How Ricky Rudd’s Tide NASCAR Hauler Found Its Way to the Tobacco Fields

      Earl Brooks

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      All dogs may go to heaven, but not every retired workhorse enjoys green pastures. I have come across far too many semi-trucks that have been abandoned and left to decay, despite appearing to be in excellent condition when the driver parked them. Fortunately, that has not been the case for the iconic Tide-liveried NASCAR hauler that won the Brickyard 400 in 1997, driven by Ricky Rudd. It has been under the care of Earl Brooks for over twenty years, and after finally locating it on Google Maps following years of searching, I had the opportunity to meet and speak with Mr. Brooks. As you will see, he has some wonderful memories associated with this old Ford.

      “The tale of how I came to acquire the Tide truck begins with my mentor in the trucking industry, Mr. G.C. Fleig, president of Fleig Leasing, Inc.,” Brooks shared. “Mr. Fleig was a longtime supporter of NASCAR and one of the original supporters of Mark Martin and Jeff Gordon. He was also good friends with Bill Davis Racing.

      “Mr. Fleig introduced me to Buddy Stafford, owner of Piedmont Ford Trucks based in Greensboro, North Carolina. Mr. Stafford was known for flying many people to the races on his private plane. Through my connections with these two remarkable businessmen, the chance arose for me to buy the NASCAR transport trucks after they were returned by the teams to acquire new ones.”

      Billy Marsh

      It’s clear that Brooks had a remarkable opportunity. He recounted visiting the Piedmont Ford service shop when he was approached by “a professional-looking gentleman,” who turned out to be the truck’s previous driver. Once the driver learned that Brooks had acquired the rig, affectionately known as the “Tide Ride,” he advised him to ensure the truck was fully inspected.

      In response to Brooks's inquiry about any issues, the man said something like, “No problem, but the cruise control was set to 120 mph because we would race each other to the next track.” He then shared a story about being pulled over by an Arkansas state trooper, who clocked him at 103 mph after he had slowed down. When Brooks asked how much it cost him, he replied, “Every souvenir I had in the truck.” Truly, good ol’ boys.

      You can still see the vibrant orange paint job holding up well after all these years. Earl Brooks.

      The Tide Ride has been residing in Roxboro, North Carolina, for quite some time. Brooks owned a small trucking business and farmed tobacco when he acquired this Blue Oval, using it alongside his other vehicles to transport harvested crops to the market in Danville, Virginia. He mentioned that these race trucks instilled a sense of pride in his drivers, which made them more fulfilled after each long haul.

      The truck itself is a 1993 Ford Aeromax featuring an N14 Cummins engine, a 13-speed transmission, and 706,733 miles on the odometer. The paint was applied by a company called Spevco from Pfafftown, North Carolina—seven layers, excluding the clear coat—and it remains in magnificent condition after years of exposure to the elements. Brooks pointed out that only a small area of the clear coat shows signs of wear, noting that it was finished “before wraps were a thing.”

      If this has piqued your interest, Brooks mentioned that he might consider selling the Tide Ride—but only if it will be well cared for. He has already turned down one offer from another trucker who intended to use it for hauling logs. “I couldn’t bear to sell it for that,” Brooks expressed sadly. “If someone wishes to preserve NASCAR history, I would consider an offer for the truck.”

      Unfortunately, I already have a classic Ford keeping me occupied. Otherwise, this beauty might be heading to the Ozarks to join me.

      Have a tip or question for the author? Contact them directly: [email protected]. Or, if you wish to make an offer on the Tide Ride, please reach out to Mr. Earl Brooks: [email protected]