56 10-4 Magazine / March 2026 and their “Limited Edition” Marmon, which we featured back in the April 2023 edition of Trucker Talk. I hadn’t got to see this beauty at night until the light show on Friday night, and in all her glory, she glowed green. Later, we were sitting at Culver’s having lunch when the Smokey and the Bandit truck rolled by. That one catches everyone’s eye! It’s always a treat to see a replica of that truck, but then it got even better when a replica Trans Am rolled in, as well. Talking with Bo Durban who owns that Trans Am, complete with a Georgia personalized plate that says BAN ONE, it turned into a lesson in Smokey and the Bandit movie trivia and facts. He is a self-proclaimed Smokey and the Bandit dork (as he put it). He is not a dork, but he is a walking encyclopedia of the movie. He lives near where the movie was filmed and has stories from people who were locals in the movie, knows where all the locations are, and has talked with people who were in the film. It’s hard to believe that the movie was filmed 50 years ago this September and October. Who could have ever guessed that a movie about bootlegging Coors beer, from Texas back to Georgia, would come in second behind the box office blockbuster Star Wars in 1977. Hal Needham was the highest paid stunt man at the time, and he wrote the script so he could do a movie with massive car stunts. After seeing an ad for the 1977 Trans Am, Hal decided that would be the car the “Bandit” would drive in the movie, and that choice saved the car from being discontinued. Instead, it went on to became an icon of the 1970s. The replica Kenworth from the movie is owned by Jim Rymes, and he enjoys taking it to various events, sharing it with fans that are still out there, and introducing younger generations to the movie that was filmed before they were born. He was kind enough to let me ride in that truck across the street for a photo shoot with Warren Aitken after the show, along with the Trans Am. Look forward to lots more news about this dynamic duo in the near future. Most shows have food trucks, but this one had an award-winning BBQ truck – and the owner had the shiny heavyweight belt, along with several other awards on display, to prove it. Blessed Beyond BBQ is owned by Randy and Misty Moss, and their daughter Alexis, was there to help, too. The smoky smell drew you in, and their ribs and brisket did not disappoint. And speaking of “blessed” and so much fun, our friend Emily Bonham was dancing to the music while enjoying the weather, talking with old friends, and making new ones. It was great to catch up with this cancer survivor who is so inspirational. Raney’s couldn’t put this together without their awesome, dedicated team, along with help and support from their local community and the amazing folks at Make-A-Wish. Everyone was there to help in any way they could to take care of the drivers – right down to sharing their breakroom, complete with a pool table, snacks, and drinks for the drivers. At the end of the day, they go all out for the drivers who help make this show happen. Attention to detail was right down to the garbage cans scattered throughout the lot, which were wrapped with a stretchy material, and had the “Road to Wishes” logo on them, making what is usually an ugly eye sore into something nice to look at (and not be afraid to have in your pictures). Now, let’s talk about the winner of the Super Shine trophy. This white and silver 389 Peterbilt is pure class and it pulls a stainless Featherlite horse trailer. If given a choice, I’m sure that any horse would want this to be the trailer they make any trip in. Not only is it shiny on the outside, but the inside is heated, as well as air conditioned, too. Talk about riding in style! All we needed was a beautiful black horse to walk up or down the ramp for a perfect picture!! PJ Brink had all three of his very popular and well known signature bright green beauties at the show. He took home the Lights Out trophy with his “Redneck Rolex” Kenworth. Sitting at the show or rolling down the road, these trucks stand out in any crowd. Attention to detail is in every one of these builds, and his drivers, Aaron Puterbaugh and Chris Larson, are perfect matches for the trucks they pilot each and every day. We are already looking forward to next year, with the tentative dates for the show being February 5-6, 2027. One thing for sure is that the planning of next year’s show has already started. The tally wasn’t done at the time of this printing, but Joel said he is sure they will hit the $90,000 mark once again. What a gift to the families for the wishes this money will help grant, proving, once again, wishes do come true, and the trucking industry has the biggest heart. n
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