Pilot Names Joshua Kearney 2026 Road Warrior
Kearney, a Purple Heart recipient and professional truck driver, received a customized Kenworth W990 and $50,000 from Pilot.
Updated on Nov. 6, 2026 in Trucks
Pilot named Joshua Kearney the winner of its 2026 Road Warrior contest and presented him with a customized Kenworth W990 truck and $50,000. Kearney was selected from more than 2,000 nominations recognizing professional drivers for safety records, service and dedication.
Why it matters
The award recognizes a professional driver with nearly 1 million accident-free miles and a military service record, highlighting safety and service in the trucking industry. The customized truck was built in partnership with Kenworth and the Diesel Brothers.
The truck is equipped with a Paccar MX-13 engine rated at 510 hp and 1,850 lb.-ft. of torque, with a 52-inch flat-top sleeper. Selection came from more than 2,000 nominations, and the award includes $50,000 in cash.
The players
Pilot
Pilot is a major American travel center and fuel retailer that runs the Road Warrior driver recognition program.
Kenworth
Kenworth is a heavy-duty truck manufacturer and a division of PACCAR, which built the customized W990 presented to Kearney.
Diesel Brothers
The Diesel Brothers are a television-known custom truck builder who partnered with Pilot and Kenworth to customize the award truck.
The details
Kearney's wife, Shannon, nominated him for the award. Kearney hauls steel coils for Kaplan Trucking of North Ridgeville, Ohio, and previously served in the U.S. Army from 2008 to 2012 and the Army Reserve from 2013 to 2020, receiving a Purple Heart in 2011 after being wounded in combat in Afghanistan.
Timeline
2008 to 2012: Kearney serves on active duty in the U.S. Army.
2011: Kearney receives a Purple Heart after being wounded in Afghanistan.
2013 to 2020: Kearney serves in the Army Reserve.
Oct. 27, 2026: The truck is presented to Kearney at a ceremony attended by his family and colleagues.
Roadmap
Pilot's Road Warrior program recognizes professional drivers each year, and this 2026 award continues that pattern of pairing driver honors with custom heavy-duty trucks. The partnership with Kenworth and the Diesel Brothers reflects how truck makers and aftermarket builders increasingly collaborate on showcase vehicles to promote the trucking workforce.
The award highlights driver safety records and service, reflecting the standards carriers and professional drivers are measured against. For drivers and fleets, the recognition underscores how accident-free mileage and military service can translate into industry honors.
The takeaway
Recognition programs like Road Warrior spotlight the safety and dedication of professional drivers who keep freight moving. Readers interested in the trucking workforce can follow similar awards to see how drivers are honored across the industry.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in our Trucks section for context on the heavy-duty vehicles behind driver awards like this one.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Truck News.
