LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Winners of the 35th annual PKY Truck Beauty Championship, held during the 2026 Mid America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, were announced during a special ceremony Saturday, March 28, at the Kentucky Exposition Center.
Nearly 200 trucks vied for top honors in this year’s competition, with prizes awarded in dozens of categories.
The coveted People’s Choice award — selected by fellow contenders and show attendees — went to “Alfalfa Cruiser,” a 2018 Peterbilt 389 equipped with 2018 XL double flatbeds owned by Jason Flores.
This year’s Big Rig Build Off Champion was Randy Menkel of Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting with a 1985 Peterbilt 359. The annual build off pitted three of the country’s top custom truck builders against each other in a competition to build the best show truck in a limited time period. Other competitors included defending champion Luke Rethwisch, owner of Rethwisch Transport, and James Stegall, owner of Stegall’s Truck Shop.
The complete list of 2026 winners follows:
People’s Choice
Jason Flores with “Alfalfa Cruiser,” a 2018 Peterbilt 389 paired with 2018 XL double flatbeds
Big Rig Build Off
Randy Menkel of Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting with a1985 Peterbilt 359
“BEST OF SHOW” CATEGORIES
Limited Mileage: Bobtail with Miles
Best of Show: Darryl Beger with “Mint Condition,” a 2019 Peterbilt 389
2nd: Bryant Mann with “Ribbon Runner,” a 1998 Peterbilt 379
3rd: Josh and Jayson Loyer with “Tax Exempt,” a 1989 Mack Superliner
Limited Mileage: Bobtail with No Miles
Best of Show: CJ Nairn with a 2025 Kenworth W900L
2nd: Jared Nelson with “Curb Appeal,” a 2022 Peterbilt 389
3rd: Eddie Homfeld with “Crown Jewel,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389
Limited Mileage: Combo
Best of Show: Chad and Brad Sand with “Asphalt Outlaw,” a 2016 Peterbilt 389 and 2018 Mac trailer
2nd: Jason Flores with “Alfalfa Cruiser,” a 2018 Peterbilt 389 paired with 2018 XL double flatbeds
3rd: Jerry Mies with “Mooving Violation,” a 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2022 Walker
Working Truck: Bobtail
Best of Show: Phillip Couch with “New Testament,” a 1999 Freightliner Classic XL
2nd: Austin Badders with “Fine Wine,” a 1983 Peterbilt 359
3rd: Ashton Kaley with a 1995 Kenworth W900
Working Truck: Combo
Best of Show: Blake Ray with a 2020 Peterbilt 389 and 2026 Mac trailer
2nd: Tucker Jacob with a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2024 Eby
3rd: John Treadway with “Teal Appeal,” a 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2017 Great Dane
ANTIQUE TRUCK CATEGORIES
Antique: Original/Bobtail
1st: Ethan Tipton with “Wildcard,” a 1972 Brockway 457
2nd: Thomas Menges with “Sweet, Smooth & Sassy,” a 1986 Mack RW 613 Superliner
3rd: Earl Chapman with “Pearl,” a 1966 Peterbilt 352
Antique: Custom/Bobtail
1st: Jaden Warner with a 1988 Peterbilt 362
2nd: Brian Sweet with a 1979 Kenworth W900A
3rd: Casey Field with “Curley,” a 1969 Peterbilt 359
Antique: Original/Combo
1st: Bruce Jones with a 2000 Peterbilt 379 and 2025 Mac
2nd: Jason Sanders with a 1994 Kenworth W900 and 2014 Great Dane
Antique: Engine
Winner: Brant Arnold with “F5,” a 1970 Peterbilt 289M
Antique: Paint
Winner: Wayne Smith with “Gangsta Hauler,” a 1968 Kenworth W925A
Antique: Interior
Winner: Brian Sweet with a 1979 Kenworth W900A
LIMITED MILEAGE CATEGORIES
Limited Mileage: Interior
Winner: Jerry Mies with “Mooving Violation,” a 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2022 Walker
Limited Mileage: Engine
1st: Eddie Homfeld with “Crown Jewel,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389
Limited Mileage: Bobtail/Paint
Winner: Jared Nelson with “Curb Appeal,” a 2022 Peterbilt 389
Limited Mileage: Combo/Paint
Winner: Jason Flores with “Alfalfa Cruiser,” a 2018 Peterbilt 379 and 2018 XL doubles
Limited Mileage: Bobtail/Lights
1st: Eddie Homfeld with “Crown Jewel,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389
2nd: Bryant Mann with “Ribbon Run,” 1998 Peterbilt 379
3rd: Jared Nelson with “Curb Appeal,” a 2022 Peterbilt 389
Limited Mileage: Combo/Lights
1st: Chad and Brad Sand with “Asphalt Outlaw,” a 2016 Peterbilt 389 and 2018 Mac
2nd: Jason Flores with “Alfalfa Cruiser,” a 2018 Peterbilt 379 and 2018 XL doubles
3rd: Jerry Mies with “Mooving Violation,” a 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2022 Walker
WORKING TRUCK CATEGORIES
Working Truck: Bobtail/Company Owned
Winner: David Dyck with a 2025 Peterbilt 589
Working Truck: Combo/Company Owned
Winner: Rob Baesel with “Henhouse,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2025 Mac
Working Truck: Engine
1st: Blake Ray with a 2020 Peterbilt 389 and 2026 Mac
2nd: Tucker Jacob with a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2024 Eby
3rd: Rob Baesel with “Henhouse,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2025 Mac
Working Truck: Bobtail/Paint & Graphics
1st: Phillip Couch with “New Testament,” a 1999 Freightliner Classic XL
2nd: Ashton Kaley with a 1995 Kenworth W900
3rd: Douglas Prier with a 2026 Kenworth W900
Working Truck: Combo/Paint & Graphics
1st: Rob Baesel with “Henhouse,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2025 Mac
2nd: Mark Aragon with “Slammed Distraction,” a 2003 Peterbilt 379EXHD and 2020 Wilson
3rd: John Treadway with “Teal Appeal,” a 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2017 Great Dane
Working Truck: Bobtail/Lights
1st: Richie Foster with “Controversy,” a 2022 Peterbilt 389
2nd: Nicholas Deal with a 2007 International 9900I
3rd: David Dyck with a 2025 Peterbilt 589
Working Truck: Combo/Lights
1st: Jeff Dills with a 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2001 Utility 3000R
2nd: Blake Ray with a 2020 Peterbilt 389 and 2026 Mac
3rd: John Treadway with “Teal Appeal,” a 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2017 Great Dane
Working Truck: Interior/Cab Only
1st: Mark Aragon with “Slammed Distraction,” a 2003 Peterbilt 379EXHD and 2020 Wilson
2nd: Rob Baesel with “Henhouse,” a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2025 Mac
3rd: Ashton Kaley with a 1995 Kenworth W900
Working Truck: Interior/OEM Sleeper
1st: Blake Ray with a 2020 Peterbilt 389 and 2026 Mac
2nd: John Treadway with “Teal Appeal,” a 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2017 Great Dane
3rd: Tucker Jacob with a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2024 Eby
Working Truck: Interior/Aftermarket Sleeper
Winner: Dean Cross with a 2000 Peterbilt 379 and 2022 Utility 3000R
OTHER CATEGORIES & AWARDS
New Truck
Winner: Douglas Prier with a 2026 Kenworth W900
First Show: Bobtail
1st: Park Mastre with a 2020 Peterbilt 389
2nd: David Duncan with a 1984 Peterbilt 359
3rd: Nathan Van Tilburg with “The Eliminator,” a 2001 Peterbilt 379
First Show: Combo
1st: Jeff Dills with a 2007 Peterbilt 379 and 2001 Utility 3000R
2nd: Milan Duncan with a 1998 Peterbilt 379 and 2020 Reitnouer Big Bubba
3rd: Lance Galpin with a 1987 Kenworth W900B and 1981 Western Alloy
Wrecker
Winner: Jacob Ripley with “Wreckless Behavior,” a 2025 Kenworth W900B
Troy “The Legend” Huddleston Award
Winner: Tyler LaMontagne with “Nelly Bell,” a 1983 Peterbilt 359
Rockwood Running Late Award
Winner: Paul Brookhart with “Pendleton,” a 2001 Peterbilt 379
Bette Garber Memorial Award
Winner: Austin Badders with “Sexual Chocolate,” a 1983 Peterbilt 359
Bennett Louisville Invite Winner
Winner: Tucker Jacob with a 2024 Peterbilt 389 and 2024 Eby
Linda Garner-Bunch has been with The Trucker since 2020, picking up the reins as managing editor in 2022. Linda has nearly 40 years of experience in the publishing industry, covering topics from the trucking and automotive industry to employment, real estate, home decor, crafts, cooking, weddings, high school sports — you name it, she’s written about it. She is also an experienced photographer, designer and copy editor who has a heartfelt love for the trucking industry, from the driver’s seat to the C-suite.
