22 10-4 Magazine / October 2025 there was a definite sadness in the air, knowing it was the final time. This show has a reputation for handing out many class and specialty awards. The awards are aways top notch, with some one-off trophies, like the DCT Custom Paint award. Following were the winners of the specialty awards. Competitor’s Choice: Josh Treadwell; Limited Mileage Bobtail: Jeremy Nelson & Mark Stewart; Limited Mileage Combo: Everett Ford; Over the Top Bobtail: Drew Plumber; Over the Top Combo: Rhett Babb & Dill McKinney; Over the Top Working Combo: Dave Marti; Best Working Bobtail: Nate Heiderscheit; Kameron Wilken Young Entrepreneur Award: Brayden Carver & Dill McKinney; and the Dickerson Trucks Custom Paint Award went to Nate Heiderscheit. A big thanks to the following trophy/awards sponsors: Dave Marti Trucking, Davis Brothers Designs, Dickerson Custom Trucks (DCT), Reitz Trucking, Rockwood Products, Spain Trucking, and West Jersey Trucking. A unique thing that happens during the awards is the memorial dedication to those special people who are sadly no longer with us. These people are a part of the history of this show and were instrumental in the success of the event. DaVeda recognized Tony Adkins, Eric Holthaus, Mike Horan, Troy Huddleston, Paul Marcotte, Corky Vericker, Kameron Wilken, and her late husband Tom. Concluding the awards ceremony with these comments, DaVeda shared Tom’s last words to her: “You have a truck show to put on for me.” She went on to follow up this memory with her final comment, saying, “You all made this show what it is today. The show started with Tom and ends with DaVeda. Thanks for the support, friendship and love you provided us over all these years.” Hearing these words from her was touching and very emotional for everyone – it was like seeing a lifelong friend for the last time. The awards ceremony concluded around noon. Photos were taken, final goodbyes were said, hugs were given, and yes, even a few tears were shed. In a flash, 18 years of the Top Gun Large Car Shootout truck show had ended. Trucks started leaving, take-down of the show field began, and most people were gone within two hours. With the cast exited from the stage, lights dimmed, and the show curtain dropped, another good thing came to an end. This show is where I met Erik ‘Big E’ Sieben and began doing booth work for Dan and Shannon at 10-4 Magazine. It’s a show that will always have a special place in my heart. I hold out hope that someone will step forward and continue with another show at this great location. n UPDATE! Breaking news as this show report goes to press. It has been announced that the show will go on in Rantoul, IL. A new show named the “Largecar Takeover on the Tarmac” will take place at the Rantoul Aviation Center on July 24-26, 2026. The words of a 70s song by Cool & the Gang come to mind: “Celebrate good times, come on!”
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MjA1MjUy