10-4 Magazine June 2024

The Veteran’s View: By Dennis Mitchell Another month has gone by, and I’m back on the road with the traveling lawn chair and a couple of its friends, Stanley the thermos and Topper my cup. My partner and compadre of missed fortune (Aunt Barb) and I loaded the pickup, grabbed some snacks, and off we went. Where’d we go? To the Valley of the Sun – Phoenix, AZ. Why would we go toArizona when it’s hotter than Haiti there and getting hotter every day? Does “it sounded like a good idea at the time” sound like a valid reason? That’s not exactly the truth. We have been planning this trip for a few months to spend time with our son and attend the truck show hosted by Pickett Custom Trucks – the NHRDA Desert Diesel Nationals at Firebird Motorsports Park in Chandler, AZ on April 20-21. I honestly don’t know which event I liked better – the drag races or lounging under the canopy watching spectators look at the assortment of trucks. What’s not to like about tacos, cold drinks, and hot action on the blacktop? The pickup trucks dominated the racetrack, with the exception of the Class 8 racers, and their E/T times down the track would send Smokey the Bear into cardiac arrest. Last year the turnout of local trucks was far greater than anyone anticipated, but this year there was even more – so many more they ran out of parking spots, and a few had to be turned away. This year’s field of competitors was very representative of the southwest, as they were from multiple states, and covered a vast range of vocational uses. There were a handful of classes, and all awards were judged by the PCT crew. I’m glad I didn’t have to choose the winners, because there were so many that were worthy of recognition. During this year’s show, I wandered the field and talked with the show competitors. All of them commented on what a great time they were having and said that it’s a great venue for this kind of event. More than once I heard how awesome it would be to be awarded one of the truly incredible trophies they were giving out. I’ve seen a lot of show trophies over the years, but none as original and cool as the ones provided by Pickett Custom Trucks. All the materials used in the making of these works of art were items from Rod’s personal collection of racing parts, some miscellaneous truck components, and the magic of his skilled shop workers. The awards were designed and manufactured in-house. I believe these trophies could become the most coveted prizes of any show. Money can’t buy bragging rights, but every one of the winners this year earned the right to stand a little taller and shine a little brighter for at least a few weeks. The assortment of trucks, trailers, and yes, even a few custom golf carts and side by sides, rivaled any show I’ve attended anywhere. We saw rigs dating back to the early 1950s, a couple from the 60s, and tons of hot iron from there to brand new ones. A few of the local hay haulers stopped by, loaded, of course. No days off for them guys, since cows get hungry seven days a week, and as the old saying goes, “It’s best to make hay while the sun shines!” I focused on hay haulers this year because I have had limited experience in their field. Get it? Hay field?? Okay, that was a lame attempt at farm humor. I did, however, get a bit of insight as to how their production schedule works. They cut and bale hay all night, then load the trailers in the morning, so they can make local deliveries through the day. This goes on every day year-round, as long as the weather cooperates. One of the lead drivers explained it as this – “Hauling hay is like doing your laundry. Wash, rinse, and repeat... again and again and again, until you can do every part of the process in your sleep. Then, when you have mastered finding the farms and dealing with customers, they will give you two trailers and then double your route. And, if this isn’t challenging enough, they could cut your delivery time in half, just to be sure you’re staying busy.” I must have had a strange look on my face, so he said, “Just kidding – they won’t cut your time, but they might give you a third trailer and send you to Salt Lake City!” I’m not sure if I’m ready to sign up as a driver for this kind of work just yet. Getting the chance to really look over some of this “farm” equipment and 52 10-4 Magazine / June 2024 GOING HAYWIRE OR KNOT?