Louisville, Kentucky — Mary “Candy” Bass, a 78-year-old long-haul driver known across the interstate as “Granny Glitter” and “Grandma Candy,” has secured her place on the Mid-America Trucking Show Wall of Fame after fifty years behind the wheel. Bass enters the Class of 2>** alongside the late Troy Huddleston, bringing six million accident-free miles to an induction ceremony that honors lifetime dedication in heavy-duty commercial freight. Nominated by fellow veteran driver Susie De Ridder, Bass represents the absolute gold standard for professional OTR truck drivers operating across American highways.
Bass has spent decades breaking down barriers for women pursuing truck driver jobs in a male-dominated sector. The Women in Trucking Association named her a Top Woman to Watch in Transportation, and she remains a finalist for the organization's prestigious Driver of the Year award. Her extensive list of accolades includes the 2016 TA Petro Citizen Driver award, which resulted in a Nashville, Tennessee truck stop affectionately renamed “The Candy Store” in her honor. Beyond the cab, Bass launched “Hats for Heroes,” a charitable effort supplying baseball caps to veterans suffering from burns or head trauma, while also supporting the St. Christopher Foundation and the Special Olympics.
The MATS Wall of Fame selection process demands exceptional criteria, requiring nominees to exhibit high integrity, broad industry contributions, and a proven track record of enhancing the professional image of commercial freight hauling. Susie De Ridder, who earned the WIT Driver of the Year honor in 2020 and was nominated for her own Citizen Driver award by Bass, emphasizes the profound impact her mentor continues to make on modern CDL-A driver generations. Bass shares her 2023 induction class with fellow honorees as MATS prepares to announce the final selection from a competitive field of nominees.
What This Means for Drivers
The recognition of veteran operators like Candy Bass highlights the enduring viability and respect possible within long-haul trucking careers. For newer CDL-A drivers and independent owner-operators navigating today's freight market, her six million accident-free miles set a definitive benchmark for safety and patience. Fleet managers and trucking companies hiring today frequently look to mentors who balance meticulous safety records with active community outreach and charitable dedication.
Industry Reaction
Commercial advocacy groups continue to praise veteran OTR drivers who actively reshape public perceptions of the trucking industry. By challenging outdated stereotypes and volunteering with organizations like the Special Olympics and veterans' charities, drivers like Bass prove that professional operators remain vital community pillars both on and off the clock. Industry leaders note that highlighting these career paths is crucial for attracting the next generation of talent to the highway.
Key Points
- Mary “Candy” Bass earned induction into the 2023 MATS Wall of Fame after 50 years of long-haul driving.
- She has accumulated six million crash-free miles and a nomination for the Women in Trucking Driver of the Year award.
- The TA Petro truck stop in Nashville, Tennessee, is officially dedicated to Bass and known as “The Candy Store.”
- Bass founded “Hats for Heroes” to support veterans suffering from head trauma and burn injuries.
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