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Podcast Episodes

Building Better Truck Stops: TravelCenters of America’s Plan to Serve Today’s Driver

April 1, 2026

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with Louis Ule, Vice President of Sales at TravelCenters of America (TA Petro), to discuss the history and growth of TA since its founding in 1972, its merger with Petro, and the expansion to around 370 locations, including many franchises. They dive into what TA is known for among professional drivers, including large parking lots, amenities, and efforts to keep facilities clean and safe through technology like enhanced lighting, cameras, and live video monitoring. Louis addresses driver feedback on hot topics such as paid parking, showers, and the upcoming overhaul of the TruckSmart app and loyalty program. The conversation also covers TA’s community involvement (Truckers Against Trafficking, St. Christopher Fund, Women in Trucking), its NASCAR partnership, and the changing landscape of professional driving. Key takeaways are that TA is investing heavily in infrastructure, safety, technology, and loyalty improvements, and is actively seeking and acting on driver feedback to improve the on-the-road experience.

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285: From the Bay to the Highway: Shop Talk with Central Arkansas Truck & Trailer

March 25, 2026

This week on the Oakley Podcast, Jeremy Kellett sits down with David and Nathan Dunn and lead mechanic Travis Davis from Central Arkansas Truck & Trailer to talk about their partnership with Oakley, how new technology (including AI and the Full Bay customer portal) is changing truck repair, and the realities of running a small diesel shop in a dealership-driven world. They dig into common, preventable breakdowns like neglected air and cabin filters, dirty cooling systems, and inadequate oil change intervals, and explain practical checks drivers can do themselves, such as the “rag test,” draining air tanks, and inspecting for leaks and bearing issues. The conversation also covers realistic oil change intervals for hard-running Oakley equipment, DEF/DPF system maintenance and warning signs, the dangers of “dirty deletes,” and why using genuine diagnostic software matters. Listeners come away with concrete maintenance tips, what tools and supplies every first-time owner-operator should carry, and how using Central Arkansas Truck & Trailer’s new online portal can reduce downtime, improve communication, and build a trusted long-term relationship with a shop that understands their business.

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284: Trucking’s Turning Point: Cleaning Up the Industry

March 18, 2026

This week on the Oakley Podcast, host Jeremy Kellett chats with Shannon Newton (Arkansas Trucking Association) and Mark Colson (Alabama Trucking Association) to unpack the federal and state crackdown on illegal CDL “mills,” non-domiciled CDLs, and English language proficiency enforcement. They explain how federal standards and state enforcement interact, why self-certified CDL training providers are being removed from the system, and how chameleon carriers abuse multiple DOT numbers to dodge safety rules and accountability. The conversation covers the Trucking Resurgence reform plan, the Safer Transport Act, rising enforcement against bad actors, and new state laws in Arkansas and Alabama. Key takeaways: the industry is aggressively moving to protect CDL integrity, remove unsafe carriers, support law enforcement with better tools, and elevate professional drivers and reputable carriers who do things the right way. Don’t miss this important episode! 

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About The Show

The Oakley Podcast is a trucking industry podcast that educates and empowers owner-operators by providing relevant industry, market, and company news in a digestible audio format.

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