Deserving family’s second chance in trucking

Billy Basenberg can talk about it a little easier now. But there was a time he was forced to give up a trucking career that he loved and deal with life-changing events and circumstances.

Billy Basenberg and his wife Tammie

"I was at the edge of a cliff and just about to go over," he said.


But despite their setbacks, the Basenberg family – wife Tammie and four sons – have a new outlook on life, on trucking and about the future.

During an emotional celebration on Thursday at the Mid-America Trucking Show, Arrow Truck Sales named Billy as their Back on the Road recipient for 2012.

“We are blessed,” he said as even the strangers in the audience at the Arrow Truck Sales booth were holding back tears. He said that when Dave Nemo of the "Dave Nemo Show" on Sirius XM announced him as the winner, it was a shock to the system.

"I didn't know what to think; I was in shock," he said.

With all of the prizes donated by sponsors, including a one-year lease for a Mack Pinnacle truck, Billy will now be able to get back to being an owner-operator, a dream he gave up years ago to be a company driver, and a dream that all but came to a halt due to circumstances beyond his control.

His wife, Tammie, was in a serious car accident that left her with back problems. Billy's love for his family meant caring for his oldest brother, Rick, who was suffering from diabetes. As Rick’s condition worsened, Billy took more time off the road, eventually giving up his truck. Rick's passing hit Billy pretty hard.

Billy’s son Jason served his country in Iraq, and when he returned, "he was not the same man," Billy said. Jason suffered from depression and post-traumatic stress disorder. But Billy's love for his family got them through the worst.

“My father gave me the motivation and courage to get through that difficult time,” Jason said.

When hard economic times hit and jobs were scarce, the Basenbergs faced losing their home to foreclosure. They said being the Arrow Back on the Road recipient has literally saved them from that fate.

"He is a really good man," Tammie said.

As the recipient, Billy receives a lot of great prizes. Take time to read the prize list and give thanks to those who made Billy’s second chance possible.

He receives: a one year lease for a 2008 Mack Pinnacle with high-rise sleeper from Mack Trucks; a one-year work agreement with Heartland Express; insurance from OOIDA; XZA3 tires from Michelin; TriPac auxiliary power unit from Thermo King; $500 monthly fuel cards from Pilot Flying J; business consulting tools from ATBS; a three-year warranty from National Truck Protection; one year’s worth of filters from Mack Genuine Parts; one year’s worth of oil changes from Mobil Delvac; accessories and $5,000 in cash from Minimizer Products; a memory foam mattress from SleepDog Mattress; an IntelliRoute TND 710 GPS device from Rand McNally; a Cubby Buddy toolbox from 16 Ton Industries; health assessments, checkups and gym memberships from Rolling Strong/Bob Perry; and custom truck graphics from Image Works.