Mile Marker 57 – Mike Morgan on Mackvader, Big Rig Racing, and Life on the Track

Mile Marker 57 – Mike Morgan on Mackvader, Big Rig Racing, and Life on the Track

We sit down with Mike Morgan, also known as “88 Mike,” a Mack Trucks elite technician and the driver of Mackvader, a Class 8 race truck competing in the American Big Rig Racing series. Mike has spent nearly three decades turning wrenches at McMahon Truck Group, and he has spent the last 12 years proving what Mack power can do when you put it on a dirt oval and let it eat.   Mike shares how motorsports was basically baked into his upbringing, how he learned to build and fix what he broke, and why racing still gives him that perfect “apex moment” feeling when everything hooks up. Then we get into the wild story of how truck racing went from a “cheap” idea at a truck show to building a near-1,000 horsepower Mack Vader, winning early, and eventually helping grow a racing series that packs stands and brings new fans and future technicians into the industry.   Mike discusses:   -His path to becoming a diesel technician, his long career at McMahon Truck Group, and how he shifted from back-breaking work to using experience and problem-solving to stay effective after decades in the shop   -How Mack Vader came to life, why it was built from two halves, and what it takes to turn a Class 8 into a race truck that can survive hard racing at nearly 1,000 horsepower   -The safety and setup side of big rig racing, including roll cage requirements, weight rules, solid cab mounting, brake cooling strategies, suspension choices, and how tuning caster can create usable camber on a straight axle   -What American Big Rig Racing is trying to build, how the co-op ownership mindset keeps the series fair and accessible, and why the fan interaction, autograph sessions, and family atmosphere are a core part of the experience   If you have ever wondered what it takes to race a semi, or why the people who build and maintain trucks love this industry so much, this episode is a front-row seat to the passion, ingenuity, and community behind big rig racing.   What’s next? Tune in weekly for new episodes!   Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ [https://mackshop.com/]   Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/ [https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/]

Mile Marker 56 – Nadine and Walter the Bulldog on Skateboarding, Stardom, and Mack Pride

This episode brings a different kind of guest to Beyond the Bulldog. We sit down with Nadine and Walter the Bulldog, the official Mack Trucks mascot, to talk about how a skateboarding bulldog went from weekend workouts to a movie role, then into the Mack family as a fan-favorite part of the show experience. Nadine shares her lifelong love for bulldogs and the unique personality that makes them feel like “little people.” She explains how Walter and his sidekick Milo learned to skateboard, how they even took it to the snow on a snowskate, and how social media eventually led to a film opportunity. Not long after that, Mack reached out and Walter became part of major events and trade shows, where he has become a magnet for photos, smiles, and a sense of connection to the Bulldog brand. Nadine (and Walter) discuss: -How Walter and Milo learned to skateboard, why the right board matters, and how their personalities show up in how they ride -Walter’s path from snowskating videos to a movie role, and how that unexpected momentum opened doors -How Mack found Walter, why his calm temperament matters in crowded shows, and how he helps create memorable booth experiences -The Mack family feeling at events, including stories from travel and the way Walter sparks pride and nostalgia for people who grew up around Mack trucks This episode is a reminder that brand is not only about products and specs. It is also about emotion, community, and the moments that people carry with them long after the show ends. What’s next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ [https://mackshop.com/] Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/ [https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/]

Mile Marker 55 – Grant Aschenbeck on Finding Business, Dealership Prep, and Buying Smart

We sit down with Grant Aschenbeck, salesman with Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment in Odessa, Texas, to talk about two sides of the same coin: how owner operators can grow their business through relationships and consistency, and how to show up prepared when it is time to buy a truck. Grant shares how he went from coaching football with no trucking background to becoming a top-performing salesman, earning recognition through Mack’s Bulldog Club trip and winning the Walk the Bulldog sales competition. Along the way, he breaks down what actually creates success in sales, why referrals are underused, and how the best dealership experiences start long before the customer ever walks in the door. Grant discusses: -Building new business as an owner operator, including trust, doing what you promise, and having the courage to ask for referrals -How to get started when you have no network, including building a list, cold calling, knocking on doors, and staying consistent with the basics -How to prepare for a dealership experience, including financing first, understanding your application, and being proactive about lead times and upfitting -What modern dealers provide beyond the sale, including parts, service, uptime support, maintenance contracts, remote updates, and new safety tech like Mack Protect on Mack Medium Duty Trucks If you are trying to land your next customer or buy your next truck, this episode is a practical guide to doing both with a plan and a purpose. What’s next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ [https://mackshop.com/] Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/ [https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/]

Mile Marker 54 – Kelsea Eckert on Crash Claims, Downtime Pay, and Avoiding Insurance Traps

This episode is dedicated to helping truckers who are involved in a crash learn how to protect themselves, handle the claims process, and get back to business faster. We sit down with Kelsea Eckert, attorney with Downtime Claims, a firm focused on recovering compensation when a crash was not the trucker’s fault, including lost revenue from downtime, not just repairs. Kelsea breaks down why many truckers leave money on the table after an accident, how to prove liability and damages, and what to watch for when an insurance company tries to wrap everything up with a quick check and a release. If you are an owner operator or small fleet, this conversation is a practical guide to protecting your income when the unexpected happens. Kelsea discusses: -Why downtime claims exist, what “made whole” really means, and why lost income should be part of the claim, not an afterthought -The essentials after a crash, including dash cam footage, a police report, photos and witness info, and a printed checklist kept in the truck -How to document damages correctly, get a legitimate repair estimate, avoid pressure to use a specific shop, and plan for supplements and diminished value -The biggest claim mistakes to avoid, including filing with your own insurance when you do not have to, and signing any release before everything is fully resolved What’s next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ [https://mackshop.com/] Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/ [https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/]

Mile Marker 53 – Trace Plaugher on Hauling, Building a Fleet, and Mack in Ohio

We sit down with Trace Plaugher, owner of Buckeye Floridian Materials in northwest Ohio, to talk about an unexpected career pivot and the real-world grind of building a small fleet in the vocational hauling space. Trace shares how he went from pursuing a future in medicine to hauling asphalt and aggregate, and why hands-on work, freedom, and long-term stability mattered more than spending decades climbing a traditional professional ladder. Trace breaks down what his company does day to day, how he grew from one truck to multiple trucks, and the lessons that only show up once the bills, maintenance, insurance, and payroll become real. He also explains the biggest challenge in scaling. It is not buying trucks. It is finding and keeping the right people. From pre-trip discipline and preventative maintenance to setting expectations and building trust with customers, Trace gives a clear picture of what it takes to keep a hauling operation running in a seasonal market. Trace discusses: -Why he walked away from the medical track, how construction and asphalt work pulled him in, and why he chose entrepreneurship while keeping his degree as a backup plan -Learning the hard parts of business ownership, especially cash management and reinvesting into equipment, and how an accountant and a real plan changed everything -Growing a fleet the hard way, including why drivers are the most volatile piece, what he looks for in a reliable dump truck driver, and why training someone new can beat breaking bad habits -Why he runs Mack, what he looks for in vocational trucks, and what impressed him most about the new Granite in safety, visibility, and jobsite efficiency This episode is about building something real. A young family, a small business, and a fleet that helps build the communities around it. Trace makes it clear that the reward is not just the trucks, it is the legacy and stability you create for the people depending on you. What’s next? Tune in weekly for new episodes! Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code: https://mackshop.com/ [https://mackshop.com/] Book a virtual truck tour! https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/ [https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/]