2018 Carlisle Truck Nationals
CARLISLE, PA… It wasn’t quite record setting, but close! The 2018 Carlisle Truck Nationals presented by A&A Auto Stores welcomed guests ranging from just born to the most grizzled of enthusiasts to the Carlisle PA Fairgrounds to celebrate all things truck. Be it monster trucks, big rigs, custom vans or standard light trucks, families flocked to Carlisle to soak it all in between August 3-5, 2018. From the time the gates opened at 7 a.m. on Friday until the final truck loaded out on Sunday, there was a familiar level of excitement in the air. 2018’s event ended up being the third largest over the last 10 years at Carlisle!
Friday highlights included the first of multiple shows by the Timberworks Lumberjack show as well as the Samson and Bad News monster trucks. FMX Motocross stunt riders also defied gravity, soaring through the air with ease and as the monster trucks wreaked havoc in their competition area, Virginia Giant did its best to bring smiles to the faces of all guests via rides, including over crushed cars.
Another great feature of Friday was the first of what would be a weekend of awards. Carlisle Elite selections were made throughout the day, with winners that included rides from the Vanner display, Big Rig showfield as well as the standard truck showfield too.
As Friday transitioned to Saturday, the real turnout occurred. The rush of trucks and truck enthusiasts swarmed the grounds in ways not seen in years. Sunny skies and the desire to check out the trucks, swap meet and activities had the grounds hopping all day and into the night. More monster truck shows, more lumberjack shows, more FMX shows and more informative walkarounds from A&A and Extang helped make the day a smashing success.
When the sun went down in the west of Carlisle and the smoke settled from the burnout contest, the fairgrounds came to life with sparks and a glow. First up was the always popular drop and drag which was followed up by the big rigs turning on the lights on for their glow show. The rig turnout in 2018 was above and beyond last year’s showcase and included fleets and job recruitment, lots of job recruitment.
It all wrapped on Sunday with two awards parades, one for the rigs and another for the standard trucks. There was also one last go around for the monster trucks, FMX riders and lumberjacks before everyone hit the road for home. 2019 dates are firmed up and plans are ongoing now for the event, taking place August 2-4. Details can be found at www.CarlisleEvents.com.
Carlisle Truck Nationals Big Rig Show & Shine 2018 Winners List
Best Interior: Randy Roernke, 2018 Peterbilt 389
Best Custom Chrome: George Mielke, 995 Peterbilt 379
Best Graphics:.Jake Richreek, 2012 Peterbilt
Best Truck Name: James Schomer “On My Grind”. 2017 Kenworth Dr W900
Best Sleeper: Reliable Car Carriers, 1995 Peterbilt 379
Best Of Show: Terry Heimbach, 1958 Mack B61 1 Alex Dump Sm Dump
Best Paint: Reliable Car Carriers, 1995 Peterbilt 379
Best Fleet: Fine Line Transportation
Best Lights: Steven Sontag, 2007 Peterbilt 379
Movin’ Out’s Choice: Derick Hopkins. 2019 Peterbilt 389
Bill Miller’s Choice: B. Keppel Trucking: John’s Truck, 2018 Volvo
Largecar Mag’s Choice: CJPlunkard, 1988 Freightliner Fla
Conventional Cab Over Tractor-Sleeper: 1st-Steven Sontag/Always Haulin,2007 Peterbilt 379; 2nd-George Mielke / Trenton Mill Farms, 1995 Peterbilt 379; 3rd-John Weaber, Lanita Specialized, 2017 Kenworth W900L
Conventional Cab Over Tractor-Day Cab: 1st-Reliable Carriers Inc., 1995 Peterbilt 379; 2nd-Mike Porter/ Hunter Contracting LLC 2018 Kenworth W900L; 3rd-Chad Wordward / Lenny's Transport 1973 Kenworth W900
Dump Truck - Triple Axle & Up: 1st- John Mills, 2012 Peterbilt 388; 2nd-Hobbs Trucking, 2019 Peterbilt 389; 3rd-Dalton Hobbs/ J&J Motoring, 2003 Peterbilt 379
Dump Truck - Single Axle & Up: 1st-Stephen N Labuda, 1985 Mack Superliner RW 613; 2nd-Charlie Brake / Charles E Brake Transport 2005 Ford F-750
Small & Medium Roll Back: 1st-Scott Mankus/ Scott Transportation 2019 Peterbilt 337; 2nd-James Ellerman / River Drive Service Center 2010 Peterbilt 335
Large Roll Back: 1st-Sigmund Keller/Autotech Repossessions Inc, 2016 Kenworth T370
Small & Medium Wrecker: 1st - Jim Turley 1970 Ford/Mack F1350
Large Wrecker: 1st -Johns Mobile Repair Svc, 2017 Kenworth T800; 2nd-Heidi Jo Towing & Recovery, 2016 Kenworth T880; 3rd-Heidi Jo Towing & Recovery, 2012 Peterbilt 389
Construction & Service Truck: 1st-Randy Bostic 2017 Peterbilt 389; 2nd- Robert Jett Liebherr, 2015 Kenworth T-270; 3rd-Kenneth J Dahler, 2005 GMC 5500 Crew Utility
Specialty Truck: 1st-American Recycling Services, 2010 Peterbilt 388; 2nd-Billy Combs/Hot Rods Transportation, 2005 Kenworth T300
Tractor Trailer Combo: 1st-Billy Zirkle/Michael A Manuel Trucking, 2014 Peterbilt 389; 2nd-Dave Vantossell/Hunter Contracting LLC. 2017 Kenworth W900; 3rd-Kevin Hunter/Hunter Contracting LLC, 2002 Kenworth W900L
Antique: 1st-Charlie Noto/John P Noto Trucking, 1974 Kenworth W900A; 2nd-Joshua Riccio, 1980 Kenworth W900A; 3rd-Damien Minteer, 1955 Kenworth Needle Nose
Military: 1st-Edward Paulick, 1970 Kaiser; 2nd-Stephen Labuda, 1955 Mack M54AL
Car Carrier: 1st-Emmett Delaney, 2019 Peterbilt 389; 2nd-Cory Koernke/Scott Transportation, 2018 Peterbilt 389; 3rd-Steven Sontag/Always Haulin’, 2019 Peterbilt 389
For more show coverage visit our gallery.