The annual event, organized by the Nebraska Trucking Association, brought together professional drivers from across the state to compete in written testing, pre-trip inspections, driving skills, and vehicle class competitions. The championships also determine which drivers will represent Nebraska at the American Trucking Associations National Truck Driving Championships later this summer.

FedEx Freight and Walmart Transportation Drivers Earn Top Awards

In addition to Badgett’s Grand Champion title, several competitors received special awards recognizing outstanding performance throughout the event.

Logan Booker of Walmart Transportation, LLC earned Rookie of the Year honors after posting the highest overall score among first-time competitors.

Todd Gimpel of FedEx Freight claimed the Professional Excellence Award for the second consecutive year. The award is presented to the driver with the highest score on the written examination.

Garet Poland of Walmart Transportation received the Bucky Buchholtz Top Driver Award for achieving the highest score on the driving course. The award is named in honor of the late Bucky Buchholtz, a former Nebraska State Patrol trooper and longtime championships committee member.

Booker also earned the Kurt Everett Vehicle Condition Award for recording the highest score during the pre-trip inspection portion of the competition.

Joseph Busch of ABF Freight Systems, Inc. received the Jerry Wessel Award, which recognizes professionalism, industry knowledge, and attitude demonstrated throughout the championships. The award is open to drivers and volunteers who have participated in the event for at least five years.

Class Champions Secure Spots at National Competition

Nine class champions earned the opportunity to represent Nebraska at the National Truck Driving Championships scheduled for August 11 through 14 in Pittsburgh.

Class winners included:

• Straight Truck: Clinton Rast of Omaha, Nebraska, ABF Freight Systems, Inc.
• Three Axle: Garet Poland of Kenesaw, Nebraska, Walmart Transportation
• Four Axle: Todd Gimpel of Aurora, Nebraska, FedEx Freight
• Five Axle: Tom Canning of Bellevue, Nebraska, Old Dominion Freight Line
• Five Axle Sleeper: John Putney of Blanchard, Oklahoma, Greater Omaha Express
• Tank Truck: Tim Dean of Griswold, Iowa, Werner Enterprises
• Flatbed: George Chaney of Aurora, Nebraska, FedEx Freight
• Twin Trailer: Paul Badgett of Aurora, Nebraska, FedEx Freight
• Mixer Truck: Jacob Friederich of Papillion, Nebraska, Lyman-Richey Corporation
• Step Van: Korey Clifton of Plattsmouth, Nebraska, FedEx Express

Old Dominion Freight Line earned the team championship.

Friederich will also advance to the National Mixer Driver Championship, which is scheduled to take place in Nashville this October.

Inspector Competition Held Alongside Driver Championships

The Nebraska State Patrol Inspector Championships were conducted alongside the truck driving competition.

Inspectors competed in a series of evaluations that included personal interviews, hazardous materials exercises, and hands-on inspection challenges designed to test professional knowledge and technical skills.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: June 12, 2026

Source: Truckers News

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Jeremy Steger of XPO earned the event’s Grand Champion title while also taking first place in the 4 Axle division.

Garo Boghossian of FedEx Freight received Rookie of the Year honors, and XPO secured the overall team championship during the two-day event.

Source: Jenn Koss Photos

Division Winners and Top Finishers

The championships featured drivers competing across several vehicle classes tied to different freight operations throughout the industry.

Step Van
• Matthew Callis, Old Dominion
• Roland Bates, FedEx Freight
• John Summerfeld, UPS

Straight Truck
• Brent Glasenapp, FedEx
• Richard Truchon, XPO
• Ben Messenger, XPO

3 Axle
• Andy Rynearson, XPO
• Mike Dicosola, FedEx Freight
• Doug Jawson, FedEx Freight

4 Axle
• Jeremy Steger, XPO
• Garo Boghossian, FedEx Freight
• Paul Smith, FedEx Freight

5 Axle
• Ryatt Hirschfeld, Old Dominion
• Anthony Biarro, Walmart
• Raj Deerpalsing, Kwik Trip

Flatbed
• Codie Gadke, FedEx Freight
• Anthony Angeli, McLane
• Duane Staveness, FedEx Freight

Tanker
• Jeff Langenhahn, XPO
• Shawn Modaff, FedEx Freight
• Matt Boenisch, FedEx Freight

Sleeper
• Bill Minor, Walmart
• Terry Tillen, Walmart
• Don Knocke

Twins
• Connor Dent, FedEx Freight
• Nick Jarntowski, Old Dominion
• Richard Charlebois

Drivers advancing from state competitions will continue to the National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships scheduled for Aug. 11 through 14 in Pittsburgh.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 26, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Jenn Koss Photos

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Sowder also finished first in the flatbed division during the two-day competition held May 1 and 2 at the FedEx Freight facility in Tennessee.

Hosted by the Tennessee Trucking Association, the annual championships test drivers on written exams, pre-trip inspections, and driving skills designed around precision, safety, and vehicle control.

Several additional honors were handed out during the event, recognizing both competitors and volunteers involved with the championships.

Donnie Shelby of XPO Logistics received the rookie award, while The Martin-Brower Company earned the team trophy award.

The Inspector Challenge award went to Dallas Lange. Ed Hauhn of Martin-Brower received Driver of the Year honors, while Jack Hawkins of Thompson Machinery was recognized for volunteer contributions during the event.

Division winners included drivers representing multiple carriers and equipment classes across the competition field.

Division Winners from the 2026 Tennessee Championships

“We are proud of all of this year’s professional drivers who showcased their skills this past weekend,” the association said in a social media post. “Thank you, participants, volunteers, and sponsors, for another great event!”

Drivers advancing from state competitions will continue to the National Truck Driving & Step Van Driving Championships scheduled for Aug. 11 through 14 in Pittsburgh.

State truck driving championships remain one of the industry’s longest-running ways to recognize professional drivers for safety knowledge, vehicle handling skills, and consistency behind the wheel.

The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use.

Last updated: May 14, 2026

Source: Truckers News

Image Source: Tennessee Trucking Association

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“Being named Grand Champion at TMC’s National Technician Skills Competitions is a tremendous honor,” said Robert Braswell, TMC executive director. “Matthew demonstrated the kinds of skills, technical knowledge, and professionalism we have come to expect from our members. Congratulations to him and to all our competitors who displayed extraordinary talent during this competition.”

Other Top Performers

• Kelby Bentley of FedEx Freight, winner of the 2019 TMCSuperTech Grand Champion title, took second this year.
• Carl Diehl with Hogan Truck Leasing placed third.
• In the team competition, FedEx Freight won with John Blanchet and Philip Barlow representing the team.
• Tully McKinley won the student competition (TMCFutureTech) from Forsyth Technical Community College. Madison Boone from the same school placed second, and Bennett Fischer of WyoTech came in third.

Click here to see the complete list of station winners and click here for the final competition rankings.

Source: The Trucker

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The annual competition, hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), was held August 20–23 in Minneapolis. This year’s event brought together 425 drivers from 56 companies across 49 states, collectively representing nearly 756 million accident-free miles behind the wheel.

Comings, who has logged 3.1 million safe driving miles over nearly three decades in the industry, stood out among the nation’s most skilled drivers. In addition to being named Bendix Grand Champion, he also took first place in the 5-axle vehicle category.

“Congratulations to David on his extraordinary achievement,” said ATA President & CEO Chris Spear. “This week, David put on a master class of precision and professionalism that defines NTDC, emerging from an elite field of highly skilled competitors.”

A Career of Excellence

Comings has competed multiple times at both the state and national levels. In 2022 and 2023, he won first place in North Dakota’s 4-axle class, and in 2024, he claimed the 5-axle title at the state competition before advancing to the national stage.

His latest win marks his most significant achievement to date, cementing his reputation as one of the safest and most precise drivers in the industry.

Additional Awards and Highlights

The closing ceremony also recognized several other standout competitors:

• Rookie of the Year: Jeffrey Reed, UPS (New Mexico)
• State Team Champion: Colorado
• Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award: Leroy Williams Sr., XPO
• Sam Gillette Lifetime Volunteer Award: Linda Nodland

Drivers competed across nine vehicle classes, along with a written exam and a vehicle inspection challenge. A full list of winners included:

Winners Across Vehicle Classes

Step Van:
1.    Logan Montandon, FedEx, Texas
2.    Matthew Futral, FedEx, Georgia
3.    Connor Christensen, United Parcel Service, Inc., Illinois

Straight Truck:
1.    Mark Carver, FedEx Freight, Missouri
2.    Samuel Bryant, FedEx Freight, Tennessee
3.    Bryan Reynaud, Walmart Transportation, Mississippi

3-Axle: 
1.    Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight, Oregon
2.    Gary Luster, FedEx Freight, Tennessee
3.    Brent Darnell, Southeastern Freight Lines, Georgia

4-Axle:
1.    Stephen Johnson, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
2.    Jeremy Steger, XPO, Wisconsin
3.    Robert Crowder, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Virginia

5-Axle: 
1.    David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota
2.    Roland Bolduc, FedEx, Connecticut
3.    John Willinger, FedEx Freight, Kentucky

Flatbed:
1.    Edward Hill, FedEx Freight, Delaware
2.    Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, Idaho
3.    Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight, Wyoming

Tank Truck:
1.    Jeff Langenhahn, XPO, Wisconsin
2.    Ernie Budlowski, XPO, Connecticut
3.    Glen Kirk, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Indiana

Twins:
1.    Miguel Sanchez, United Parcel Service, Inc., Florida
2.    David Mogler, FedEx Freight, Colorado
3.    David Hall, ABF Freight, Arkansas

Sleeper Berth:
1.    Merle Ashbaugh, DHL Supply Chain, Ohio
2.    Todd Flippin, FedEx Freight, Colorado
3.    Herschel Evans, Aubrey Silvey Enterprises, Inc., Georgia

Vehicle Condition Award: 
•    Nick Gaudette, FedEx Freight, Colorado

Written Exam:
•    David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota

State Team Award: 
1.    Colorado
2.    Illinois
3.    Virginia

The 2025 National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships were made possible by the support of several corporate sponsors, including:

Additional honors included:

• Vehicle Condition Award: Nick Gaudette (FedEx Freight, CO)
• Written Exam Award: David Comings (FedEx Freight, ND)

Event Sponsors

The ATA credited strong support from sponsors, including:

• Platinum: FedEx, Old Dominion Freight Line, Walmart, XPO
• Gold: ABF Freight, Boeing, C.A. Short Company, DHL, Samsara, UPS
• Silver: PITT OHIO

Why It Matters

The NTDC is often called the “Super Bowl of Safety” in trucking, spotlighting the skills, professionalism, and safety-first mindset that keep the nation’s highways moving.

Coming’s performance this year adds to his already remarkable career and highlights the high standards professional drivers bring to their work every day.

Image Source: American Trucking Associations
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A Remarkable Victory for Old Dominion Freight Lines

Mike Markham, from Belpre, Ohio, and representing Old Dominion Freight Lines, emerged as the Grand Champion of this year’s competition. His outstanding performance also earned him a first-place victory in the Tank Truck category, cementing his reputation as one of the best in the field. Notably, this is not Markham’s first time in the spotlight; he previously won the Grand Champion title in 2023, showcasing consistent excellence.

Honoring the Best in the Industry

This year’s event also paid tribute to other remarkable individuals whose commitment to safety and professionalism continues to elevate the trucking industry.

• Nick Backes, a resident of Hurricane, West Virginia, and a driver for Pitt Ohio, was honored with the prestigious title of West Virginia Professional Driver of the Year.

• Jeremy Gray, another Old Dominion Freight Lines driver based in Williamstown, West Virginia, received the West Virginia Public Service Commission Driver of the Year Award.

• Mike Roberts, from Eleanor, West Virginia, and a dedicated XPO driver, claimed the Pre-Trip Inspection Award, showcasing his attention to detail.

• The Rookie of the Year title was awarded to David Roberts, representing Walmart Transportation and hailing from St. Albans, West Virginia.

Team Effort Shines

Beyond individual accolades, teamwork was celebrated as Pitt Ohio earned the Team Champion Award for their collective efforts and standout performance during the competition.

Highlights of Category Wins

Here’s a closer look at all the category champions who stood out with their extraordinary abilities in their respective fields:

• Straight Truck – Alexander Atkins, St. Albans, West Virginia, Pitt Ohio

• 3-Axle Tractor Semi-Trailer – Mike Roberts, Eleanor, West Virginia, XPO

• 4-Axle Tractor Semi-Trailer – Cole Miltenberger, Ridgeley, West Virginia, Pitt Ohio

• 5-Axle Van – Steve Looney, St. Albans, West Virginia, ABF Freight

• Tank Truck – Mike Markham, Belpre, Ohio, Old Dominion Freight Lines

• Flatbed – Justin Moody, Beckley, West Virginia, Walmart Transportation

• Twin Trailers – Vince May, Sitka, Kentucky, FedEx Freight

• Sleeper Berth – David Roberts, St. Albans, West Virginia, Walmart Transportation

• Step Van – Brandon Wuletich, Caldwell, Ohio, FedEx Freight

Eyes on the National Stage

Each first-place champion from the event will go on to represent West Virginia at the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championship in Minneapolis. Scheduled for August 20–23, the national competition provides an even larger platform for these skilled drivers to showcase their expertise and bring pride to their teams and communities.

Image Source: WVT
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A Big Win for David Comings and FedEx Freight

Demonstrating exceptional driving skills and steady focus, David Comings not only topped the five-axle category but also earned the highest individual honor available at the competition as grand champion. His achievement brought pride not just to himself but also to the FedEx Freight team, reflecting the company’s emphasis on expertise and precision behind the wheel.

Celebrating Individual Excellence and Teamwork

The event didn’t just honor a grand champion. Standout performances came from drivers in every competitive class. Treasure Paskett, representing FedEx, impressed the judges by taking the top spot in the step van group, also earning the Rookie of the Year distinction for her debut efforts—a testament to her natural talent and potential.

Here’s a look at this year’s champions by category:

• 3-Axle: Christopher Scholand, FedEx Freight

• 4-Axle: Cameron Janousek, FedEx Freight

• 5-Axle: David Comings, FedEx Freight

• Flatbed: Thomas Opgrand, XPO

• Sleeper Berth: Audie Jaeger, EW Wylie

• Step Van: Treasure Paskett, FedEx (Rookie of the Year)

• Straight Truck: Jamie Ackerland, FedEx Freight

• Tank Truck: Drew Bartelson, Old Dominion Freight Line

• Twin Trailers: Brad Morrow, XPO

These individuals not only mastered their respective categories but now have the honor of advancing to the National Truck Driving Championship scheduled for August 20-23 in Minneapolis. Their victories serve as a gateway to compete on the national stage against the nation’s best.

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Jeff Cochran, representing FedEx Freight, delivered another outstanding performance, making headlines as he earned his second Grand Championship trophy. On top of securing the overall win, Cochran also came out on top in the competitive three-axle division, solidifying his reputation as one of the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship’s most remarkable competitors.

Celebrating Standout Drivers

The list of winners this year tells the story of resilience, mastery, and teamwork in the Arkansas trucking community. Chaunce Umfleet, also from FedEx, earned the runner-up spot overall and was recognized for his outstanding attitude and professionalism with the event’s Sportsmanship Award.

FedEx Freight’s Ronnie Mahan nabbed the top pre-trip inspection score, earning respect for his attention to detail: a vital trait for safety on the road. Dave Hall from ABF Freight proved his expertise on paper as well, taking the top spot in the written portion of the competition.

For newcomers, the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship was an opportunity to shine. Chandler Compton, another FedEx driver, received accolades as this year’s Rookie of the Year, an honor that points to a promising future in the industry.

Team Achievements and Category Champions

In addition to outstanding individuals, team efforts were honored as well. ABF Freight took home the Small Team Award, while FedEx Freight’s group stood out among large teams, reflecting both determination and collective skill.

Drivers also competed across a range of vehicle classes. Those earning top positions not only brought pride to their employers but have also qualified to represent Arkansas at the national competition in Minneapolis this August. Here are this year’s category winners:

• 3 Axle: Jeff Cochran, FedEx Freight

• 4 Axle: Chaunce Umfleet, FedEx Corp.

• 5 Axle: Nathan Evans, Tyson Foods

• Flatbed: Phillip Thurner, Tyson Foods

• Sleeper: Gary Mars, Walmart Transportation

• Step Van: Eric Brockette, FedEx Freight

• Straight Truck: Jessie King, FedEx Freight

• Tanker: Marcus Rush, Walmart Transportation

• Twins: Dave Hall, ABF Freight

Looking Ahead: National Competition Bound

Each winner from the Arkansas Truck Driving Championship has now earned the privilege to advance to the highly anticipated national competition, scheduled for August 21-23 in Minneapolis. This next event puts state champions on the national stage, where they’ll compete with the best and further elevate the profile of Arkansas’s trucking professionals.

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Farness and the other class champions have now qualified to compete in the prestigious National Truck Driving Championships, scheduled to take place from August 20–23 in Minneapolis.

The competition saw over 80 skilled drivers showcasing their expertise across various challenges. Participants were required to:

• Complete a written test assessing their knowledge of federal regulations.
• Perform a meticulous pre-trip inspection to identify hidden mechanical defects.
• Navigate a demanding obstacle course, designed to test their precision driving skills under pressure.

“This competition highlights the extraordinary talent and dedication of Minnesota’s professional truck drivers,” said John Hausladen, President of the Minnesota Trucking Association. “These men and women deliver for our communities every day with an unwavering commitment to safety. The Truck Driving Championships allow us to recognize and celebrate that excellence.”

2025 Class Champions

Here are the first-place winners from each competition class:

• Five-Axle: Gideon Slabaugh, UNFI
• Flatbed: Thomas Gummo, Walmart Transportation
• Four-Axle: Anthony Zvorak, FedEx Freight
• Sleeper Berth: Calvin Logan, UPS
• Step Van: Lindy Jackson, FedEx Corporation
• Straight Truck: Nathan Wick, FedEx Corporation
• Tank: Michael Hager, Wayne Transports
• Three-Axle: Matthew Simon, FedEx Freight
• Twin Trailer (and Grand Champion): Nicholas Farness, XPO

The Minnesota Trucking Association’s annual event not only celebrates exceptional skill but also underscores the commitment to safety and professionalism upheld by truck drivers across the state. Congratulations to all participants and winners!

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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.

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