Louisville Hosts 2027 Big Rig Build-Off Competitors
Three custom truck builders are set to compete for a $15,000 prize at the upcoming Mid-America Trucking Show.
Updated on Oct. 26, 2026 in Trucks
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The 2027 Mid-America Trucking Show has announced the three participants for its annual Big Rig Build-Off competition. These builders will face off in Louisville to claim a $15,000 cash prize through custom truck fabrication.
Why it matters
The competition highlights high-level craftsmanship in the trucking industry by evaluating technical fabrication skills. This event showcases how specialized builders push the limits of creativity and precision in heavy-duty vehicle customization.
The Big Rig Build-Off offers a $15,000 cash prize to the winner of the three-person competition. Previous winning projects, such as the 2026 entry, involved labor efforts reaching 11,000 hours with teams working 115 to 120 hours weekly per employee.
The players
Randy Menkel
He is a custom truck builder who won the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off with a 1985 Peterbilt 359.
Kevin Love
He is a professional builder who relocated his business operations from Canada to Texas in 2024.
Rolan Nolt
He is a notable truck builder who previously secured a Limited Mileage Combo award at the 2023 Mid-America Trucking Show.
Mid-America Trucking Show
It is an annual industry event held in Louisville that serves as a platform for trucking manufacturers and custom builders.
The details
Builders Randy Menkel, Kevin Love, and Rolan Nolt will compete by constructing custom trucks for evaluation. Judges will scrutinize fabrication details, paint jobs, and complex welding to determine the winning entry.
Timeline
Rolan Nolt won a Limited Mileage Combo award in 2023.
Kevin Love moved his business to Texas in 2024.
Randy Menkel won the Big Rig Build-Off in 2026.
The 2027 Mid-America Trucking Show occurs March 18-20, 2027.
Roadmap
This event reflects the ongoing trend of hyper-customization within the heavy-duty trucking industry, where labor-intensive fabrication defines the current market standard. It positions the Mid-America Trucking Show as the premier venue for showcasing technical craftsmanship against rivals in the sector.
Attendees at the 2027 show can view these custom trucks firsthand to assess current fabrication and paint quality trends in the industry. For enthusiasts, the competition offers a clear look at the technical specifications and labor requirements necessary to build award-winning rigs.
The takeaway
The level of commitment required for these builds often exceeds 11,000 hours of labor per project, highlighting the extreme dedication involved in custom heavy-duty vehicle creation. Enthusiasts looking to enter the space should note the emphasis judges place on the precision of welds and paint execution.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest industry trends in the Trucks section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Overdrive.
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