Another edition of the Great American Trucking Show is in the history books.
The show that took over the Kay Baily Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas last Thursday, Friday and Saturday attracted a huge crowd, which saw dozens of custom show trucks in Pride And Polish, heard plenty of good music and had the opportunity to get a variety of health checkups. The show floor also hosted a number of vintage trucks.
During the show, Trucking’s Top Rookie was named, and the winner of the Overdrive and Red-Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search crowned. Attendees also got to ask questions of Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Administrator Ray Martinez.
In case you were working and couldn’t get to Dallas, here’s what you missed:
One of the many Pride and Polish trucks at GATS was this 1987 Peterbilt 359 owned by Aric Hendricks of Floydada, Texas. The Pete has a 3406B Cat engine and 10-speed transmission and four-speed auxiliary.
Love's Travel Centers was among the 550 exhibitors at this year's GATS in Dallas.
Among the thousands of folks attending GATS in Dallas last weekend were Gary Earnest and Moe Missildine.
Among the many booths at GATS were many, like Trucker Charity, that help truckers in need.
This 1995 Kenworth W900L was one of this year's Pride and Polish entrants. It has C-15 Cat and an 18-speed transmission.
Platt Brabner, a flatbed driver for TMC Transportation, won the Mike O'Connell Trucking's Top Rookie Award given by Truckers News.
As always, GATS was a great place to look at new equipment.
Uno Mas (One More), the Pride And Polish entry by Lil' Rays Transport from Salinas, California.
Idaho-based owner-operator Madi-Jo Pinheiro won the Overdrive and Red Eye Radio Trucker Talent Search.
Crete Carriers military-themed wrapped truck at GATS.
FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez held a listening session at GATS. Here he meets with reporters on Friday during the show.
Terry Kirkpatrick (right) talked to visitors to the Alumitank booth at GATS.
Limited edition 2019 Kenworth W900L replica from the TV show Movin'On. Has Cummins X-15 with 565 HP and 18-speed Fuller transmission.
Stephen Richardson of Tennessee-based Big G Express was named Company Driver of the Year in March. He was at the Truckload Carriers Association's booth at GATS to talk with potential candidates for this year’s contest, which opens this fall.
Some 75 Boy Scouts signed up to earn their trucking-related merit badges at GATS thanks to Trucker Buddies International.
One young GATS attendee figured out how to see the show and not do a lot of walking.
