By Robert Conrad

The year seems to be flying by like the white lines on the interstate as we roll into the month of March.  The color green is often associated with this month since March brings with it, the first day of Spring, as well as, St. Patrick's Day.  Another winter is just about over and truck show season is fast approaching with the annual Mid-America Trucking Show kicking things off at the end of this month.  Our pick for Working Show Truck of the Month is a classy looking 2007 Western Star that is always in truck show condition thanks to its owner Kevin Secotte.  The deep green paint on Kevin's ride sparkles no matter what the season may be, and it seemed to be a logical choice for this month.

Kevin, or "Rocket Man" as he's known on the CB radio, has been driving for over six years but he's been around trucks his whole life since his father, mother, and brother are all truckers as well.  He started his trucking career hauling cement from Maine to Massachusetts but he now hauls refrigerated loads with his 1998 stainless steel Utility reefer trailer.  Kevin said that he typically runs from northern Maine to North Carolina and Florida and his regular haul is usually potatoes.  The freedom of the open road and the long haul trips are what Kevin enjoys the most.

With over 300,000 miles on the truck, it's clear that this green beauty is no "garage queen" that comes out for an occasional run.  The truck is powered by a 515 Detroit Diesel engine and has a 13-speed transmission along with a set of 3:55 rears.  There is plenty of chrome and polished aluminum on Kevin's truck to compliment the deep green paint.  Kevin has added a 22" American Eagle bumper, a set of 8" exhaust stacks covered in custom Western Star exhaust shields, as well as a set of polished stainless steel super-drop fenders over the rear wheels.  The truck also sports a drop visor up front, a polished turbo wing on the sleeper, and a custom chrome visor over the back sleeper window.  There are a number of extra lights that make the truck shine at night including custom light panels on the bottom of the cab and sleeper as well as a custom rear light bar.  On the inside, a set of lowrider seats have been added along with a number a polished trim pieces.

Kevin said that his most memorable experience thus far was one that reminds all of us that truckers can sometimes face job hazards that the everyday worker does not.  He said that while his truck was being unloaded in New York City at 1:00 a.m., a couple of assailants tried breaking into his cab. He was able to get out of the cab and get help and what could have been a serious situation turned out o.k.  Truckers that have to make inner-city deliveries during early morning hours are often targets, but Kevin was lucky to come out with just a bad memory of what might have been.  He said that you don't think about things like this happening to you until they actually do.

All in all, Kevin really enjoys trucking and tries to keep his Western Star looking good while making those long trips.  He said that he'd like to give thanks to his father, Mike, his brother, Mike Jr., and his mom who, as we said earlier, are all truckers themselves.  In addition, Kevin wanted to thank his brokers for keeping him running even when most other drivers aren't.  Finally, he mentioned all of the great service he gets every time he stops at the Pride & Chrome Shop in CT.  Kevin said that Freddie Peckham Jr., and the gang at Pride & Glory, have helped him turn his truck into a showstopper.  We, at Movin' Out, agree that Kevin Secotte's Western Star and spread axle reefer is one classy combination that makes the competition green with envy as it rolls down the interstate.  Congratulations, Kevin, for being chosen as the March Working Show Truck of the Month!