Organized by the Nebraska Trucking Association, the two-day event showcased the exceptional skills of professional truck drivers across multiple categories.

Milestones and Awards

Joe McDonnell from XPO Logistics and Garrett Campbell from FedEx earned the prestigious Rookie of the Year title, awarded to first-time participants achieving the highest overall scores across all competition segments.

The Professional Excellence Award, recognizing excellence in the written test, was awarded to Todd Gimpel of FedEx Freight.

Jacob Friederich, representing Lyman-Richey Corporation, stood out in multiple facets. He won the Bucky Buchholtz Top Driver Award for achieving the top score on the driving course. Additionally, Friederich triumphed in the mixer truck category, a competition held in collaboration with the Nebraska Concrete & Aggregates Association.

Clinton Rast of ABF Freight System, Inc. took home the Everett Vehicle Condition Award for his standout performance during the pre-trip inspection segment. Meanwhile, the Jerry Wessel Award, honoring professionalism and industry expertise, went to Thomas Canning of Old Dominion Freight Line.

Class Winners at the 2025 Championships

Nine drivers across various categories earned the opportunity to represent Nebraska at the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis from August 20-23. The mixer truck winner will head to the National Mixer Driver Championship in Orlando, Florida, on October 11.

Here are the top finishers in each class:

• Straight Truck Class

1) Sam Wilson, XPO Logistics

2) Clinton Rast, ABF Freight System, Inc.

3) Michael Lemay, Greater Omaha Express

• Three-Axle Class

1) Mark Cole, Old Dominion Freight Line

2) Joseph Busch, ABF Freight System, Inc.

3) Tim Hallsted, Walmart Transportation, LLC

• Four-Axle Class

1) Paul Badgett, FedEx Freight, Inc.

2) James Dotson, FedEx Freight, Inc.

3) Derek Ward, XPO Logistics

• Five-Axle Class

1) Carolina Gallegos, Hill Brothers Transportation

2) Joe McDonnell, XPO Logistics

3) Thomas Rott, Grand Island Express, Inc.

• Five-Axle Sleeper Class

1) Blair Smith, Walmart Transportation, LLC

2) John Putney, Greater Omaha Express

3) Robert Elder, Schulz Transportation

• Tank Truck Class

1) Pat Crumb, Fremont Contract Carriers, Inc.

2) Cassandra Wright, Wynne Transportation Services

3) Craig Daniels, Crete Carrier Corporation

• Flatbed Class

1) George Chaney, FedEx Freight, Inc.

2) Christopher Corbett, Old Dominion Freight Line

3) Scott Deering, Chief Carriers, Inc.

• Twin-Trailer Class

1) Todd Gimpel, FedEx Freight, Inc.

2) Richard Boyd, Crete Carrier Corporation

3) Paul Smith, ABF Freight System, Inc.

• Mixer Truck Class

1) Jacob Friederich, Lyman-Richey Corporation

2) Gregory Burroughs, Husker Ready Mixed Concrete

3) Randy Walters, Lyman-Richey Corporation

• Step Van Class

1) Garrett Campbell, FedEx

2) Korey Clifton, FedEx

3) Charles Tockey, Grand Island Express, Inc.

Special Recognitions and Insights

The Nebraska State Patrol Inspector Championships were held alongside the NTDC event. Sergeant Matt Ramsey from Omaha claimed first place, with Investigator Kris Hunzeker from Nebraska City taking runner-up honors. Ramsey will represent Nebraska at the North American Inspector Championships, hosted concurrently with the ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships.

Additionally, teams from XPO Logistics, FedEx Freight, and Walmart Transportation received accolades in group categories.

The Nebraska Truck Driving Championships continues to celebrate and spotlight the incredible professionalism, skill, and dedication of commercial drivers while fostering a sense of community across the transportation industry.

Image Source: Nebraska Trucking Association
Source: Truckers News

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The competition drew participation from drivers representing leading organizations, including FedEx Freight, Walmart Transportation, and HEB, the San Antonio-based grocery chain with over 440 stores across Texas and Mexico. HEB drivers notably secured wins in six different vehicle classes, demonstrating their dominance in this year’s event.

Class Winners of the 2025 Texas Truck Driving Championship:

• State Grand Champion: Christopher Flippin, FedEx Freight
• Flatbed: Juan Martinez, HEB
• Step Van: Matthew Logan Montandon, FedEx Ground
• Sleeper Berth: Robert Svoboda, Walmart Transportation
• Straight Truck: Jason Salazar, HEB
• Tank Truck: David Sanchez, HEB
• Twin Trailers: Christopher Flippin, FedEx Freight
• 5-Axle Van: Christopher Pieper, HEB
• 4-Axle Van: Ruben Cortez, HEB
• 3-Axle Van: David Urrea IV, HEB

The competition brought together regional winners from Dallas/Fort Worth, Houston, and San Antonio, where drivers were evaluated on their ability to handle challenging maneuvering and control tests in various vehicle classes. The first-place winners in each category will now represent Texas at the American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) National Truck Driving Championship, held in Minneapolis, Minnesota, later this summer.

Recognizing Excellence in Maintenance

Beyond celebrating driver expertise, the event was also named the winner of the 2025 Technician of the Year Contest. After demonstrating exemplary written and technical skills, Corey Tegeler of Old Dominion Freight Line claimed victory. Tegeler will next compete in the ATA’s Technology & Maintenance Council’s National Technician Skills Competition in Raleigh, North Carolina, this September.

Honoring the Professionals Behind the Wheel

“These championships highlight the exceptional skill and precision it takes to operate and maintain commercial trucks on our roads safely,” said John D. Esparza, President and CEO of the Texas Trucking Association (TXTA). “We’re proud to recognize these dedicated professionals who keep our economy moving each and every day.”

The championships are preceded by three regional contests held in the spring, where drivers secure their place in the state championship by finishing in the top three. National qualifiers, including these top drivers, will gather in Minneapolis this August to showcase their skills on the national stage.

The 2025 Texas Truck Driving Championship was a testament to the expertise and dedication of professional truck drivers and technicians, celebrating the individuals who play a crucial role in keeping the economy moving safely and efficiently.

Image & Source: Truckers News

The post Christopher Flippin of FedEx Freight Wins Texas Driving Championship appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Source: LMTA Foundation

The annual event saw 80 skilled drivers competing in three key challenges, each designed to showcase their expertise in the trucking profession. To qualify, participants were required to maintain an impeccable safety record, including no accidents over the past year.

The three areas of the competition included:

• Written Examination: A comprehensive test assessing industry knowledge, safety protocols, first aid, and firefighting skills.
• Pre-Trip Inspection: Drivers had to identify hidden defects on a test vehicle under strict time constraints, showcasing their vehicle inspection skills based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines.
• Field Test Course: Participants navigated a specially crafted course designed to mimic real-world challenges encountered during daily driving duties.

Meet the Grand Champion

Chad Rudesill, a FedEx driver, emerged as the competition’s grand champion. Beyond clinching the overall title, Rudesill also took first place in the 3-Axle Van division.

Other Top Honors

• Rookie of the Year: Darrin Lemoine (Walmart)

• Team Trophy Winner: XPO

• Mechanic’s Award: Corey Mitchell (FedEx Freight)

Division Champions

Several drivers stood out for their exceptional skills and performances across various vehicle categories. Below are the winners in each division:

Step Van

1. Nicholas Burgess (Walmart)

1. Michael Brian (FedEx)

1. Mario Powell (FedEx)

Straight Truck

1. Leroy Williams (XPO)

1. Darrin Lemoine (Walmart)

1. Corey Mitchell (FedEx)

3-Axle Van

1. Chad Rudesill (FedEx)

1. David Jowers (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Damien Hebert (XPO)

4-Axle Van

1. Larry Peltier (Martin Brower)

1. Wallace Simien (Walmart)

1. Shelton Winn (Old Dominion Freight Line)

5-Axle Van

1. Eric Courville (FedEx)

1. Christopher Colomb (Walmart)

1. John McLean (Walmart)

5-Axle Tank Truck

1. Curtis McMellon (XPO)

1. Johnnie Long (Walmart)

1. Patrick Rudesill (FedEx)

5-Axle Flatbed

1. Mark Collins (Walmart)

1. Joseph Vital (FedEx)

1. Warren Little (FedEx)

5-Axle Sleeper Cab

1. Patrick Bonvillian (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Malcolm Taylor (FedEx)

1. Joseph Guidry (Walmart)

Twin Truck

1. Wilbur Sansom (FedEx)

1. Eddie Bonnet (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Michael Greene (Ergon Trucking)

Heading to Nationals

Each first-place driver has earned the honor of representing the LMTA Foundation and Louisiana at the 2025 American Trucking Association (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships. The national event will take place in Minneapolis from August 20 to 23, where drivers will compete on a larger stage against the best in the country.

Recognizing Skill and Excellence

This year’s competition not only celebrated safe driving but also served as a platform to highlight the expertise and dedication required in the trucking industry. With rigorous tests like the written exam, pre-trip inspection, and field driving course, the event underscored the importance of safety, knowledge, and precision behind the wheel.

Congratulations to all the winners, and best of luck to Louisiana’s top drivers as they prepare for the national stage in Minneapolis!

Source: Truckers News

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