10-4 Magazine / August 2025 21 Kenworth show and parade because it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity,” said Nate. That sentiment was consistent with everyone at the event, with Washington, Georgia, based trucker JT Mercier, who had his gunmetal gray and blue 2005 Kenworth W900L on display, telling me, “I’m blown away by how much Kenworth has laid out the red carpet for all of us, and the opportunity to tour the plant and see the trucks being built was an amazing experience.” There were also a few of the 100th Anniversary W900Ls in attendance, too. Chillicothe based Clary Trucking had their 100th (#802) on display, and driver Kevin Miller of Lewisport, Kentucky based First Class Services brought their 100th (#386), pulling a polished 2006 J&L-Heil pneumatic trailer. Bill and Sayra Rethwisch of Tomah, Wisconsin, along with Scott Bender, brought their 2024 100th Anniversary W900L (#684), hooked to a matching 9,500-gallon MAC TTL fuel tanker to the show, as well. While the 2025 event was a tribute to the sunsetting of the W900L, other notable Kenworth models were also in attendance. Mary Norton, an owner operator from Knapp, Wisconsin, had her Green Bay Packers themed 2014 Kenworth T660 (Jordy) and reefer on display, along with New Holland, Ohio based Cody Kirkpatrick, who had his 1995 T600B and Timpte Hopper on display. Six beautiful K100 cabovers were in Chillicothe for the show, as well. Three that got my attention were Greg Kendall’s from Orleans, Indiana, who had his 1982 K100C on display, Ryan Smith’s 2000 K100E Aerodyne from Motor Truck Equipment of Carlisle, Pennsylvania, who brought the last K100 their dealership ever sold, and a 1979 K100C named “Blueberry Bill” that was restored and owned by Steven Phillips of LaFollette, Tennessee. One special Kenworth that was invited to this year’s show was owned by Cory Troxell of Stevens Transport. As a proud partner of the “Hiring Our Heroes” program, Kenworth supports US Military veterans who have made the transition from serving our country to a successful trucking career. A US Army veteran, Cory won the 2024 event and earned the keys to a brand new and fully loaded 2024 Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, a Paccar MX13 engine, and a TX-12 transmission – it even has a diamond tuck interior! The oldest KW in attendance at the show this year was a 1947 Kenworth 923 conventional driven by Scott Clary
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