Overdrive Magazine | Trucking Business News & Owner Operator Info
Issue link: http://read.dmtmag.com/i/232692
Sponsored information by Shell Rotella® MILLION MILES HAUL OF FAME Name: David Foster Truck: 2005 Kenworth W900L Miles: 1 million DAVID FOSTER PRIDES HIMSELF ON CARING FOR HIS TRUCK INSIDE AND OUT T rucks have always been a part of David Foster's life. Thanks to his dad, he learned how to drive a rig when he was just 17, and by the time he was 22, he had already purchased his first truck. Foster says that day was nothing less than the fulfillment of a boyhood dream. Five more trucks and 30 years later, Foster is still on the road, currently with Con-way. He credits his success to another important tradition his father passed on—always using Shell Rotella in his trucks. "Early on, my dad had been using a different brand, and his truck just used oil," Foster says. A friend told him to try Shell Rotella, and it worked. Foster says that's what he's continued to use as well. "Shell just makes a good product," he adds. For Foster, Shell Rotella has proven itself mile after mile. In fact, Foster has put over 4 million miles on his trucks with Shell Rotella, including over 1 million on his current 2005 Kenworth W900L Studio, earning him an induction in the Shell Rotella Million Mile Haul of Fame. "I got a nice big toolbox and a jacket," says Foster. "But it's more than that. It's quite ShellAdvertorial_OVD0114_PG.indd 1 an honor. It really reflects on how you drive the truck." PRIDE IN HIS RIDE Foster prides himself on caring for his truck inside and out. He says that people at truck shows are often surprised to find out his truck has over a million miles on it. "People don't expect a truck with that many miles to be so clean," he says. "It's nice to hear the compliments." Foster has enjoyed showing his truck over the last couple of years. He says he was excited to have his truck featured in the Shell Rotella 2009 SuperRigs calendar, and he's got a growing collection of awards from shows across the country. He didn't even let the tornado that hit his hometown of Joplin, Mo., stop him from attending the Shell SuperRIgs competition in 2011.. "I didn't think I was going," Foster says. "I needed to work, but there were no loads nearby at the time. Then, at the last minute, there just happened to be a rig that was broken down, and the load was 73 miles from SuperRigs." It was good for him to go, Foster adds. "Things were finally getting back to normal." Foster describes the day of the tornado as surreal. "When the storm first started coming, we didn't realize it was anything big," he says. "What really got to me was after the tornado. There was a 53-foot dry van I saw not too far from my house, and it was just like the kind I pull, but no truck. I know where those trailers were parked, and it had to have come from over a mile away." Foster says that he was lucky during the tornado—although there was damage on his property, including six uprooted trees, his truck was not damaged. "My truck was at the house, and I had my pickup parked in front of my truck," Foster explains. "The pickup took a hit, but it saved the Kenworth. It was good too, because all the shops, including the Kenworth place, were destroyed in the tornado. There wouldn't have been anyone to fix the truck. But since the truck was okay, I was back working a week later." In fact, Foster says his truck has never required any major repairs, tornado-related or otherwise — something he credits to the Shell Rotella he uses. "Now I'd like to see if I can get to 2 million miles," he says. 12/4/13 3:03 PM