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

Image Source: Nebraska Trucking Association

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Feed, equipment, and basic resources all have to move quickly, and that responsibility is falling on truck drivers willing to take on the challenge, even as operating costs continue to climb.

Industry Groups Coordinate Response Effort

The Nebraska Trucking Association is working alongside the Nebraska Department of Agriculture and the Nebraska Cattlemen to help organize relief efforts. With thousands of acres affected and widespread disruption to farms and ranches, moving supplies efficiently has become a top priority.

For drivers, this means stepping into routes that are not always part of a normal schedule, often with tight turnaround times and unpredictable conditions.

Financial Support for Drivers on Relief Runs

To help offset the cost of jumping in, especially with fuel prices remaining high, the Nebraska Trucking Association has introduced a stipend program through its charitable arm, the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund.

The program offers:

• $0.50 per mile
• Up to 500 miles per trip
• Support for hauling approved relief supplies into affected areas

The fund has committed an initial $5,000 to get the effort started, with additional fundraising underway to keep support available for drivers and carriers who volunteer.

This kind of structure is designed to make it easier for both independent drivers and fleets to participate without taking on the full financial burden.

A Response Driven by the Trucking Community

Many drivers have already expressed interest in helping, but cost pressures have made it harder to step away from regular freight.

“Many truckers have voiced a willingness to help, but they too are facing unprecedented challenges with skyrocketing fuel prices and other cost concerns,” said Kent Grisham, president and CEO of the NTA. “But I am so proud of the NTA members who have stepped forward with a plan to support these trucking heroes, in the aftermath of the worst wildfires in the state’s history.”

Despite those challenges, the industry continues to respond when it matters most.

Grisham added, “Homes, farms, and ranches have been destroyed, and at least one life has been lost in this terrible ordeal. But like it has always been, the trucking community responds with grit and determination to get the cargo delivered. We’re glad to have the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund to help, and we hope everyone in the trucking community will join forces with us either by offering trucks, trailers, and drivers, or by contributing to the fund so we can keep it going.”

How Drivers and Fleets Can Get Involved

Truckers, farmers, and ranchers moving relief supplies into impacted areas can apply for the stipend to help cover part of their fuel costs. The Nebraska Department of Agriculture is also maintaining a list of current needs, helping coordinate what supplies are most urgent.

For fleets and owner-operators, this creates a clear path to contribute without going in blind. Knowing what is needed and where it needs to go helps avoid wasted miles and ensures deliveries make an immediate impact.

Why This Matters Beyond Nebraska

Situations like this highlight a reality the trucking industry knows well. When disaster hits, supply chains depend on drivers who are willing to step in and keep goods moving under pressure.

Support programs like this one help make that possible, especially when margins are tight and costs are unpredictable.

For drivers, it is another example of the role trucking plays beyond freight. It is about showing up when communities need it most and making sure critical supplies reach the people and operations depending on them.

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The collaboration is designed to give trucking companies and industry professionals broader access to training programs focused on safety, operations, leadership, recruiting, and long-term business growth. By combining resources from both organizations, the initiative aims to make advanced training more widely available across Nebraska’s freight community.

Expanding Education Opportunities

The partnership introduces a larger catalog of learning programs that were previously available primarily through national channels. Through this arrangement, participants in Nebraska can now access the training library offered by the Truckload Carriers Association along with discounted pricing on many courses.

According to the Nebraska Trucking Association, the collaboration represents a new model for state-level partnerships focused on workforce development.

“The NTA is the first state trucking association to enter an educational partnership with TCA, one that provides even more essential professional development to Nebraska’s trucking community,” NTA said. “NTA members already have access to the Association’s robust training opportunities. Now, through this collaboration, NTA members and non-members alike will gain access to TCA’s professional development program catalog and receive exclusive discount pricing. This initiative ensures that Nebraska’s trucking professionals have the tools they need to lead with safety, efficiency, and innovation.”

Training Designed for Multiple Roles

The educational programs included in the partnership cover several key areas of trucking operations, ranging from small fleet management to executive leadership development.

For companies operating smaller fleets, Small Carrier University (SCU) offers coursework centered on operational efficiency, maintenance practices, and safety performance. The courses are delivered online, allowing participants to complete training from their office or home base.

Safety leadership is another focus of the program lineup. The Fundamentals of Safety Management course series includes seven on-demand classes designed to help both new and experienced safety professionals strengthen their understanding of compliance, risk management, and operational safety strategies.

Leadership development also plays a major role in the expanded training catalog. The Online Leadership Series, scheduled to run from April through September 2026, will include six live virtual sessions along with ten on-demand modules focused on everyday leadership decisions, communication strategies, and team management.

Recruitment and retention challenges are also addressed through the Online Recruitment & Retention Series, which explores hiring strategies and workforce retention practices in an increasingly competitive labor market.

In addition to these structured programs, participants will be able to access a library of more than 175 on-demand webinars covering a wide range of industry topics, including emerging technologies, regulatory issues, and human resources compliance.

Industry Leaders Highlight Workforce Investment

Leaders involved in the partnership say the initiative reflects a growing focus on strengthening the workforce behind trucking operations.

“This is such an exciting time to be part of the NTA,” said Kent Grisham, NTA association president and CEO. “With the construction of our new training center well underway, and now the addition of TCA and NATMI training opportunities, the trucking industry in Nebraska will truly be the safest and most productive in the country.”

The collaboration also reflects a broader effort to make professional development more accessible across the industry.

“Our goal is to make truckload-specific education accessible to every carrier, regardless of size,” said Elizabeth Nicholson, director of education & training, TCA. “By partnering with the NTA, we are strengthening the backbone of the industry by investing directly in its people.”

Registration Now Open

Registration for the professional development programs offered through the Truckload Carriers Association is now open here. The new partnership is expected to expand access to training opportunities while supporting long-term workforce development across the trucking industry.

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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.

Image Source: Nebraska Trucking Association
Source: Truckers News

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Nebraska Trucking Steps Up for Hurricane Relief

Collaboration was at the heart of this initiative, as members of the Nebraska Trucking Association (NTA) joined forces with the Salvation Army to help communities impacted by the severe hurricanes in the Southeast.

“We looked into trying to collect donatable goods,” said Kent Grisham NTA president and CEO. “But after some research, it was clear that various service organizations in the southeast had well-established methods of collecting and distributing materials in areas hard-hit by Hurricanes Helene and Milton. So, we decided to partner with one of the most trusted and reliable service organizations in the world, the Salvation Army, to conduct a fundraising campaign.”

Women’s Council and Nebraska Trucking Cares Unite for Action

The fundraising campaign, which was spearheaded by the NTA’s Women’s Council, marked a departure from the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund’s usual mission. Typically, the fund provides aid to employees of NTA members facing hardship, but the immediate and overwhelming needs of hurricane victims prompted the group to extend their reach.

“Nebraska is no stranger to the devastation caused by natural disasters,” Grisham explained. “This year alone, our state has endured destructive tornadoes, hailstorms, floods, and wildfires. That shared experience created a deep well of compassion and generosity among our members, inspiring them to help those suffering in the Southeast.”

A Ceremonial Gesture of Solidarity

The collaboration culminated in a ceremonial check presentation between NTA and Salvation Army leaders. The $5,000 contribution will support disaster relief operations that remain active in communities affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton.

“We are truly grateful for this outstanding support from the Nebraska Trucking Association via the Nebraska Trucking Cares Fund,” said Maj. Scott Shelbourn, commander of The Salvation Army Western Division. “The $5,000 donated by NTA members will make a big difference for Salvation Army disaster-relief operations that are still ongoing in the Southeast in the wake of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. It takes a team effort to help disaster-impacted communities recover, and we salute the NTA for being part of that team.”

Source: The Trucker

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