The coverage is scheduled to begin in August and will follow this year’s award program through the selection of the winner in December.

Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence was launched in 2015 by Kenworth, FASTPORT, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program to recognize military veterans who have successfully transitioned into professional trucking careers.

Series Will Follow the 2026 Award Program

According to the press release, PodWheels plans to produce between 20 and 25 podcast episodes documenting the 2026 competition, while The Trucker will publish a series of feature articles written by PodWheels founder and executive producer Greg Thompson.

The organizations said the coverage will begin with the announcement of this year’s “Elite 11” semifinalists in early August and continue through the presentation of the award in December.

As part of the project, Thompson plans to interview each of the 11 semifinalists for PodWheels’ Destinations podcast series. Those interviews will also serve as the basis for feature stories appearing on TheTrucker.com.

Coverage Will Include Key Transition Trucking Events

The press release states that PodWheels will travel to Columbus, Ohio, in September to cover events recognizing the semifinalists at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum, along with activities at Kenworth’s manufacturing facility in Chillicothe, where this year’s finalists will be announced.

The winner of the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award will receive a new Kenworth T680 during the program’s awards presentation in December.

Program Continues to Highlight Veterans Entering Trucking

For more than a decade, the Transition Trucking program has recognized military veterans beginning careers in the trucking industry. The annual selection process starts with nominations submitted by motor carriers and CDL training providers before being narrowed to the Elite 11 semifinalists, followed by a group of finalists announced later in the year.

In the press release, representatives from PodWheels, The Trucker Media Group, and FASTPORT said the expanded coverage is intended to bring greater visibility to the award program while sharing the personal stories of veteran drivers making the transition into the trucking industry.

Podcast episodes will be distributed through PodWheels.com and major podcast platforms, while related feature stories will appear on TheTrucker.com.

The TDUSA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering trucking news, industry updates, safety, regulations, and career information for professional truck drivers across the United States. Each article is built to reflect real-world experience, industry developments, and information drivers can use on and off the road.

Last Updated: August 3, 2026

Source: EIN Presswire

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A Proud Collaboration

“Our entire PodWheels Team is extremely honored to know that ATA has placed its trust in our company to have our Road to Minneapolis series serve as the official podcast of NTDC 2025,” said Greg Thompson, founder and executive producer of PodWheels. “We hold a great respect for everyone involved in the NTDC program across the country, and we value each opportunity that we have to share the stories of the nation’s top professionals behind the wheel.”

Comprehensive Coverage

The Road to Minneapolis podcast series will include up to 100 episodes in 2025, continuing to build on PodWheels’ long-standing relationship with the NTDC. Since its first coverage in 2019, PodWheels has produced over 150 episodes, expanding its reach and depth of storytelling around state championships and national events.

About NTDC

With nearly 90 years of history, the annual NTDC is the premier safety competition for the trucking industry. To qualify, professional drivers must win state-level championships in one of nine vehicle divisions and maintain a spotless safety record. ATA reports that around 4,000–5,000 drivers compete each year, with approximately 435 finalists vying for national recognition. Hosted by ATA’s Safety Management Council and state associations, the 2025 NTDC will take place at the Minneapolis Convention Center from August 20–23.

A Tradition of Excellence

“Our coverage of NTDC has become a tradition for PodWheels,” Thompson stated. “Each year we’ve worked to find ways to raise the bar in sharing what we believe are some of the most important stories that we can offer about the trucking industry, the stories of the nation’s safest professional drivers and the people supporting them.”

A Year-Round Spotlight on Safety

“Over the past several years, we have watched the commitment that Greg Thompson and his PodWheels team have made to highlighting the people involved with the various aspects of NTDC,” said Jacob Pierce, executive director of ATA’s Safety Management Council and Transportation Security Council. “Through its ongoing NTDC podcast series, PodWheels has taken ATA’s three-day national championship event and given the NTDC a year-round platform that celebrates safety. “We believe that the Road To Minneapolis series has become a must-listen podcast in the trucking industry, especially for anyone interested in the stories of the [people] who are the best of the best in their profession.”

Stay tuned to PodWheels for comprehensive NTDC 2025 coverage, and visit PodWheels.com for updates, results, and behind-the-scenes stories. PodWheels continues to champion the best in trucking safety, making the industry proud one podcast at a time.

Source: The Trucker
Image Source: ATA

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