Chris Purcell Wins Grand Champion Title at Rush Skills Rodeo
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SAN ANTONIO — For the second time, Chris Purcell claimed the Grand Champion prize at the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo. The technician, who previously took the annual competition’s top spot in 2021, has now claimed the Grand Champion trophy two times in seven years of competition.
Purcell’s Dec. 17 victory capped the 19th year of the Skills Rodeo, where Rush technicians compete in categories such as heavy- and medium-duty service. The competition also features leasing, sales and body repair challenges as well as a Rising Stars division that highlights technicians who have been with Rush for two years or less.
Purcell, from Rush Truck Centers in Atlanta, said preparing for the Skills Rodeo is challenging since the categories change frequently. He stressed the importance of retaining and applying repair knowledge while under the pressure. This year, Purcell took first place in the medium-duty International subdivision.
“I felt comfortable with the International test, but I was iffy with Peterbilt — just not being familiar with the product,” he told reporters in a self-assessment of his performance. “It’s different every year, so the best thing you can do is keep calm and keep the mistakes to the minimum.” He acknowledged the challenge of settling those nerves despite having to demonstrate to judges repairs he’s done “a million times” within the confines of a 45-minute time limit.
We’re thrilled to announce our 2024 Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo All-Around Grand Champion, Christopher Purcell!
Please join us in giving him and all other champions and competitors a round of applause. Thank you to everyone who joined us for this special event. pic.twitter.com/iLDN2RVTax — Rush Truck Centers (@rushtruckcenter) December 19, 2024
After the two days of competition, he was appreciative of the moment of victory.
“It was great to hear my name,” Purcell said. “I love fixing trucks and helping people out.”
Purcell, who has been associated with Rush Centers for 25 years and specializes in medium- and heavy-duty repair, noted how difficult it is to repeat as the competition’s top winner. Seeing familiar faces from prior years’ competitions fosters a sense of camaraderie.
“We’re happy for each other, win or lose,” Purcell said. “We’re all going through the same thing: turning wrenches and fixing trucks.” That fellowship emanated throughout the competition, as technicians competed during the first day with finalists moving on to the second day.
Trophies and belt buckles awaited class winners and the grand champion at the Rush Enterprises Tech Skills Rodeo in San Antonio. (Rush Enterprises)
Rush Enterprises CEO W.M. “Rusty” Rush noted that the Skills Rodeo marks his “two favorite days of the year,” and during the awards ceremony, he expressed his exuberance for the annual technician gathering.
“I walk around the hotel, meet people here, and I have to say, there is nothing that makes me feel better, makes my heart go ‘pitter-patter’ more than them, because I know what it takes,” he said. “I know what they have to do and how hard it is... It’s so heartwarming.”
Heavy-duty division champion Jeffrey Metcalf, from Rush Truck Centres of Canada in Kemptville, Ontario, has competed in the Skills Rodeo for three years and felt good about his performance. He prepared by reviewing specs and learning about recent innovations, and was pleased to see some of his countrymen also claim honors.
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“I got reserve champion last year and another Canadian won reserve champion this year — it feels good,” he said referring to Shannon Smallman from Ottawa, who placed in the heavy duty-Navistar Engine division. “I felt confident. Sometimes you get in your own head, but you can turn it back around and fix it.”
The Skills Rodeo awarded technicians over $300,000 in cash and prizes this year. Over the lifetime of the event, technicians have received more than $3 million in cash and prizes.
At the conclusion of this year’s ceremony Rush announced that the 20th anniversary of the competition will be held in Nashville, a return to the host city of the inaugural tech event.
Division Champions
• Jeffrey Metcalf, Heavy-Duty, Rush Truck Centres of Canada, Kemptville, Ontario
• Chris Purcell, Medium-Duty, International, Rush Truck Centers, Atlanta
• Carlos Perez, Truck Sales, Medium-Duty, Rush Truck Centers, Ceres, Calif.
• Tony Carranza, Aftermarket, Rush Bus Centers, Corpus Christi, Texas
• Eric Valenzuela, Parts, Rush Truck Centers, Joliet, Ill.
Heavy-Duty Service Subdivisions
• William Marcy, Alternative Fuels, Rush Truck Centers, Fontana, Calif.
• Carl Trevino, Vocational, Custom Vehicle Solutions, Denton, Texas
• Wesley Appleton, Cummins, Rush Truck Centers, Odessa, Texas
• John Malone, Eaton, Rush Truck Centers, Lake City, Fla.
• Jeffrey Metcalf, Heavy-Duty, Rush Truck Centres of Canada, Kemptville, Ontario
• Alexander Bergstrom. Paccar MX, Rush Truck Centers, Phoenix
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