“We are fortunate to be partnered with generous companies like Iowa 80 Truckstop and BP that support educating our youth about the trucking industry,” says Randy Schwartzenburg, Trucker Buddy Executive Director.

The Iowa 80 TA Truckstop is located in Walcott, Iowa and is part of the Iowa 80 Group that also owns Joplin 44 Petro, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly 95 Petro, Kenly, North Carolina; Truckomats in: N. Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; CAT Scale Company, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum and the IOWA80.COM mail-order trucking accessories catalog and e-commerce web site.

Trucker Buddy International is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization started in 1992 and dedicated to helping educate and mentor schoolchildren via a pen pal relationship between professional truck drivers and children in grades K-8. Every week drivers share news about their travels with their class. Once a month, students write letters to their drivers. Students’ skills in reading, writing, geography, mathematics, social studies, and history are enhanced and learning is fun. To learn more about Trucker Buddy, call 1-800-MYBUDDY or go to www.truckerbuddy.org.

With some time to kill on Friday morning, driver Mike Wallace and veteran crew chief Paul Andrews stopped in to visit Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott. After spending some time walking around the World’s Largest Truck Stop, they got in touch with their people to see if they’d be interested in becoming part of the team for the weekend.

“We were literally walking through there looking at everything they had to offer to people,” said Wallace. “We called while we standing right there and they said they’d like to talk, we met with them and laid out what we could do for them.

“I can’t even begin to thank them enough for coming on board with us this weekend. We’re not only going to represent them, but everyone who works there or who has ever stopped in during their highway travels.”

A few hours later, a deal was struck and the No. 01 Iowa 80 Truck Stop Chevrolet will take to the track located down the highway from their massive complex to compete in the Nationwide Series race.

“When they called, we started to talk everything through and it just seemed like a great fit for both of us,” said Heather DeBallie, Marketing Manager for Iowa 80 Truckstop. “They were in the 11^th hour needing sponsorship, we’re part of the Iowa landscape and this race at Iowa Speedway is really a big deal.

“Since we’re the World’s Largest Truckstop, we felt we needed to be part of the biggest race going on in Iowa this weekend. In talking with Mike, we feel he’s going to do a great job to represent Iowa 80 Truck Stop and our 500 employees.”

Opened in 1964, the massive complex is still operated by the same family who opened it 46 years ago. Today, the children and grandchildren running the facility make sure that Iowa 80 Truck Stop is not just a place to stop, but a destination of people’s travels.

The truck stop now boasts the Iowa 80 Kitchen, it’s new 300-seat restaurant with a 50-ft. salad bar, one-of-a-kind Truckers Warehouse Store, 24 private showers, 60-seat Dolby Surround Sound® movie theater, Driver’s Den, two Game Rooms, Embroidery Center, Vinyl Graphics Shop, Barber, Dentist, TA Service Center, Truckomat truck wash, CAT Scale, state-of-the-art Fuel Center, Wendy’s and Dairy Queen in the Food Court and a Blimpie located in the Fuel Center and parking for 800 tractor-trailers, 250 cars and 20 buses.

The Walcott School and Walcott PTA have a goal of installing SMART Boards in all classrooms by 2014 and is currently working to raise the funds needed. “It is important that we utilize technology to enhance the learning experience for our students. We are very grateful that Iowa 80 Truckstop was able to secure this funding for us,” says Dr. Erica Goldstone, Walcott School Principal.  “It is the perfect way to kick off our SMART Board fund drive.”

The Iowa 80 TA Truckstop is located in Walcott, Iowa and is part of the Iowa 80 Group that also owns Joplin 44 Petro, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly 95 Petro, Kenly, North Carolina; Truckomats in: N. Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; CAT Scale Company, the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum and the IOWA80.COM mail-order trucking accessories catalog and e-commerce web site.

WALCOTT, IOWA –   The 32nd Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, will be held next week, July 14-15, 2011 at Iowa 80 Truckstop, I-80 Exit 284, Walcott, Iowa.  Over 175 exhibits; a Super Truck Beauty Contest, Antique Truck Display; Iowa pork chop cookout; Trucker Olympics; carnival games; live bands; fireworks and loads of fun for the whole family!  Admission and parking are FREE!  Shuttles will be provided from the parking area.

This year’s trucker celebration will feature a FREE concert by Marty Stuart on Thursday night, July 14th at 7pm, followed by a fireworks display and Super Truck Beauty Contest light show.  The concert is being presented by Mobil Delvac.  Friday’s events include a 100th Birthday Party for the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum’s 1911 Walker Electric Truck to be held at 2:30 pm.

The Walcott Truckers Jamboree began in 1979 featuring a few exhibits, live music, food and a small display of antique trucks.  That first Jamboree only attracted a few hundred drivers, a far cry from the 30,000 it attracts today.  Even though the size of the Jamboree has changed over the years, its focus has not.  Celebrating America’s Truckers is definitely the Jamboree’s mission.  “Everything we have has been hauled on a truck.  Professional drivers work hard to deliver goods to our businesses, schools and communities,” says Delia Moon Meier.  “We appreciate the work professional drivers do.  The Walcott Truckers Jamboree is a celebration of trucking and our way of saying ‘Thank You’ in a big way.”

Iowa 80 Truckstop’s food court also features Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express, Dairy Queen and Orange Julius.

The Better Business Bureau Integrity Award honors those companies who operate at the pinnacle of ethics, honesty and integrity. “You can’t get those qualities from a book or an annual report, but you will get them at Iowa 80 Truckstop,” stated Chris Coleman, President of the BBB. “The Better Business Bureau recognizes The Moon Family and all those at Iowa 80 Truckstop for demonstrating the highest level of service and commitment to their customers. It’s not about what they did today or yesterday – for Iowa 80 Truckstop, it’s for what they do and how they do it – everyday.“

Iowa 80 Truckstop was founded in 1964 in a small building that housed a small truckers store, one lube bay and a restaurant.  Today, Iowa 80 Truckstop is the World’s Largest Truckstop; occupying 75 acres, employing over 500 people and providing professional drivers and travelers with everything they need while on the road.

“We work hard every day to make Iowa 80 Truckstop a place where people want to work and a place where people want to stop”, said Delia Moon Meier, Senior Vice President of Iowa 80 Group. “It is truly an honor to accept this award from the Better Business Bureau.”

“We are pleased that the American Trucker series shines a positive light on trucking and professional drivers, says Delia Moon Meier, Iowa 80 Group Senior Vice President. “And are equally pleased to have the opportunity to share Iowa 80 with Speed Channel viewers.”

Based in Walcott, Iowa, Iowa 80 Truckstop and Iowa 80 Trucking Museum are both part of the Iowa 80 Group that also owns and operates Joplin 44 Petro Truckstop, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro Truckstop, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly 95 Petro Truckstop, Kenly, North Carolina; Truckomats in: Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; Wytheville, Virginia;

IOWA80.COM mail-order catalog and e-commerce web site based in Walcott, Iowa and CAT Scale Company.
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<strong>Note to editor:</strong>
Link to the segment. <a href=”http://www.speedtv.com/programs/american-trucker/watch-video/”>http://www.speedtv.com/programs/american-trucker/watch-video/</a>
Photos of Robb Mariani at Iowa 80 are posted on his web site. <a href=”http://www.robbmariani.com/”>http://www.robbmariani.com/</a>

<a href=”http://iowa80truckstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Worlds-Largest-Truckstop-Logo.jpg”><img title=”World’s Largest Truckstop Logo” src=”http://iowa80truckstop.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/04/Worlds-Largest-Truckstop-Logo-300×242.jpg” alt=”" width=”300″ height=”242″ /></a>

Tracy Lawrence will perform live on tomorrow night at 7pm, followed by a fireworks display and Super Truck light show. The concert is being sponsored by Mobil Delvac. Friday’s events include a 100th Birthday Party for the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum’s 1910 Avery Farm Truck to be held at 2:30 pm.

The Walcott Truckers Jamboree began in 1979 featuring a few exhibits, live music, food and a small display of antique trucks. That first Jamboree only attracted a few hundred drivers, a far cry from the 30,000 it attracts today. Even though the size of the Jamboree has changed over the years, you can bet that its focus hasn’t. Celebrating America’s Truckers is definitely what the Jamboree is all about. “Professional drivers work hard to deliver goods to our businesses, schools and communities. Everything we have has been hauled on a truck at some point”, says Delia Moon Meier. “The Walcott Truckers Jamboree is our way of saying Thank You for the work professional drivers do; to let them know that we appreciate them and we’re glad they choose to stop at Iowa 80.”

Click here to download the 2010 Schedule of Events.

Visitors can take a virtual tour of the truckstop, learn about Iowa 80’s 45-year history,  register their rig for the 2010 Super Truck Beauty Contest, as well as learn more about the Walcott Truckers Jamboree and the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, just for starters.

There is also a section tailored to Iowa 80’s employment opportunities complete with the ability to apply online.  Drivers and trucking companies can explore Iowa 80’s amenities as well as get information on fleet wash and fuel programs.

Trucking accessory shoppers can also register to be notified of upcoming specials or buy trucking accessories online.

Oakgrove 70 Petro’s new web site can also be accessed through the URL worldslargesttruckstop.com.
Iowa 80 Group, Oakgrove 70 Petro’s parent company, is currently working on updating the web sites for its three additional truckstops:  Oak Grove 70 Petro, Oak Grove, Missouri; Joplin Petro, Joplin, Missouri; and Kenly 95 TA Truckstop, Kenly, North Carolina.

WALCOTT, IOWA –Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, located in Walcott, Iowa, will be celebrating its 45th year of serving America’s professional drivers in 2009.

Iowa 80 began it’s operation in 1964 in a small, white enamel building in the middle of Iowa cornfields just west of the Mississippi River; Interstate 80 wasn’t even complete Standard Oil built and opened the truckstop. At that time, Iowa 80 had two diesel pumps, one lube bay and a small restaurant operated by the Peel Family. In September 1965, Bill Moon took over management of the truckstop for Standard Oil. “My father had an amazing ability to see things that others couldn’t. He always said that Walcott was the perfect spot”, says Delia Moon Meier.

Under Mr. Moon’s keen management, the truckstop began to grow and in 1984 Bill Moon and his wife Carolyn purchased the truckstop from Amoco. Now that it was theirs, the Moon family was able to remodel, update and expand the restaurant and truckers store. The shop bays were closed to build state of the art private showers and a driver’s area, both of which were very rare in a truckstop at this time. In 1989, Iowa 80 added a new store probably most famous for, other than its chrome selection, the 1918 Oldsmobile hoisted above the cashier island.

Three years later, in 1992, Oakgrove 70 Petro expanded its fuel center and became a Truckstops of America franchisee. This move gave Iowa 80 the opportunity to associate with a nationally recognized name and at the same time maintain its independence. Truckstops of America would also serve as a connection to the trucking fleets that had grown over the years.

And one year later, Iowa 80 opened its TA Service Center.
In 2006, a new multi-million dollar Super Truck Showroom was added at Oakgrove 70 Petro. It houses more than 67,000 square feet of chrome, stainless, lights and other trucking accessories to browse! The Super Truck Showroom also includes three big rigs on display that sport the latest accessories. The Super Truck Showroom also features a wall of lights allowing drivers to see what every single type of available light looks like when it’s illuminated. The vinyl graphics, custom t-shirts, embroidery center and laser engraving are all housed in a one-stop Custom Shop where drivers can see their designs come to life.

An elevator from the Super Truck Showroom can take drivers to the the third floor and one if its 24 private showers, Library, Drivers Den, Movie Theater, Barber Shop, Dentist, Chiropractor, Laundry Facilities and a balcony where drivers can overlook the Super Truck Showroom and bask in the glory of all that is chrome and lights.

The food court was also expanded and now includes Wendy’s, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut Express and Dairy Queen/Orange Julius. The convenience and gift stores have also undergone complete makeovers. “We are always looking to improve the Iowa 80 experience for our customers,” says Delia Moon Meier. “We’ve expanded Oakgrove 70 Petro 25 times in the last 45 years and we’re not ready to slow down yet.”

This coming year also marks the 30th Anniversary of the Walcott Truckers Jamboree, the biggest professional driver celebration in the country.

The Iowa 80 TA Truckstop is part of the Iowa 80 Group that also owns Joplin Petro Truckstop, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro Truckstop, Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly 95 TA Truckstop, Kenly, North Carolina; Truckomats in: North Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; South Holland, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; Wytheville, Virginia; IOWA80.COM; Iowa 80 Trucking Museum and CAT Scale Company.