
The Big Rig Build-Off will return to the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2025, pitting five of the trucking industry’s most talented and innovative custom truck builders in a winner-takes-all competition.
The build-off will be part of the annual PKY Truck Beauty Championship held in conjunction with MATS, March 27-29, in Louisville, Kentucky.
Each custom build will be evaluated on creativity, craftsmanship, and overall execution. The winner will take home a $25,000 cash prize.
[Related: MATS 'Build-Off' winner: Immaculate '24 Peterbilt 389 built with old-school style]
The five builders for the 2025 competition are:
Luke Rethwisch, Rethwisch Transport: Luke’s parents, Bill and Sayra, started Rethwisch Transport back in 2009. Luke has been competing and polishing trucks at shows with his family since he was six years old. The truck he is building is going to be his personal work truck that he will drive when he turns 18.
Randy Manning, Randy M Manning LLC: A frequent face at MATS for more than 25 years and a member of the MATS Pro Team, Manning operates a trucking company and builds custom trucks in Winchester, Virginia. He followed in the footsteps of his father, who started trucking in the early 1970s. Manning was in a truck from the day he was born. His business is made up of dump trucks working in construction and helping to build and maintain state and federal roads in Virginia and West Virginia. He likes to turn semi-trucks into dump trucks and give old dump trucks a new look with paint, chrome, and lights.

Billy Warner Jr. and Cody Warner, William R. Warner Jr. Trucking: William R. Warner Jr. Trucking is based in Circleville, West Virginia, specializing in trucking services for various industries. Following in the footsteps of his dad, Bill Warner bought his first dump truck when he was 18 years old, eventually growing his business over 30 years to a fleet of more than 10 working trucks and a few show trucks. Bill tends to focus on classic trucks, having previously entered a 1981 Peterbilt 359 and a 1987 Peterbilt 359 in national competitions.
Brian and Thomas Davis, Davis Brothers Designs: Davis Brothers Designs will be returning to the Big Rig Build-Off to defend its 2024 victory. The company's a full-service custom truck shop based in Owensville, Indiana. The company was founded by Brian and Tom Davis, who were initially grain farmers with a trucking company, RK Transport Inc., that primarily serves the agricultural industry hauling heavy equipment, fertilizer, crops, and feed. Their trucks often feature custom paint jobs, chrome accents, cool lighting, and gigantic stereo builds.
Jordan Henderson, JSH Trucking: Johnny Henderson started JSH Trucking in East Prairie, Missouri, in the 1990s as a one-man company with a cabover. Since then, it has grown to support three more locations and several employees. He also branched out to JSH Truck Repair & Towing, which provides a 24/7 towing service and also offers full-service truck repair. Jordan, Johnny’s son, has followed in his father’s footsteps by building award-winning custom trucks.
[Related: Big Rig Build-Off, category first places, People's Choice: Big winners at MATS]