It’s a new day and age where trucks are getting recognized on a higher level. For decades, trucks were just in the background while hot rods and customs basked the spotlight. Interest built up enough in 1950 that Al and Mary Slonaker launched the initial Grand National Roadster Show (GNRS) in Oakland, CA where the first America’s Most Beautiful Roadster (AMBR) award was given out and has become one of the most prestigious titles to win.
Now you might be thinking, what does all this have to do with trucks? Well, Rod Shows, the group that now put on the GNRS took notice at the rising tide of custom trucks and decided to honor them at a higher-level event. On top of that, there is even a World’s Most Beautiful Truck (WMBT) award, where the winner takes a custom trophy and $12,500 prize. This year there was also a Steve Stillwell Memorial award and Tom McWeeny Memorial Pinstriping award to honor these legends of truck lore.Â
It all goes down at the Fairplex in Pomona, CA, which has been home to the LA County Fair since 1922. This go around, the GNTS was held on September 14-15th, 2024 and it was a weekend to remember. The main haul was filled with some of the finest trucks around the globe. If there’s one this we could say, it would be that this is the highest quality truck show that we have ever seen.
This new and highly regarded show also plays host to the Grand National Truck-In held in the outdoor section of the fairgrounds. There, all years of trucks, SUV’s, and vans were allowed to be a part in all the action. This is also where a minitruck bed dance-off took place and it was surely a spectacle. There was even a BMX stunt show that kept the excitement to a literal sky-high level.
All-in-all, the Grand National Truck Show is an amazing event that now has us in constant anticipation for what we are going to see there. We do have to say the show is still newish, growing bigger, and we are grateful to see a truck event like this help our scene get recognized in the new heights that we are taking it too. As of printing this issue, there were no dates announced for 2025, but you can check rodshows.com for all the latest.
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