Shell SuperRigs tabs Diorio, Nelson truck as best of show
Rollin Transport LLC prides itself on a certain level of professionalism. Having won best of show at Shell Rotella SuperRigs in the past, Vinnie Diorio and the team in Richfield, Wis., know what it takes to earn the top spot.
Yet, when entering the 2021 SuperRigs show at Love’s Travel Stop in Hampshire, Ill., Diorio said you never know exactly what to expect. Particularly with a spot in next year’s SuperRigs calendar on the line, which was a major goal for owner Diorio and driver Kiegan Nelson.
“Our big thing is being professional,” said Diorio. “Our customers like when our trucks show up looking like this. They know they’re in good hands when they see the driver has taken care of the truck. It’s all about having good drivers and how they present themselves. I didn’t go there (SuperRigs) thinking we would win it. The good thing with Shell Rotella judges is they know what they are looking at. They have seen everything come through that judging line. “We’re always hoping to get on the calendar. That’s definitely a goal.”
The calendar holds a special significance for Nelson as well.
“It’s really cool,” Nelson said. “Ever since I was a kid, I would always collect those calendars. I know there’s a lot people like me growing up who couldn’t wait to get the calendar each year, and now I’ll be in it twice. You never want to get too confident about winning. I figured we might have a chance but knew it would be close. There were a handful of trucks that could have easily won. It was nerve-racking, for sure.”
Fortunately for the Rollin Transport team, the hard work paid off.
The 2020 Peterbilt 389 with an “old school” theme, which took approximately one year to build with the help of 12 Ga. Customs in Guelph, Ontario, was named best of show at SuperRigs 2021, securing the coveted calendar spot.
“When I build my trucks, I like to do something different and change the trends,” Diorio said. “I try to outdo myself with every truck I build. My trucks have a lot of hidden details. Even people I’ve worked with or friends in the business won’t see everything the first time.”
So with their spot in the 2022 calendar secured, Diorio said the $10,000 prize will be best used for a celebration thanking the employees at Rollin Transport for all that they do.
“It was quite the kickoff as I just started driving this truck recently,” Nelson said. “It was hard to even believe when I first heard we won.”
The Shell Rotella SuperRigs competition is the premier truck beauty contest for actively working trucks. Owner-operator truckers from across the United States and Canada compete for cash and prizes valued at approximately $25,000. LL
2021 Shell SuperRigs winners
Best of Show
Kiegan Nelson and Vinnie Diorio, Richfield, Wis., 2020 Peterbilt 389
Best of show first runner-up
Brian Dreher, Campbellsport, Wis., 2016 Peterbilt 389
Best of show second runner-up
Truett Novosad, College Station, Texas, 2007 Peterbilt 379
First Place Working Truck – Limited Mileage
Chris Alby, Genoa City, Wis., 2015 Peterbilt 389
Second Place Working Truck – Limited Mileage
Austin Gottman, Rockford, Ill., 2019 Peterbilt 389
SHOW TRUCK
Truett Novosad, College Station, Texas, 2007 Peterbilt 379 Extended Hood
Jacob Linson, Lafayette, Ind., 2020 Peterbilt 389
Robert Hallahan, Lacrosse, Wis., 2021 Peterbilt 389
Truett Novosad, College Station, Texas, 2005 Peterbilt Extended Hood
Dan Brubaker, Sigourney, Iowa, 2020 Peterbilt 389
BEST ENGINE
Brian Dreher, Campbellsport, Wis., 2016 Peterbilt 389
BEST LIGHTS
Danny Kimball, Burlington, Wis., 2007 Kenworth W900
BEST CHROME
Truett Novosad, College Station, Texas, 2007 Peterbilt 379
BEST THEME
Truett Novosad, College Station, Texas, 2007 Peterbilt 379
BEST INTERIOR
Kiegan Nelson and Vinnie Diorio, Richfield, Wis., 2020 Peterbilt 389
TRACTOR/TRAILER DIVISION
First – Barry Kuhn, Mount Aetna, Pa., 2018 Kenworth W900L
Second – Ben Overton, Winnipeg, Manitoba, 2021 Peterbilt 389
Third – Danny Kimball, Burlington, Wis., 2007 Kenworth W900
Fourth – Jimmy Ganski, Rosholt, Wis., 2014 Peterbilt 389
Fifth – Collin Rodgers, St. Ansgar, Wis., 2015 Peterbilt 389
TRACTOR DIVISION
First – Shani Lee, Sibley, La., 2007 Peterbilt 379 Legacy 995
Second – Mike Wilkinson, Guelph, Ontario, 2020 Kenworth T680
Third – Kevin Benson, Maywood, Mo., 2019 Peterbilt 389
Fourth – Clayton Driscoll, Spring, Texas, 2018 Kenworth W900L
Fifth – Tony Huttlestein, Queen City, Mo., 2020 Kenworth W900L
CLASSIC DIVISION
First – JR Schledger, Britt, Iowa, 1985 Kenworth K100E
Second – Trevor Timblin, West Bend, Wis., 1999 Peterbilt 362
Third – David Foster, Joplin, Mo., 2005 Kenworth W900L Studio
Fourth – David McKinney, Lexington, Ala., 1993 Peterbilt 379
Fifth – Mike Coyne, Fond du Lac, Wis., 1996 International 4900
2022 SHELL ROTELLA SUPERRIGS CALENDAR WINNERS:
Brian Dreher
Truett Novosad
Kevin Benson
Derek Joubert
Jimmy Ganske
Dil McKinney
Danny Kimball
Trevor Timblin
Tony Huttenstine II
Jason Lemberg
Ben Overton