Nominations opened September 1 and will remain open through September 18. The contest is part of Pilot’s Driver Appreciation Month activities taking place throughout September.

Road Warrior Winner Will Receive a Custom Kenworth W990

This year’s winner will receive a Kenworth W990 customized by the Diesel Brothers. The truck features a 52-inch flat top sleeper with a Diamond VIT interior and is powered by a PACCAR MX-13 engine producing 510 horsepower and 1,850 lb-ft of torque through a PACCAR TX-18 transmission.

The truck will be awarded along with a $50,000 cash prize. Pilot plans to announce the 2026 Road Warrior winner in October.

Nominations Focus on Safety and Service

Pilot is looking for professional drivers who demonstrate professionalism, safety, and service. The nomination form asks for information about the driver’s safe miles, awards or recognitions, military service, and contributions to their community or the trucking industry.

Both the person submitting the nomination and the nominated driver must be at least 18 years old and U.S. residents. Nominations can be submitted through Pilot’s Road Warrior contest page through September 18.

Last Year’s Winner Logged More Than 5 Million Safe Miles

The 2025 Road Warrior award went to Stacy Batiste of Lafayette, Louisiana. The Marine Corps veteran was selected from thousands of nominations after accumulating more than 5.1 million accident-free miles during a 33-year trucking career.

Batiste was nominated by longtime friend Kenneth Clay and received a customized Kenworth along with $50,000. Pilot said his record also included mentoring other professional drivers during his career.

Pilot Adds September Rewards for Professional Drivers

Pilot is also offering weekly Driver Appreciation Month rewards through its app. Professional drivers can receive three free drinks and one select snack each week during the promotion by saving the available offers to their professional driver myRewards account.

The offers are available at participating U.S. Pilot, Flying J, and One9 locations. Pilot is also holding events at select travel centers with giveaways, samples, and other promotions throughout the month.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: September 8, 2026

Source: The Trucker

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Honoring the Drivers Who Go the Extra Mile

After sifting through thousands of entries, Pilot selected two standout drivers who embody professionalism, safety, and service. In addition to Batiste, Bobby Peeker, a Marine Corps veteran, also earned recognition for his exceptional contributions to the trucking and veteran communities. Peeker will receive a $10,000 cash prize, along with a $25,000 charitable donation made by Pilot to a veterans-focused organization of his choice.

“We received thousands of entries celebrating the efforts of drivers who go the extra mile each and every day,” said Jordan Spradling, senior vice president of transportation and midstream assets at Pilot Company. “Stacy’s and Bobby’s hard work, dedication to the profession, commitment to safety and service stood out. We are honored to welcome them to the Road Warrior winner’s circle. They both are prime examples of the positive impact professional drivers have on and off the road.”

Pilot’s Road Warrior contest is its way of recognizing the drivers who keep North America moving, day in and day out.

Stacy Batiste: 33 Years of Dedication

Batiste was awarded the largest prize in contest history: a custom Kenworth truck built by the Diesel Brothers and a $50,000 cash prize. With over 33 years behind the wheel and more than 5.1 million accident-free miles, Batiste views trucking not just as a career, but as a calling.

A Marine Corps veteran, he has consistently prioritized road safety and has earned a reputation as a mentor for younger drivers. Beyond trucking, Batiste is an active member of his local community, always finding ways to give back.

On October 21, Pilot surprised Batiste while he was on the road at a Flying J in Baytown, Texas, presenting the keys to his custom Kenworth and the $50,000 check. His family joined the celebration, hidden in the travel center to share the moment. Batiste began his driving career hauling sugar cane in South Louisiana, and now, as an owner-operator, the new truck supports his ongoing passion for safe, community-focused driving.

Bobby Peeker: Veteran and Community Advocate

Peeker has logged more than 1 million accident-free miles and continues to give back to the military community after his service in the Marine Corps. He regularly volunteers his time and resources to help fellow servicemen and women and participates in truck shows supporting the Special Olympics.

His passion for trucking was shaped early on by his family, and particularly by his grandfather, who helped remove rubble after the 9/11 attacks using his truck.

Celebrating Trucking Excellence

For over a decade, Pilot has honored professional drivers through the Road Warrior contest, highlighting more than 30 drivers whose dedication and safety-first approach set the standard for the industry.

For more information about the Road Warrior contest, including past winners and how drivers can be recognized, visit Pilot’s website.

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Other Source: The Trucker

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“At every turn, professional drivers bring their grit and dedication to deliver the goods that keep our economy moving,” said Jordan Spradling, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot. “We owe professional drivers our gratitude for their hard work. Driver Appreciation Month is an opportunity for us to say ‘thanks for the drive’ and show drivers how much they matter by recognizing and rewarding them for going the extra mile.”

Honoring Drivers with the Road Warrior Contest

Each year, Pilot’s Road Warrior program highlights the incredible commitment of professional drivers across the country, from exceptional safety records to meaningful service in their communities. In 2025, the spotlight is shining brighter than ever thanks to the partnership with the Diesel Brothers.

The reality TV and YouTube stars are building the ultimate custom Kenworth for this year’s Road Warrior champion. Fans can follow the transformation of the big rig on the Diesel Brothers’ channel, @SparksMotorsCo on YouTube, as the team overhauls it for the winner.

Drivers, families, and friends can submit nominations for deserving professional drivers from September 2 through September 19, 2025. The grand prize winner will officially be revealed in October.

Exclusive Perks for Professional Drivers

Beyond the contest, Pilot is also offering special deals throughout September to honor drivers nationwide at participating Pilot, Flying J, and One9 travel centers. These include:

• Three free drinks each week on select cooler brands
• Extra savings on popular snacks and Pilot’s signature food items
• 10% off food and beverages for military and veteran drivers verified through ID.me

These limited-time offers are available in the Pilot app and are designed to provide everyday rewards during Truck Driver Appreciation Month.

How to Get Involved

Professional drivers or their supporters can submit nominations and find contest details at pilotcompany.com/road-warrior. Additional information on Pilot’s Driver Appreciation Month celebrations is available at pilotcompany.com/driver-appreciation-month.

Source: Truckers News

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Liz Leon, boasting over 19 years of professional driving experience, plays a crucial role at 4Gen Logistics by transporting containers to and from Southern California’s bustling ports. Her career began with Toys R Us, where her love for the open road was ignited. Averaging 100,000 miles annually without any accidents, Liz has also been acknowledged by the California Trucking Association for her exemplary driving skills.

The Pilot team orchestrated a surprise visit to Rialto, California, on October 22 to celebrate Leon’s achievement before her shift at 4Gen Logistics. Joining this heartwarming event were her colleagues and family members, including her husband, daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren.

Jordan Spradling, Vice President of Transportation and Logistics at Pilot, expressed his admiration by stating, “Congratulations to this year’s Road Warrior, Liz Leon, who stood out among the many deserving drivers we read about during the contest,” said Jordan Spradling, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot. “We appreciate all the nominations and stories of drivers like Liz, Herschel, Joe, and Roy, who show up day in and day out, put in countless hours and miles and embody everything we value at Pilot. “This year, the Road Warrior contest introduced a new format, selecting four weekly winners who each received $1,000 and a chance at the grand prize. Alongside Liz, other weekly champions included:

• Herschel Evans from Bremen, Georgia, boasts over 38 years of driving experience and 3.5 million safe miles. His dedication to helping families is evident through his involvement in initiatives like Atlanta Ride for Kids, Convoy of Care, and Safety Drive for a Cure.

• Joe Mondor from Grand Forks, North Dakota, has amassed 4.5 million safe miles during his 33 years in trucking. Renowned as a safety leader and mentor, Joe is respected for his professionalism.

• Roy Prentice from Reno, Nevada, has surpassed 3 million safe miles in more than 30 years of driving. He is celebrated for his commitment to assisting others both in the community and on the road.

These outstanding drivers exemplify the spirit of dedication and service that Pilot values and are a testament to the professionals who keep our roads safe and our supply chains running smoothly.

Source: Truckers News

Image: Pilot

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