Trucking Life Archives

5 FedEX drivers take home top honors at National Truck Driving Championships

The Trucker News Staff - August 29, 2023

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Five FedEx drivers were recognized with top honors at the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships (NTDC/NSVDC). The competition, which took place Aug. 16-19 in Columbus, Ohio, is hosted each year by the American Trucking Associations and dates back to 1937, when it was known as the National Truck “Roadeo.” Drivers who won their respective classes include: David Coffel, of Phoenix, won the Straight Truck National Championship in his third appearance at the NTDC. A FedEx Express team member for 14 years, including 11 as a driver, Coffelhas logged more than 600,000 miles without ever having an accident. John Greene, of Goshen, Connecticut, won the 5-Axle National Championship. A professional driver for 32 years and the 2015 Connecticut Rookie of the Year, Greene has accumulated more than 1.45 million safe-driving miles during his career. He has been a FedEx Freight team member in New Haven, Conn., for 13 years. JC de la Cruz, of Anchorage, Alaska, won the Step Van National Championship. This was the third-straight NSVDC appearance for de la Cruz, who finished third at the championships in 2022. A FedEx Express team member for more than 22 years, de la Cruz has spent the better part of 18 years behind the wheel as a courier and has logged more than 290,000 safe-driving miles. Robert Fair, of Sanbornton, New Hampshire, won the Twins National Championship. Fair, this year’s New Hampshire Grand Champion, has logged more than 2.3 million safe-driving miles during his 24 years as a professional driver. He is a member of the FedEx Freight team in Belmont, New Hampshire. Roland Bolduc, of East Longmeadow, Mass., won the Sleeper Berth National Championship. This year marked the 18th NTDC appearance for Bolduc, who earned the National Grand Champion award in 2017 and 2022. Based in Windsor, Connecticut. Bolduc has worked for FedEx Express for more than 29 years and has accumulated more than 2.6 million miles without an accident during his 39-year professional driving career. FedEx has established a reputation for excellence at the NTDC. This year, FedEx had the privilege of sending a total of 156 drivers from across the country to the NTDC. With five national titles won in 2023, FedEx drivers have now earned 71 National Champion, seven National Grand Champion, and 10 National Rookie of the Year titles in the past 19 years. In addition to five national champions, nine drivers were top finishers in their respective driving class at this year’s championships: Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, of Rathdrum, Idaho, third place, 4-Axle. Alex Lofgren, FedEx Express, St. Paul, Minnesota, third place, Step Van. Bill Colantuone, FedEx Express, of Raynham, Massachusetts, second place, Straight Truck. Greg Long, FedEx Express, of Frederick, Maryland, second place, Step Van. Jamie Sowder, FedEx Freight, of Toone, Tennessee, third place, Flatbed. Jim Kohr, FedEx Express, of North Chili, New York, third place, Straight Truck. Ritch Fundell, FedEx Freight, of Tonica, Illinois, third place, 3-Axle. Todd Flippin, FedEx Freight, of Lamar, Colorado, third place, Twins. Tyler Rogers, FedEx Freight, of Fruita, Colorado, third place, Sleeper Berth. Four drivers from FedEx received the highest score on the written exam: David Comings, FedEx Freight, of Wahpeton, North Dakota, 4-Axle. David Mogler, FedEx Freight, of Brighton, Colorado, Tank Truck. Mike Bills, FedEx Express, of Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, Straight Truck. Todd Flippin, FedEx Freight, of Lamar, Colorado, Twins. A driver representing FedEx received the Vehicle Condition Award for the best pre-trip inspection: Tim Blair, FedEx Freight, of Alcoa, Tennessee, 5-Axle. Three drivers from FedEx were members of Connecticut’s Team Champions: John Greene, FedEx Freight, of Goshen, Connecticut, 5-Axle. John Sanchez, FedEx Express, of Windsor Locks, Connecticut, Step Van. Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express, of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, Sleeper Berth.

Another Highway Angel is named after trucker stops to aid at high-speed crash scene

The Trucker News Staff - August 29, 2023

ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Joshua Mulford, a truck driver for Hirschbach Motor Lines, has been named a Highway Angel by the Truckload Carriers Association (TCA) for providing aid after a high-speed car crash while traveling. Traveling down State Road 77, Mulford and his trainee, Wesley Hirst, saw a passenger car speed past them at possibly 100 mph, according to the TCA. As the crash occurred, Mulford described the scene, “All at once there was a loud bang, a fire erupted from the car, we saw the guy tumbling across the road — the passenger.” Hirst, who was driving at the time, pulled the truck to the side of the road. Both Mulford and Hirst saw that the driver of the crashed car got out of the vehicle and appeared to have minor injuries. The passenger of the car, however, wasn’t so lucky. The crash caused the passenger to be ejected from the car, landing in front of Mulford’s truck on the concrete guard railing. At first, Mulford wanted to extinguish the fire but realized “the car was too far gone” when he returned with the fire extinguisher. However, that did not stop him from continuing to help. He hurried to offer water to bystanders who stopped to help with the crash. He then began directing traffic and continued to do so even after emergency personnel arrived at the scene. Mulford didn’t hesitate once when he decided to help at the scene. “It’s in my nature — I try to help everybody I can when I can,” said Mulford.

ATRI seeking participants for annual trucking industry survey

The Trucker News Staff - August 28, 2023

WASHINGTON — The American Transportation Research Institute (ATRI) is asking for participants in its 2023 Top Industry Issues Survey. The annual survey asks trucking industry stakeholders to rank the top issues of concern for the industry along with potential strategies for addressing each issue. “The annual Top Industry Issues Survey has long been a crucial part of understanding the challenges facing our country’s supply chain,” said ATA Chair Dan Van Alstine, Ruan Transportation Management Systems’ president and chief operating officer. “ATRI’s research provides an opportunity for thousands of trucking industry professionals, from drivers to executives, to weigh in on the most important topics that affect trucking and collectively decide on the best strategies for addressing each.” The results of the 2023 survey will be released Oct. 14 as part of the American Trucking Associations Management Conference & Exhibition to be held in Austin, Texas. Industry stakeholders are encouraged to complete the 2023 survey available by clicking here. The survey will remain open through Sept. 29. “I encourage my fellow drivers to take a few minutes and complete ATRI’s Top Industry Issues Survey. Whether your top issue is truck parking, driver compensation, detention, traffic congestion or something else, it only takes a few minutes to make your voice heard and for us collectively to let the industry know what drivers are most concerned about,” said Ken Duncan, an America’s Road Team Captain and professional truck driver for Walmart Transportation.

Study: 75% of truck drivers say their job is mentally, physically stressful

Linda Garner-Bunch - August 25, 2023

BEAVERTON, Ore. — A new study by DAT Freight & Analytics has found that almost 75% of truck drivers find their jobs physically and emotionally stressful. Additionally, many drivers reported an inability to care for their well-being. “As the country prepares for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, from Sept. 10-16, and celebrates the vital role of truck drivers in our economy, the DAT survey results show why it’s important to empathize with the challenges they face in their personal and professional lives,” said Jeff Hopper, chief marketing officer at DAT. “For all that you are, and all that you do. We thank you, truck drivers.” The survey of 504 truck drivers, 337 of whom own the truck they drive, revealed the conditions that lead to stress on the road. Drivers miss time with friends and family: 54% of truck drivers spend less than 24 hours a week at home. Drivers have a long workweek: 33% of drivers are driving more than 49 hours a week. Nutrition is a challenge: 63% of truckers cook meals in their truck two to six days a week, and 37% eat fast food two to three days a week. Long hours make it difficult to manage sleep and exercise: 63% of truckers sleep 6 hours or less per night, and 38% of truck drivers say they take medication to help them sleep. The survey also examined how truck drivers manage their mental health. Nearly 46% of respondents said access to mental health services would be an effective way to help them manage stress. However, only 40% of male drivers said they would consider speaking with a counselor or therapist about their emotions and experiences, compared to 58% of female drivers. Family members are less likely to relate to living and working on the road. More than 71% of truckers’ children did not follow in a parent’s footsteps, despite riding along when they were younger. “Many truck drivers develop strategies to manage the long hours, isolation and health issues that come with the job,” Hopper said. “However, finding suitable places for sleep, healthy meals, and other necessities are constant challenges. It’s essential to recognize the role truckers play in our economy and to do whatever we can to recognize their hard work.” As an expression of gratitude to the nation’s truckers, DAT Freight & Analytics will reward five randomly chosen truckers with a free, six-month subscription to DAT One Pro. To learn more and enter for a chance to win, visit instagram.com/datfreight during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Truckers can also win one of 10 $100 VISA gift cards. Visit facebook.com/datfreight and follow #appreciateDATtrucker for details and entry information.

Hazmat hauler Liana Castro never takes the easy way out

Dwain Hebda - August 24, 2023

Liana Castro heard the word “can’t” a lot growing up, as in “You can’t be a truck driver.” She also heard “aren’t” a fair amount, specifically, “Women aren’t supposed to be in the tucking business.” And, every so often, a “won’t” would bubble to the surface, like, “You won’t be successful competing with men.” Even so, Castro discovered a love of trucking at a young age. “I’d see trucks rolling down the highway as a kid and I always thought they were just big and cool,” she said. “But it was always looked down upon in my family because that was a guy’s job. That’s how it was viewed. When I did mention having an interest in it, it was like, ‘Whoa, you can’t do that! That’s only for men. You can’t be in a male-dominated industry. Would you even like those things?’ That kind of deterred me for a bit.” These statements presented challenges that Castro was determined to overcome. She worked up the nerve to dive into driver’s school, over the disapproval of her family. And while CDL training WAS as tough as they said it would be in some respects, she stuck with it. “I was completely out of my element. Honestly, the first day of truck school, I wanted to quit” she recalled. But she did not quit. Today, the only negative terms the California-born driver, who now drives for LGT Transport, retains from her younger days are “didn’t” and “isn’t” — as in, she didn’t listen to her naysayers then and she isn’t about to start now. “I tell people all the time, ‘Keep applying yourself,’” Castro said. “No matter what you get in life, you have to stick with it.” Castro applied this dogged determination to overcome the many challenges that faced her early on in her career. With each job she held, she learned a little more about what her strengths were in trucking and what type of driving best suited her life and personality. By the time she got to LGT, Castro had a strong sense of self, as well as a clear vision of what she wanted to accomplish in her career. “I’ve been with LGT about five and a half years, and a cryogenics hazmat tanker driver for about six years,” she said. “I just find it interesting and, I guess, the danger of hazmat is part of that. It’s challenging to you as a driver and it’s a completely different ballgame than anything else. “It’s always challenging,” she continued. “There are always new things that come up. It never stops. It always keeps you on your toes. I like that.” At age 33, Castro finds herself at the top of her game. Typically hauling throughout the West Coast region, where she still makes her home, she’s equally comfortable with a long-haul assignment. She’s touched all but two of the lower 48 states and has trucked to two Canadian provinces. She says she has no clue how many miles she’s racked up in her career. “I still go anywhere and everywhere I’m needed, and that includes Canada,” she said. “I like to be a flexible driver for my company.” Part of what fuels Castro’s company-first mentality is the diversity she sees among LGT’s driver pool. While women have been slow to enter the trucking industry overall, she says LGT has made a concentrated effort to boost the number of women behind the wheel. “Within my own company, we actually do have quite a few women drivers, which is awesome to me,” she said. “Even in the hazmat world — where there really aren’t a lot (of women) overall — we’re attracting women who are looking to expand their careers. “It would be nice to see more actually, but I know it’s not always the most appealing job to women,” she added. “Like I said, in a lot of families, (trucking) is looked down upon, and women are told they can’t do that, or they can’t work around a lot of men.” Castro not only tries to dispel such stereotypes by her everyday work routine, but she’s also taking working to topple long-standing career barriers. As LGT’s first female driver-trainer, she has the perfect opportunity to debunk long-held attitudes and bring change to an industry that’s traditionally been slow to embrace it. “I think what sets me apart as a trainer is I have a lot of patience,” she said. “You’re working with so many different types of people and backgrounds. I try tailor my training to the individual and how they are. I don’t just go in with the same script for everybody, because everybody works at a different pace. Some people need things broken down in certain ways. “That’s stuff I didn’t get when I first started out,” she continued. “I was always thrown into the fire, which helped me improve who I am — but you don’t need to train that way. This isn’t a competition. We don’t need to throw people this way and that way. We train for safety and for excellence first.” Castro’s impact on fellow drivers and others in the trucking industry earned her Member of the Month honors from Women In Trucking for July 2023. However, she says, awards and accolades don’t alter who she is or the training provided to the people she’s tasked with preparing for the road. Her message is clear, simple and hard-won. “Nothing is easy,” she said. “You have to go with how you feel and where your heart and your head are at. Just continue to go down the path you think is right for you. Learn to find encouragement from within yourself, because a lot of times, you will not get it from other people.” Keep working toward your goals even when those naysayers are the people you love the most and who are closest to you, she advises. “It took a while for my family to own up and be like, ‘You’re not just someone holding a steering wheel all day,’” Castro said. “At the same time, with me being over the road, they don’t get to see what I’m doing, because they’re not out there. All they know is I leave home and then I come back. “But they’ve definitely warmed up to it, and see that it is a good career path,” she said. “They have seen how much I’ve developed in a short amount of time in my own career.”

Preventing fatigue can help drivers and motor carriers improve safety ratings

Cliff Abbott - August 22, 2023

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. — Ask anyone who’s been in trucking for more than five years if electronic logging devices (ELDs) have changed the industry, and the answer will most likely be a resounding “yes.” For many drivers, of course, the job itself changed. Electronic logs require entries the driver might not have made on paper logs. In addition, federal regulations about drivers’ hours of service (HOS) became more stringent. The practice of “adjusting” entries to maximize driving hours became more difficult — but the math exercise of tracking those hours actually became easier. One of the bigger changes to the industry, however, has been seen in the safety department of many motor carriers. With ELDs, it became possible to get more information than what was provided on paper logs, and in a much more timely manner. No more waiting for paper logs to be physically handed over and audited. The reality is that anything electronic that is connected to the truck’s system can be monitored — and information that can be monitored can also be presented in ways that increase its value. Using its CPSuite product, Fleetworthy Solutions helps carriers decipher the myriad of information produced by a truck’s electronic systems, including ELDs. The idea is to create an Intelligent Compliance Platform that can be used by carriers to go beyond simple compliance to regulations by helping the carrier identify hazardous behaviors, fatigue and other issues so they can be dealt with quickly. While Fleetworthy doesn’t produce or sell ELDs, the CPSuite works with just about any device. “We can consume that data from all these different ELD data sources, bring it into our system, apply the regulations to the data and then give them reports on the violations that they’re triggering,” explained Mike Precia, president and CEO of Fleetworthy. “We can show the drivers that are having problems, and then red-thread that with all the other KPIs (key performance indicators) and things that they’re trying to monitor.” In addition to alerting when a driver fails to make change-of-duty status entries, CPSuite can also calculate when split-sleeper berth regulations aren’t followed correctly, and even when use of the truck as a personal conveyance doesn’t match the parameters set by the carrier. It can compare log entries to GPS data and toll transactions to ensure entries accurately reflect a vehicle’s position. One of the most important functions of the CPSuite, however, deals with the very reason federal HOS regulations exist — driver fatigue. “We’re trying to layer on things that are more important than just the hours-of-service rules,” Precia said. “The example I use is, if the carrier is really interested in making sure that the driver is not having any kind of fatigue or any kind of crisis, we can have that driver do a quick cognitive test to make sure that they’re alert, make sure there is no fatigue before they start driving.” While the responsibility for proper use of ELDs and adherence to HOS may fall on both the driver and the employer’s safety division, preventing fatigue is often a task left up to the driver. Fatigue is a critical issue for some drivers, especially those who suffer from sleep apnea, a condition that causes interruptions to sleep that can prevent proper rest. “Excessive daytime sleepiness is the red flag,” said Dean Croke, principal analyst, author and Sleep Science expert at DAT Freight & Analytics. “Waking up feeling not rested, feeling worse than when you went to bed is the next one.” Memory loss can be another red flag. “Poor memory is a really strong indicator, because sleep deprivation affects all of the chemicals that store your memory,” Croke said. “If you forget your exit, forget where you’re going, that sort of thing — (memory is) absolutely critical.” Drivers suffer from obesity at higher rates than the general population, and a large percentage of drivers are also smokers. Both obesity and smoking can contribute to sleep apnea. Croke says his own father suffered from the condition, but at the time no one really recognized the symptoms and impact of the condition. “As children, we would joke about how loud my father snored,” he said. “(But) it wasn’t the snoring; it was the gasping for air that followed the blocking of the upper airway. “One of the symptoms of sleep apnea is when you wake up gasping for air,” Croke continued. “The problem is that the gasping can cause hypotension. When you wake up gasping for air, that gasping gets the heart pumping, and it’s like pumping blood through your arteries with a shotgun.” The symptoms of sleep apnea can often be reduced with diet and exercise, but the truck driving lifestyle doesn’t lend itself to either of those solutions. It takes a lot of effort to find the healthy food on the road, and tight schedules don’t always allow time for workouts. The best course of action, of course, is to get proper diagnosis and treatment. Even drivers without sleep apnea, however, can take steps to maximize the benefit of rest. Bob Perry, known as “The Trucker Trainer,” says sleep isn’t the only factor in whether a driver (or anyone, for that matter), is able to stay alert. “Resistant exercise training, proper hydration, and solid nutrition play key roles in keeping energy levels running efficiently,” he said. Hope Zvara, CEO of Mother Trucker Yoga also weighed in, suggesting that a good start to the day can help keep a person from experiencing fatigue. Don’t reach for coffee and a donut, in hopes that a caffeine and sugar buzz will clear the brain fog. Instead, she says, drink 8 to 20 ounces of water shortly after waking. Like Perry, Zvara believes in the benefits of exercise. “There are three simple moves to get your body going,” she said. “Do five sets of 10 squats, reaching up overhead and arching back, and then bending down to reach for the ground for a slow count of 10.” Doing this simple morning routine, according to Zvara, gets the blood flowing and the digestive system working at full force. At bedtime, she recommends following a routine in preparation for sleep. “Incorporate 10 deep breaths before bed to help your central nervous system and mind separate from the day, helping you to fight tomorrow’s fatigue by stepping into deep rest the night before,” she explained. Another tip from Croke is to sleep in 90-minute blocks. “Sleeping one hour is going to cycle at the bottom of deep sleep. You wake up where you feel groggy and tired and moody,” he said, adding that at the hour and a half point, the body cycles out of deep sleep. “You’re waking up with a dream, because the dream is at the end of every sleep cycle,” he said. “If you time your sleep to culminate with blocks of 90 minutes, you’ll always be waking up feeling refreshed and you’ll get better sleep quality.” Monitoring and reporting systems, like Fleetworthy’s CPSuite, can help carriers identify when drivers are feeling the fatigue. It’s also important for drivers to maximize opportunities for rest by following the advice of the experts.

Brown Wins Crown: UPS driver is grand champion

Linda Garner-Bunch - August 21, 2023

COLUMBUS, Ohio — UPS driver James Gragg Wilson of Nevada has been named the Bendix Grand Champion of the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships. The competition took place Aug. 16-19 at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Ohio. “Gragg delivered a flawless performance to take home our industry’s top prize and earn the title of Grand Champion,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “This accomplishment epitomizes his entire career, with 37 years and more than 2.5 million miles of accident-free driving. All of the professional drivers who competed this week are phenomenal ambassadors for our industry. They are shining examples of highway safety, and their commitment to excellence makes us proud.” Known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” this annual event dates back to 1937. This year’s competitors accumulated more than 643 million accident-free miles in their professional driving careers. To clinch the title, Wilson’s driving accuracy and knowledge of truck safety was scored the highest of 418 state champion professional truck drivers from 49 states competing in all vehicle classes, according to an ATA news release. Wilson, who competed in the tank truck division, has been a professional truck driver for 37 years and has driven more than 2.5 million accident-free miles, the ATA noted. He has previously won the Nevada State Championship 13 times in six different classes, and he has also won Grand Champion five times in the State of Nevada. Wilson was the 2019 Nevada Driver of the Year. ATA also recognized Myron Means of Wyoming, a professional driver for Old Dominion Freight Line, as the 2023 Rookie of the Year. Additionally, the team of drivers from Connecticut produced the best collective score and were honored as the top state delegation. Ina Daly of Arizona, a professional driver for XPO Logistics, was honored during the awards banquet with the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award. Bill Graham was chosen as the Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient. “Congratulations to Grand Champion Gragg and the rest of the 2023 champions. These drivers devote an enormous amount of time preparing for this competition, and the awards reflect the extraordinary dedication and commitment to safety that they bring to their jobs every day,” said Dan Van Alstine, chairman of ATA and president and COO of Ruan Transportation Management Systems. “I would also like to thank the staff and volunteers for organizing this week’s event. Their efforts were instrumental to once again making NTDC a big success.” Since 2011, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has been the sole sponsor of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion. Champions from each of the nine vehicle classes were also announced. The full list of champions and top finishers is listed below. Step Van Jerome De La Cruz, FedEx Express, Alaska Gregory Long, FedEx Express Maryland Alex Lofgren, FedEx Express Minnesota Straight Truck David Coffel, FedEx Express, Arizona William Colantuone, FedEx Express, Massachusetts James Kohr, FedEx Express, New York 3-Axle Barry Kraemer, XPO, Wisconsin Joseph Hicks, XPO, Rhode Island Ritch Fundell, FedEx Freight, Illinois 4-Axle Martin McMahon, RIST Transport, New York Bruce Quaal, ABF Freight System, Inc. Minnesota Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, Idaho 5-Axle John Greene, FedEx Freight, Connecticut James Quarles, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC South Carolina Michael Martin, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC Flatbed Daryl Miller, The Cope Company Salt, Pennsylvania Ernest Wagers, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Kentucky James Sowder, FedEx Freight, Tennessee Tank Truck James “Gragg” Wilson, United Parcel Service, Inc., Nevada Jason Imhoff, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC, Ohio Timothy Vogt, XPO, Georgia Twins Robert Fair, FedEx Freight, New Hampshire Jeffrey Langenhahn, XPO Wisconsin Michael Flippin, FedEx Freight, Colorado Sleeper Berth Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express, Connecticut Chris Moore, Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC, Georgia Tyler Rogers, FedEx Freight, Colorado Rookie of the Year Myron Means, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., Flatbed, Wyoming State Team Award Connecticut Illinois Tennessee Vehicle Condition Award Timothy Blair, FedEx Freight, 5-Axle, Tennessee Highest Written Exam Award Michael Bills, FedEx Express, North Carolina David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota David Mogler, FedEx Freight, Colorado Michael Flippin, FedEx Freight, Colorado Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award Ina Daly, XPO Logistics, Arizona Lifetime Volunteer Award Bill Graham

Werner driver travels 5 million accident-free miles

The Trucker News Staff - August 12, 2023

OMAHA, Neb. — A Werner driver has traveled 5 million miles without an accident. According to a news release, Tim Dean joins driver Charley Endorf as only the second driver in company history to reach this milestone. To honor Dean’s accomplishment, Werner hosted a ceremony at its headquarters in Omaha, Nebraska. The average professional truck driver drives about 2 million miles over the course of their career, according to the American Trucking Associations (ATA). Driving 5 million accident-free miles is equivalent to driving around the world more than 200 times. “Today, we have the pleasure of showcasing what greatness looks like in the daily work of the American professional driver,” said Derek Leathers, Werner’s chairman, president and CEO. “It’s the accomplishment of waking up every day, working hard and delivering goods that matter, both safely and on time, to those who have entrusted us to do so. We commend Tim for his contributions to Werner and the industry as a whole and are incredibly proud of him for his unwavering commitment to safety over the last 35 years. We look forward to Tim’s continued success on the road as a professional driver, one safe mile at a time.” Dean joined Werner in 1988 and has received several accolades during his tenure with the company. In 2009-10, he served as an ATA America’s Road Team Captain and has also been a Werner Road Team Captain and mentor since 2005. For 22 years, Dean has competed in the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships, placing first in his class nine times and earning Grand Champion recognition in 2012 and 2018. He was awarded the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance IDEA (International Driver Excellence Award) in 2019. In addition, Dean was named the Nebraska Trucking Association’s Driver of the Year in 2019. As of August 2023, Werner has a total of 2,175 professional drivers who have driven one or more million accident-free miles, with 639 of those drivers actively in its fleet.

Listen for RadioNemo coverage of 2023 National Truck Driving Championships

The Trucker News Staff - August 11, 2023

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. — Radio Nemo is headed back to the “Super Bowl of Safety” in Columbus, Ohio — and the show is bringing with it more expansive programming. On Aug. 16-19, RadioNemo of North America, a source of news, information and entertainment for truckers, will provide on-site coverage of the upcoming National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships (NTDC 2023). RadioNemo’s coverage includes two days of on-site live radio broadcasts, along with a series of podcast segments created through its partnership with Podwheels. Hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) and the organization’s Safety Management Council, NTDC 2023 will take place in Columbus, Ohio, at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The Dave Nemo Show’s Jimmy Mac will begin by sharing live interviews and some special features from 9-11 a.m. Easten Daylight Time on SiriusXM’s RoadDog Trucking Radio Channel 146. Developed by PodWheels Powered By RadioNemo, the podcast segments can be heard through PodWheels.com as well as on all mainstream podcast outlets. PodWheels Powered By RadioNemo was rolled out in June with producer Greg Thompson at the helm, and this marks the platform’s first foray into programming in direct association with RadioNemo. “Forget the companies, the associations and all the other stuff. It’s about the drivers,” Mac said. “It’s family friendly fun that gives people a chance to see the folks in this industry with their best foot forward. It’s worth going just to see how some of the competitors’ kids look at them.” The NTDC features a collection of the best and most accomplished professional drivers in the country from nine different classifications. To qualify to be a part of the championship, each of the competitors had to win their respective state championship within one of those categories. All the while, those same competitors must have maintained a spotless driving record with no accidents or violations for the 12 months prior to the competition. Called “the Super Bowl of Safety” by the ATA, the annual event brims not only with competition but also great personal and inspirational stories. For the second straight year, RadioNemo will be onsite to tell those tales. Along with Mac, Greg Thompson, the executive producer of PodWheels, will be a featured reporter on additional podcast segments from NTDC 2023. Thompson is currently developing segments for PodWheels to be generated during the NTDC’s final two days. He will have a particular focus on the Parade of Champions and the Championships’ Award Ceremony. “In my view, the National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships stands as one of the most inspiring annual events in the trucking industry,” Thompson said. “We’re looking forward to the opportunity of sharing the stories and perspectives from trucking professionals who have such a deep commitment to safety and excellence.” The new platform PodWheels Powered By RadioNemo currently features eight podcast series and over 180 total episodes. Visitors to PodWheels.com can pick up valuable information each week on approaches to staying healthy while on the road with the Highway To Health Podcast. PodWheels.com also features important perspectives on business planning and tax considerations for professional drivers through the Trucker CFO Podcast. The platform serves as the production resource and primary distribution outlet for the SCF Highway To Hope Podcast, highlighting the work of the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund. The programming from PodWheels.com also offers entertaining diversions from the daily grind of the road through offerings like the free form Exit Ramp, the musically centered Liner Notes and the spooky and (mostly) fictional Snake Pontchartrain’s Places You Wouldn’t Want to Go Unless You’re With Snake Pontchartrain. “The opportunity to work with the RadioNemo Team to collaborate on the development of PodWheels Powered By RadioNemo continues to be a highly valued and rewarding experience,” Thompson said. “We have accomplished a great deal over the past year, and I believe we’ve just begun to scratch the surface of what can be possible through our PodWheels.com platform. Our best days are ahead as we’re looking at a wide range of opportunities for podcast development.”

Relay Payments’ Haul of Fame Contest seeks 2 outstanding drivers

The Trucker News Staff - August 8, 2023

ATLANTA — Attention families and employers of truck drivers in the U.S.: It’s time to show your favorite driver some love. Relay Payments has officially launched its Haul of Fame contest, where two winners will be selected to receive an all-inclusive NASCAR trip to see Hendrick Motorsport’s driver William Byron at Bristol’s dirt track during Truck Driver Appreciation Week. Both winners will receive: Two tickets to the NASCAR Bass Pro Shots Night Race on Sept. 16. Airfares for two and a night at the Red Roof Inn in Kingsport, Tennessee. Transfers to and from the track. Spending money. Exclusive Relay No. 24 racecar swag signed by William Byron.. Nominees must “have an enhanced image of trucking, have a positive impact on the industry and their communities,” a news release stated. They must also be at least 21, a U.S. citizen and hold a current, valid CDL. Owner-operators can nominate themselves. Nominations are due by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Daylight Time on Aug. 20. To nominate yourself or a trucker you know, visit Relay’s website at https://www.relaypayments.com/haul-of-fame.

FASTPORT reports record number of nominations for driving award

The Trucker News Staff - August 8, 2023

WASHINGTON — FASTPORT has announced that they have received a record number of nominations for the 2023 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award. In addition, more organizations than ever before submitted candidates representing each branch of the U.S. military, a news release stated. “We have had tremendous support from each of our partners. In addition to Kenworth and Hiring Our Heroes, I want to thank Michelin North America, Inc. and Bob Perry, president of Health in Transportation for providing our first 50 nominees with the CDL Health Scanner app. Their commitment to improving the health of every driver on the road should be commended,” said FASTPORT President Brad Bentley. FASTPORT officials also report that this year’s nominees are the most diverse, with longtime supporters Stevens Transport, Roehl Transportation, Werner Enterprises, Hirschbach Motor Lines, Prime, Inc, Melton Truck Lines, Veriha Trucking, CRST and Epes Transport submitting outstanding candidates. In addition, nominations were made from various others, including Schneider, CDS Tractor Trailer School, NFI, Paschall Truck Lines, Apex CDL Institute, Tyson Foods, Fayetteville Technical Community College, USA Truck, ABF Freight and more. The 10 semi-finalists will be announced on Sept. 1 and honored at a dinner on Sept. 21 at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio. The following day, the finalists will be announced at a ceremony at the MHC Road Ready Center, which is adjacent to the Kenworth manufacturing plant in Chillicothe, Ohio. The 2023 contest will reach a finale on Dec. 15 in Washington, D.C., where the winner will be given the keys to their Kenworth Signature Edition 100th Anniversary T680. “For a military veteran, being nominated for this award is a great honor,” Bentley said. “We are so thankful to the American Trucking Associations, Radio Nemo and Tenstreet for helping us promote the contest, and for carriers, CVTA and NAPFTDS (National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools) members who went out of their way to recognize this amazing group of drivers.”

Trucking around the world: Driver describes life as a trucker in Brazil

Bobby Ralston - August 7, 2023

On a recent trip to visit family in Brazil, I had a chance to visit Ceagesp Market in central Sao Paulo. Ceagesp is the third-largest wholesale marketing center in the world, only behind those in Paris and New York, and provides fresh produce to several Brazilian states and other Latin American countries. On a daily basis, this extensive network of warehouses, located in the center of Sao Paulo for 54 years, receives and distributes 250 tons of fresh fruit, vegetables, fish, flowers and various other products, and circulates 50,000 people and 12,000 vehicles. My first visit to the market was quite different from what I expected. What started as a quick stop to buy fresh fruit and vegetables for the week became an unexpected cultural experience for this American gringo. Given my personal interest in the trucking industry, along with my respect and appreciation for truck drivers, my attention naturally went to the hundreds of trucks that were loading and unloading around the numerous warehouses that make up the market. It was mesmerizing to watch this intricate operation. In addition to the thousands of truck drivers, vendors and other laborers I saw busily working at the market, the vibrant colors and aromas of the fresh produce, live music and food vendors bring an indescribable energy and atmosphere to Ceagesp. Watching the drivers loading and unloading their wares, I quickly realized that if it wasn’t for them, a big portion of Latin America would not have fresh food to eat. Seeing the hundreds of trucks parked in and around the warehouses was just a reminder of the integral part that trucking plays in keeping any economy moving around the world. Communicating through translator Douglas Sobrinho, I visited with some of the drivers and workers at the market, including driver Marcos Vilanova Salina. Like most truckers at the market, Salina drives for his family-owned trucking business. He hauls meat to Sao Paulo and Rio de Janeiro from Campo Grande, Mato Grosso do Sul, which is one of the top cattle-producing states in western Brazil. Salina returns to Campo Grande with fruits and vegetables that he picks up at the Ceagesp Market. His regular route is about a 2,000-mile round trip. Salina has worked as a driver and diesel mechanic for nearly three decades. During our conversation, it quickly became evident that he has a passion for and intense love of trucking. However, driving trucks in Brazil does come with a unique set of challenges. Although Brazil has hours-of-work regulations, they are not closely monitored or enforced. Salinas said it is not unusual for him to drive 24 hours without stopping, to ensure his freight is fresh when delivered. Brazil’s highway system is comprised of both private and federal roads. Private roads (usually toll roads) are maintained by private companies and are generally in better condition than federal roads. Although trucking companies pay annual governmental registration fees for their trucks, Salina said he doesn’t believe most of this money is used for its intended purpose of maintaining federal roads. Certain areas of Brazil carry a higher risk of theft; because of this, most motor carriers purchase insurance for additional protection. Some roads are riskier than others. Salina said he has never been robbed while driving, but he knows it’s common based on stories he’s heard from other drivers. Higher-valued freight increases the risk of theft of both the cargo and the truck itself. For example, Salina said, there is a much higher level of risk when carrying meat from his state to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo than when returning with fruits and vegetables, due to the value of the freight. Because of this, insurance carriers have strict restrictions for drivers who haul freight through certain parts of the country. When crossing the border from Mato Grosso do Sul to the state of Sao Paulo, Salina’s insurance company only allows him to stop in federal police stations or in one of only three authorized gas stations for any reason — food, shower, sleep, fuel. If he decides to stop in any other location, the insurance does not cover any loss associated with the truck or freight. There is an even greater risk of being stopped and robbed when driving in mountainous regions, where slower speeds are required. For example, when driving through the state of Rio de Janeiro, Salina is required to have an armed security escort before descending from the high elevation to the sea-level city of Rio de Janeiro. To help reduce the risk of theft, many trucks are equipped with a special GPS and security system; if the truck cab door is opened outside of the authorized areas, the truck transmission automatically shuts off and becomes inoperable, making it more difficult for the truck to be stolen. For Salina, dealing with the high risk of theft on the road is not unusual — it’s simply part of his day-to-day routine. Despite these challenges, Salina said he loves his job and that he loved sharing his story with me. He also told me that his biggest dream is to visit the U.S.

Trucker and fitness trainer Dave Cathcart works to help other drivers take control of their health

Dwain Hebda - August 3, 2023

Everywhere he goes, trucker Dave Cathcart commands attention. The 56-year-old is a walking billboard for clean living and working out, with a physique that makes him look at least 10 years younger. You’d never know that just two years ago he was lying in a hospital bed, fearing for his life and wondering what was next. “I came home on a week off, and I was having heart palpitations,” he said, describing the events that led to his hospital stay. “My wife is a nurse. One of the things about me and my wife is that we never lie to each other about each other’s health. If I’m feeling bad or she’s feeling bad, we don’t lie,” he said. “So, I told her exactly how I was feeling, and she goes, ‘I don’t like it. If it happens again, we’re going to the hospital.’” Eventually the palpitations eased, and Cathcart went about his business — but not for long. “About two weeks later, I came home, went to the gym and got on a treadmill. I got dizzy and my heart started palpitating,” he said. “I got back in the car, and I called my wife. She goes, ‘We’re going to the hospital.’ That’s when the change started.” Despite being a lifelong athlete and even spending time as a physical trainer, he had let those habits slide until his body started to shut down. Tests revealed he was borderline for type two diabetes, and his blood pressure was through the roof. In addition, doctors suspected he had experienced a heart attack. “I wanted to see my grandkids again. It scared me, and I’d never been scared about my health,” he said. “When I got out of the hospital, I decided I was going to change my life.” Adopting a strict carnivore diet, intermittent fasting and dedicated time in the gym, Cathcart made amazing strides in a short time. From a top weight of 285 pounds, he shed 40 pounds in three months. To the amazement of his physicians, he also rid himself of the need for the medications that had been prescribed when he was at his most unhealthy. Cathcart has maintained that remarkable transformation while continuing his job as an over-the-road truck driver. As commendable as his personal transformation has been, it pales in comparison to the his goals for helping others reach their own personal bests, particularly among his trucking brethren. “What really motivates me is if I can help somebody else,” he said. “I believe that if I help enough people, karma always wins.” To that end, Cathcart has launched a line of supplements and written a book, “From Fat to Fit,” in which he details his journey back from the brink. But what separates Cathcart from other would-be fitness entrepreneurs is the way he takes his message to the field, giving away as much advice and pointers as people care to listen to. He’s a regular on social media, where he’s built up quite the following, especially on TikTok (davefat2fit), where 15,000 followers tune in to hear his motivational messages. The most significant impact he has on the lives of others, however, is through one-on-one interactions with drivers as he crisscrosses the country on his runs. He’s constantly engaging other drivers at truck stops and posting videos of himself doing on-the-spot workouts during breaks, dispelling the idea that it’s impossible to maintain a fitness routine when you work behind the wheel. “Here’s something I ask every driver: ‘How many times do you get out of the truck?’ And they’ll say, ‘Well, I get out to fuel up, and I have to walk around the truck,’” he said. “OK, you’re driving a 53-footer; if you walk 41 times around that truck, that’s a mile. The DOT requires us to do a 15-minute pre-trip and a 15-minute post-trip,” he continued. “So, if you get your ass out of that truck and you do a pre-trip, which does not take 15 minutes, if you just walk 10 times around that truck in the morning, that’s a quarter mile. If you walk 20 times around that truck in the morning, that’s a half mile. Then at night walk another 10 to 20 times around.” Cathcart says an excuse he often hears drivers give for poor health is that it’s impossible to eat healthily on the road. To this excuse, he offers some simple points to remember. “If you cut out three things — sugar, processed foods and carbohydrates — any diet will work, whether you want to be a vegan, a vegetarian or a carnivore,” he said, noting that sugar is a particularly insidious food foe. “In 1940, we were eating only 50 or 60 pounds of sugar; in 2023, we’re eating upwards of 175 to 225 pounds of sugar per person per year,” he explained. “Sugar is almost as addictive as cocaine. When I went off of sugar, I went through withdrawals for about a week and a half.” Understanding this challenge, Cathcart stresses the importance of taking “baby steps” to the people he talks to, breaking down a big job like changing eating habits through a series of smaller victories. “There’s 46 grams of sugar in a Big Gulp,” he said. “The national average says that a male is supposed to have 34 to 40 grams of sugar in a day; a woman between 28 and 34. If 46 grams of sugar is in a Big Gulp, I’m asking you to do one thing; replace one Big Gulp with water. Then after that, let’s cut out two Big Gulps.” Most of all, Cathcart warns against looking at health or fitness products as a “magic bullet,” his own included. “The people I get to see know I care about them. I’m not trying to sell them anything,” he said. “In fact, I give them my card and I tell them, ‘If you’re going to buy my supplements and think it’s a magic bullet, you’re an idiot.’ “That approach has opened a lot of doors and minds, because who tells people not to buy their own product?” he continued. “I’m honest with people, and I teach people to use what they have and be where they’re at, and not get down on themselves. You can always change your life if you are alive. That’s pretty much my message.” Follow Cathcart on social media (dave fat 2 fit).

Women in Trucking Association names August Member of the Month

The Trucker News Staff - August 1, 2023

ARLINGTON, Va. — The Women In Trucking Association (WIT) has announced Vontyna Durham as its August 2023 Member of the Month. Durham is the founder and president of Xcelente Trucking and Logistics Training Services in Memphis, Tennessee. “Following in the footsteps of her cousin and fiercely determined to dominate a male-populated industry, Durham attended trucking school and obtained her CDL,” a news release stated. “She was the only woman in her class at the time, as women were not widely accepted in these professions, but she knew she could do it like the guys — if not better.” Now, with more than 18 years of driving under her belt, Durham is the first woman in the state of Tennessee to establish a CDL apprenticeship program specifically developed for women, youth and justice-involved individuals. “I’m a game changer, and I focus on making a difference and changing lives,” Durham said. “My goal is to show people that whether you have been homeless or have been incarcerated, you can still have a rewarding career. You could say I’m like the underground mother of the trucking industry.” Durham has also sparked development of the first-ever youth trucking dispatcher and CDL program, available to individuals between the ages of 16 and 24. In 2022, Durham received the Leaders and Legends award by the City of Memphis for these efforts. She is also a member of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration Safe Driver Apprenticeship Pilot Program. “If you’re determined and you’ve decided this career path is what you want to do, just go for it,” Durham said. “Set yourself up for success, stay focused and accomplish your goals.”

42 years on the road: ‘Dan the Driver Roe’ has seen it all

Kris Rutherford - July 26, 2023

If you’re in search of a driver who’s seen it all, look no further than Dan Roe. Known by his LinkedIn profile “Dan the Driver Roe” to thousands of social media followers, Roe has been in the trucking business for 42 years, all of them as a driver. A native of Chandler, Indiana, just east of Evansville, Roe caught the trucking bug early on — and in the same way as many drivers who began their careers in the early 1980s. “My inspiration for driving a truck stems from those truck-driving songs, movies and television shows from the 1960s and ’70s,” Roe said. “One of my first truck driving jobs was hauling eggs for a family-owned company in Booneville, Indiana, in 1980.” Just two years later, Roe decided he wanted to be an owner-operator. In owning a truck at such a young age, however, Roe faced a couple of challenges. “In 1982, I was too young for any carrier to lease me on,” he said. “So, I wildcatted, hauling exempt commodities and trip leasing. My credentials were fake, and everything I did was illegal.” Fortunately, the statute of limitations on Roe’s early transgressions in the industry has long passed. “The first couple of years were pretty rough,” he said. “I ended up going broke, so I went back to driving a company truck for the egg company. I was later made transportation manager at the egg company. I was responsible for anything transportation related.” In 1988, Dan Roe decided he wanted to be an owner-operator again. This time he made it, and he’s been trucking ever since. “During the 1990s, I thought I wanted to be a fleet owner,” Roe said. “I had a fleet for a couple of years, but I didn’t have the temperament for having employees.” In 1994, he sold the fleet and purchased his first brand-new truck. “I’ve been a single owner-operator since 2000,” Roe said. “I’ve had customers ask me to add trucks and drivers, but I won’t do it. I can’t say that I lost money having employees — but I never really made money either.” As one can imagine, over the decades, Dan Roe has traveled far and wide. “I have been a nationwide driver,” he said. “But I have had more success concentrating on a certain lane and developing relationships.” For the past few years, Roe has focused solely on driving between Indiana and Florida. He has homes in both states. “I’ve developed some great relationships with shippers,” he added. He hasn’t hauled for brokers in several years. As one would expect after driving for more than four decades, Roe has seen a lot of changes in the trucking industry during his career. “When I first started driving, it was a different culture. The trucking community was tight-knit,” he said. “Drivers knew other driver’s trucks, talked on the CB radio, traveled at the 55-mph national speed limit, and stayed on the lookout of ‘Smokey Bear.’ “We did things we probably shouldn’t have done,” he continued. “We moved a lot of freight, and we had a lot of fun doing it. All those trucking songs and movies … yeah, we lived them.” Roe refers to the themes of the songs and movies as “fictional facts,” adding, “We hung out and we partied a lot.” As far as the trucking industry is concerned, Roe pointed out a few major changes that have impacted his career. “The biggest changes were deregulation and the sunsetting of the ICC,” he said, referring to the agency that oversaw interstate transportation from 1887 until 1995. “Deregulation was good for the entrepreneur, but bad for the driver.” Roe has also noticed lots of changes in the trucks seen on the highways. “First they changed for the better, then for the worse,” he said. “Now they’ve changed for the better again.” Like many drivers who spend much of their lives on the road, Roe says he has several hobbies to take his mind off work and help him cope with time away from home. “My hobbies include boating and water sports,” he said. “I can still get out on the water on one ski at age 61. I own a houseboat I keep on the Ohio River. I belong to a national boat club.” When Roe trailers his houseboat (dubbed “The Roe Boat”) and pulls it from the water, he uses — you guessed it — the same truck he drives all over the eastern U.S. “It’s not easy balancing the professional and family lifestyle,” Roe said. “You have to prioritize your time.” Fortunately, Roe said, his wife and sons have always been able to handle domestic issues in his absence. While being a truck driver does mean spending many nights away from home, Roe wouldn’t trade his career for any other. “I’ve enjoyed being able to travel the country and experience everything this great country has to offer,” he said. He’s also been able to make his own career decisions without the direction of a boss. Most importantly, he’s developed relationships with long-time customers. Roe has advice for up-and-coming drivers. “Learn everything about this industry,” he said. “You have to know it all to be successful.” He adds that knowing how to repair your equipment is vital. “It’s not enough to know how to drive the truck; you need to know how to make the truck go.” Roe also advises new drivers to develop relationships. “Build relationships with everyone who is important to you,” he said. “This includes brokers, shippers, receivers, mechanics, suppliers, and many more. Be loyal. If you want good friends, you must be a good friend. “The trucking lifestyle isn’t for everyone,” he continued. “You have to develop an attitude for it. It can be very rewarding, but above all, truckers must take care of their health.” Attitudes and relationships are important in the trucking business. Perhaps that’s why Dan Roe still hauls eggs for the same family business he drove for after high school. That 42-year relationship, built in his youth, continues to pay off. Follow Roe on LinkedIn.

That’s a wrap! 44th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree draws crowd of more than 46,000

The Trucker News Staff - July 20, 2023

WALCOTT, Iowa — More than 46,000 people from nearly 30 states and two Canadian provinces celebrated the 44th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree, held July 13-15 at the Iowa 80 Truckstop, popularly known as “The World’s Largest Truckstop.” “The Walcott Truckers Jamboree celebrates professional drivers and the important work they do for America”, said Heather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing for the Iowa 80 Group. “We love seeing everyone come together, make new friends and join in the fun. The trucking community is amazing,” she continued. “From truckers to our vendor and sponsor partners to our staff who help execute this event; we want to say ‘thank you’ for making the Walcott Truckers Jamboree possible for everyone to enjoy.” During this year’s Jamboree, drivers, their families and a host of other visitors explored more than 150 exhibits, chowed down at the famous Iowa Pork Chop Cookout, moved to the groove at free concerts and enjoyed spectacular fireworks displays, truck light shows and more. Attendees enjoyed a respite from the heat — along with a piece of cake — during a 100th birthday for the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum’s 1923 Mack AB. This year’s antique truck display featured more than 100 vintage vehicles, and 108 rigs competed for top honors in the Super Truck Beauty Contest. In addition, drivers earned bragging rights in the Trucker Olympics and showed off their driving companions during the Trucker’s Best Friend pet contest. The coveted Trucker’s Choice award, voted on by contestants in the Super Truck Beauty Contest, went to Zach Strayer of Spencerville, Ohio, for his 2023 Peterbilt and 2023 Wilson cattle trailer, dubbed “Notorious P.I.G.” Spencer also took first place in the Polish & Detail-Combination, Interior-OEM Sleeper-Combination, Lights at Night-Combination-Theme and Lights at Night-Combination- Overall Presentation categories, along with second place in the Custom Paint-Combination category. Other first-place winners in the Super Truck Beauty Contest include: Working Truck/Cabover: Dennis Sikorski of Bancroft, Wisconsin, with “Old School and Flat Broke,” a 1995 Peterbilt 362 Cabover Working Truck/Company Truck-Bobtail: Seth Dalberg of Clifton, Colorado, with “Spare Change,” a 2022 Kenworth W990 Working Truck/Company Truck-Combination: Luke Oligschlaeger of Meta, Missouri, with a 2020 Kenworth W900 & 2020 Great Dane trailer Working Truck/Specialty: Andrew Utley of Davenport, Iowa, with a 2018 Peterbilt 567 Rat Rod: Tim Feidt of Maplewood, Minnesota, with a 1980 Mack Army Truck Working Truck/2023-2020 Bobtail Conventional: Duane Peden of Taylorville, Illinois, with a 2022 Peterbilt 389 Working Truck/2019-2013 Bobtail Conventional: Duane Hosteter of Wooster, Ohio, with “Foxy Roxy,” a 2015 Peterbilt Working Truck/2012-2005 Bobtail Conventional: Fritz Littlefield of Forest Lake, Minnesota, with “Never Done,” a 2006 Peterbilt Working Truck/2004-1999 Bobtail Conventional: Nate Heiderscheit of Peosta, Iowa, with a 2003 Peterbilt 379 Working Truck/1998 & Older Bobtail Conventional: Ron Brubaker of Sigourney, Iowa, with “One of a Kind,” a 1993 Peterbilt 379 Working Truck/2023-2018 Combination: Brian Pete of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, with a 2019 Peterbilt 389 & 2022 Mac trailer Working Truck/2017-2009 Combination: Jonathan Yohn of Reeseville, Wisconsin, with a 2013 Peterbilt & 2019 Great Dane trailer Working Truck/2008-2000 Combination: Michael and Jackie Wallace of Ashville, Alabama, with “Semper Fi,” a 2007 Freightliner & 2014 Great Dane trailer Working Truck/1999 & Older Combination: Daniel and Phyllis Snow of Harrison, Arkansas, with “The Goose,” a 1996 Freightliner & 2006 Utility van trailer Show Class: Brian Pete of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, with a 2019 Peterbilt Custom Paint/Bobtail: Dan Brubaker of Sigourney, Iowa, with “Low Life,” a 1996 Peterbilt Custom Paint/Combination: Brian Pete of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, with a 2019 Peterbilt & 2022 Mac trailer Custom Graphics /Bobtail: Dawson and Bobbie Taylor of Cameron, North Carolina, with “Roll of the Dice,” a 2020 Freightliner Custom Graphics/Combination: Dylan Mercier of St. Anne, Illinois, with “Our Fallen Heroes,” a 2005 Mack & 2022 Wilson Hopper trailer Polish & Detail/Bobtail: Dan Brubaker of Sigourney, Iowa, with “Low Life,” a 1996 Peterbilt Interior/OEM Sleeper-Bobtail: Dawson and Bobbie Taylor of Cameron, North Carolina, with “Roll of the Dice,” a 2020 Freightliner Interior/OEM Conversion Sleeper: Ron Brubaker of Sigourney, Iowa, with “One of a Kind,” a 1993 Peterbilt Interior/Custom Sleeper: Daniel and Phyllis Snow of Harrison, Arkansas, with “The Goose,” a 1996 Freightliner & 2006 Utility van trailer Lights at Night/Bobtail-Theme: Fritz Littlefield of Forest Lake, Minnesota, with a 2006 Peterbilt Lights at Night/Bobtail-Most Unique: Brian Pete of Mineral Point, Wisconsin, with “Gas Money,” a 2023 Peterbilt Lights at Night/Bobtail-Overall Presentation: Aaron Copeland of Taylorville, Illinois, with a 1981 Kenworth Lights at Night/Combination-Most Unique: Robert Hallahan of LaCrosse, Wisconsin, with “Jokes on You,” a 2022 Peterbilt 389 &2015 Great Dane trailer Best Overall Theme: Marcel Pontbriand of Pahrump, Nevada, and “Cowboy of the Road,” a 1989 Peterbilt 379 & 2015 Great Dane trailer For a complete list of winners in the Super Truck Beauty Contest, click here. For a list of winners in the Trucker Olympics, click here; for a list of the Trucker’s Best Friend pet contest, click here. “We hope when people come to the Iowa 80 Truckstop and experience the Walcott Truckers Jamboree they feel at home”, said Delia Moon Meier, senior vice president of the Iowa 80 Group. “We hope they leave thinking they’ve experienced something pretty neat, and that they join us again next year.” The 45th annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree is scheduled for July 11-13, 2024. The event coincides with the 60th anniversary of the Iowa 80 Truckstop.

Kate Whiting and her renovated rig join honorees in Howes Hall of Fame

The Trucker News Staff - July 17, 2023

WALCOTT, Iowa — Howes Products used the backdrop of the 44th Iowa 80 Truckers Jamboree in Walcott, Iowa, to announce its ninth Hall of Fame member and her big rig. “Representing restored trucks everywhere, ‘Cherry Pie,’ a 1973 Kenworth, along with owner and restoration enthusiast Kate Whiting, will be joining a distinguished list of inductees made up of people, places and things that make the trucking industry so vibrant,” a news release stated. Whiting described owning and operating a rig like “Cherry Pie” as special. “There’s just something so rewarding that comes from being able to bring these epic giants back to life,” Whiting said. “I know in my case, once I laid eyes on ‘Cherry Pie,’ I could see her potential, her hidden charm. Over time, lots of time, and with the help of many other special people, I was able to get her back in action.” Originally owned by Mike Orton, who purchased the then-brand-new Kenworth W925 in 1973, the truck worked hard for 30 years before its retirement. It spent the next eight lonely years parked on the grass before Whiting found it. Along with the help of friends and others inside the restoration community, she worked hard to get the truck where it is today. After showing it off for over two years, earning accolades and awards from shows across the country, including recent recognition from Kenworth’s 100-year celebration, Whiting has plans to put the truck back to real work. “’Cherry Pie’ will be heading back into service hauling livestock for me at my company KW Pony Express,” she said. “We know she’s in great shape and her power has never been stronger.” Howes started its Hall of Fame in 2020, inducting notable members from the trucking and farming industries. “Traveling to shows large and small, we recognized quickly just how passionate truckers are about the beauty of restored trucks, their rich histories and the unique stories that each one can tell,” said Rob Howes, president of Howes Products. “Meeting Kate and seeing the pride, camaraderie and sheer talent she and others used to restore ‘Cherry Pie’ was inspirational, but even more fascinating was her appreciation and knowledge of where ‘Cherry Pie’ had come from.” Howes added that “Cherry Pie’s” story and Whiting’s role in her resurrection “made both perfect representations of restored trucks and their restorers, respectively. We’re so excited that through them, we are able to pay tribute the restoration industry as a whole.” The Howes Hall of Fame showcases the stories of all its inductees in an interactive digital environment. To visit the hall of fame online, click here. HOWES HALL OF FAME MEMBERS Ellen Voie – Women In Trucking Iowa 80 Truckstop Tony Justice Peterson Farm Brothers Truckers Against Trafficking Billy Stone Eric Harley Angelique Temple For more information on the restoration community and trucking’s history, visit the American Trucking Historical Society at https://aths.org/

Trucker Path begins annual National Truck Driver Appreciation Sweepstakes

The Trucker News Staff - July 17, 2023

PHOENIX — Trucker Path is sponsoring its second annual National Truck Driver Appreciation (NTDA) Sweepstakes. The NTDA Sweepstakes will hold weekly drawings for four weeks, revealing the grand prize winner on Sept. 13 during National Truck Driver Appreciation Week, according to a news release. “The National Truck Driver Appreciation Sweepstakes enables active U.S. truck drivers to register to win valuable prizes that cater to their everyday wants and needs,” said Chris Oliver, CMO at Trucker Path. “This unique program gives key sponsors the opportunity to show their appreciation for the hard work, dedication and contributions of all U.S. commercial truck drivers, who represent a critical part of the supply chain delivering goods that all U.S. citizens depend on.” The NTDA Sweepstakes is open for registration beginning July 17 for active U.S. truck drivers with a valid commercial driver’s license. Drawings will be held weekly from July 26 through Aug. 16. The sweepstakes ends on Aug. 27. “Trucker Path is pleased to join with The Trucker Media Group, Sheetz, Motel 6 and Exxon and Mobil stations to honor and thank truck drivers for the work they do every day,” Oliver said. “This year we decided to extend the sweepstakes period to reach more drivers and build excitement for National Truck Driver Appreciation Week.” A licensed third-party sweepstakes company will randomly select winners for weekly and grand prizes. The weekly prizes include $500 in Sheetz fuel cards and five free nights at any Motel 6 in the U.S. The grand prize winner will receive $3,000 in Sheetz fuel cards, 30 free nights at any Motel 6 in the U.S., and $500 in Exxon and Mobil station fuel cards. National Truck Driver Appreciation Week runs from Sept. 10-16. The annual celebration recognizes the significant contributions of the millions of professional truck drivers nationwide who safely and securely deliver essential goods and transport billions of tons of freight every year. Truckers interested in entering the 2023 NTDA Sweepstakes can click here. Truck drivers can register for prizes in a sweepstakes sponsored by Trucker Path as part of National Truck Driver Appreciation celebrations.

Walcott Truckers Jamboree set to celebrate Mack’s 100th birthday

The Trucker News Staff - July 11, 2023

WALCOTT, Iowa — The Iowa 80 Trucking Museum will host a 100th Birthday Party at 2:30 p.m. Friday, July 14, for its 1923 Mack AB. The event will coincide with this year’s Walcott Truckers Jamboree, which takes place July 13-15. The public is welcome to attend the celebration and enjoy a piece of cake to celebrate 100 years of the 1923 Mack AB. The Mack AB model was Mack’s first standardized, high volume model series, according to a news release from Iowa 80. This model was first introduced in 1914 and replaced the Mack Jr. line. The first AB models had chain drive — or worm drive — but were replaced in 1920 with a dual reduction drive. “This medium-duty truck’s simple, classic styling made it very popular,” the news release notes. Mack ABs were built through 1937, with more than 55,000 units produced. According to Iowa 80 Trucking Museum Curator Dave Meier, this 1923 Mack AB was originally purchased by Headley’s Express & Storage Com. of Chester, Pennsylvania. It was delivered to Chester by the Mack Philadelphia branch on June 14, 1926. Bill Moon, Iowa 80 Truckstop founder, purchased the truck 55 years later in January of 1981. “Moon was known to be fond of Mack trucks, which is evident by the historic photos of Mack wreckers that had been used on the Truckstop property in the 1980’s and the number of Mack trucks in the antique truck collection that he started,” the news release stated. This Mack AB has been displayed at nearly every Walcott Truckers Jamboree since its purchase and was restored in 2004 to reflect the green and black color scheme that it hosts today.

Iowa 80 Truckstop celebrates America’s truckers with 44th Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree

The Trucker News Staff - July 7, 2023

WALCOTT, Iowa — The countdown to the 44th Annual Walcott Truckers Jamboree has begun. Events kick off Thursday, July 13, at the Iowa 80 Truckstop in Walcott, Iowa. The 2023 Walcott Truckers Jamboree features an Antique Truck Display, more than 175 exhibits, Trucker Olympics, two firework shows, a Super Truck Beauty Contest, Live Music, an Iowa pork chop cookout and even a 100th birthday party at the Iowa 80 Trucking Museum for a 1923 Mack AB. Among the entertainment will be free concerts featuring local veteran band Got Your Six at 5 p.m. and Electric Shock, the AC/DC Show at 7 p.m. on Thursday, July 13, along with local Dirt Road Rockers at 5 p.m. on Friday, July 14, who will be opening for Shenandoah. Shenandoah is set to take the stage at 7 p.m. on Friday, July 14. Saturday, July 15 will feature Dani Lynn Howe and Band, starting at 1 p.m. at the Main Stage. “We’ve got a lot to be thankful to professional drivers for,” saidHeather DeBaillie, vice president of marketing at Iowa 80. “Drivers deserve to be celebrated, and we’re happy to host an event that does just that. Professional driving can be a thankless job, but without trucks on the road, consumers wouldn’t have food on the table or a variety of other goods we need and use on a daily basis. It’s an important job.” The Iowa 80 Truckstop has been hosting the Walcott Truckers Jamboree since 1979, as a way to recognize and celebrate professional drivers and what they do for America. The Trucker Media Group’s Linda Garner-Bunch, Erica N. Guy, and John and Megan Hicks will be on hand for the festivities. The team is looking forward to seeing old friends and meeting new ones!