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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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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Source: LMTA Foundation

The annual event saw 80 skilled drivers competing in three key challenges, each designed to showcase their expertise in the trucking profession. To qualify, participants were required to maintain an impeccable safety record, including no accidents over the past year.

The three areas of the competition included:

• Written Examination: A comprehensive test assessing industry knowledge, safety protocols, first aid, and firefighting skills.
• Pre-Trip Inspection: Drivers had to identify hidden defects on a test vehicle under strict time constraints, showcasing their vehicle inspection skills based on Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) guidelines.
• Field Test Course: Participants navigated a specially crafted course designed to mimic real-world challenges encountered during daily driving duties.

Meet the Grand Champion

Chad Rudesill, a FedEx driver, emerged as the competition’s grand champion. Beyond clinching the overall title, Rudesill also took first place in the 3-Axle Van division.

Other Top Honors

• Rookie of the Year: Darrin Lemoine (Walmart)

• Team Trophy Winner: XPO

• Mechanic’s Award: Corey Mitchell (FedEx Freight)

Division Champions

Several drivers stood out for their exceptional skills and performances across various vehicle categories. Below are the winners in each division:

Step Van

1. Nicholas Burgess (Walmart)

1. Michael Brian (FedEx)

1. Mario Powell (FedEx)

Straight Truck

1. Leroy Williams (XPO)

1. Darrin Lemoine (Walmart)

1. Corey Mitchell (FedEx)

3-Axle Van

1. Chad Rudesill (FedEx)

1. David Jowers (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Damien Hebert (XPO)

4-Axle Van

1. Larry Peltier (Martin Brower)

1. Wallace Simien (Walmart)

1. Shelton Winn (Old Dominion Freight Line)

5-Axle Van

1. Eric Courville (FedEx)

1. Christopher Colomb (Walmart)

1. John McLean (Walmart)

5-Axle Tank Truck

1. Curtis McMellon (XPO)

1. Johnnie Long (Walmart)

1. Patrick Rudesill (FedEx)

5-Axle Flatbed

1. Mark Collins (Walmart)

1. Joseph Vital (FedEx)

1. Warren Little (FedEx)

5-Axle Sleeper Cab

1. Patrick Bonvillian (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Malcolm Taylor (FedEx)

1. Joseph Guidry (Walmart)

Twin Truck

1. Wilbur Sansom (FedEx)

1. Eddie Bonnet (Old Dominion Freight Line)

1. Michael Greene (Ergon Trucking)

Heading to Nationals

Each first-place driver has earned the honor of representing the LMTA Foundation and Louisiana at the 2025 American Trucking Association (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships. The national event will take place in Minneapolis from August 20 to 23, where drivers will compete on a larger stage against the best in the country.

Recognizing Skill and Excellence

This year’s competition not only celebrated safe driving but also served as a platform to highlight the expertise and dedication required in the trucking industry. With rigorous tests like the written exam, pre-trip inspection, and field driving course, the event underscored the importance of safety, knowledge, and precision behind the wheel.

Congratulations to all the winners, and best of luck to Louisiana’s top drivers as they prepare for the national stage in Minneapolis!

Source: Truckers News

The post FedEx Driver Crowned Champion at Louisiana Truck Driving Championships appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.

“I want to congratulate our 246 drivers who reached one million or more consecutive accident-free miles last year,” said Mario Harik, CEO of XPO. “I am grateful for everything they do to serve our customers and keep our roads safe, and I look forward to recognizing many more drivers in the coming year.”

Accumulating Over 308 Million Miles of Safe Driving

Collectively, these safety leaders have driven over 308 million accident-free miles—a distance equivalent to about 12,379 trips around the globe. These numbers truly reflect their dedication and skill on the roads.

Breaking Down the Safety Records:

• 199 drivers earned recognition for reaching one million consecutive accident-free miles.

• 35 drivers surpassed two million miles of safe driving.

• Nine drivers achieved a remarkable milestone of three million accident-free miles, including the 100th XPO driver in company history to accomplish this extraordinary feat.

Driving Excellence to the Next Level

Three exceptional drivers reached an astounding four million accident-free miles last year:

• Dale Williams, Knoxville, Tennessee

• Doug Phelps, Clearfield, Pennsylvania

• Darrell Thompson, Indianapolis, Indiana

Driving four million miles without any accidents is comparable to traveling to the moon and back more than eight times. Together, Dale, Doug, and Darrell bring a combined 116 years of flawless, accident-free driving to XPO—a testament to their commitment to safety and professionalism.

Source: The Trucker

Image: XPO

The post Honoring XPO’s Safety Achievements in 2024: 246 Drivers Reach the Million-Mile Mark appeared first on Truck Drivers USA.