Discovered: Ricky Rudd's Retired NASCAR Hauler is Operating in the Tobacco Fields, Sporting Its Iconic Tide Livery.

      Billy Marsh

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      Many race cars find their way into museums after finishing their competitive journeys; others end up in private collections, often hidden from view. However, what happens to the semi-trucks that transport them across thousands of miles from one event to the next? The answer varies. In the case of Ricky Rudd’s Tide-branded Ford Aeromax, a retired NASCAR driver, it continues to serve a purpose, just in a different industry—a tobacco field, to be precise.

      The orange big rig is reportedly enjoying its second life as a tobacco hauler in Roxboro, North Carolina, located roughly two hours northeast of Rudd Performance Motorsports' former base in Mooresville. Over the years, it has become a well-known sight among locals, which isn’t surprising; one would certainly remember a truck like this amidst a landscape of black, white, and gray Freightliners and Peterbilts. In fact, the community's enthusiasm for Rudd’s former truck motivated me to begin researching it two years ago to write a story.

      Rudd Performance Motorsports

      I first came across the Tide truck in a Facebook group in April 2023. Billy Marsh shared the image featured above with a straightforward caption: “Ricky Rudd’s old hauler transports tobacco in Roxboro, NC now.” My interest was piqued, and I immediately engaged in the comments for more information. One user noted that they used to see it transporting lumber ages ago. Another local mentioned it had been parked for over 20 years before recently returning to the road. Someone else confirmed that they had just assisted the owner in getting it running again.

      “That’s fantastic,” I thought. “I need to contact this individual.”

      However, that contact never happened. My comments and direct messages went unanswered as I attempted to track down the owner of the truck that once carried Rudd’s stylish Thunderbird across the country nearly three decades ago.

      I occasionally revisited my search for the man known as “Mr. Brooks” in the Roxboro area. Truth be told, I still haven’t managed to reach him, and I am hopeful that someone reading this can assist. Last week, though, I managed to pinpoint its parking location, which I consider a promising lead.

      Another page shared the Tide truck on Facebook, and once again, people familiar with the rig chimed in. They mentioned it was “at the end of Highway 158,” which was new information for me. I continued scrolling and saw someone note it was parked across from Dollar General. Like many rural towns, Roxboro has at least five of these stores:

      I clicked on the first one listed, near Weeks Drive, and guess what I found? The Ricky Rudd race hauler parked in a field. What a find!

      These images are recent as well; Google Maps indicates they were captured in February 2025. I’m just relieved to finally see it and confirm that it is indeed where others claimed it to be. This feels like a small victory, especially considering I had come up mostly empty for two whole years.

      I’ve always heard that “Tide never fades.” It seems that holds true, as the truck appears to be in great condition.

      I hope to gather more information about the truck and its history for a follow-up story. From what I gather, Rudd used the truck for several years after leaving Hendrick Motorsports to establish his own team in 1994, retaining his Tide sponsorship. It might have even served as his hauler during his 1997 Brickyard 400 victory.

      It’s encouraging to see that the truck has been well-maintained, and even if it’s not in daily use, it is certainly being put to better use than the Blue Oval race cars it once transported.

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