Two Mahoning County residents have successfully named two of the snowplows operated by the Ohio Turnpike after their suggestions received a large number of votes.

Jacqueline Flowers of Austintown came up with the name I’ve Got Friends in Snow Places, which is a play on the Garth Brooks song “I’ve Got Friends in Low Places.” That plow will be based at the Hiram Maintenance Building in Portage County.

David Kelso of Boardman came up with the name Fast and Flurrious after the popular action movie series “Fast and Furious.” That plow will be based at the Canfield Maintenance Building in Mahoning County.

The Ohio Turnpike Commission stated in a news release that more than 3,600 names were submitted, and nearly 8,100 votes were cast on ohioturnpike.org during the 2023 Name-a-Snowplow contest.

“We thank everyone who participated in this year’s Name-a-Snowplow contest,” said Ferzan Ahmed, executive director of the turnpike commission in Berea. “The Name-a-Snowplow contest serves as a reminder that roadway safety needs to be top-of-mind during the winter driving season.”

This year, more than 100 plow trucks will be available to maintain the Ohio Turnpike’s 1,395 lane miles, 31 toll plaza interchanges, and 14 service plazas across 13 counties in northern Ohio.

“Motorists should take every precaution to avoid passing plow trucks and allow extra space for the crews to clear the road. They typically work together clearing multiple lanes simultaneously, so make sure to give them space to work,” Ahmed added. “Don’t crowd the plow. The safest place to be is behind a snowplow truck. During winter storms, motorists should consider traveling only when necessary.”

The entire Ohio Turnpike (241 miles in each direction) can be plowed once per hour with current staffing and equipment levels at the eight maintenance buildings. Each facility maintains about a 30-mile stretch of the turnpike in both the eastbound and westbound directions.