Never Satisfied Builds' 1985 Peterbilt 359 Wins Big Rig Build-Off

Dozens of other trucks recognized in various categories at the 2026 PKY Truck Beauty Championship

Mar. 28, 2026 at 6:20pm

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Randy Menkel and his team at Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting took home top honors in the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off at the Mid-America Trucking Show with their fully customized 1985 Peterbilt 359. The Build-Off pitted three of the country's top custom truck builders against each other in a competition to build the best show truck in a limited time period.

Why it matters

The PKY Truck Beauty Championship is one of the most prestigious custom truck competitions in the country, drawing hundreds of entries from the top builders and owners. Winning the Big Rig Build-Off is considered the ultimate achievement, showcasing the pinnacle of custom truck craftsmanship.

The details

Menkel's 1985 Peterbilt 359 beat out entries from defending champion Luke Rethwisch with Rethwisch Transport and James Stegall with Stegall's Truck Shop. Menkel credited his team's 'attention to detail' as the key factor that set their truck apart.

  • The 2026 PKY Truck Beauty Championship took place on March 28, 2026 in Louisville, Kentucky.
  • The Big Rig Build-Off competition was held as part of the annual Mid-America Trucking Show.

The players

Randy Menkel

Owner of Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting and winner of the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off.

Luke Rethwisch

Owner of Rethwisch Transport and defending champion of the Big Rig Build-Off.

James Stegall

Owner of Stegall's Truck Shop and competitor in the 2026 Big Rig Build-Off.

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What they’re saying

“The big win proves how good a great, dedicated team is. And we've got a pretty strong group.”

— Randy Menkel, Owner, Never Satisfied Builds/J&L Contracting

What’s next

The PKY Truck Beauty Championship will return to Louisville, Kentucky in March 2027 for another year of custom truck competition.

The takeaway

Winning the prestigious Big Rig Build-Off at the PKY Truck Beauty Championship is a testament to the skill, craftsmanship, and dedication of Randy Menkel and his team at Never Satisfied Builds. Their fully customized 1985 Peterbilt 359 stood out among the top custom truck builders in the country.