By Steve Pollock

 

Joplin, MO… It didn’t take long for the planning staff of the Shell Rotella SuperRigs® to make the decision to hold this year’s event in Joplin, Missouri.  The folks at Shell Lubricants wanted to do something special for the City of Joplin.  This year’s event will be remembered for some time to come for several significant reasons.  This was Shell Rotella’s 30th SuperRigs competition and it was held at the Speedco Truck Lube off I-44 exit 11 in Joplin.  The Joplin Speedco had been completely destroyed in the devastating tornado that hit Joplin on May 5, 2011.  Its Grand Re-Opening took place the day that the 2012 SuperRigs® competition began.

 

For months beforehand, Speedco collected donations from thousands of generous drivers at all of their Truck Lube locations.  Shell Lubricants, Speedco and other companies also made significant contributions to the fund, which was donated to the Joplin YMCA.  Best of Show winners Todd and Beth Roccapriore generously donated their $10,000 prize purse to the Joplin YMCA as well.  In all, $100,000 was raised to help the Joplin YMCA get back on its feet and serve the people of Joplin with its many community programs.

 

A parade was held through downtown Joplin on Friday evening, May 18th.  The convoy of SuperRigs® entered downtown Joplin on Main Street and the trucks parked on both sides of the street, allowing the citizens of Joplin the opportunity to enjoy looking at the big rigs up close and personal.  As dusk turned to dark, Shell Lubricants distributed glow sticks to the crowd and a fantastic Show of Lights began followed by a fireworks display. 

 

While downtown Joplin was largely spared from the tornado’s path of destruction, just a short distance south, businesses, homes and even the local hospital were completely leveled.  The rubble has been cleared and rebuilding has been ongoing but the tornado’s scars will remain on the City of Joplin and its people for sometime to come.

 

The 30th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs® Competition drew show trucks from all over the country, many coming from hundreds of miles to the event.  Joplin based Chrome Shop Mafia’s Bryan Martin commented that the competition had some of the nicest show trucks he had ever seen.  Shell Lubricants was pleased to have the opportunity to provide a much-needed diversion for the people of Joplin as they recover. They would also like to thank all of the 30th Annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs® participants for all of their time and effort that helped to make this year’s event so special.

 

2012 Shell Rotella SuperRigs® Winners List

 

Red Eye Radio Hardworking Raffle Winners (CB radios): TJ Timblin, Wayne K. Vogt, Corey Wilson, Paul Rissler
Classic Division: 5th: Brent Greer, 1996 Peterbilt 379; 4th: Albert Tocci, 1995 Mack LTL; 3rd: Jerry Kissinger, 1991 Mack

Superliner; 2nd: Troy Huddleston, 1991 Freightliner Classic; 1st: Travis Headley, 1969 Peterbilt 358ATractor Division: 5th: Caleb Eilers, 2000 Peterbilt 379; 4th: Travis Buhr, 2001 Peterbilt; 3rd: Randy and Jona Rebillard, 2002 Peterbilt 379; 2nd: Larry Pruitt, 2007 Mack CHN-61; 1st Pat Eilen, 2010 Peterbilt 389
Tractor/Trailer Division: 5th-: Chris and Denise Jones, 2007 Kenworth W900L; 4th: Josh Ihlenfeld, 2005 Kenworth 900; 3rd: Monty Stout, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Legacy Edition; 2nd: Paul Marcotte, 1999 Peterbilt 379; 1st Wayne Vogt, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Legacy
Best Interior: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy
Best Theme: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy
Best Chrome: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy
Best Lights: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy
Best Engine: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy
Show Truck: Larry and Kim Dyck, 2007 Peterbilt 379
People's Choice: Shane Price, 2012 Peterbilt 389
Virtual People's Choice: Paul McMasters, 2012 Peterbilt 389
Hardworking Truck: Ronald Millsap, 2002 Peterbilt 379
Best of Show 2nd Runner Up: TJ Timblin, 2005 Kenworth 900L
Best of Show 1st Runner Up: Paul Rissler, 1996 Peterbilt 379
Best of Show: John O'Keefe, 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD Legacy