Truck shows aren’t just about trucks, components and accessories. They’re about people, too. That was evident at the 40th Annual International Trucking Show. Although truck builders stayed away, leaving representation to local dealers, attendees still enjoyed the exhibits and were proud to see beautiful big rigs parading down the fabled Las Vegas Strip. While attendance was down somewhat, many exhibitors reported more traffic in their booths than in the past. In 2002, ITS will held Thursday through Saturday, June 27-29.

Out at the Show and Shine truck beauty show, exhibiting truckers competed for trophies and cash. For the People’s Choice award, anyone could vote as often as they wished. Each ballot cost a dollar. The first $400 collected would go to the winner and the rest to Trucker Buddy. Entrants and judges alike were buying and hustling others to buy votes – not for themselves, but for Theresa Ferneyhough. For 12 years, she and husband Philip attended all the major shows. Every evening and all day after judging, Philip grilled hot dogs for participants and spectators alike, always free.

A year ago, Philip had a stroke. Theresa got her CDL and became their truck’s solo driver. Philip couldn’t come to Vegas, so Theresa did her best and got the truck ready by herself. She won People’s Choice hands down, and there was even money left over for Trucker Buddy. Then the judge supervisors, who were each paid $100 to train Nevada DOT and local law enforcement personnel how to judge show trucks, all donated their earnings to Theresa and Philip.