Trucking community lends helping hand to Joplin community
Krystal Wood wipes dust off her and her husband's blue and yellow 2003 Pete 379 at the 2012 SuperRigs in Joplin, Mo.
By DOROTHY COX
The Trucker Staff
5/17/2012
JOPLIN, Mo. — Krystal and Don Wood of Denmark, Wis., are indoctrinating their children early into show trucking. The twins, Courtney and Josie, 8, helped drill holes for the back-up lights, noted Krystal Wood during the 2012 Shell Rotella SuperRigs contest under way here Thursday through Saturday next to the Speedco, 5815 East 30th.
Speaking of her twins’ first go at using a drill, Krystal said, “They did better than us. They didn’t get a scratch [on the paint]. They’re troopers for sure.”
She explained that Courtney and Josie are “girly girls but they like getting dirty in the garage.”
The 2003 Pete 379 with a distinctive blue and yellow paint scheme was one of the first trucks to pull through the judging line Thursday morning.
Their snappy looking ride is used to haul steel plates (all entrees must be working trucks).
Unfortunately, the girls had to stay behind with their grandparents while mom and dad drove to SuperRigs.
This marks the 30th anniversary of Shell Rotella SuperRigs and when it came time to choose where the show would be held for 2012 it was a no-brainer, Shell spokesmen said.
“The Joplin tornado caused widespread devastation and loss of life. All Roads Lead to Joplin is an informal association comprising a group of corporate and local supporters with a goal of raising funds to benefit the YMCA of Joplin’s Community disaster recovery efforts,” they said. Supporters include Shell Lubricants, Speedco, Bridgestone and Fleetguard.
The help was welcomed by the community, with Joplin Convention and Visitors Bureau Executive Director Patrick Tuttle commenting that the town welcomes the trucking community reaching out to the Joplin community to lend a hand.