Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, Feb. 10, 2026:
- Paid parking option with plenty driver amenities now open near Dallas.
- TCA has a new president, and he’s well-versed in trucking’s regulatory environment.
- Trucking OEM’s partnership with NASCAR renewed.
New pay-to-park truck stop opens near I-20/I-45 in Dallas
A new truck stop featuring round-the-clock monitoring and driver-focused amenities opened just south of the intersection of I-20 and I-45 in Dallas, Texas.
The SafeStop truck stop was founded by local resident Chris Storm, who saw the truck parking shortage and the need for safe, secure locations for truck drivers to park. Storm consulted with truck drivers to understand more about the type of facility that would meet needs and convinced city officials of the necessity of new spaces.
The stop features hourly paid parking, available via online reservations only. All reservations are short-term (up to 12 hours) with a minimum three-hour stay.
The normal hourly rate for parking at the new location is $2.95/hour, or $29.50 for a 10-hour stop. As an introductory offer, reservations are half price through Feb. 28. Drivers receive a grace period of one hour before and after their reservation time start/end to arrive or leave.
SafeStop is equipped with 24/7 alarm monitoring within its well-lit, gated and fenced parking area, the company said. It features a multitude of driver-friendly amenities, including 140 truck parking spaces and clean restrooms with free showers along with healthy vending options. A lounge area offers free Wi-Fi and laundry facilities. There’s even an on-site dog park.
“Truck drivers spend over 300 days on the road a year, often driving more than 500 grueling miles each day, so it’s crucial that they have a place where they feel comfortable doing the simplest of things without having to think twice about it,” said Storm. “SafeStop offers one central environment where they can meet their needs while feeling secure, and most importantly, treated with respect.”
SafeStop is located at the intersection of I-45 and Wintergreen Road (Exit 273) in Hutchins, just south of Dallas.
[Related: Parking: Creative approach meets small-minded resistance in Hutchins, Texas]
Former FMCSA acting boss named TCA president
Jim Mullen has been named President of the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA), effective April 6. He succeeds outgoing President Jim Ward, who will retire.
Jim Mullen
Mullen has also served as Chief Administrative and Legal Officer of a publicly traded autonomous truck technology company and as General Counsel for a large publicly traded truckload carrier.
Mullen will guide TCA as it continues to expand its impact, strengthen member value, and advance strategic priorities on behalf of the truckload sector.
“Jim’s depth of experience, steady leadership, and strong understanding of the issues facing our industry make him the right person to lead TCA into its next chapter,” said TCA Chairman Karen Smerchek. “His appointment reflects our commitment to continuity, momentum, and delivering meaningful value to our members.”
Mullen will be formally introduced to TCA members at the TCA Annual Convention, taking place Feb. 28-March 3 in Orlando, Florida.
“I am honored to join TCA and grateful to the Association’s leadership for their confidence in me,” said Mullen. “I look forward to working closely with TCA’s officers, staff, and members to advance the association’s mission and support a strong, safe, and competitive truckload industry.”
Mack continues partnership with NASCAR
Mack Trucks and NASCAR have announced a multi-year extension of their partnership, continuing the designation of Mack as the “Official Hauler of NASCAR.”
As part of the expanded agreement, NASCAR has added 11 all-new Mack Pioneer 76-inch High-Roof Sleeper models to its fleet, with the trucks making their debut during Speedweeks at Daytona International Speedway, Feb. 11-15, leading up to the 68th annual Daytona 500.Mack Trucks
The addition of the Pioneer models marks the latest evolution of NASCAR’s Mack fleet, which began with Pinnacle models in 2016 before transitioning to Anthem models in 2018. Six Mack Anthem models will remain in service as part of the fleet, continuing to support NASCAR’s operations throughout the racing season.
“For nearly a decade, Mack has proudly served as the Official Hauler of NASCAR, and this partnership extension reinforces our shared commitment to performance, reliability and excellence,” said Jonathan Randall, president of Mack Trucks North America. “The Mack Pioneer represents the most advanced highway truck we’ve ever built, and there's no better stage to showcase its capabilities than NASCAR’s demanding schedule.”
[Related: Most iconic Mack through history? We asked, you answered]
The Mack Pioneer, which began production in 2025, is Mack’s most aerodynamic and fuel-efficient highway truck to date, delivering up to 11% improved fuel efficiency compared with previous models, the company said. NASCAR’s custom-spec’d Pioneer models are powered by the Mack MP13 engine producing 515 horsepower and 1,900 lb.-ft. of torque, paired with the Mack mDRIVE 12-speed overdrive automated manual transmission. The 76-inch High-Roof Sleeper configuration features the innovative FlexSuite system with premium mattresses, providing drivers with maximum comfort during NASCAR’s grueling travel schedule.
Each truck is equipped with Mack Protect Premier, Mack’s comprehensive Advanced Driver Assistance System suite, which includes forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, automatic emergency braking, lane departure warning, and lane change support on both passenger and driver sides. The fleet also features a digital mirror system, which replaces traditional side mirrors with cameras housed in pods, for improved aerodynamics and visibility, along with the Mack Integrated Parking Cooler for emissions-free cabin cooling during rest periods.
“Mack Trucks has been an essential partner behind the scenes of NASCAR for nearly a decade, delivering the reliability and performance required to keep our sport moving week after week,” said Michelle Byron, executive vice president and chief partnership and licensing officer, NASCAR. “As we extend this partnership and welcome the new Mack Pioneer models into our fleet, we’re continuing to invest in best-in-class equipment that supports our industry and the demanding logistics of our season.”
[Related: First full look: Up-close with the new Mack Pioneer tractor]
