On Saturday, April 11, Pasco will host the Washington Truck Driving Championship at Gesa Stadium. The event brings together experienced drivers from across the state to compete in a series of challenges that focus on what matters most out on the road: safety, precision, and consistency.

Organized by the Washington Trucking Associations, the competition is designed to highlight drivers who have proven themselves behind the wheel and in the day-to-day demands of the job.

What drivers can expect at the competition?

This is not just a driving course. Competitors are tested across multiple areas that reflect real-world responsibilities.

Drivers will take part in:

• A written examination covering industry knowledge and safety
• A pre-trip inspection to demonstrate equipment awareness
• A skills course designed to test control, accuracy, and decision making

Each portion is built around the same standards drivers rely on every day, whether they are running local routes or long-haul miles.

A path to the national stage

Top performers in Pasco will move on to the national truck driving championship, often referred to as the Super Bowl of Safety within the industry.

“The Truck Driving Championship competitions inspire tens of thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete,” said WTA President and CEO Sheri Call. “Safety is the paramount goal for our industry, both for drivers and the traveling public. These competitions are a testament to the thousands of truck drivers who operate safely on our roads every day and inspire their peers to operate accident-free.”

For many drivers, qualifying for nationals is not just about competition. It is recognition of years of safe driving and professional discipline.

Who can compete

To enter, drivers must meet strict requirements that reflect the standards behind the event.

• At least one year of continuous employment with a motor carrier fleet
• An accident-free record for that same period

Drivers will compete across nine different equipment classes, including Straight Truck and Sleeper Berth, allowing competitors from different types of operations to showcase their skills.

Why it matters across the industry

Events like this go beyond trophies. They reinforce the importance of safety and professionalism across trucking.

For drivers, it is a chance to measure their skills against some of the best in the state. For fleets and industry stakeholders, it highlights the value of training, consistency, and a strong safety culture.

At the end of the day, competitions like this reflect what the industry is built on. Drivers who take pride in doing the job right every mile.

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This spring, the company held five regional rodeo competitions at Medline locations nationwide, inviting drivers and their families to participate. These events were the culmination of numerous smaller contests conducted earlier in the year at Medline’s 45 distribution centers across the U.S.

Winners from each region were selected as first place in three categories, received $1,500, and earned a spot to compete at the national level. The National Truck Rodeo brought together these top performers to compete for a combined prize pool of $15,000. Their performances inspired MedTrans’ driver community, which numbers over 2,000 nationwide.

National Truck Rodeo Winners by Category

Class A Truck Division

• First Place ($2,500): Kevin English, St. Peters, Missouri
• Second Place ($1,500): Gerald Britt, Olive Branch, Mississippi
• Third Place ($1,000): Dakota Hulin, Mount Hermon, Louisiana

Class B Truck Division

• First Place ($2,500): Phillip Alongi, Kansas City, Missouri
• Second Place ($1,500): Sergio Barrantes, Middletown, Delaware
• Third Place ($1,000): Chris Pfohl, Zebulon, Georgia

Parcel Truck Division

• First Place ($2,500): Robert Villa Remijio, Goodyear, Arizona
• Second Place ($1,500): Adam Parrella, Jeffersonville, Indiana
• Third Place ($1,000): Joshua Rebman, Perryville, Maryland

Jeff Brennan, Medline’s Vice President of Transportation, emphasized the value of having an in-house fleet. “Rather than contracting delivery services to third-party providers, Medline is proud to have our own team members serve our customers every day,” Brennan said. “Our drivers are the visible face of Medline—present at customer facilities throughout the day, in all types of weather, without hesitation.”

Brennan also shared how the National Truck Rodeo positively impacts company culture. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how the National Truck Rodeo has showcased our driving culture of commitment, technical expertise, and safety. This work fosters friendly competition and encourages our teams to support one another in striving for continuous improvement.”

Image Source: MedTrans
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

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McLean not only secured the grand champion crown but also emerged victorious in the highly competitive three-axle class.

Special Award Winners Recognized

Several participants were honored for their exceptional performance in specific categories:

• Team Trophy: XPO
• Pre-trip Inspection Flatbed: Daren Hackney, Walmart Supply Chain
• Pre-trip Inspection Straight Truck: Davin Strong, FedEx Express
• Rookie of the Year: Graham Roger, Martin Brower Company
• Ray Dagostino Award: Jeffrey Nesci

Class Winners

The competition featured a wide range of vehicle categories, highlighting the drivers’ skills across different classes:

• Step Van: Robin Newton, FedEx
• Straight Truck: David May, XPO
• 3-Axle: Mark McLean, FedEx Freight
• 4-Axle: Randy Merle, FedEx Freight
• 5-Axle: Oliver Estevez, Martin Brower Company
• Flatbed: Raymond Waage, FedEx Freight
• Tank Truck: Zack Bourque, Wegmans Food Markets
• Twin Trailers: Francisco Caravajal, FedEx
• Sleeper Berth: James Kohr, FedEx

The event celebrated the dedication and expertise of New York’s trucking professionals while fostering a sense of camaraderie among industry participants. Mark McLean’s remarkable achievement underscores the skill and precision required to excel in the trucking industry.

Image Source: (Trucking Association of New York) Mark Mclean
Source: Truckers News

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A Remarkable Display of Skill

“This year, 190 professional truck drivers and 79 warehouse associates showcased their skills, with 71% making their competition debut,” stated Mark S. Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “Their precision, knowledge, and expertise in navigating the challenges were truly impressive. It’s a privilege to honor the top talent in the foodservice distribution industry for their excellence and dedication to safety. Congratulations to all!”

Participants competed in five distinct categories, with awards given for first through third places in each. The warehouse challenges included double-pallet jack and reach truck categories, while trucking categories spanned straight truck, 3-axle, and 5-axle divisions.

Championing Safety and Excellence

These 190 truck drivers collectively represent over 2,346 accident-free years, 2,257 years with their current employers, and an impressive 3,390 years of experience within the trucking industry. Victories bring not only bragging rights but also medals, cash prizes, and for those clinching first place, a prestigious championship jacket. Winners were celebrated at a banquet on October 26.

Highlights of the 2024 Results

• Double Pallet Jack

• First Place – Jon Moore, Dot Foods, Inc.

• Second Place – Lafayette Maxie, McLane Company

• Third Place – Andrew Newby, US Foods

• Reach Truck

• First Place – Dylon Maes, Shamrock Foods

• Second Place – Cameron King, Shamrock Foods

• Third Place – Eron De La Cueva, Performance Food Group

• 2-Axle

• First Place – James Falconburg, Nicholas & Company, Inc.

• Second Place – Steve Ross, Performance Food Group

• Third Place – Daniel Trevino, McLane Company

• 3-Axle

• First Place – Jason Swordling, Ben E. Keith Co.

• Second Place – Lino Garcia, Performance Food Group

• Third Place – Michael Fergison, Cheney Brothers

• 5-Axle

• First Place – Michael Sinclair, Performance Food Group

• Second Place – Charles Spence, McLane Company

• Third Place – Sam Duron, McLane Company

Recognizing Rising Stars

The prestigious “Rookie of the Year” title was awarded to top-scoring newcomers. Dylon Maes, a Reach Truck driver from Shamrock Foods, earned the 2024 Warehouse Rookie of the Year award. In the driving category, Michael Sinclair, a 5-axle driver from Performance Food Group, was honored as the Driving Rookie of the Year.

Perfect Pre-Trip Performances

Competitors also vied for individual accolades for achieving perfect scores in the pre-trip safety inspections. The honorees included:

• Luis Barker, Shamrock Foods, 3-Axle Truck.

• Pablo Escobar, Ben E. Keith Company, Double Pallet Jack.

• Jay-R Garcia, Sysco, Double Pallet Jack.

• Steven Rouse, Performance Food Group, 5-Axle Truck.

• Jeremy Smith, Shamrock Foods, Double Pallet Jack.

Top Team Achievements

In addition to individual victories, team honors were awarded. Shamrock Foods secured the 2024 Warehouse Team Award, while McLane Company triumphed with the 2024 Driving Team Award.

Mark your calendars for the 2025 IFDA National Championship, scheduled to take place in Orlando, Florida, from October 23 – 25 at Disney’s Coronado Springs Resort.

Source: The Trucker

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