Kevin Worley

With an impressive tenure of 48 years, Kevin Worley launched his trucking journey by transporting automobiles. His extensive experience spans nearly every interstate, and he is distinguished for his meticulous equipment care and unwavering commitment to safety standards.

Kirk Phillips

A seasoned driver at Johnsonville Trucking for 43 years, Kirk Phillips boasts a remarkable record of over 3.1 million safe miles. A fixture in the Wisconsin Motor Carriers President’s Safe Driver’s Club for 25 years, Phillips is known for his mentorship and safety advocacy. He drives the renowned ‘Big Taste Grill’ truck, which provides food and supplies during disaster relief efforts.

Roger Machback

After 24 years on the road, Roger Machback turned a personal tragedy into inspiration, overcoming the loss of his right arm in a boating accident in 2008. He not only crafted a custom prosthetic arm but also became one of the first individuals in Maine to qualify for interstate travel following an amputation. Machback now advocates for other amputees, helping them regain their CDLs and adapt to life post-amputation.

Fidel Herrera

With a career spanning over 20 years, Fidel Herrera began at a local supermarket before obtaining his CDL. He is recognized for his dedication to safety and the mentorship he provides to fellow drivers. Herrera thoroughly enjoys the freedom of the road and providing excellent service as a respected owner-operator and an advocate for the trucking community.

Deb Labree

Deb Labree, with her 18 years of experience, plays a pivotal role in the Women in Trucking organization, serving on its board and Image Team. She demonstrates that trucking is not just a ‘man’s job’ and is a role model for aspiring female drivers. Labree’s commitment to safety and efficiency makes her a beacon of inspiration for all within the industry.

A distinguished celebrity judging panel will evaluate these five outstanding drivers, ultimately selecting two winners for the 2024 Haul of Fame. This year’s judges include:

• Jeff Gordon: A legendary NASCAR driver, four-time NASCAR Series Cup champion, and vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.

• Timothy Dooner: An award-winning podcaster known for hosting FreightWaves’ WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

• Clarissa Rankin: A leading female truck driver, CDL school owner, and TikTok influencer with over 1.8 million followers advocating for women in trucking.

• Ryan Droege: CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments.

The winners will enjoy several exciting prizes, including a trip to the Quaker State 400 race weekend in Atlanta from Sept. 6-8, coinciding with National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Relay Payments is a proud sponsor of NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team. Additionally, the winning drivers will feature on a podcast with Dooner and will receive a $250 fuel voucher.

Source: Truckers News

The post Celebrating Excellence in Trucking: Spotlight on 2024 Haul of Fame Semi-Finalists appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to a recent press release, the winners will be awarded a variety of prizes, including an all-expenses-paid trip to the NASCAR Race Weekend in Atlanta from September 6th-8th, just ahead of National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Relay Payments is also a proud sponsor of NASCAR Cup Series driver William Byron and the No. 24 Hendrick Motorsports team.

This year saw more than 160 professional drivers nominated for their dedication to safety, mentoring others, and exceptional customer service—double the number of nominations from last year. Together, the 15 finalists boast a combined 394 years of driving experience, covering millions of miles and delivering countless goods across the country. It’s worth noting that 80 percent of all goods in the United States are transported by truck drivers at some point. Here are the finalists, along with their years of experience:

• Cholonda Allen, 5 years

• David Blankenship, 40 years

• Bruce Bryant, 38 years

• Fidel Herrera, 24 years

• Nic Hurtado, 5 years

• Deb Labree, 18 years

• Bobby Land, 34 years

• Roger Mackbach, 24 years

• Dario Morton, 24 years

• Jason Neymeiyer, 20 years

• Kirk Phillips, 43 years

• Michael Smith, 35 years

• Sydney Thomas, 4 years

• Joe Unverzagt, 30 years

• Kevin Worley, 50 years

“Our country’s truckers literally drive the American economy every single day. They spend countless hours on the road, away from their families and dealing with traffic, weather, and multiple frustrations. Truck driving is tough work, and we launched the Haul of Fame contest to bring attention to their critical role,” said Relay’s CEO Ryan Droege. “This year’s nominees are all incredible, and the 15 finalists are truly remarkable individuals who deserve recognition.”

Public voting for the 15 finalists is open until July 31st, 2024. After voting closes, the top five finalists will be evaluated by a celebrity judging panel, which includes:

• Jeff Gordon: Four-time NASCAR Series Cup champion and vice chairman of Hendrick Motorsports.

• Timothy Dooner: Award-winning podcaster and host of FreightWaves’ WHAT THE TRUCK?!?

• Clarissa Rankin: Renowned female truck driver, CDL school owner, and TikTok influencer with 1.8 million followers.

• Ryan Droege: CEO and co-founder of Relay Payments.

The two Haul of Fame winners will enjoy an all-expenses-paid trip for themselves and a guest to the NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway, where they will meet William Byron. They will also be featured on FreightWaves’ WHAT THE TRUCK?!? podcast with Timothy Dooner and receive a $250 fuel voucher.

To vote for your favorite finalists, head to relaypayments.com/hauloffame. Remember, votes are accepted once per day until July 31st.

Source: The Trucker

The post Announcing the Finalists for Relay Payments’ Haul of Fame Contest appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.