Nebraska Truck Driving Championships Showcase Talent
GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — The Nebraska Trucking Association (NTA) held its annual Nebraska Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), where professional drivers demonstrated their skills both inside and outside their trucks.
Event Overview
The NTDC serves as a qualifying event for the National Truck Driving Championships. The competition kicks off with a written test, followed by a pre-trip inspection and an oral interview with the Nebraska State Patrol (NSP), culminating in a driving course.
Driving Course Details
The driving course is uniquely designed for each championship and incorporates six road challenges. These tests are intended to assess the drivers’ skills.
Participation and Awards
This year’s event saw participation from 98 drivers, including a record 32 rookies and 13 women, competing in 10 truck classifications. Eric Stein from Werner Enterprises was crowned the 2024 Grand Champion and received the Professional Excellence award.
Special Awards
Todd Gimpel from FedEx Freight was named Rookie of the Year, and several special awards were presented in memory of individuals who significantly contributed to Nebraska’s trucking industry. Rob Jensen of Fremont Contract Carriers received the Bucky Buchholtz Top Driver Award, while Eric Stein also won the Kurt Everett Vehicle Condition Award for the best pre-trip inspection.
Final Recognitions
The Jerry Wessel Award, honoring a long-time NTDC committee leader, went to Rob Jensen for exemplifying professionalism and industry knowledge. The top competitors in each category will advance to the national level.
Future Competitions
Nine category champions will represent Nebraska at the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships from August 21-24 in Indianapolis. Additionally, the leading contestant in the mixer truck category will compete at the National Mixer Driver Championship scheduled for October 10-14.
Class Winners
Here are the 2024 NTDC Class Winners:
- Straight Class: 1st Christina Gaines (FedEx Express), 2nd Sam Wilson (XPO Logistics), 3rd Steven Hayes (Grand Island Express)
- Three-Axle Class: 1st Eric Stein (Werner Enterprises), 2nd Jeffery Reed (Old Dominion Freight Line), 3rd Joseph Bush (ABF Freight Systems)
- Four-Axle Class: 1st Garet Poland (Walmart Transportation), 2nd Izet Kantarevic (Werner Enterprises), 3rd James Dotson (FedEx Freight)
- Five-Axle Class: 1st Chauncy Hunter (Greater Omaha Express), 2nd Justine September Baldwin (FedEx Ground), 3rd Paul Johnson (Old Dominion Freight Line)
- Mixer Truck Class: 1st Linda Pawlenty (Ready Mixed Concrete Co.), 2nd Jacob Freiderich Lyman (Richey Corporation), 3rd Greg Burroughs (Ready Mixed Concrete Co.)
Team winners included 1st Werner Enterprises, 2nd Greater Omaha Express, and 3rd Fremont Contract Carriers.
