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!

Image Source: Minnesota Trucking Association
Source: Truckers News

The post XPO Driver Nicholas Farness Crowned Grand Champion at Minnesota Trucking Championships appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

This year’s grand championship title was taken home by David Coffel, a FedEx Express driver who demonstrated exceptional expertise in both skills and precision behind the wheel.

Special Recognition and Top Awards

Several individual skill-based awards were handed out during the event, with Coffel earning top honors in two categories.

• Grand Champion and Best Skills/Driving Course were awarded to David Coffel, showcasing his outstanding competency in advanced driving techniques.

• Best Pre-Trip Inspection went to Victor Cruz of FedEx Freight, highlighting his attention to detail and commitment to safety procedures.

• The David Messmer Rookie of the Year title was claimed by Harley Hornecker of UPS, a promising newcomer who impressed judges across all phases of the competition.

Representing Team Arizona

Coffel and eight other class winners will represent Team Arizona at the prestigious National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis from August 20–23. They’ll join over 430 of the nation’s top drivers to compete for grand national honors and demonstrate their unparalleled talent.

Championship Results by Category

Top finishers in each competition category included drivers from leading companies such as FedEx Express, UPS, Walmart, and XPO Logistics. The results reflect a combination of experience, skill, and passion for excellence in trucking.

Step Van/Package Car

• 1st Place: Juan Rodriguez Torres, FedEx Express

• 2nd Place: Timothy Abercrombie, FedEx Express

• 3rd Place: Myles Mohan, FedEx Express

Straight Truck

• 1st Place: Adam Sheldon, Shamrock Foods Co. (Rookie)

• 2nd Place: Victor Cruz, FedEx Freight (Rookie)

• 3rd Place: Ulric Johnson, FedEx Express (Rookie)

3 Axle

• 1st Place: Raul Acosta, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

• 2nd Place: Radulfo Salgado, ABF Freight Systems

• 3rd Place: Wendi Dodson, UPS

4 Axle

• 1st Place: David Coffel, FedEx Express

• 2nd Place: Gibran Meneses, FedEx Freight

• 3rd Place: Ramon Diaz, FedEx Freight

5 Axle Tractor Trailer

• 1st Place: Zachary Joe, Performance Food Service (Rookie)

• 2nd Place: James Imboden, Performance Food Service (Rookie)

• 3rd Place: Nathan Voss, UPS

Flatbeds

• 1st Place: Ina Daly, XPO Logistics, Inc.

• 2nd Place: Glenn Lougheed, Walmart Supply Chain

• 3rd Place: David Bond, ABF Freight Systems

Tankers

• 1st Place: Greg Ziegler, XPO Logistics, Inc.

• 2nd Place: Juan Hernandez Jr, Circle K (Rookie)

• 3rd Place: Eric Ramsdell, Walmart Supply Chain

5 Axle Sleeper

• 1st Place: Dale Moyle, Walmart Supply Chain

• 2nd Place: Shirley Settles, Walmart Supply Chain

• 3rd Place: Duane Donner, Walmart Supply Chain

Tractor Trailer – Twins

• 1st Place: Sam Smith, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

• 2nd Place: Mohammed Khan, FedEx Freight

• 3rd Place: Roy Hindson, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Competition Phases

The drivers were tested across three main phases, each designed to assess their expertise and simulate real-world transport scenarios. These include:

1. Written Exam: Focusing on drivers’ understanding of industry-specific regulations, first aid, safety protocols, security measures, and wellness.
2. Pre-Trip Inspection: Evaluating their ability to identify potential safety risks and vehicle equipment defects.
3. Skills/Driving Course: Featuring six challenging obstacles replicating practical situations encountered on the road.

These multi-faceted tests underscored the importance of precision, safety, and adaptability in professional driving.

Source: Truckers News
Image Source: Arizona Trucking Association

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In June, Connor secured his place in this elite competition following an impressive performance last year, where he earned the title of Rookie of the Year at the Land of Lincoln’s NTDC qualifier.

Upcoming National Truck Driving Championships

• Participants: Top drivers from state-level competitions across nine distinct categories, all vying for the prestigious Grand Champion title.
• Evaluation Criteria: Competitors face rigorous challenges, including a written examination, detailed vehicle inspections, and real-world driving skills assessments.
• Event Dates: August 21-24
• Location: Indianapolis

As the NTDC date approaches, Connor feels a mix of excitement and nervousness, knowing he will join over 400 of the nation’s best drivers in this intense competition. In an interview with Transport Topics, he shared insights into his rigorous preparations, stating, “doing practice tests at night” and “practicing on the weekends with my dad as my coach” have been crucial to his training.

Throughout the summer, Connor and Ceth dedicated countless hours to perfecting their driving techniques, understanding that teamwork and strategic thinking are key to success in a competition as demanding as this.

A Closer Look at Connor Christensen

• Age: 26
• Hometown: Manhattan, Illinois
• Preferred Vehicle: Step van
• Musical Taste: Country
• Leisure Activity: Golf
• Guilty Pleasure: Hot wings
• Most Unforgettable NTDC Experience: Watching his father secure second place in the step van division in 2022.

Connor has high hopes of finishing in the top five on August 22 in the step van category. He takes immense pride in representing Illinois and UPS among the nation’s elite drivers, all of whom are recognized for their outstanding safety records.

Ceth Christensen remains a vital source of support and guidance for Connor. He has confidence in his son’s ability to excel at the NTDC, which features a challenging driving course, pre-trip inspections, and a comprehensive written test focused on industry protocols. Ceth expressed, “It’s been pretty exciting, not only watching him approach problems differently than I would, but also seeing him take my advice and input and use them to the best of his ability. He’s our kid. We want him to do his best, and we’d love to see him walk away with a trophy — that would be awesome. But we know how tough the competition is. So, it’s exciting. He’s got his eyes open; he’s ready to roll.”

Ceth emphasizes that the NTDC is more than just a competition; it’s a celebration of safety and skill, honoring those who have excelled without incidents over the past year. “We’re all pretty much equal. We’re all doing the same job — out here to have some fun and showcase our skills,” he noted.

This year, UPS proudly has 28 drivers competing at the NTDC, including California’s grand champion, Alejandro Fonseca, who competes with twin trailers. The reigning national grand champion, Gragg Wilson from Nevada, also represented UPS last year.

“It’s pretty cool that our trucking company or trucking industry has something like this to showcase our skills.”

Source: Transport Topics

Image: Transport Topics

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Sanchez, a resident of Yucaipa, California, serves as a sleeper team tractor-trailer driver alongside his daughter, Raquel. Together, they handle 10-hour driving shifts covering thousands of miles to deliver packages to UPS facilities across multiple states.

Not only has Sanchez demonstrated exceptional safe driving skills, but he has also remained injury-free for his entire career. With the responsibility of raising five children, he understands the importance of working safely and protecting himself on the road.

“I have a lot of responsibility to make sure I continue working to provide for my family,” Jim said.

Throughout his career, he’s made UPS history twice:

• In 2022, Sanchez and his daughter, Raquel, were the company’s first father-daughter sleeper team drivers on the west coast.
• In 1997, Sanchez was on the first sleeper team out of Ontario, California when the company introduced its first four long-haul routes.

Sanchez credits UPS’s driver training for his safety achievements.

“It’s always talked about and reinforced at UPS, and therefore, becomes muscle memory,” he said.

In 2013, his driver training enabled him to rescue a young woman from a burning vehicle.

The Joseph M. Kaplan Award is inspired by the exceptional leadership of Joseph M. Kaplan, former president of the Southern California Chapter of the National Safety Council.

Source: Truckers News

Photo: UPS

The post UPS Trucker Honored with National Safety Council Award appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

According to the agreement, existing workers will see significant wage increases, with full-time employees earning an additional $2.75 per hour in 2023 and a total increase of $7.50 per hour over the course of the contract. Part-time workers will also receive a raise, with current employees immediately earning up to $21 per hour, and new hires starting at $21 per hour and advancing to $23 per hour. This is a significant improvement from the current average floor of $16 per hour for part-timers.

In addition to the wage increases, part-time workers will benefit from double the general wage increases compared to the previous contract, resulting in a 48% average total wage increase over the next five years. Part-time UPS Teamsters will also have priority for seasonal support work and will have a guaranteed eight-hour shift when using their personal vehicles.

Both the Teamsters and UPS have hailed the agreement as historic. The union has praised UPS for committing $30 billion of new money, while UPS CEO Carol B. Tomé believes the contract represents a “win-win-win agreement” that addresses the concerns of all stakeholders.

This tentative contract marks a significant milestone in the relationship between UPS and the Teamsters, ensuring stability, job growth, and improved wages for thousands of workers.

The contract will now be presented to the 340,000 union members for voting and is expected to be concluded by August 22nd.

One notable aspect of the contract is the inclusion of air conditioners in larger delivery vehicles purchased after January 1, 2024, addressing the issue of sweltering heat during deliveries. Additionally, drivers referred to as “22.4s” will be reclassified as Regular Package Car Drivers, putting an end to the unfair two-tier wage system. Another significant change is the introduction of Martin Luther King Jr. Day as a paid Teamsters holiday at UPS for the first time.

Analyst Bascome Majors suggests that UPS and the Teamsters could potentially negotiate 7-day-a-week service without reopening the entire contract; however, it should be noted that UPS does not operate on Sundays.

For the contract to be effective, the master agreement from last Tuesday’s negotiations, along with more than 40 local and regional supplemental agreements, must be ratified through majority votes. It is expected that the rank and file will approve the contract, given that the negotiating committee unanimously approved it with confidence.

UPS’s recent deal with labor unions has raised concerns about the company’s ability to achieve profitable growth in the face of labor cost inflation. While estimates suggest a 7%-8% increase in labor costs in the first year and 4% to 5% in the following years, it is uncertain whether productivity offsets will balance out these figures.

Experts, such as Gordon Glazer from Shipware LLC, believe that the contract heavily favors labor, making it harder for UPS to compete. Glazer emphasizes that simply raising rates won’t be enough for UPS to stay competitive, and the company will need to be strategic to ensure each deal contributes to its profitability.

Looking ahead, shippers are wondering what UPS’s annual general rate increase (GRI) will look like for 2024. Tommy Storch, a transportation procurement expert at Insight Sourcing Group, predicts at least an 8% increase in the GRI when considering fuel surcharges and accessorial fees. FedEx may follow a similar path.

In response to higher labor costs, UPS will focus on reducing its cost per package by taking on more volume. This strategy aims to offset the impact of increased labor expenses.

Source: FreightWaves

The post UPS and Teamsters Secure Tentative Contract Avoiding Nationwide Strike appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

Campbell’s exceptional driving skills and his dedication to his community were the key factors in earning this award.

In recognition of his achievement, Campbell received a coveted “Driver of the Year” ring, an exclusive VIP experience at an upcoming Nascar race, and a generous cash prize.

UPS, in a recent news release, explained that recipients of the Driver of the Year award are selected based on their outstanding safety record, extensive professional experience, and their leadership within the community.

In addition to his decorated career at UPS, Campbell devotes his time to serving his community, particularly focusing on supporting the military and ministry.

Currently, he serves as the pastor and founder of the respected Armor of Faith Christian Center in Jacksonville. Campbell is also a retired member of the Army National Guard, Army Reserves, and the Jacksonville police reserve, having dedicated over 20 years of service to each position.

Source: TruckersNews

The post Florida Trucking Association Names UPS Trucker Driver of the Year appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

June 13’s announcement reveals that the company has agreed to install air conditioning systems, new heat shields, and additional fans on their trucks.

This deal means that all larger delivery vehicles, smaller sprinter vans, and UPS’s brown package cars bought after January 1, 2024, will be equipped with in-cab air conditioning systems, according to the union.

“Air conditioning is coming to UPS, and Teamster members in these vehicles will get the relief and protection they’ve been fighting for,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien said in a statement to Transport Topics. “The union’s entire national committee and our rank-and-filers should be commended for staying in this fight and making their priorities known to this company.”

The majority of UPS’s 93,000 vehicle fleet consists of familiar package delivery vehicles. In response to concerns over driver safety and comfort in extreme temperatures, the union has negotiated for the installation of two fans and exhaust heat shields in all package vehicle cabs. Additionally, new and retrofitted package cars will be equipped with air induction vents to improve conditions in cargo compartments.

This initiative comes after UPS’s CEO expressed a commitment to the issue of driver safety.

“We are aligned on several key issues, like solving the staffing needs for weekend deliveries and ways to mitigate the summer heat in our package delivery vehicles,” she said early in the contract negotiations. “While we expect to hear a great deal of noise during the negotiations, I remain confident that a win, win, win contract is very achievable and that UPS and the Teamsters will reach an agreement by the end of July.”

The Teamsters have emphasized the need for this contract to address the lower wage system that weekend drivers at UPS are subjected to. Negotiations between the union and management will resume on June 14 in Virginia, with a five-year agreement as the goal. The workers will not work without a finalized agreement, but there has been progress in recent weeks at the bargaining table.

“We are here to protect more than 340,000 UPS Teamsters and get the best contract in the history of our union with this company. Today’s progress was a significant step towards a stronger new reality for so many workers and their families,” said O’Brien.

The union has made progress in resolving over a dozen issues through subcommittee agreements and is currently developing fresh proposals to present to UPS at the national level. Additionally, union members will be revealing the outcome of a strike authorization vote requested by O’Brien soon. A positive vote will provide the team with more bargaining power. UPS anticipates a favorable outcome and reassures that a contract agreement will be reached before the July 31 deadline.

“This vote is a routine part of the bargaining process and does not mean that there will be a strike,” UPS said in an emailed statement.

The working conditions agreement between UPS and the drivers’ union isn’t the only development on the table. As of June 1st, both parties have also agreed to new contract language regarding a key issue. The union has confirmed that a tentative agreement has been reached to reduce the size of UPS SurePost packages that qualify for delivery by the U.S. Postal Service.

UPS defines SurePost as an economy service geared towards non-urgent, business-to-consumer shipments. According to the current contract, UPS handles the initial shipment pickup with USPS performing the final delivery, seven days a week. For a package to qualify as a SurePost item with USPS, it must fall within specified weight and size limits. Parcels that exceed these limits can be sent back into the UPS system and distributed by a union driver on a UPS truck.

“We’ve reached tentative agreement on the article, subject to ratification of the contract, to reduce the overall size of packages eligible for SurePost delivery, so more existing volume is going back onto Teamster trucks rather than coming off,” the union said in a statement.

Source: Transport Topics

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