U.S. Army veteran and Purple Heart recipient Joshua Kearney won Pilot’s 2026 Road Warrior contest, earning a customized Kenworth W990 and a $50,000 cash prize. The Ohio truck driver was selected from more than 2,000 nominations recognizing professional drivers for their safety records, dedication, and service.
Kearney hauls steel coils for Kaplan Trucking in North Ridgeville, Ohio, and has accumulated nearly 1 million accident-free miles. Pilot announced his selection on November 5, following a special presentation attended by his family and colleagues. <Cite ref=”turn139952search1″/>
From Military Service to a Career in Trucking
Kearney served on active duty in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2012, including service in Afghanistan. He received a Purple Heart in 2011 after being wounded in combat and later served in the Army Reserve from 2013 to 2020.
After returning home to Ohio, Kearney established a career hauling freight. According to Pilot, he began trucking in 2018 and eventually became an owner-operator, rebuilding and maintaining his own Kenworth while working toward his goal of expanding his fleet.
His wife, Shannon, submitted the nomination that led to his Road Warrior award. She highlighted his commitment to his work and family, including the example he sets for their two sons, who enjoy watching their father work on and drive his truck.
A Custom Kenworth W990 for the 2026 Champion
Pilot partnered with Kenworth and the Diesel Brothers to prepare this year’s grand prize. On October 27, representatives joined Kearney’s family and coworkers to surprise him with the truck and a $50,000 check.
The customized W990 features a 52-inch flat-top sleeper with Kenworth’s Diamond VIT interior. Its PACCAR MX-13 engine produces 510 horsepower and 1,850 pound-feet of torque, paired with a PACCAR TX-18 transmission.
The truck was part of the contest’s announced grand prize, which combined the new Kenworth with the cash award. Pilot opened nominations in September during Driver Appreciation Month before selecting Kearney from more than 2,000 entries.
Recognizing Professional Drivers Across the Country
Pilot’s Road Warrior program has been recognizing professional truck drivers for more than a decade. The annual contest highlights individuals whose work reflects a commitment to highway safety, their communities, and the trucking profession.
Kari Irons, Pilot’s chief experience officer, praised Kearney’s resilience and dedication, describing him as an example of the character and work ethic the program seeks to recognize.
Kearney’s selection comes just ahead of Veterans Day, bringing attention to both his military service and the trucking career he has built since returning home. His nearly 1 million accident-free miles, work as a steel hauler, and commitment to his family were central to the recognition.
Additional information about the program and previous recipients is available through Pilot’s Road Warrior website.
The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.
Last Updated: November 11, 2026
Source: Overdrive
