ball, but the prize money is still the same.
00:23:39.359 --> 00:23:47.920
$10,000 closest to the pin,$5,000 second closest,$2,500 third, and the farthest ball away from the pin gets$1,000.
00:23:48.400 --> 00:23:48.640
Yeah.
00:23:48.880 --> 00:23:51.519
You can you can be the unlucky one and still win a thousand dollars.
00:23:51.839 --> 00:23:52.559
Not a bad gig.
00:23:52.720 --> 00:23:52.880
Right?
00:23:52.960 --> 00:24:08.880
You know, and so uh last year we were fortunate enough that everyone who won, uh the$10,000 winner, the$5,000,$2,500, and even the$1,000 farthest from the pen, uh donated that money back to help buy Reese.
00:24:09.200 --> 00:24:09.599
Correct.
00:24:09.759 --> 00:24:16.319
And just like the track laps, that is money that goes directly to uh Reese Cross America.
00:24:16.640 --> 00:24:28.160
So our goal as a company is to cover twenty thousand nine hundred grave sites at Andersonville National Cemetery here in Andersonville, Georgia, to remember all those who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom, right?
00:24:28.400 --> 00:24:30.640
So that's why we're doing all of this.
00:24:30.880 --> 00:24:35.200
And so it you can go to the website right now and purchase a ball, right?
00:24:35.519 --> 00:24:37.200
Right now to SSWL.
00:24:37.359 --> 00:24:38.079
I think that's it.
00:24:38.240 --> 00:24:39.279
SSWL Truckshop.
00:24:39.920 --> 00:24:42.960
SSWL Truckshow.com Truckshow.com.
00:24:43.200 --> 00:24:50.799
And uh you can go out there right now and purchase you a ball and uh and be a lucky winner, hopefully, for ten thousand dollars at least, maybe.
00:24:51.039 --> 00:25:03.680
Maybe registration's gonna be open, so if you want to register your truck, uh again, it's it is the elite division, the those that are going for the national championship uh are invite only.
00:25:03.920 --> 00:25:09.599
However, this truck show, just like Matt's, is open for anyone that wants to register.
00:25:09.680 --> 00:25:15.920
So we'll do a wash and shine or show and shine, you know, we'll we'll have different levels of competition.
00:25:16.160 --> 00:25:18.880
So if you want to come, you're more than welcome to come.
00:25:19.039 --> 00:25:26.240
It's not a Bennett event, you know, although Bennett is behind Star Stripes and White Lines, it is not just for Bennett.
00:25:26.319 --> 00:25:29.440
We want to open it up to the entire trucking industry.
00:25:29.680 --> 00:25:37.039
Last year, like I said, we had some Bennett trucks, but the majority are were owner operators that you know weren't a part of Bennett.
00:25:37.119 --> 00:25:45.519
Uh, but it's also a good opportunity for for those that you know have a truck that they want to put in the show and maybe want to learn a little bit about Bennett.
00:25:45.759 --> 00:25:46.960
You know, it's a good opportunity.
00:25:47.039 --> 00:25:50.559
And if not, it's just a good chance to hang around some pretty awesome people.
00:25:50.880 --> 00:25:51.759
I agree with that as well.
00:25:51.920 --> 00:25:58.160
Well, Jason, it's been great learning about Matt's truck show and about uh Star Stripes and White Lines as well in November.
00:25:58.240 --> 00:26:00.559
But uh looking forward to seeing everybody at Matt's.
00:26:00.640 --> 00:26:03.200
Any closing thoughts about Matt's that we may have forgotten?
00:26:03.680 --> 00:26:12.400
Yeah, so one funny thing uh I think is the fact that, you know, there's a bunch of giveaway stuff that everybody puts on the table.
00:26:12.559 --> 00:26:12.720
Yes.
00:26:12.880 --> 00:26:17.119
One thing I want you to uh to be on the lookout for, we did this about three years ago.
00:26:17.200 --> 00:26:20.079
We did a little video on what we called swag swipers.
00:26:20.240 --> 00:26:33.119
Uh all of the different types of styles that people take when they uh come up to your table to to take a little flashlight or keychain or whatever it is the companies have out there.
00:26:33.440 --> 00:26:38.480
There are there are people there that are going to uh I call them swag swipers.
00:26:38.559 --> 00:26:39.279
That's what they're there for.
00:26:39.440 --> 00:26:43.039
They're to collect all of the pens and all of the fun stuff.
00:26:43.119 --> 00:26:54.640
Uh so again, it's a great opportunity to see some awesome technology, innovations in safety, hang out with some pretty incredible people, and have fun people watching.
00:26:54.880 --> 00:26:56.079
Yeah, that that is a fact.
00:26:56.160 --> 00:26:58.640
All right, so everybody will see you up at Matt's Truck Show.
00:26:58.720 --> 00:27:05.200
I'm gonna throw it over to Kaylin, and Caitlin will share with you how to find us on Transportation Asian until our next episode.
00:27:05.359 --> 00:27:07.599
God bless and be safe on the road.
00:27:09.359 --> 00:27:15.440
Be sure to subscribe on YouTube, Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Amazon Music, and never miss an episode.
00:27:15.839 --> 00:27:28.799
Together, we can move into the city.
