Pilot’s 2026 Road Warrior: Win $50,000 and a Custom Kenworth W990

Pilot’s 2026 Road Warrior Contest Offers $50,000 and Customized Kenworth W990

Pilot has opened nominations for its 2026 Road Warrior contest, an annual program recognizing professional drivers for their safety, professionalism and service. The winner will receive a customized Kenworth W990 transformed by the Diesel Brothers, along with a $50,000 cash prize.

The contest is part of Pilot’s Driver Appreciation Month activities in September. Nominations are open through Sept. 18, and the winner is scheduled to be announced in October. Eligible nominees should demonstrate outstanding professionalism, a strong safety record and a commitment to serving others both on and off the road.

“Professional drivers are the backbone of our economy and keep our communities supplied, often with little recognition for the important work they do,” said Kari Irons, chief experience officer at Pilot. “Driver Appreciation Month is our opportunity to celebrate their dedication, thank them for the miles they travel, and honor the millions of drivers who deliver the products and essentials people rely on every day.”

Professional drivers move far more than freight from one destination to another. Their work connects manufacturers, retailers, farms, businesses and consumers across the country. Drivers also support local economies along their routes and help deliver relief supplies when communities face emergencies or other disruptions.

Truck drivers move more than 10 billion tons of freight each year, representing about 70% of all freight transported in the United States. That volume makes the trucking industry a central part of the nation’s supply chain, while improvements to roads and other transportation infrastructure have helped make freight movement faster, safer and more reliable.

Rusty Kirby, vice president of transportation and logistics at Pilot, said the company’s recognition program is intended to highlight the broader role drivers play in daily life.

“Professional drivers do much more than deliver freight,” Kirby said. “They connect communities, support businesses and help power everyday life.”

The Road Warrior contest also emphasizes the personal and professional standards that are important in commercial driving. In addition to recognizing miles traveled, the program highlights drivers who demonstrate safe operating practices, reliability and a willingness to support their fellow drivers and communities.

Last year’s Road Warrior recipient was Stacy Batiste of Lafayette, Louisiana. A Marine Corps veteran, Batiste was selected from thousands of nominations after recording more than 5.1 million accident-free miles during a 33-year driving career. He was also recognized for mentoring other professional drivers.

The 2026 prize truck will be a Kenworth W990, a model marketed as “the driver’s truck.” The customized truck will feature a 52-inch flat-top sleeper with a Diamond VIT interior. It will be powered by a PACCAR MX-13 engine producing 510 horsepower and 1,850 pound-feet of torque, paired with a PACCAR TX-18 transmission.

Alongside the contest, Pilot plans to offer promotions and host driver-focused events at select travel centers during September. Professional drivers will be able to receive three free drinks and a snack each week through the Pilot app at participating Pilot, Flying J and One9 travel centers in the United States. The weekly offers will include several of the brands most frequently purchased at the company’s locations.

Pilot also plans to distribute merchandise, giveaways and free samples at selected travel centers. Participating stores across North America will hold “Thanks for the Drive” celebrations led by Pilot team members.

For drivers, recognition programs such as Road Warrior provide an opportunity to call attention to the work that often happens away from public view. Long hours, changing road conditions, delivery deadlines and time away from home are routine parts of the job. The contest places those responsibilities in the context of the larger role professional drivers play in keeping goods, supplies and communities connected.