Shell Rotella Names David McKinney as Fourth Judge for 2026 SuperRigs
Shell Rotella is pleased to announce that David McKinney, owner of a multi-truck family-run fleet and a well-known figure in the trucking industry, will serve as a judge at the 2026 Shell Rotella SuperRigs truck beauty contest. McKinney joins the judging panel as the fourth judge for this year’s event, which will take place June 25–27, at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, Tennessee.
Shell Rotella SuperRigs is North America’s premier truck beauty contest, celebrating the pride, craftsmanship, and hard work of professional drivers and their rigs. McKinney will join judges Eric Harley, Jami Jones and Mike Gaffin in selecting category and Best of Show winners.
“We are thrilled to have David McKinney as a new judge for Shell Rotella SuperRigs to add to the experience of our veteran judges and to bring his perspective to the contest,” said Julie Wright, North American Brand Manager at Shell Rotella. “Our priority is to continue to advance SuperRigs and remain one of the leading truck show experiences for drivers across North America.”
McKinney brings decades of firsthand trucking experience to the judging panel. He began driving at age 21 and purchased his first truck just a year later. His career has spanned flatbed hauling and coast-to-coast air freight, giving him a broad understanding of the industry and the demands placed on today’s drivers. After years as a one-truck operation, McKinney began expanding his business approximately 15 years ago and now operates a family-owned fleet built on a reputation for quality and integrity. His fleet includes 18 meticulously maintained working trucks, including his 2016 Peterbilt Pride and Class 389 named “Part Time,” in his family-run business that includes his wife Connie and sons Dalton and Dill.
McKinney understands what it takes to prepare and show a truck at SuperRigs, having entered several times in the past. This has provided him with deep familiarity about the competition, judging criteria, and the level of craftsmanship required to stand out on the SuperRigs stage. He began building and showing trucks in 2016 and quickly became immersed in the truck show community, where he says the relationships formed have become an extended family.
“Integrity and honesty are what matter most to me, and that’s what I want to be remembered for,” McKinney said. “I’m excited to be a judge, be part of the SuperRigs family, and bring a different perspective to the judging panel.”
As a SuperRigs judge, McKinney will evaluate trucks across multiple categories, drawing from his experience as both a longtime competitor and small fleet owner who understands the balance between show-quality presentation and real-world performance.
“David represents the heart of what SuperRigs is about,” said Julie Wright, North American Brand Manager at Shell Rotella. “His pride in workmanship, commitment to integrity, and firsthand knowledge of what it takes to compete at SuperRigs make him an excellent addition to this year’s judging panel.”
SuperRigs offers more than $25,000 in cash and prizes, welcoming drivers from across the U.S. and Canada to compete and celebrate trucking culture during a weekend designed for the entire trucking community.
