- Shell Rotella SuperRigs 2022 Best of Show: “Witch’s Inn” 1985 Peterbilt 359
- The SuperRigs Show Is a Bucket-List Event
- 2004 Peterbilt 379X
- Rooster’s WeePete Replica
- Bubba’s Badass 1996 Kenworth W900
- Tricked-Out 2012 Peterbilt 389
The SuperRigs big-rig show, Shell Rotella’s annual pageant showcasing hard-working trucks and their owners/operators, is one of only a few events on our calendar that isn’t specific to the pickups and SUVs that comprise most of MotorTrend’s Truck and Off-Road group’s coverage.
But there’s something about customized, diesel-powered, Class 8 machines—the tractors by themselves, and the highly modified truck/trailer combinations as well. They seem almost majestic when we see them rolling on U.S. and Canadian highways, but majesty actually takes on new meaning when the badass machines are assembled for display at SuperRigs.
Celebrating its 40th anniversary in 2022, this year’s Shell Rotella SuperRigs, held in early June at Branson Landing in Branson, Missouri was basically a traveling high-end fashion show for the trucks and trailers that drivers take enormous amounts of pride in. Although nearly all of the machines on display have modified engines (in some cases, highly modified), their exterior and interior upgrades are the real stars at this show.
Presentation rules at SuperRigs, and custom paint, graphics, leather, wood, audio, and lots of chrome are seen throughout the show in all sorts of unique and cool configurations. The equipment is judged in several categories, and of course prizes are awarded, but if you ask any driver competing in Shell Rotella SuperRigs, they won’t hesitate to tell you the most coveted prize isn’t monetary, and almost all of them would rather have it—the privilege of having their truck included in the SuperRigs annual calendar, that is—more than they want the $10,000 payout for Best of Show.
CLICK ON ANY IMAGE IN THE STORY TO SEE HUGE PHOTO GALLERY!
Because he has a penchant for big rigs, Truck and Off-Road Group Senior Content Producer KJ Jones has made attending the SuperRigs show a “must-do” for the last seven years. Enjoy this assembly of images from the 2022 event, highlighting many of the badass big rigs on display in Branson. Trophies, Shell Rotella “My Miles Matter” points, and, of course, money, are all on the line at SuperRigs. Despite this, the bigger prize for every owner/operator at the show is their truck being one of the 12 rigs that earns a spot in the annual Shell Rotella SuperRigs calendar. Pride is what the show is all about, and it’s there in abundance every year.
Shell Rotella SuperRigs 2022 Best of Show: “Witch’s Inn” 1985 Peterbilt 359
Theresa DeSantis’s “Witch’s Inn,” a 1985 Peterbilt 359, continues to impress Shell Rotella SuperRigs judges. Once again, the beautiful tractor and trailer combination was deemed Best of Show (it also won in 2019), and will headline the SuperRigs 2023 calendar.
Dorothy follows the yellow brick road to Oz in the airbrushed graphics on the front of Theresa DeSantis’s 2016 East trailer. The homage to The Wizard of Oz earned “Witch’s Inn” the Steve Sturgess Best Theme award at SuperRigs 2022.
Only slightly outdone is Theresa DeSantis’s husband, Dean, whose “Career Gambler” 2018 Peterbilt 389 (left) was selected the Best of Show second runner-up.
The SuperRigs Show Is a Bucket-List Event
If you’re into big trucks and have never been to a Shell Rotella SuperRigs show, add it to your bucket list of events you really need to experience. As you’ll see in the following gallery, and in upcoming reports on the modified diesel engines that power these rigs and on their elaborate light packages, big trucks definitely can be beautiful.
2004 Peterbilt 379X
Although Peterbilt’s iconic “379” tractors are always in abundance at SuperRigs, seeing a rare 379X being displayed is a treat, because not many truck fans know the model even exists. Depending on who you ask, the special-edition conventional was offered for two model years: 2003-2004 or 2004-2005. We’re working on nailing that timeframe down, but it’s confirmed that the truck features a unique dash, chrome treatments on the fenders, and compound turbochargers that are all factory-installed.
This is the brushed-aluminum-with-chrome dash in the 2004 Peterbilt 379X.
Factory-installed compound turbochargers are the highlight of the 379X’s C-15 Cat engine. This one is closing in on 2,000,000 miles.
When you see this badge on a Peterbilt 379’s sleeper, you know the truck is something special.
Rooster’s WeePete Replica
This small-scale big-rig is owned and operated by 10-year-old “Rooster,” who literally stole the show when he jockeyed his replica Peterbilt 379 into a parking spot at SuperRigs 2022. It’s a super-detailed 2020 model that drags a custom 12-foot step-deck trailer, and is powered by an air-cooled diesel engine.
The WeePete is inspired by “Double or Nothin’,” the 425-horsepower 1994 Peterbilt 379 that Rooster’s dad drives.
How cool is it to be able to “go truckin'” with a rig that looks just like your dad’s? With his full-on mini-semi setup to use as driving practice, Rooster should have no problem scoring his CDL on the first try.
Bubba’s Badass 1996 Kenworth W900
We know the driver’s name is “Bubba,” and his 1996 Kenworth W900 has a confirmed 2,000,000 miles. The poppin’ red tractor and trailer (that’s used to haul heavy equipment) are also dressed in more than a little bit of chrome.
The hot red hue is carried into the Kenworth’s cab, on leather upholstery and powdercoated instrument bezels and switches.
Bubba takes breaks from the highway in this plush sleeper that’s adorned with contrasting black leather on the walls and ceiling.
All of the Kenworth’s 100-percent one-off pieces, like twisted-stainless-steel mirror brackets, are “Shift Happens” pieces by TC Chrome Shop.
There’s chrome everywhere on Bubba’s rig—so much that it won the Best Chrome category at SuperRigs 2022.
Tricked-Out 2012 Peterbilt 389
We only have one opinion about “Mixed Opinions,” Todd Gribble’s tricked-out 2012 Peterbilt 389: it’s awesome! The truck and 2015 MAC Pneumatic trailer snared top honors in SuperRigs’ Truck/Trailer division.
“Mixed Opinions”—and more so its owner/operator—are living proof that “can’t” shouldn’t be in anyone’s vocabulary. The badass (but actually fairly simple) engineering for the clutch allows this driver to move on down the highway with one leg!
Keyword: Badass Big-Rigs Barnstorm Branson at the 40th Annual SuperRigs Truck Show