CAT Scale expects the rebuild to take about 15 months with locations being completed and opened each month. New openings will be added to CAT Scale’s online scale locator, www.catscale.com, as they open and will also be posted on the CAT Scale Facebook page.

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.

“The 1910 Avery is the oldest truck we have on display and a rare piece of trucking history, so we thought it very fitting to throw a party.” says Dave Meier, museum curator. Avery was a large farm equipment manufacturer in Peoria, Illinois, that built farm

tractors into the 1920s. The 1910 model was advertised to do the work of six to eight horses at a top speed of 15 MPH. This truck is so versatile, it could haul up to 100 bushels of wheat, pull a 3-bottom plow, or even run a threshing machine through an additional belt pulley. This innovative piece of equipment didn’t come cheap though; the truck boasted a $2,500 price tag.

Iowa 80 Trucking Museum purchased this particular Avery from collector Lloyd VanHorn in 1995, who had purchased it from the Pioneer Auto Museum, Murdo, South Dakota, 10 years earlier. It is one of only six Avery trucks known to still exist.

Kenly 95 Truckstop will be a full-service Petro facility that among other things, includes changing the restaurant over to an Iron Skillet and the truck service center to a Petro:Lube. “Drivers seek out Petro Stopping Centers and the Iron Skillet restaurant has been consistently voted number one among drivers”, says Brame.

Kenly 95 Truckstop is part of the Iowa 80 Group family of companies that include: Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, Walcott, Iowa; Joplin Petro, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro, Oak Grove, Missouri; Truckomat Truck Washes in N. Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Oak Grove, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; Wytheville, Virginia; CAT Scale Company, Walcott, Iowa; Iowa 80 Trucking Museum, Walcott, Iowa and Iowa80.com mail-order catalog and e-commerce web site, Walcott, Iowa.

Ray’s truck the “Bullnose” had over 5.2 million miles on it when he stopped counting in 1998. Ray purchased the 1958 Bullnose for $25,000 this was expensive during his time. The truck has had many updates through the years. The original wheelbase of 264” was shortened to 224”, the current engine is a NTC 380 Cummins set up to 420hp, and the transmission has also been upgraded to a 5×4 Spicer.

Ray has received a lot of recognition for his truck. It was put on display in Seattle at the Kenworth plant in 1988. Also in 1988, Ray was honored by the governor of Oregon and awarded a plaque for his service to the trucking industry. His truck has also been featured on the cover of the newsletter, “Kenworth Cruiser” and in Wheels of Time magazine. Ray’s 1958 Bullnose truck will now be on display for everyone to enjoy at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum in Walcott, Iowa.

“We will display Ray’s generous gift with pride,” says Dave Meier, Museum Curator. “He has been a long time friend and we are honored that he chose to donate his truck to the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum.”

In addition to having owned a great truck and being a dedicated driver for over 59 years, Ray also served in WWII in the 8th Air Force, the 879th Bomb Group, and the 319th Fighter Squadron as crew chief. Ray has a passion for trucking and has worked for many trucking companies in his day. Many know Ray as “that guy that drives CAT Scale’s ’38 Kenworth”, which he says he will do as long as he is able.

The updated chrome shop and gift area have been redesigned and expanded to provide a more open feel for customers. “We wanted people to walk into an area that is welcoming and spacious. This new design accomplishes that,” says Delia Moon Meier, Senior Vice President.

The Iron Skillet restaurant also received a makeover that included new seating, a new buffet, new decor and lighting fixtures. “The restaurant has a whole new fresh look,” says Aderman. We also nearly doubled our seating by revamping our banquet room into dining space.”

The Oak Grove 70 Petro also remodeled main floor restrooms and installed a new Moonstruck Java coffee station, as well as a new entrance vestibule complete with automatic doors.

Oak Grove 70 Petro is part of the Iowa 80 Group family of companies that include: Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, Walcott, Iowa; Joplin Petro, Joplin, Missouri; Kenly 95 TA Truckstop, Kenly, North Carolina; Truckomat Truck Washes in N. Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; South Holland, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Oak Grove, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; Wytheville, Virginia; CAT Scale Company, Walcott, Iowa and Iowa80.com, Walcott, Iowa.

So what does a lighthouse have to do with a truckstop you might ask? “Just as the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse has become a symbol of North Carolina, Kenly 95 strives to be a symbol of hospitality for truckers and travelers alike,” says Ernie Brame, General Manager. “We hope the lighthouse at Kenly 95 serves as a welcoming beacon and signifies a place you know you can get great food in a relaxing atmosphere.”

The truckstop has already opened a completely new chrome shop and relocated the gas islands and convenience store. The full service restaurant is being remodeled and a new food court is being added along with a Moonstruck Java coffee station.

Kenly 95 TA Truckstop is part of the Iowa 80 Group family of companies that include: Iowa 80 TA Truckstop, Walcott, Iowa; Joplin Petro, Joplin, Missouri; Oak Grove 70 Petro, Oak Grove, Missouri; Truckomat Truck Washes in N. Little Rock, Arkansas; Temple, Georgia; Effingham, Illinois; South Holland, Illinois; Indianapolis, Indiana; Walcott, Iowa; Oak Grove, Missouri; Joplin, Missouri; Kenly, North Carolina; Hebron, Ohio; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Laredo, Texas; Wytheville, Virginia; CAT Scale Company, Walcott, Iowa and Iowa80.com, Walcott, Iowa.

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.

Iowa 80 Group started when trucking was just a gleam in some of today’s drivers’ eyes and Interstate 80 was not yet completed, the Oakgrove 70 Petro was founded. In 1964, Standard Oil built and opened the truck stop, and in September 1965, Bill Moon took over management of the truckstop for Amoco. Like many of the truckstops in existence at the time, Iowa 80 was a small facility that only took up a fraction of what it does today; Housing a small truckers store, one lube bay and a restaurant run by the Peel family.

Manager Trainees in the program will spend a year to eighteen months training at our Walcott, Iowa location. When the training is complete relocation is required to any one of our other locations. Manager Trainees are provided with relocation assistance. Once relocated your career is in your hands! This is an excellent entry level management opportunity for anyone. Get your foot in the door today with a stable and growing Company that values its employees.

Manager Trainees must have a zest for customer service, excellent leadership skills and drive to succeed. Manager Trainees should be self-starters with a desire to learn new things and take on new challenges. A person who is not afraid to work hard and put in the hours to reap the benefits later as an Assistant Manager of a Profit Center or a Profit Center Manager. All candidates must be willing to relocate upon completion of our program.

Some of What You’ll Learn:

• Customer Service Skills
• Receiving Processes
• Cash Handling Procedures
• Scheduling/Hiring/Managing
• Inventory Control/Purchasing/Working with Vendors
• Profit and Loss Statements
• Employee Management Relations
• Just to name a few!!!

If you are a hands on, hard working person then this is the perfect opportunity for you! An opportunity to advance your career awaits you in the Iowa 80 Group Management Development Program. It’s not just a job, it’s a career!

An Example of a Manager Trainee’s Career path:
Main Store (Retail) (10 Weeks)

• Extensive Customer Service Training
• Learn registers and POS Systems
• Learn products
• Work with Vendors
• Employee Management Relations
• Run shifts
• P & L’s
• Accounting/Inventory/Payroll
• Fuel Center (8 Weeks)
• Fuel Desk
• Maintenance on pumps
• Hiring/Scheduling
• Inventory
• Ordering/inventory/food costs for the Blimpie Restaurant
• Work with vendors
• Money Handling

Service Center (8 Weeks)

• Parts Counter
• Write work orders
• Commissions & Payroll
• P & L’s
• Employee Relations
• Inventory

Other Profit Centers Include: Truckomat (8 Weeks), Maintenance/Housekeeping (4 Weeks), Museum (8 Weeks), Iowa 80.com(8 Weeks), Headquarters(2 Weeks), and Special Projects(8 Weeks). Other things that occur during training are: trips to other locations, customer service classes and managerial skills training.

If you are looking for a career and not just a job then Iowa 80 is the perfect spot for you!

WALCOTT, IOWA – The World’s Largest Truckstop celebrated its 45th Anniversary and the 30th Anniversary of the Walcott Truckers Jamboree last week.  The 30th Anniversary Walcott Truckers Jamboree, held July 9-10 hosted tens of thousands of drivers and their families.  During the two days, guests enjoyed over 150 exhibits; a Super Truck Beauty Contest with 82 contestants; a fantastic antique truck display with over 200 vehicles; delicious Iowa pork chop cookout; Trucker Olympics; Carnival Games; three live bands; a fantastic fireworks display and loads of fun!  This year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree also included a free concert featuring Aaron Tippin that attracted nearly 10,000 people.  The concert was sponsored by Mobil Delvac.

To further celebrate both Iowa 80’s and the Jamboree’s anniversaries, the Moon family served up a gigantic semi cake on Friday, despite the rain.  The 300 pound cake was an exact replica of this year’s collectible Jamboree truck model and served well over 1,000 people in Iowa 80’s Super Truck Showroom.  “The cake was almost too beautiful to cut,” says Heather DeBaillie, marketing manager. “The detail was so incredible that people were asking if it was actually a cake.” The Walcott Truckers Jamboree has been celebrating truckers, rain or shine, since 1979.  This year was no exception.  Even though rain delayed some activities on Friday morning, the sun eventually came out and the outdoor festivities resumed mid afternoon under sunny skies.

“We are proud to be able to celebrate trucking.  We appreciate how hard drivers work to keep America going and we appreciate that they choose to stop at Iowa 80.”, says Delia Moon Meier, Oakgrove 70 Petro Senior Vice President.  “The Walcott Truckers Jamboree is an event that we hope instills pride in drivers and encourages them to celebrate the important job they do.  The Jamboree is the perfect chance for us to say ‘thank you’ and we’ll do that rain or shine.”

Next year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree will be held Thursday and Friday, July 8 & 9, 2010.