National Truck Driving Championships Recap

The National Truck Driving Championships took place August 15-18 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Professional truck drivers compete for the title of National Champion in the eight different truck classes and one step van class, with one driver taking home the overall title of 2018 National Truck Driving Championships Bendix Grand Champion.

California sent eight of our best truck drivers and one of our best Step Van drivers to this year’s competition, but unfortunately, California did not advance to the championship round.

The competition began with state champions from all 50 states taking the written examination – one of three scored phases of the competition. Over the following two days, competitors also tackled the difficult driving course and competed in the pre-trip inspection segments of the competition.

At an elaborate banquet at the Greater Columbus Convention Center, Ohio’s Scott Woodrome was named this year’s Bendix Grand Champion, defeating 423 elite truckers from around the country in the grueling four-day competition.

Woodrome, the home-state favorite, was quoted by Transport Topics saying, "We all work together for safety. And it’s making a difference," Woodrome told the audience at the awards ceremony. "This truly breeds safety and makes each one of us better each day and every day when we’re on the highways."

3-Axle: Eric Courville, FedEx Freight, Louisiana

4-Axle: Nick Arnold, FedEx Freight, Oklahoma

5-Axle: Duane Staveness, FedEx Freight, Wisconsin

Flatbed: Steven Newsome, UPS Freight, South Carolina

Sleeper Berth: Artur Lesniowski, FedEx Ground, New Jersey

Straight Truck: Dale Brenaman, UPS, Kentucky

Tank Truck: Scott Woodrome, FedEx Freight, Ohio

Twins: Miguel Corral, FedEx Freight, Illinois

Step Van: Eric Damon, FedEx Express, Colorado 

Rookie of the Year: Ronald Zieser, FedEx Freight, Oregon

Team Champions: Nevada

Vehicle Condition: Michael Whitehead, FedEx Freight in the 3-Axle division

Highest Written Exam Award: Three perfect scores: Michael Flippin, FedEx Freight in the Twins division; Tony Spero, ABF Freight in the Tank Truck division; and Eric Courville, FedEx Freight in the 3-Axle division.

Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence: Neil P. Nogues, YRC Freight, New Hampshire in the Straight Truck division

Sam Gillette Volunteer of the Year Award: Jerry Waddell, Cargo Transporters.

We congratulate these drivers and those from California who advanced to the national competition. "All of these drivers are passionate, highly-skilled professionals who practice safety on our nation’s highways every day," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear.