1st Annual “Take Pride in Your Ride” Show

An Idea To Reality - A Show In The Making

Nearly eight months ago, a few guys were kicking around the idea that having a truck show in west central Ohio sounded like a good plan. That is about as far as the topic went for a few weeks until one of those guys, Jerry Novak, started putting ideas to paper to see if putting on a truck show could really be done. Throwing out ideas and jotting down thoughts of what if’s and maybe’s started to look daunting. But that didn’t slow down Jerry. Still just some chicken scratches on paper, Jerry started dropping hints of a truck show to a few select people of the transportation industry around the Springfield, Dayton Ohio area and those same scribbles soon started to transform into a blue print for what was later called “Take Pride In Your Ride” truck show.

Moving forward Jerry fine-tuned the blue print to include key individuals who would provide the best support, advice and encouragement and who share the same passion and vision in making this idea into a reality. It started with the company that Jerry (owner operator) is leased to, Shuman Specialized of Springfield, Ohio. Mark and Debbie Shuman shared the vision that a show honoring the working truck and driver was needed in the area. Jerry then called upon longtime friend, Chad Violet of Chad Violet Pictures for his help because of Chad’s extensive experience in the truck show world. The two discussed possible venues to host a show, what is required and expected to assemble and execute a successful show where drivers, participants and spectators would want to return for another show the following year. With every call and meeting, the show seemed to becoming more and more of a reality.

Next of the checklist was a venue. After looking around the area, two guys stepped up to the challenge and was excited to be a part of a show in the making. Ray O’Hagen and his son Andy, owners of Midwest Truck and Equipment, gladly volunteered their fantastic facility to host the show. Midwest was the perfect fit. Only a few hundred yards from exit 24 on I-70 in Brookeville Ohio. It couldn’t have been any easier for big trucks to get in and out.

Here’s where the reality of this show got exciting. Jerry reached out to the face of trucking music, Tony Justice. Tony was more than thrilled and willing to be a part of this project. With Tony being the headlining entertainment at the world famous Shell Rotella’s SuperRigs the weekend before, he would be on a roll and ready to hit the stage once again for this first time event kicking it off.

Many other important pieces of the puzzle were falling into place nicely. The crew from Diesel Life Clothing and Accessories were on board as well. James Sigler, Lori Franklin, Christine Arnold, Jesse Betz and Edward Warne jumped in with both feet getting their hands dirty and showing their appreciation and hard work for making this show a success.

It was finally show day and many trucks rolled in with their chrome and paint highly polished standing tall in the beautiful clear blue skies over Brookville Ohio. Many vendors and multiple food trucks were on hand for the people along with a variety of radio stations broadcasting live.

The first Take Pride In Your Ride truck show is in the books. Jerry and everyone involved are greatly pleased with the show. But with everything we try, there’s aspects that are discovered and lessons learned, but in a positive direction that helps drive the planning and execution of the next show. Not even a week old and next year’s show is already in the planning stages to become a little bigger and a little better. One thing for certain, everyone associated wants to see this show grow steadily and focus on the quality while honoring the hard working drivers of this incredible industry and enjoying the really cool iron being manned keeping this country moving. Make sure to keep an eye out for next year’s show and take the time to visit or bring your truck to show off.