Wolford on campaign trail for his big rig
By PAT FRIDGEN Echo Pilot

Don Wolford could win a makeover for his truck if he receives enough votes online and at a convention. He and his wife Maria, and daughters, Christina and Rachel, are excited he made it to the finals in a nationwide contest.

There is still time to vote, and it's not for a presidential candidate.

Don Wolford, Greencastle, is a finalist in a nationwide contest, pared from hundreds of applicants. He is competing with a man from New Mexico and another from Texas for a $50,000 makeover.

That makeover is for his truck.

Wolford, 41, has been a truckdriver for 20 years. There was never a question but that was going to be his career. He owns a 1977 Kenworth which is a good old truck, but is currently in storage. He wants to put it back on the road once it has been updated.

The contest is sponsored by Castrol Oil and promises outside and inside improvements to the winner, and well as updates to the audio/visual/communications equipment.

Wolford read about the contest in a trade magazine. He cleared the first hurdle by becoming a finalist based on a 150-word essay. Now he must round up votes online. In March he and his wife Maria, and daughters Christina, 11, and Rachel, eight, will campaign for votes personally at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Ky.

"I used song titles in my essay," said Wolford. "People in the trucking industry will get it, others may not."

The missive is on the website. He notes he has traveled two million miles on That Endless Black Ribbon for Six Days on the Road.

And he does travel for days at a time.

"I stay at home so the girls have stability," said Maria.

The second place finisher wins a $3000 gift card and a year's supply of oil. Third gets a $500 gift card, clothing and oil.

"So we've won something," Wolford noted.

But he would really like the big prize. His plan then would be to sell his current truck, which he is still paying for, and use the old but improved Kenworth. He could be more in control of his schedule and routes, and have more time at home with his family.

"We're hoping Greencastle can support us," Maria said.

People can go online at www.castroltruckmakeover.com to vote. Maria suggests registering as a friend. The deadline is Feb. 28. And no stuffing the ballot boxes is allowed.