Beyond the Bulldog

Mile Marker 57 – Mike Morgan on Mackvader, Big Rig Racing, and Life on the Track

We sit down with Mike Morgan, also known as “88 Mike,” a Mack Trucks elite technician and the driver of Mackvader, a Class 8 race truck competing in the American Big Rig Racing series. Mike has spent nearly three decades turning wrenches at McMahon Truck Group, and he has spent the last 12 years proving what Mack power can do when you put it on a dirt oval and let it eat.
 
Mike shares how motorsports was basically baked into his upbringing, how he learned to build and fix what he broke, and why racing still gives him that perfect “apex moment” feeling when everything hooks up. Then we get into the wild story of how truck racing went from a “cheap” idea at a truck show to building a near-1,000 horsepower Mack Vader, winning early, and eventually helping grow a racing series that packs stands and brings new fans and future technicians into the industry.
 
Mike discusses:
 
-His path to becoming a diesel technician, his long career at McMahon Truck Group, and how he shifted from back-breaking work to using experience and problem-solving to stay effective after decades in the shop
 
-How Mack Vader came to life, why it was built from two halves, and what it takes to turn a Class 8 into a race truck that can survive hard racing at nearly 1,000 horsepower
 
-The safety and setup side of big rig racing, including roll cage requirements, weight rules, solid cab mounting, brake cooling strategies, suspension choices, and how tuning caster can create usable camber on a straight axle
 
-What American Big Rig Racing is trying to build, how the co-op ownership mindset keeps the series fair and accessible, and why the fan interaction, autograph sessions, and family atmosphere are a core part of the experience
 
If you have ever wondered what it takes to race a semi, or why the people who build and maintain trucks love this industry so much, this episode is a front-row seat to the passion, ingenuity, and community behind big rig racing.
 
What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
 
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https://mackshop.com/
 
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https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 56 – Nadine and Walter the Bulldog on Skateboarding, Stardom, and Mack Pride

This episode brings a different kind of guest to Beyond the Bulldog. We sit down with Nadine and Walter the Bulldog, the official Mack Trucks mascot, to talk about how a skateboarding bulldog went from weekend workouts to a movie role, then into the Mack family as a fan-favorite part of the show experience.
Nadine shares her lifelong love for bulldogs and the unique personality that makes them feel like “little people.” She explains how Walter and his sidekick Milo learned to skateboard, how they even took it to the snow on a snowskate, and how social media eventually led to a film opportunity. Not long after that, Mack reached out and Walter became part of major events and trade shows, where he has become a magnet for photos, smiles, and a sense of connection to the Bulldog brand.
Nadine (and Walter) discuss:
-How Walter and Milo learned to skateboard, why the right board matters, and how their personalities show up in how they ride
-Walter’s path from snowskating videos to a movie role, and how that unexpected momentum opened doors
-How Mack found Walter, why his calm temperament matters in crowded shows, and how he helps create memorable booth experiences
-The Mack family feeling at events, including stories from travel and the way Walter sparks pride and nostalgia for people who grew up around Mack trucks
This episode is a reminder that brand is not only about products and specs. It is also about emotion, community, and the moments that people carry with them long after the show ends.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 55 – Grant Aschenbeck on Finding Business, Dealership Prep, and Buying Smart

We sit down with Grant Aschenbeck, salesman with Bruckner’s Truck and Equipment in Odessa, Texas, to talk about two sides of the same coin: how owner operators can grow their business through relationships and consistency, and how to show up prepared when it is time to buy a truck.
Grant shares how he went from coaching football with no trucking background to becoming a top-performing salesman, earning recognition through Mack’s Bulldog Club trip and winning the Walk the Bulldog sales competition. Along the way, he breaks down what actually creates success in sales, why referrals are underused, and how the best dealership experiences start long before the customer ever walks in the door.Grant discusses:
-Building new business as an owner operator, including trust, doing what you promise, and having the courage to ask for referrals
-How to get started when you have no network, including building a list, cold calling, knocking on doors, and staying consistent with the basics
-How to prepare for a dealership experience, including financing first, understanding your application, and being proactive about lead times and upfitting
-What modern dealers provide beyond the sale, including parts, service, uptime support, maintenance contracts, remote updates, and new safety tech like Mack Protect on Mack Medium Duty Trucks
If you are trying to land your next customer or buy your next truck, this episode is a practical guide to doing both with a plan and a purpose.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 54 – Kelsea Eckert on Crash Claims, Downtime Pay, and Avoiding Insurance Traps

This episode is dedicated to helping truckers who are involved in a crash learn how to protect themselves, handle the claims process, and get back to business faster. We sit down with Kelsea Eckert, attorney with Downtime Claims, a firm focused on recovering compensation when a crash was not the trucker’s fault, including lost revenue from downtime, not just repairs.
Kelsea breaks down why many truckers leave money on the table after an accident, how to prove liability and damages, and what to watch for when an insurance company tries to wrap everything up with a quick check and a release. If you are an owner operator or small fleet, this conversation is a practical guide to protecting your income when the unexpected happens.
Kelsea discusses:
-Why downtime claims exist, what “made whole” really means, and why lost income should be part of the claim, not an afterthought
-The essentials after a crash, including dash cam footage, a police report, photos and witness info, and a printed checklist kept in the truck
-How to document damages correctly, get a legitimate repair estimate, avoid pressure to use a specific shop, and plan for supplements and diminished value
-The biggest claim mistakes to avoid, including filing with your own insurance when you do not have to, and signing any release before everything is fully resolvedWhat’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 53 – Trace Plaugher on Hauling, Building a Fleet, and Mack in Ohio

We sit down with Trace Plaugher, owner of Buckeye Floridian Materials in northwest Ohio, to talk about an unexpected career pivot and the real-world grind of building a small fleet in the vocational hauling space. Trace shares how he went from pursuing a future in medicine to hauling asphalt and aggregate, and why hands-on work, freedom, and long-term stability mattered more than spending decades climbing a traditional professional ladder.
Trace breaks down what his company does day to day, how he grew from one truck to multiple trucks, and the lessons that only show up once the bills, maintenance, insurance, and payroll become real. He also explains the biggest challenge in scaling. It is not buying trucks. It is finding and keeping the right people. From pre-trip discipline and preventative maintenance to setting expectations and building trust with customers, Trace gives a clear picture of what it takes to keep a hauling operation running in a seasonal market.
Trace discusses:
-Why he walked away from the medical track, how construction and asphalt work pulled him in, and why he chose entrepreneurship while keeping his degree as a backup plan
-Learning the hard parts of business ownership, especially cash management and reinvesting into equipment, and how an accountant and a real plan changed everything
-Growing a fleet the hard way, including why drivers are the most volatile piece, what he looks for in a reliable dump truck driver, and why training someone new can beat breaking bad habits
-Why he runs Mack, what he looks for in vocational trucks, and what impressed him most about the new Granite in safety, visibility, and jobsite efficiency
This episode is about building something real. A young family, a small business, and a fleet that helps build the communities around it. Trace makes it clear that the reward is not just the trucks, it is the legacy and stability you create for the people depending on you.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 52 – Beyond the Bulldog Year One: Best Moments, Biggest Lessons, and the People Behind the Stories

We are celebrating one full year of Beyond the Bulldog, and this episode is a highlight reel of the moments that defined the first season. Over the past year, the show has featured 44 guests and more than 38 hours of conversations across trucking, safety, maintenance, business leadership, history, and the people who keep the industry moving.
Mile Marker 52 is a compilation of standout clips and quotes that capture what the podcast is really about: authentic stories, practical lessons, and a deeper appreciation for trucking and the community around it. From the pride of seeing a new truck design on the road, to hard-earned business lessons, to why training and accountability matter, this episode is a quick tour through the best of year one.
In this episode, you will hear memorable moments from guests discussing:
-Building and designing Mack trucks with a focus on simplicity, purpose, and real-world function
-Growing a business the right way, including customer service, relationships, and steady expansion that matches demand
-Safety lessons that protect lives, including driver training, accountability, and the value of tools like dash cams
-The pride, culture, and legacy behind the Bulldog, and why trucking remains a strong career path for the next generation
Thank you for watching, listening, and supporting the show. We are excited for what is next, and we are just getting started.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 51 – Lukas Yates on Designing the New Mack Granite and Keystone, and Why Function Comes First

Following the launch of the all new Mack Granite and Mack Keystone, we sit down with Lukas Yates, Chief Designer at Mack Trucks, to go behind the scenes of what it takes to design a truck from the ground up. Lukas explains how Mack design is built around real world function, not styling for styling’s sake, and how every exterior decision has to deliver on visibility, durability, cooling performance, and a truck that still looks right a decade later.
Lukas shares how his passion for design started early, from Hot Wheels and Pinewood Derby cars to transportation design school, and how internships with heritage brands shaped his approach to bringing legacy forward without copying the past. He also describes the constant collaboration between design, engineering, suppliers, and leadership to balance performance, cost, and quality without losing what makes a Mack a Mack.
Lukas discusses:
-What the Chief Designer role covers, how Mack exterior and interior teams work together, and why the guiding light is always function, including visibility, ingress and egress, and cooling performance
-His path into design, from early obsession with anything on wheels to learning the craft through intense design programs and internships that pushed skill, collaboration, and creativity
-How Mack design language is built, including bold, honest surfaces, strong architecture inspired structure, and creating a timeless look that is unmistakable from a distance
-The major challenges behind Granite and Keystone, including designing for extreme vocational versatility, packaging constraints like tire sizes and lighting, integrating sensors and driver aids cleanly, and the moment of seeing a truck you designed finally launch and hit the road
This episode is a look into the mindset and teamwork behind Mack’s newest vocational lineup, and why great truck design is equal parts identity, engineering, and relentless attention to the details drivers touch every day.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 50 – Alexander Long on Turning Industrial Plastic Waste into Profit, and Why Trucking Makes It Possible

We sit down with Alexander Long, CEO and co-founder of Topia, a post-industrial plastics recycling company building a major operation in Burlington, North Carolina. Alexander explains what post-industrial recycling really means, why manufacturing waste is far larger than most people realize, and how Topia helps companies turn material that used to go to a landfill into something valuable again.
Alexander shares his unconventional path into the industry, from learning on the fly in a warehouse environment to building and managing sustainability programs for large manufacturers. Along the way, he lays out a clear mindset: sustainability does not have to be economically painful. In many cases, doing the right thing is also the most profitable option when you design the system correctly.
Alexander discusses:
-What Topia does and why post-industrial waste is the real hidden volume problem, including how a 216,000 square foot facility scales impact and how waste streams can become reusable products
-How he found his way into plastics recycling unintentionally, and how curiosity about process, economics, and employee ownership shaped his approach to building a business
-Why trucking is the biggest cost in a pennies-per-pound industry, how Topia relies on drop trailers, swaps, local partners, and broker relationships, and how just-in-time manufacturing demands fast, reliable service
-Practical sustainability ideas that apply to trucking and beyond, including reusable packaging, reducing disposable habits, maintenance and repair culture, and why mindset and long-term thinking are the foundation of an enduring legacy
This episode connects the dots between manufacturing, recycling, and the trucking networks that make modern logistics possible. It is a conversation about building systems that work financially, reduce waste, and still deliver on speed and reliability.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 49 – George Quigley on Blind Spots, Safety Education, and a Crash That Changed Everything

We sit down with George Quigley, a veteran truck driver with decades of experience across North America as both a company driver and owner operator. George shares the personal story that continues to shape how he drives today, and why he has made it a mission to help everyday drivers understand what it really means to share the road with an 80,000 lb truck.
George is also a dedicated volunteer with a teen driving program, where he brings a full size tractor trailer and physically shows students and parents what a driver can and cannot see. He puts cars in the blind spots, walks families around the rig, then invites them into the cab so they can see the world from the driver’s seat. His message is simple and serious: the biggest danger is what the truck driver cannot see.
George discusses:
-His start in trucking, how the industry changed with the introduction of the CDL system, and what it took to go from company driver to building a business he hoped to pass on
-Why he volunteers at teen driving events, how the blind spot demonstrations work, and what he wants new drivers and parents to understand about space, stopping distance, and visibility around tractor trailer
-The crash that altered his life, how quickly it happened, what it felt like in the moment, and the long road back to driving again after the trauma
-Safety habits that apply to everyone, including using a dash cam for clarity and protection, checking tires and brakes, learning the normal sounds of your vehicle, and using active vision to stay alert and awareThis episode is a reminder that safe driving is not just about rules. It is about awareness, training, and respect for the physics of the road. George’s story and his mission are both hard to hear and important to share.What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/

Mile Marker 48 – Dan Wagner on Teen Driver Training, Crash Prevention, and the “Arrive Alive” Mindset

America has more vehicle safety technology than ever, yet roadway fatalities have climbed sharply over the last decade. Dan Wagner, founder of Teen Driving Solutions School, joins Beyond the Bulldog to explain why he believes the missing piece is driver training and crash prevention skills, not just crash safety.
Dan built his two day program for teens and parents around one idea: you do not learn control in the middle of a crisis, you build it beforehand. Training happens off public roads on private property at a racetrack, in a controlled environment where students can safely experience loss of traction, hard braking, and decision making under pressure. The goal is to mentally and physically connect drivers to the vehicle so they can make better choices long before something goes wrong.Dan discusses:
-The tragedy that shaped his mission, and why watching teens in his own family crash within their first month of driving convinced him something in driver education was broken
-Why he redesigned the school to include parents, how structured “training drives” during permit hours beat random seat time, and how better communication reduces parent teen friction and increases accountability
-The U.S. shift from crash prevention training to crash safety focus, what other countries require to earn a license, and why safety tech can create a false sense of security that enables distraction
-Practical skills every driver should understand, including stopping distance, brake pressure, hydroplaning response, tire condition awareness, and why the real goal of every trip is simple: arrive aliveThis conversation is a wake up call for parents, teen drivers, and anyone who wants safer roads. Dan makes the case that we cannot outsource responsibility to technology, and that skill development and mindset are the most important safety systems we have.
What’s next?
Tune in weekly for new episodes!
Visit the Mack Shop to use your discount code:
https://mackshop.com/
Book a virtual truck tour!
https://www.macktrucks.com/live-tour/