Success in trucking and service operations rarely comes down to luck. It is built through repetition, preparation, and the ability to execute under pressure. That was on full display this week in Nashville, where Dom McConnell, a technician at Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South, earned the all-around Grand Champion title at the 2025 Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo.
For McConnell, the win did not happen overnight. It came after years of learning the competition and refining his approach.
Learning the Rodeo One Year at a Time
McConnell first competed in the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo in 2023. He did not place, but the experience left a strong impression. Rather than seeing the outcome as a setback, he focused on understanding how the event worked and what judges were looking for.
He returned in 2024, competing in San Antonio. Once again, he did not place, but the second appearance gave him a clearer view of the Rodeo’s structure and scoring. Beyond fixing the truck, success depended on following procedures precisely and communicating each step of the process to the judges.
That trip also marked a personal milestone. McConnell got engaged on the Riverwalk, adding even more motivation heading into his next attempt.
Everything Comes Together in Nashville
Coming into his third Rodeo appearance in Nashville, McConnell set a realistic goal. He wanted to make the finals. With his fiancé cheering him on and his wedding just weeks away, McConnell leaned on everything he had learned from previous competitions.
This time, it all clicked.
McConnell captured the Medium-Duty, Peterbilt, and Medium-Duty Grand Championship titles, then was named the all-around Grand Champion at the 20th anniversary Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo, held Tuesday at the Gaylord Opryland.
“It feels amazing. I never would have thought” it possible, McConnell said.
Training and Staying Current Made the Difference
McConnell credited his performance not only to prior Rodeo experience but also to the work he has put into staying current throughout his career. Keeping up with new systems, procedures, and manufacturer guidance played a major role in his success.
“This is why it’s so important to make sure that you’re reading up on all the new stuff, studying up on all the new information and keeping up on everything new,” he said. “The biggest thing is just read, read, read. Absorb that knowledge so that when you’re working on a truck, you’re not just taking a guess. You’re taking an educated guess based on what you know from the information [from the manufacturer].”
For technicians, that mindset mirrors real-world shop conditions, where accurate diagnostics depend on understanding evolving technology rather than relying on instinct alone.
Showing the Work, Not Just the Result
During the two-day competition, McConnell focused on an area that had held him back in the past. While he had always been able to diagnose and repair the truck, he had not consistently communicated his process to the judges.
That changed this year.
“You know, the first couple times I came here, I was focused more on fixing the truck as fast as possible rather than following the procedures correctly,” he said. “These procedures are ingrained in my mind by now, but I needed to make sure the judge knew that I knew them. So this year I made sure to just tell him every single thing I was doing and I guess it worked out.”
That attention to procedure and transparency proved to be the difference.
Recognition and Results
As all-around Grand Champion, McConnell earned $18,500 in total cash and prizes, a timely bonus with his wedding less than three weeks away.
“Got a little extra spending money now,” he said.
McConnell was recognized during the awards ceremony alongside Rush Enterprises Chairman, President, and CEO Rusty Rush, as well as Clint Bowyer.
2025 Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo Winners
More than 2,700 technicians completed over 4,600 qualifying tests ahead of this year’s event, with more than 220 competitors advancing to Nashville. Approximately 800 people attended the awards ceremony Tuesday evening.
Nearly $300,000 in cash and prizes were awarded this year, bringing total prize money distributed over the Rodeo’s 20-year history to $3.5 million.
Grand Champions
- Heavy-Duty Service: Nat Dixon, Rush Truck Centers – Joplin
- Medium-Duty Service: Dom McConnell, Rush Truck Centers – Orlando South
- Parts: Eric Valenzuela, Rush Truck Centers – Joliet
- Aftermarket Sales: Ryan Summers, Rush Truck Centers – Denver
- Truck Sales: Steven Nace, Rush Truck Centers – Smyrna
Reserve Grand Champions
- Heavy-Duty Service: Paul Crawford, Rush Truck Centers – Haines City
- Medium-Duty Service: Joe Behrend, Rush Truck Centers – Idaho Falls
- Parts: Aaron Van Straten, Rush Truck Centers – Houston Northwest
- Aftermarket Sales: Francisco Ferrara, Rush Truck Centers – Greeley
What This Win Represents
McConnell’s journey highlights a message that resonates across service departments and fleets. Skill competitions reward more than speed. They reward preparation, adherence to process, and the ability to clearly communicate technical decisions.
For carriers and service organizations, the Tech Skills Rodeo underscores the value of investing in training and giving technicians opportunities to test their skills at a high level. For technicians, McConnell’s third-time win shows how experience and persistence can turn lessons into results.
Source: Commercial Carrier Journal
