NEWS
2010
News
By Joe Wernert, March 2009
Daytona International Speedway was the site for our sign up for this years 2009 Pilot Truck Driver Challenge. We had a total of 35 Sprint Cup truck drivers sign up. This shows what a great program this is and gives us start to find out who the best of the best will be in 2009.
We also did our first chicane event in Daytona at the old dog track parking lot. Because of the little space we had to work with I decided to do a simple backing up and pulling into a space. The object was to gauge where the back of the trailer is and where the front bumper is and points were deducted from that. The winner was Brian McClure of Micheal Waltrip Racing. Bill Lewis of Penske Racing and Bob Decker of Roush Fenway Racing finished second and third. Brian wins $1,000.00 and leads the point standings.
By Joe Wernert, January 2009
As I prepare for the 2009 season I am always looking to see if there are any changes I can make. This year I’m going to give the guys POP quizzes. When they least expect it, I’ll show up and spring a DOT quiz on them and test their knowledge of the DOT handbook. I also thought it would be fun to test our fellow truck drivers out there - YOU! At the top I have put together a quiz for you to take. It’s all for fun and you can see the kind of quiz I give the guys. Take the quiz and email the results along with a name and address and you could win a prize.
News and Views
By Joe Wernert, April 2009
This month the guy’s have been taking Quiz #1. I am trying something different than I did in the past and have offered them to do it online. This will give them the time to do it when they get a chance. The catch is when they start the quiz online they only have 5 minutes to take it. The quiz is about their knowledge of the DOT handbook.
Next month will be our Chicane #2 event. It will be hosted at Lowes Motor Speedway in Charlotte, NC on May 12th, 2009 from 12:00 pm to 4:00 pm. If you get a chance come on out and watch. It will be exciting to see the Best of the Best, Compete again!
By Joe Wernert, May 2009
We had our Chicane #2 event in Charlotte, NC this month. I set up a course that really tested there skills and accuracy. The course mainly was about how close they can get to a cone without touching it and also driving through a row of tennis balls without touching them. Tom McCrimmon finished first of the #20 Joe Gibbs Racing team and was the only one to have a perfect score and no penalties. Peter Jellen, #18 and another Joe Gibbs Racing team member finishes second with one penalty. And rounding out the top three was Tim Clancy of Prism Racing with two penalties finishing third.
I also tested there knowledge this month with an online DOT handbook quiz. It was ten questions and they had five minuets to take it. Only a handful of them had a perfect score.
By Joe Wernert
When I accepted the job of the account manager for the Pilot Truck Driver Challenge, One of the things I said I would still be apart of is contract truck driving for the race teams. The story in this months Challenge magazine is about Gary Johnson ( Jimmie Johnsons dad ). I got to know Gary last year as I needed some help on a couple of trips I took last year. He is just as the story talks about, a great guy that brought up some very talented kids. It has been a pleasure getting to know him and he’s not a bad truck driver either. Read his story in Challenge magazine. Here is the link to the Challenge website.
Gary Johnson wanted the best for his three sons, providing for their success from behind the wheel of a truck. Maybe you’ve heard of one of his sons who is excelling in his chosen field.
By Joe Wernert
Hey everyone, Challenge Magazine has a good story on Dave Ramsey this month and I thought I would tell you about my recent experience. Our church offered a series of classes called Financial Peace University by Dave Ramsey this year. My wife and I took this 13 week class and learned so much about balancing our life and finances. Times are tough as race teams are cutting back and laying off people. I think we all have been cutting back on expenses and waiting until the economy picks back up again. Until that time comes there are things you can do to get started. #1) Cut up those credit cards, store cards, etc.. Interest rates on the cards will hurt you in the end and if you can’t afford it now, then start planning on those purchases and pay cash when you have it. #2) Start a $1,000 Emergency Fund. This goes back to #1. If something did come up and you needed the cash then this is what it’s for. #3) Live within your means. This is just a sampling of the things we learned. If you can take the time to do this class, it is the best thing you can do for your families’ finances and future. Classes are going on all the time at churches, all over the country. You can go to www.daveramsey.com to learn more and you can find out where a class is being offered in your area. This is something you wished you could have learned in high school. If you want to hear more about my experience, just let me know and I would be glad to point you in the right direction. Challenge Magazine/Dave Ramsey story
