Celebrating the trucks that built Route 66

“ATHS is proud to be an official attraction of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration,” said Courtney Cesar, ATHS convention organizer. “There’s no better way to celebrate Route 66 than with the trucks that helped build it. As a historic hub along Route 66, Springfield provides the perfect backdrop for a gathering that honors the legacy and evolution of trucking.”

The weeklong event begins June 2, when trucks arrive at the Ozark Empire Fairgrounds, with the main show scheduled for June 4-6. Springfield, a historic stop along Route 66, is a fitting host city as the iconic highway reaches its centennial. The event is recognized as an official attraction of the Route 66 Centennial Celebration.

What to expect at the show

Attendees can view hundreds of trucks, from meticulously restored classics to rare working rigs, each representing decades of craftsmanship and trucking history.

“Each of these trucks has its own story and craftsmanship,” said Peter Wild, ATHS convention committee chair. “The convention provides a welcoming space for all trucking enthusiasts to reconnect with old friends, make new ones, and share the passion for trucking history during the show and at special events throughout the week.”

Activities beyond the trucks

The convention offers educational sessions, hands-on demonstrations, vendor exhibits, and an evening light show featuring the trucks. Attendees can also enter a raffle for a chance to win VIP tickets to a NASCAR race at Kansas Speedway in September.

Visitors can explore Springfield’s Route 66 landmarks, including the Route 66 Visitor Center, local museums, and roadside attractions such as the World’s Largest Fork and the Birthplace of Route 66 sign.

Thanks to volunteers and sponsors

ATHS credits its volunteers, sponsors, and supporters for making the event possible. Sponsors include Cummins, Mack Trucks, Kenworth, Vander Haag’s, Iowa 80, CAT Scale, Truckomat, Clark Freight, Reiselt’s Machine Works, Gully Transportation, and the Sercombe family.

More information and registration details are available here or through the ATHS Connect mobile app.

The post Historic Trucks Head to Springfield for Route 66 Centennial Celebration appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“The Madison show was everything ATHS stands for,” said Peter Wild, the 2025 Convention Chair from Newton, Kansas. “With 870 beautifully preserved trucks and trailers, hands-on demonstrations, and learning sessions, trucking history came alive. Best of all, we swapped stories with friends old and new from around the globe.”

Held at the Alliant Energy Center, the convention offered an all-in-one venue for attendees. “The Alliant Energy Center was the perfect one-stop venue,” said Courtney Cesar, ATHS Convention Manager. “Having show trucks, vendors, learning sessions, and events under one roof — and within walking distance of hotels — made the event seamless for attendees.”

Golden Achievement Awards

During the awards banquet, ATHS honored truckers with its prestigious Golden Achievement Awards, which celebrate over 50 years of dedication to the trucking industry. This year’s recipients included:

• Louis Binder – Morris, Illinois
• Dennis Chapman – Diamond Bar, California
• Robert Charney – Surprise, Arizona
• Dave Everett – Columbus, Nebraska
• Steve Haberland – Cody, Wyoming
• Stroud Hollinshead – West Fargo, North Dakota
• Bill Harris – Olathe, Kansas
• Chris Schatz – Worland, Wyoming
• Todd Spencer – Oak Grove, Missouri

Scholarship Awardees

Several scholarships were also presented during the event, supporting future leaders in trucking and related fields.

George Schroyer Memorial Scholarships (funded by ATHS members):

• Rabeka Liberto (Kansasville, Wisconsin) – Child of ATHS member Steven Liberto
• Lucas Massei (Brooklyn, Wisconsin) – Child of ATHS member Marco Massei

Cummins Scholarship:

• Lily Stackpole (Cushing, Maine) – Grandchild of ATHS member Robert Stackpole

Lewis Semple Clarke Educational Fund (funded by The Autocar Co. and ATHS Autocar Division):

• Arantza Montserrat (Birmingham, Alabama) – Child of Autocar employee Juan Antonio Rivero Camacho

Hall of Fame Inductees

ATHS also revealed the 2025 inductees to its Hall of Fame, who will be honored on October 22 at its Kansas City, Missouri headquarters. The inductees are:

• Roy Carver, Bandag
• Lewis Semple Clarke, Autocar
• Joseph Morten, Great West Casualty Insurance

“We’re deeply grateful to the volunteers and sponsors who make the National Convention & Truck Show possible,” said John Gravley, ATHS Executive Director.

This year’s ATHS Convention embodied the spirit of trucking history, bringing together enthusiasts from around the globe to honor the past and inspire the future of the industry.

Image Source: ATHS
Source: Truckers News

The post Scholarship and Award Recipients Honored at ATHS Convention and Show appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The following leaders will be honored as the newest Hall of Fame members:

• Robert Young, ABF

• John Ruan, Ruan Transportation

• Marvin Rush, Rush Enterprises

• Frederick McKinley Jones, Thermo King

“ATHS welcomes its members and the Kansas City community to celebrate with us and enjoy the Hall of Fame induction of four industry greats,” said John Gravley, executive director of ATHS. “We’ll also have a local selection of historic trucks on display, including the OOIDA tour trailer, which is always a crowd favorite.”

The ceremony, which acknowledges individuals whose contributions have left a significant mark on the transportation sector, will commence at 1:30 p.m. Central Time at the ATHS headquarters, situated at 10380 N. Ambassador Drive, Kansas City, MO.

“We are thrilled to honor these pioneers who shaped the transportation industry,” said Tom Mullen, chair of the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame. “Robert Young founded ABF, Fred Jones revolutionized truck and rail refrigeration, John Ruan was a leader in transportation logistics, and Marvin Rush established the nationwide dealership chain Rush Enterprises.”

In previous years, the Hall of Fame recognized notable figures such as OOIDA and Dave Nemo in 2021, Bill and Carolyn Moon in 2022, and Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington last year.

Additionally, several other individuals and trucking companies will receive recognition during the event on October 23.

Founded in 1971, the American Truck Historical Society aims to preserve the rich history of trucks, the trucking industry, and its trailblazers. With a global reach, ATHS boasts approximately 15,000 members and 100 chapters spread across 23 countries and all 50 states.

Source: Land Line

The post American Truck Historical Society to Celebrate Hall of Fame Inductees appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

The York Expo Center proved to be an ideal venue, offering ample space for truck exhibitions, vendor stalls, and informative sessions. “The York Expo Center provided an ideal venue for our event, allowing us to display a wide array of trucks, host vendor booths, and offer educational sessions, all within a convenient location,” remarked Courtney Cesar, ATHS Convention Manager.

A key highlight of the event was the reunion component, as highlighted by ATHS Executive Director John Gravley. “While the diverse display of trucks is a major highlight, the true magic lies in the ATHS reunion, where old friends reconnect and new friendships blossom, creating an irresistible pull for everyone to return year after year. We eagerly anticipate our return in 2028,” Gravley commented.

The event culminated in the ATHS Awards Banquet, celebrating individuals and companies for their significant contributions to the trucking industry. Among the awardees were:

• Golden Achievement Award (50+ years of dedication):

• Charles Oliver Brown of Westminster, S.C.

• Jim Eisenhard of Macungie, Penn.

• Mark Henderson of Weedsport, N.Y.

• Paul Kauffman of Belleville, Penn.

• Maxwell Keough of Logan, Utah; formerly Sydney, Australia.

• Larry Martin of Reinholds, Penn.

• Dan Melone of Andover, Mass.

• Billy Parker of Norwood, N.C.

• Lenny Wild of Newton, Kan.

• ATHS Historian Award:

• Don Arnauckas of Oakville, Conn.

• Dick Callaway of Tryon, N.C.

• ATHS Distinguished Service Award:

• Henry Fowler of Mechanicsville, Md.

• Carolyn Vannatta of Leonardtown, Md.

• Museum Recognition:

• George Kirkham, Kirkham International Truck Museum of Alberta, Canada.

• Company Awards:

• 50-Year Company Award: Parker’s Garage of Gig Harbor, Wash.

• 75-Year Company Award: Makovsky Brothers of Whitehill, Penn.

The event also spotlighted the 2024 ATHS scholarship winners, honoring students who have made notable contributions to their schools and communities:

• George Schroyer Memorial Scholarships: Cash McCord (Tipton, IN), son of ATHS member Shaun McCord.

• Deo Read IV (Red Hook, NY), son of ATHS member Deo Wilson Read III.

• The Cummins Scholarship: John Goodfellow (Lyman, S.C.), grandson of ATHS lifetime member Marty Glomb.

• The Lewis Semple Clarke Educational Fund: Anna Rhodus, of Shawnee, Kan., granddaughter of ATHS member Leo Rieke.

Furthermore, the American Trucking and Industry Hall of Fame announced its 2024 inductees, who will be honored at an induction ceremony on October 23, 2024, at the ATHS office in Kansas City, Mo. The inductees include Robert Young (ABF), John Ruan (Ruan Transportation), Marvin Rush (Rush Enterprises), and Fred Jones, ThermoKing.

Source: The Trucker

Photo: DARIN BURT, ATHS

The post ATHS National Convention and Truck Show 2024 Recap appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

In a ceremony at ATHS headquarters in Kansas City, Mo., the society celebrated these pioneers and inducted them into the American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame, as outlined in a recent news release.

The six influential figures inaugurated into the Hall of Fame include Red Todgers, the inaugural American Trucking Associations (ATA) president; Fran Seiberling, the visionary behind the founding of Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co.; Harry Kent and Edgar Worthington, the visionaries who established Kenworth; and Al and Don Schneider, the founders of Schneider National Inc.

“This marked the third year that ATHS honored pioneers of the trucking industry. We invited the public, especially those in the transportation sector, to learn about the significant impact each of these pioneers has made upon the trucking industry and moving America forward,” said Hall of Fame Chair Tom Mullen. “We celebrated Kenworth’s 100th anniversary by displaying Kenworth trucks throughout the years. Attendees could also enjoy trucks from the ATA Interstate One Truck, a classroom on wheels with a state-of-the-art simulator, and the Kenworth 100-year history trailer. Goodyear and Schneider units were also present to enjoy.”

Support for the Hall of Fame has been generously provided by various contributors in the trucking industry, including Cummins, Daimler Truck North America, Old Dominion/Congdon Family, Vander Haag’s, CAT Scale, Iowa 80, Truckomat, Schneider Foundation, Mack, Hagerty, Walmart, Women in Trucking, and the Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association.

For additional information, visit https://atilhalloffame.com/.

Source: The Trucker

The post Trucking Pioneers Honored into American Trucking and Industry Leader Hall of Fame appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.