The cream of the crop

FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro (pink scarf on right) with a select group of OOIDA Safe Driving award recipients.

One doesn't have to stretch too far to see the humor in the fact that during the presentation of OOIDA Safe Driving Awards by FMCSA Administrator Anne Ferro the audience was being pelted by rain and sleet.

OOIDA Executive Vice President Todd Spencer certainly didn't miss it.

"This weather isn't a big deal for people who drive a truck in all kinds of weather," Spencer said with a laugh. "No step for a stepper."

The OOIDA Safe Driving Award was developed because many drivers do not stay with companies year after year after year. And, in the absence of any program that recognized safe and responsible driving for all drivers, OOIDA developed its Safe Driving Award. 

Rather than focus on miles driven, the OOIDA Safe Driving Award -- sponsored by Shell Rotella -- recognizes years of safe driving. 

The collection of drivers presented with OOIDA Safe Driving Awards by Ferro had more than a few years under their collective belt. Try centuries.

The number of 10-, 20- and even 30-year awards was impressive. The 40-year awards were as well. But the coup d'etat was .... wait for it .... wait some more .... 62 years of safe driving. OOIDA Life Member John Taylor was recognized for 62 years worth of safe driving. 

Holding down the fort ain't so bad

The day before a truck show, any truck show, the excitement builds all day long. The Heart of
America Trucking Show -- a celebration of OOIDA's 40th anniversary -- is certainly no exception.

A bunch of folks have relocated to the Kansas Speedway in Kansas City, Kan., and are prepping for the show. They're parking show trucks, helping vendors set up, parking attendee trucks -- you name it and they are probably doing it.

They probably feel pretty special. The picture is a sneak peek at some of the competitors that Field Editor Suzanne Stempinski sent me, trying to rub it in that she's playing with cool trucks already and I'm here at the office.

But a lot of us are holding down the fort one more day at OOIDA's HQ before we hit the show tomorrow.

Normally, that might be kind of a bummer. But honestly it's been really cool. We have a number of longtime members who are able to come and take a tour of the building -- some for the first time.

We've had the chance to visit with Lee and Kari Fischer, Shelle Lichti, Wilson Miller, Bob Ruckman ... to name a few. And I see some more heading in the door now.

They all are some cool people who have been around a long time and have some amazing stories to tell about the Association and just straight up truckin' memories.

It's going to be a great time with everyone at the show. We promise to blog and share the best stories (and maybe even a tall tale or two) that we hear at the show, so those of you who are unable to attend won't miss out.

Friday morning, 10 a.m., the show will open. I can't wait.

Arriving in Kansas City? Avoid the orange barrels

Welcome, welcome. We're already hearing from members en route to the big show, and a few early birds are already arriving. A few dropped by headquarters this morning for a quick visit and building tour before the official truck parking begins at noon at the Kansas Speedway site. The excitement is building, certainly.

Here's a tip to help you avoid playing orange barrel chess as you hit the Kansas City metro. A few through-routes are messed up right now due to construction.

Kansas City, Mo., is doing some work on I-670 this weekend. That's a popular shortcut and alternate to I-70 through downtown. You'd best stick to the I-70 signs if you're traveling east-west through Kansas City, Mo. The state DOT says the I-670 alternate will be closed starting at 8 p.m. Friday evening and lasting through Monday morning.

That's not the only travel advisory. Interstate 35 has been slow-going for quite a while nowadays thanks to lane reductions. So, if you're coming up from the south, it's best to find the I-435 West/North part of the loop and use it to get to the speedway. I-35 from the north looks decent, but you can still grab the I-435 loop and head to the Kansas side that way.

Everything out by the speedway itself looks good, so once you've avoided downtown Kansas City, Mo., you should be in good shape.

Here's some lowdown from MoDOT's website:

New Work Today and Updates/Changes
I-670: Utility work will close I-670 between I-70 and Holmes St. from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21. A marked detour will be in place.
I-670/ I-35: Utility work will close the ramp from northbound I-35 to eastbound I-670 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.
I-670/ Broadway: Utility work will close the ramp from Broadway St. to eastbound I-670 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.
I-670/ I-35: Utility work will close the ramp from southbound I-35 to eastbound I-670 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.
I-70/ 10th St: Utility work will close the ramp from 10th St. to eastbound I-70 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.
I-670/ Route 71: Utility work will close the ramp from northbound Route 71 to westbound I-670 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.
I-670/Wyoming: Utility work will close the ramp from Wyoming St. to eastbound I-670 from 8 p.m. Friday, October 18 through 5 a.m. Monday, October 21.

Travel safely. We can't wait to celebrate with you.

How much do you know about Kansas?

Kansas is one of those remarkable places where rural America really mixes it up with city oases. You can be at the Kansas Speedway, The Legends retail center or Nebraska Furniture Mart -- and minutes later you can be in rural Kansas soaking up the history at the National Agricultural Hall of Fame in Bonner Springs.

I’m always surprised that people know so little about Kansas. Working at OOIDA’s headquarters just east of Kansas City, Mo., we are often asked if we are in Kansas. The answer is no, but we are close.

Your pit pass to OOIDA’s Heart of America Trucking Show

Live from turn one at the Kansas Speedway … the Land Line media blog – Tales from Turn One – is your pit pass to the show scheduled for Oct. 18-19 in Kansas City, Kan.

During the show, we’ll be blogging on the whole 40th anniversary event, the people, the games, the show trucks, antique trucks, the seminars, vendors, entertainment and more. Think of us as your “Prairie Truck Companion.” Check it out at landlinemag.com. Also – watch all of our OOIDA social media pages for news, pics and video clips.

During the Heart of America Trucking Show, the “Land Line Now” team will be at the Kansas Speedway, bringing you the latest from the show. “Land Line Now,” OOIDA’s Sirius XM radio show, airs daily from 7 to 8 p.m. and 11 p.m. to 12 a.m. Eastern time on the Road Dog Channel 128.

If you can’t make the show and miss the multimedia blowout, don’t fret. The November issue of Land Line will feature complete coverage of the action – all the events you want to read about.