News from Kenworth
15 December 2000
"18 Wheels of Justice" TV Star Lucky Vanous Big Hit for Kenworth at Great American Trucking Show KIRKLAND, Wash., Dec. 15, 2000 - Lucky Vanous, star of the TNN television series "18 Wheels of Justice", was a big hit during his special guest appearance for Kenworth Truck Company at the recent Great American Trucking Show in Dallas. During his busy day at GATS, Vanous helped give away the Kenworth T2000 High-Tech Truck that co-starred in the show's first season, signed autographs in Kenworth's booth for almost 2-1/2 hours, and visited with Kenworth customers entered in the Pride and Polish competition. "My first truck show was a great experience," Vanous said. "I especially enjoyed meeting the many truckers and their families who are avid fans of the show. It's a good feeling to know that they look forward to watching "18 Wheels of Justice" each week." The highlight of his activities was the Kenworth 18 Wheels of Justice Sweepstakes giveaway of the Kenworth T2000 High-Tech Truck. On-air personality Eric Harley of the Midnight Cowboy Trucking Network handled emcee honors in the Kenworth booth before a large crowd, which watched as Vanous selected winner Tom Marsillett of Prestonsburg, Ky. On behalf of truckers, Harley thanked Vanous for doing a 30-second spot with co-star Lisa Thornhill in recognition of truckers' efforts throughout the year. The spot aired on an "18 Wheels of Justice" episode during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. In "18 Wheels of Justice", Vanous portrays Chance Bowman, a Special Agent for the Department of Justice operating as an undercover truck driver. Vanous was asked about his experiences regarding "18 Wheels of Justice" and the Kenworth T2000 during the inaugural season. "I spent a lot of hours with this truck during the season and it's really quite something," said Vanous. "The T2000 has so much great technology that it took awhile to realize its full potential. It also has so much room, that we probably had 15 people in there sometimes while filming in the cab or sleeper." Vanous actually drove the T2000 during filming sessions. He had prior experience with heavy machinery as an Army ranger when he drove different vehicles to clear airfields. "The T2000 is a wonderful machine," Vanous said. "Of course, it looks beautiful, but it drives, honest to God, just like a BMW." Vanous said he is looking forward to the new season of 18 Wheels of Justice, which begins on Wednesday, Jan. 3, 2001, from 10 -11 p.m. (ET/PT) on TNN: The National Network. Filming of 22 new episodes is currently underway in San Diego. "I'm going to miss this truck, but Kenworth gave us another T2000 with even more technology for the new season," Vanous smiled. The new, enhanced version of the state-of-the-art, Kenworth T2000 High-Tech Truck has the same high-tech features as its predecessor, but with such additions as a fingerprint identification system that recognizes individual drivers, a navigational system that talks the driver to the destination, and a driver drowsiness monitoring system, among others. The weekly TNN series has developed an extensive following among truckers. 18 Wheels of Justice reruns from the first season currently air on Wednesdays 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. Kenworth Truck Company, a division of PACCAR Inc, is a leading manufacturer of heavy and medium duty trucks. Kenworth's Internet home page is at www.kenworth.com. # Note to Editors: High-res versions of the attached images are available by replying to this email. This release will also be sent via standard mail with photos. Captions for attached low-res images: vanous1lr.jpg: 18 Wheels of Justice star Lucky Vanous poses with a young fan during his Kenworth autograph session at GATS. vanous2lr.jpg: 18 Wheels of Justice star Lucky Vanous hands over an autographed photo to a happy fan during his Kenworth autograph session at GATS. vanous3lr.jpg: 18 Wheels of Justice star Lucky Vanous visited the GATS Pride and Polish competition. From left: Rita Anderson, Kenworth owner operator segment manager; Debbie Brown, Lucky Vanous, and Russ Brown. The Browns own Razor's Edge, a Kenworth W900L. vanous4lr.jpg: Lucky Vanous talks with an interested 18 Wheels of Justice fan during his Kenworth autograph session at GATS. vanous5lr.jpg: 18 Wheels of Justice fans lined up to get Lucky's autograph in the Kenworth booth at GATS. vanous6lr.jpg: 18 Wheels of Justice producer Warren Weideman, Lucky Vanous, and Kenworth general manager Ed Caudill gather in front of the Kenworth T2000 High-Tech Truck shortly before Lucky drew the winning entry in the Kenworth 18 Wheels of Justice sweepstakes vanous7lr.jpg: Kids (and their mothers) flocked to 18 Wheels of Justice star Lucky Vanous during his Kenworth autograph session at GATS.