Serious auto enthusiasts flock to car auctions throughout the country to buy vintage or classic cars of all ages and values.

Along with other firms, Mecum Auctions stage several events around the country, mostly during the warm months. Relocating expensive, high performance cars and vintage vehicles is an exacting business with little room for humans to maneuver loading cars in tight trailers, whether they be open or enclosed.

We had the opportunity to meet and interview several car-hauling truck drivers including Rick Yokeley at the Indianapolis Mecum auction which takes place for several days in May, just before the running of the Indy 500.

Rick and his brothers Randy and Rob own and operate Yokeley’s Auto Carriers. They’re based near Branson, MO and attend Mecum auctions as well as other large auto shows all over the country.

Even though there’s some downtime while parked, waiting for auction sold cars to transport, the brothers are still busy doing odd jobs for various dealers during the auctions. Earlier in the day when we interviewed Rick, he had been busy replacing a steering wheel on a client’s car. Yokeley cited problems encountered including having issues with a car’s starter while strapped down in the trailer. Non-starting car engines while still parked in the trailer are usually wheeled out by hand as there isn’t much room to do mechanical repairs with the tight space in the trailer.

Rick, Randy and Rob all run Peterbilts. Rick’s is a 2004 379 while Randy drives a 2010 388. We didn’t meet Rob, who drives a Pete identical to Rick’s, as he was on his way to Indy with yet another load of cars for the auction. Rick’s Pete has a Caterpillar 3406 rated at 550 bhp. with a 13 speed and a 263 inch wheelbase. Randy’s 388 has a 485 Cummins running through a 13 speed and has a wheelbase of 265 inches.

The Yokeleys brought eleven loads of cars to the Indy Mecum Auctions which featured 2,000 cars for sale. They use CS-12 Cottrell, 45 foot trailers, loading seven vehicles on the trailer and three on the tractor. Randy said that they “can make cars fit.”

Your author walked around to shoot photos on Rick’s empty trailer and realized that you have to stay alert as there are so many places where one could really whack one’s head on all the steel bars and supports. Someone remarked that “you only hit your head once before you learn how to stay safe.”

Rick said that a while back, a video was done about the Yokeleys for GasMonkey but it has never aired.

Rick is divorced with two sons, one daughter and two grandchildren. He used to race 4 cylinder wing-modified sprint cars on weekends. During downtime, he enjoys attending sprint car races with his son and is busy rebuilding his mother’s house.

Randy lives in Miami, OK and has a motorcycle business on the side. He used to be involved in drag racing. He has two sons, one daughter and one grandchild.