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.

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This remodel is a part of Love’s Strategic Remodel Initiative, a massive $1 billion investment focused on upgrading existing locations to provide customers with a top-notch experience. During these updates, stores remain open and receive enhancements to amenities and services based on factors such as customer flow, sales, and the age of the store.

As stated by the company, over 200 Love’s locations will undergo similar upgrades in the next four years as part of this program.

The renovated Rolla location now boasts:

• 89 spacious truck parking spaces

• Seven well-maintained shower facilities

• Six diesel lanes equipped with DEF (Diesel Exhaust Fluid)

• McDonald’s and Subway restaurants offering delicious meals

• CAT scales for convenient weighing of trucks

• A dog park for furry travel companions

• Laundry facilities for customers to freshen up their clothes

Source: Truckers News

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According to the TCA’s account:

On May 2, around 10:30 a.m. on Interstate 70 near Marshall, Missouri, Wilson saw a car in front of him lose control and veer off the road. The vehicle entered a ditch in a nearby field and began rolling at a high speed.

“It end-over-end crashed,” Wilson said. “I was only 100 feet away from him by the time I parked.”

Wilson quickly stopped his truck on the shoulder of I-70 and rushed over to the wrecked vehicle.

“Fear took over because airbags were covering the window,” Wilson said. “I was afraid if I looked in I was gonna see something I couldn’t unsee.”

When Wilson called out to the driver, he received a response. The driver, a large man, didn’t seem to have any severe injuries. He mentioned he was driving to Illinois to pick up his grandmother and take her to his graduation in Nebraska. His car was packed with belongings, likely from moving out of his college dorm.

The driver was trapped inside the car, unable to move. Wilson grabbed his arm and tried to help him out.

“I pulled him as far as I could and told him, ‘Hug me like I’m your best friend,'” Wilson said.

Following Wilson’s instructions, the driver was able to free himself from the car. Emergency responders arrived soon after, but the driver declined medical treatment. Wilson felt relieved that he had stopped to help.

“How could I just drive away?” he reflected. “It seemed impossible that anyone could survive that crash.”

Since the TCA Highway Angel program started in August 1997, nearly 1,400 truck drivers have been honored for their extraordinary kindness, courtesy, and bravery on the job. Thanks to the program’s sponsors, EpicVue, DriverFacts, and Northland Insurance, TCA can highlight remarkable drivers like Wilson.

Source: Truckers News

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The Missouri-based Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association (OOIDA) and the Missouri Trucking Association stand in support of this initiative, emphasizing the need for trucking operators to have recourse in cases of perceived overcharging during nonconsensual tows. Currently, state law prohibits operators from filing complaints in such instances.

Griffith’s bill, HB2214, not only seeks to rectify this limitation but also introduces additional provisions to enhance protection and recourse for third parties. Companies holding or storing impounded goods would be allowed to require owners to complete documentation indicating the release of property, coupled with the mandatory provision of an itemized receipt.

Furthermore, the bill introduces a significant change concerning the release of commercial vehicles from towing company possession. Starting Oct. 1, a 30% security requirement of the charges for towing and storage would be imposed.

Proponents of the bill argue that it safeguards individuals from exorbitant charges and brings Missouri in line with other states that have similar protections. They believe this legislation is a necessary step toward preventing unfair practices during nonconsensual tows.

However, critics express concerns, particularly in relation to potential negative impacts on small towing businesses. Doubts arise about the practicality of truck owners returning to pay outstanding charges, raising questions about the viability of the proposed legislation.

This is not the first time such legislation has been proposed. In 2021, a similar bill aimed at providing additional consumer protections for truckers facing unscrupulous towing operators faced a gubernatorial veto. Governor Mike Parson deemed the proposal legally problematic, questioning the ability of the Joint Committee on Transportation to regulate towing rates.

Doug Morris, OOIDA director of state government affairs, said that existing safeguards are sufficient and that the proposed legislation could burden legitimate towing businesses without further enhancing consumer protections.

“The only thing stopping the Missouri bill from passing is the fact that the governor refuses to sign the bill and continues to support the unfair practices of predatory towers,” Morris said.

With the bill, once again, awaiting assignment to committee this year, OOIDA remains steadfast in its commitment to advocating for truck drivers and providing greater protection and recourse from nonconsensual tows.

Source: Land Line

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