Guilty By Association preview: Sunshine and chrome

Unlike other shows this summer, a good number of the show trucks at GBATS proudly display grease on the fifth wheel. Of course, any truck show in the parking lot of the Chrome Shop Mafia has to have attitude. So have a look at some shots from the show opening. More, much more, to come.

Kevin Jones

Sept. 25, 2015

The truck stop parking lots at Exit 4 on I-44 west of Joplin were already full Friday morning as the 4 State Trucks Guilty By Association Truck Show (GBATS) got underway. With registration still open and the judging yet to begin, plenty of truckers were still finding their slots while the early birds were busy polishing chrome.

What's great about GBATS is a lot of truck owners seem to register just to get a prime parking spot in the middle of the action: The weekend is more fun for those who don't mind parking an every-day rig next to a show pony. Nor do they seem to mind lending a hand, or at least a suggestion or two, like "You missed a spot."

But, unlike other shows this summer, a good number of the show trucks proudly display grease on the fifth wheel. Of course, any truck show in the parking lot of the Chrome Shop Mafia has to have attitude.

So have a look at some shots from the show opening. More, much more, to come.

About the Author

Kevin Jones

Editor

Kevin has served as editor-in-chief of Trailer/Body Builders magazine since 2017—just the third editor in the magazine’s 60 years. He is also editorial director for Endeavor Business Media’s Commercial Vehicle group, which includes FleetOwner, Bulk Transporter, Refrigerated Transporter, American Trucker, and Fleet Maintenance magazines and websites.

Working from Beaufort, S.C., Kevin has covered trucking and manufacturing for nearly 20 years. His writing and commentary about the trucking industry and, previously, business and government, has been recognized with numerous state, regional, and national journalism awards.