CRST Dedicated Solutions company driver Jim Nalin drives the "American Patriot" 2022 Freightliner Cascadia featured in the video above. The truck features a wrap dedicated to the Veterans in Trucking organization.
Nalin, an 11-year Army veteran himself who served two tours in Iraq, was presented with the keys to the truck at the Mid-America Trucking Show in 2022. He runs a dedicated route out of Dallas to Arizona and back hauling human plasma, and likewise participates in numerous truck shows and veterans-related events, including Wreaths Across America each December.
Overdrive caught up with Nalin at the 2023 Guilty By Association Truck Show at 4 State Trucks in Joplin, Missouri, where he had the truck on display.
CRST is one of many fleets around trucking making a point of bringing in veterans to transition from military service to civilian life. Nalin said in his experience of being a veteran truck driver, trucking's often strict time schedule resembles that of the military, making it a smooth transition.
As for "American Patriot," the truck is customized inside and out, Nalin noted, powered by a 605-hp Detroit DD15 with a DT12 automated manual transmission. Inside the rig, it boasts custom seats, custom flooring and more. The wrap features a number of military-related graphics intended to garner the attention of veterans.