The insight is provided by Benny Perkins, the winner of a previous "Hands on a Hardbody" contest (2 years prior to the filming), and a contestant in the 1995 event documented in the film. The basics of the contest are as follows: 24 randomly selected contestants compete for a new pick-up truck by trying to keep one hand on the body of the truck the longest; participants are given 5-minute breaks every hour and 15-minute breaks every 6 hours, but sleeping, or even leaning on the truck, are not allowed. The rules of the contest are simple, but winning, decidedly, is not. Benny explains, "They say it's a test of stamina, but it's really who can maintain their sanity the longest." As we watch the contestants pushed to the limits of their own determination and strength of will, with results that range from hilarious to heart-wrenching, Benny's earnest commentary, at first laughable, resonates as plainspoken truth.
Longview, Texas is a small, hard-working town where trucks are not just a means of transportation; they are a way of life. The contest isn't some frivolous game because the prize has real significance in this corner of the world and would have a serious impact in an everyday, very tangible way. For one young woman, the truck is a symbol of family stability, a tool that her parents used to keep their business going and a necessity of adulthood. For another young man, the truck means instant status, a way to "fit in" in Longview, a community that looks down its nose at his VW bug. A man from a neighboring town sees the truck as an enduring investment, explaining simply, "Trucks make money. Cars don't." Each of the contestants has a story to tell, and as they tick off their reasons for competing, the hope of alleviating financial woes is a common theme. For the people of Longview, a brand new truck is a gift from heaven, a chance to make a new start in life. The contestants are well aware of just what is at stake and they are all playing to win.
