LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Bob and Shelley Brinker’s customized 2000 Freightliner added to its trophy case, winning top honours with the 2006 trophy from the National Association of Show Trucks (NAST). NAST made the presentation during the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky. on March 23.

Customized in a pirate-theme, the Black Pearl is inspired by the Pirates of the Caribbean movie series. The truck made a stop at the Fergus Truck Show in July and drove off with two first place awards, including the coveted Public Choice – Best Truck of Show.

The Brinkers along with five other finalists qualified for the 2006 trophy by taking home awards at NAST-sponsored events throughout the year.

Among the other finalists was a Canadian entry, Maple Leaf Pride, owned by Pierre and Kerrie Lee Cinq-Mars from Iron Bridge, Ont. Their red 2002 Western Star was the top winner the year before taking home the 2005 trophy from NAST.

The NAST trophy made its first appearance in 1998 with Ron Golding of Lockport, N.Y. taking home the inaugural award.

“His truck was stainless steel with lights underneath and we thought that was the coolest thing,” said Brian Hitchcock, president of NAST and vice-president of the Michigan Trucking Association.

NAST was established as a corporation in 1996 and today has nearly 150 members; and is affiliated with more than 70 vendors.

“We started with nothing but volunteers and we continue to run on nothing but volunteers,” added Hitchcock.

The association has seven shows lined up on its schedule in 2007, beginning with The Great Lakes Fourth Annual Truck Show in Tecumseh, Mich. from May 18 to 20. For the full schedule, visit www.nastshowtrucks.org.