The Arizona Trucking Association recently hosted its annual Truck Driving Championship at the Tempe Diablo Stadium, bringing together over 170 highly skilled professional drivers for a day of intense competition.
This year’s grand championship title was taken home by David Coffel, a FedEx Express driver who demonstrated exceptional expertise in both skills and precision behind the wheel.
Special Recognition and Top Awards
Several individual skill-based awards were handed out during the event, with Coffel earning top honors in two categories.
- Grand Champion and Best Skills/Driving Course were awarded to David Coffel, showcasing his outstanding competency in advanced driving techniques.
- Best Pre-Trip Inspection went to Victor Cruz of FedEx Freight, highlighting his attention to detail and commitment to safety procedures.
- The David Messmer Rookie of the Year title was claimed by Harley Hornecker of UPS, a promising newcomer who impressed judges across all phases of the competition.
Representing Team Arizona
Coffel and eight other class winners will represent Team Arizona at the prestigious National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis from August 20–23. They’ll join over 430 of the nation’s top drivers to compete for grand national honors and demonstrate their unparalleled talent.
Championship Results by Category
Top finishers in each competition category included drivers from leading companies such as FedEx Express, UPS, Walmart, and XPO Logistics. The results reflect a combination of experience, skill, and passion for excellence in trucking.
Step Van/Package Car
- 1st Place: Juan Rodriguez Torres, FedEx Express
- 2nd Place: Timothy Abercrombie, FedEx Express
- 3rd Place: Myles Mohan, FedEx Express
Straight Truck
- 1st Place: Adam Sheldon, Shamrock Foods Co. (Rookie)
- 2nd Place: Victor Cruz, FedEx Freight (Rookie)
- 3rd Place: Ulric Johnson, FedEx Express (Rookie)
3 Axle
- 1st Place: Raul Acosta, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
- 2nd Place: Radulfo Salgado, ABF Freight Systems
- 3rd Place: Wendi Dodson, UPS
4 Axle
- 1st Place: David Coffel, FedEx Express
- 2nd Place: Gibran Meneses, FedEx Freight
- 3rd Place: Ramon Diaz, FedEx Freight
5 Axle Tractor Trailer
- 1st Place: Zachary Joe, Performance Food Service (Rookie)
- 2nd Place: James Imboden, Performance Food Service (Rookie)
- 3rd Place: Nathan Voss, UPS
Flatbeds
- 1st Place: Ina Daly, XPO Logistics, Inc.
- 2nd Place: Glenn Lougheed, Walmart Supply Chain
- 3rd Place: David Bond, ABF Freight Systems
Tankers
- 1st Place: Greg Ziegler, XPO Logistics, Inc.
- 2nd Place: Juan Hernandez Jr, Circle K (Rookie)
- 3rd Place: Eric Ramsdell, Walmart Supply Chain
5 Axle Sleeper
- 1st Place: Dale Moyle, Walmart Supply Chain
- 2nd Place: Shirley Settles, Walmart Supply Chain
- 3rd Place: Duane Donner, Walmart Supply Chain
Tractor Trailer – Twins
- 1st Place: Sam Smith, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
- 2nd Place: Mohammed Khan, FedEx Freight
- 3rd Place: Roy Hindson, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.
Competition Phases
The drivers were tested across three main phases, each designed to assess their expertise and simulate real-world transport scenarios. These include:
- Written Exam: Focusing on drivers’ understanding of industry-specific regulations, first aid, safety protocols, security measures, and wellness.
- Pre-Trip Inspection: Evaluating their ability to identify potential safety risks and vehicle equipment defects.
- Skills/Driving Course: Featuring six challenging obstacles replicating practical situations encountered on the road.
These multi-faceted tests underscored the importance of precision, safety, and adaptability in professional driving.
Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Arizona Trucking Association
