Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/630204
HEAVY 14 www.FlatbedTruckingJobs.com February 2016 W isconsin-based owner-operator Jon Eilen and his 2010 Peterbilt 389 and matching Macsimizer trailer won Overdrive's special edition 25th An- niversary Truckers' Choice contest, a two-part voting contest held in October and November on OverdriveOnline.com The contest was held to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Overdrive's Pride & Polish, featuring the 20 Pride & Polish Na- tional Champions from the last fi ve years. Eilen and his "Iron Affl icted" won the fi rst-ever Pride & Polish National Championship series held in 2011. The truck and its build was spurred by the death of Jon's brother Jake, who was a trucker and an award-winning cus- tom truck builder in his own right. Eilen bought the Pete new in September 2009, and he immediately tore it apart and began the custom build process. Nearly all the work on the rig was done at Eilen's shop with the help of his brother Pat and other family members. "Everything fl ows from front to back," he says. "I wanted the black and orange to carry through, and it does, inside and out. Motor, truck, trailer – everything's got it." After starting with 20 trucks, the contest was narrowed down to fi ve fi nalists after the fi rst round of voting. Eilen's truck won out over Austin Ashley's 2007 Pe- terbilt 379, Vinnie Diorio's 2013 Peterbilt 389 and MAC curtainside, Phil Miller's 2010 Peterbilt 389 and Wilson livestock, and Randy Stroup's 1986 Peterbilt 359. F HAULING 25th anniversary Truckers' Choice champion: Jon Eilen's 2010 Peterbilt 389 and Macsimizer trailer