Texas Man Wins The Keys To "Big Red"

Photo by Jeff Yip

“Big Red” Heading Back To Texas

Gary Koenig, a businessman in Katy, Texas, draws the lucky number; gets keys to ProPickup’s $50,000 sweepstakes truck

by Bruce W. Smith

When the computer program at Dallas-based Promotion Partners flashed a random number on the screen from a database containing thousands of sweepstake’s entrants it was as impersonal as it gets: Line 1762.

Some 650 miles and a good nine hour-drive away from ProPickup magazine’s offices in Tuscaloosa, Al, the winner of the magazine’s sweepstakes truck, was busy juggling his two businesses in Katy, Texas.

Gary Koenig, owner of Gary’s Tire & Automotive Service and Gary’s Rhino Linings, didn’t have a clue it was his name on Line 1762.

Nor did he have a clue that in the blink of some random computation he’d just become the owner of the Mobil Delvac-sponsored Big Red sweepstake’s dually – a 2008 GMC Sierra 3500 Crew Cab 4×4 work truck with more than $25,000 in parts and accessories.

Katy, located 30 miles dues west of Houston on I-10, is known for rice and gas fields.

Ironically, it’s also located less than 30 miles from where the magazine purchased the truck to begin the sweepstakes build.

Koenig does a lot of business in the greater Houston area providing tire repair services for construction contractors and oil companies, field repairs, and spraying on the Rhino Lining protective coatings.

“I’m in a bit of shock realizing that I really won this truck,” says the 60-year-old entrepreneur.

“The more I read on the ProPickup website (www.propickupmag.com) about how it’s equipped, the more I realize it’s got everything I need for my tire business.

“The Fleetwest service body, Vanair  Air-N-Arc 150 (an air compressor/generator/welder combination), and how the truck is setup will make a fine service rig for this area,” says Koenig.

He first saw the truck on display at last August’s ProPickup Truck Expo in Dallas and again at the 2012 SEMA Show in Las Vegas.

Photo by Tom Jackson/Equipment World

“I drive an ’08 GMC Sierra 1500, so ‘Big Red’ really caught my eye,” says Koenig. “I registered for the sweepstakes at the Dallas trade show. But I never really thought I’d be the winner. I’m flabbergasted.

Keonig, who is still trying to absorb is good fortune, will be presented the keys to ProPickup’s Mobil Delvac-sponsored Big Red dually in early June at the magazine’s offices in Tuscaloosa.

Big Red is the third annual sweepstake’s pickup to be given away by the national magazine, which is focused on work trucks and accessories.

“Giving away a truck each year is a highlight of our staff. But we couldn’t build the trucks without the support of our great sponsors and advertisers that make it all possible,” says Bruce Smith, ProPickup’s founding editor.

“The automotive aftermarket is a godsend to the work truck owners worldwide.”