News from Kenworth: Kentucky Trucker Wins Sweepstakes
14 December 2000
Kentucky Trucker Wins Kenworth T2000 TV Co-Star in Kenworth "18 Wheels of Justice" Sweepstakes KIRKLAND, Wash., December 14, 2000 - This was a December to remember for Tom Marsillett, a truck driver from Prestonsburg, Ky. First, his wife delivered a healthy 7 pound 8 ounce boy on December 6. A week later, the 28-year-old took delivery of a very special Kenworth T2000 - winning the Kenworth 18 Wheels of Justice Sweepstakes. Marsillett will soon be driving the sleek, dark blue, television co-star used by actor Lucky Vanous in his role as trucker Chance Bowman in TNN's hit show, 18 Wheels of Justice. "It doesn't get much better than this," said Marsillett, who began driving off-road heavy trucks when he was a teenager. "When I got the call from Kenworth, I thought it was a joke - I thought someone was pulling a prank on me. They said they'd send an overnight package with all the information, but the next day, it never came. I thought to myself, 'they got me pretty good.' But then that evening I got a call from Fed Ex and they said they'd been looking for my house all day. I arranged to meet them, got the package, and then got pretty excited. I had won the 18 Wheels of Justice truck." Marsillett's new truck is more than just a TV star, it began its life as Kenworth's T2000 Advanced Technology Truck. "Tom will be commercially driving the industry's most sophisticated and advanced truck," said Ed Caudill, Kenworth general manager and PACCAR vice president. "It features an in-dash computer display, global positioning system navigation, electronic diagnostics, electronic vision system, advanced exterior lighting, and automated transmission. Tom will also have an entertainment system never before used in a working truck -- an integrated radio and stereo system, 42-inch flat panel television, plus Internet, cable TV and phone access." Before taking delivery of the truck, Marsillett got a call from Ted Scherzinger, the Kenworth engineer who spearheaded the design of high-tech truck. "Ted said the truck was amazing, and we talked about all the one-of-a-kind features. I'm especially looking forward to the entertainment system and the 42-inch television," Marsillett said. Marsillett says that since he won the truck, he hasn't missed an episode of 18 Wheels of Justice. "They're still using my T2000 on TV (the show's second season begins in January using a new Kenworth T2000 High-Tech truck) and it's really neat to see. My nine-year old daughter is even more excited than I am - she's really enjoying all of this." Ironically, Marsillett, nearly didn't win the special T2000. "I buy my parts at Worldwide Equipment in Prestonsburg and had seen the sweepstakes entry form, but never bothered to fill it out," Marsillett said. "Then one day, Anthony Ferguson in the Parts Department handed me the form and said, 'you might as well fill it out, you never know and you might win.' I'm sure glad he said something." "We're very happy for Tom," said Terry Dotson, dealer principal for Worldwide Equipment, Inc., who handed the T2000's keys to Marsillett. "The sweepstakes was popular with our customers and many watch the show every week. Now, we'll get to see the original 18 Wheels of Justice truck on a regular basis." 18 Wheels of Justice encores from the first season telecast on Wednesday, Dec. 20 and 27 at 10 p.m. (ET/PT) and on Thursday, Dec. 28 at 8 p.m. (ET/PT). The new season begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3, at 10 p.m. (ET/PT). 18 Wheels of Justice has a website at www.18woj.com. The site includes sections on About the Series, Cast and Stars, All About Trucks, Photo Gallery, Musical Guests, Message Board, Chat Room, among others. TNN's website at www.tnnonline.com also contains information on the series and a direct link to www.18woj.com. 18 Wheels of Justice is produced by King World Productions, Inc. and Stu Segall Productions, in association with Fireworks Entertainment, Park Avenue Productions and IN-Motion AG. Caterpillar, Eaton and Bridgestone are participating Kenworth suppliers in the show.
