Canadian drivers Ben Overton and Barry Kasdorf – both driving for Jade Transport of Winnipeg – won three awards between them at the 41st Shell Rotella SuperRigs.
Overton won Best of Show – Second Runner Up and Best Engine honors with his 2020 Kenworth W900B at the truck beauty show in Gillette, Wy., while Kasdorf won second place in the Limited Mileage Working Truck category with his ride, a 2023 Peterbilt 389X.
“I guess the judges like the way I clean the truck,” a smiling Overton said after winning the two awards. His truck has been selected for the 2024 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar as well.
Ben Overton’s 2020 Kenworth W900B won Best of Show – Second Runner Up and Best Engine awards during Shell Rotella SuperRigs in Gillette, Wy. (Photo: Leo Barros)
Kasdorf said it felt good to win and was happy the truck showed well at the contest. “It is worth it when you get the hardware. Somebody recognized what you did. I will be back.”
Both drivers have won SuperRigs awards in the past. Kasdorf was selected for the 2010 Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar after winning fourth place in the tractor division with a 2008 Peterbilt 389. In 2021, Overton won second place in the tractor trailer division with a 2021 Peterbilt 389 and was featured in the 2022 calendar.
Ben Overton receives the award for Best of Show 2nd Runner Up from Heather Duffey, global commercial road transport integrated communications manager, Shell Rotella. (Photo: Leo Barros)
Barry Kasdorf receives the 2nd place Limited Mileage Working Truck award. (Photo: Leo Barros)
Truett and Crystal Novosad of College Station, Texas, captured Best of Show honors with their 2007 Peterbilt 379 EXHD. In addition, the truck won the Steve Sturgess Best Theme award for its “Doc Holiday” theme.
The judges heaped praise on the quality of trucks in the show this year.
“These are some of the best trucks and strongest fields. This is my 22nd SuperRigs,” says Jami Jones, managing editor of Land Line magazine. “There are a lot of new people and trucks I haven’t seen before. Variety is nice.”
Truett and Crystal Novosad’s 2007 Peterbilt 379 won Best of Show. (Photo: Shell Rotella)
Judge Mike Gaffin knows the importance of SuperRigs to truckers who compete and dream of winning an award and making it into the calendar. He is also known as The Boston Trucker on YouTube and social media, and has attended and competed in past shows.
“Truck drivers are working their butts off cleaning their equipment,” he said. “To the people who are here, it is everything.”
At the end it comes down to the details and who executed their theme throughout the truck.
“Who does that to the molecular level? That’s what separates them by a point or two at the very end,” said Jones.
A truck pulling into the parking lot is reflected on the chrome of a contestant’s truck. (Photo: Leo Barros)
SuperRigs celebrates working trucks, too, but they can also be showpieces despite some signs of wear.
“Working trucks are going to show their scars. It’s a matter of upkeep. Paint over the chips. Drivers must protect their investment. As long as they are taking care of it, it’s not an issue,” she said.
Gaffin said for a truck to be a SuperRig, there is an expectation it must be above the rest. “It must be really well taken care of. That’s the difference between SuperRigs and another truck show.”
(Photo: Shell Rotella)
In the workmanship category, judges measure the miles driven against the upkeep.
“A truck that has a million miles on it and has been kept very well sets it apart for me,” Jones said. “You can have a beautiful new truck with 18,000 miles on it, it’s not going to score well on workmanship. You haven’t challenged it yet as a working truck.”
Gaffin noted trucks and their drivers have a story to tell, and themes help bring them to life. “Tell the judges the special things you put in and on the truck.”
(Photo: Leo Barros)
Jones also stressed the importance of originality. A driver’s personality must show.
“There is no turn off when it comes to color or scheme. If you are going corny, go corny all the way. But, if it doesn’t look like you, feel like you and doesn’t fit you, then it’s not the right truck for you.”
List of winners
Best of Show
Winner: Truett and Crystal Novosad, 2007 Peterbilt 379
1st runner-up: Mark Aragon, 2003 Peterbilt 379 EXHD
2nd runner-up: Ben Overton, 2020 Kenworth W9B
Non-Working/Show Truck
Winner: Truett and Crystal Novosad, 1984 Peterbilt 359
Classic Division
Winner: Clyde Green, 1982 Kenworth W900 A
2nd place: JR Schleuger, 1984 Kenworth W900 B
3rd place: Daniel and Phyllis Snow, 1996 Freightliner Classic XL
