Pilot Rewards 40-Year Driver With Custom Peterbilt Truck
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Pilot Co. recently recognized one of its longtime drivers with a custom-made Peterbilt truck.
Daniel Abshire has driven for the company for more than 40 years. During a luncheon in his honor, Pilot and Peterbilt surprised him with the custom truck. It was designed to be reminiscent of the rig his father, Jim, drove during his tenure at the same company.
Pilot, based in Knoxville, Tenn., is a fuel supplier and operator of travel centers.
“The Abshire family and Pilot transportation are synonymous,” said Jim Haslam, founder and chairman emeritus of Pilot. “Daniel is the best. And that’s because he learned from the best — his father, Jim.”
The Abshire family has been a key part of the company’s history. Jim Abshire was the second driver it ever hired back in 1971.
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“This job requires patience, endurance and a deep regard for everyone on the road. We are very proud of these two long and legendary careers, and it’s an honor to recognize Daniel for his 40 years at Pilot with this specially designed Peterbilt truck,” Haslam said.
“I’m still in shock,” Daniel Abshire said. “I wasn’t expecting to be recognized, let alone get a new truck to drive that also celebrates my dad’s time with Pilot. I remember him driving a Peterbilt like this one, and this is my dream truck. We’ve always been part of the Pilot family, and the team here, especially the other drivers, always have been part of the Abshire family. That’s not lip service; it’s how we operate. This just illustrates how true it is. We are family.”
The Peterbilt truck was inspired by a photo of Jim Abshire next to his truck sometime in the 1970s. Peterbilt designed the truck that Daniel Abshire will drive as a throwback to the 389 model with updated red and yellow Pilot Flying J graphics.
Daniel Abshire oversees the trucks and drivers based in Staunton, and Roanoke, Va. During his 40-year career, he has driven 2.5 million miles, amassed 9,800 safety days in the cab of his truck and delivered more than 200 million gallons of fuel.
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