2026 Road Warrior contest has begun
As Driver Appreciation Month begins, the nomination process for an annual award recognizing professional drivers is now open.
Pilot Flying J’s Road Warrior contest highlights professional drivers who go the extra mile every day.
This year, the winner will be presented with a customized Kenworth truck and a $50,000 cash prize.
Pilot said it will be looking specifically for outstanding professionalism, safety and service from the pool of nominees.
Drivers can be nominated by filling out this entry form on the Road Warrior website.
“Professional drivers are the backbone of our economy and keep our communities supplied, often with little recognition for the important work they do,” Kari Irons, chief experience officer at Pilot, said. “Driver Appreciation Month is our opportunity to celebrate their dedication, thank them for the miles they travel, and honor the millions of drivers who deliver the products and essentials people rely on every day.”
The nomination period will close on Sept. 18.
Pilot plans to announce the 2026 Road Warrior winner in October.
Last year, OOIDA senior member Stacy Batiste won the Road Warrior grand prize.
The Louisiana native is a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who was selected by Pilot from thousands of nominations for his tireless dedication and commitment to professional driving.
“I just take my time and take it, one day at a time,” Batiste told Land Line. “We just keep on trucking. I don’t think there’s really anything else I could do. I’m going to ride until they take me out of the truck.”
Batiste was surprised in late 2025 at the Flying J in Baytown, Texas, with what was then the largest prize in contest history.
🚨 Nominations are NOW OPEN for our 2026 Road Warrior contest! 🚨
Do you know a professional driver who goes the extra mile? Head to the link below to share their story and help us celebrate the drivers who keep our country moving!https://t.co/htGQyS0Od8 pic.twitter.com/st3fEDk1x2
— Pilot Flying J (@PilotFlyingJ) September 1, 2026
Bobby Peeker, a driver with more than 1 million crash-free miles, was also honored by Pilot last year with a $10,000 cash prize and a $25,000 donation to a charity of his choice.
“Professional drivers do much more than deliver freight,” Rusty Kirby, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot, said. “We’re honored to recognize one exceptional driver and celebrate the hardworking people who make this industry possible.”
To learn more about the Road Warrior, visit the contest website. LL