�Ӱɴ�ý

Arlington, Virginia – Today, �Ӱɴ�ý congratulated the 424 professional truck drivers who qualified for the 2018 National Truck Driving Championships. The association also announced key details about the event.

“Truck drivers are passionate, highly-skilled professionals who practice safety on our nation’s highways every day,” said �Ӱɴ�ý President and CEO Chris Spear. “Our industry is proud of these men and women. For 81 years we’ve been fortunate to hold an annual competition in order to let these drivers demonstrate their skills and knowledge in a competitive environment.”

To qualify for the NTDCs, truck drivers must maintain a year of accident-free driving and win their vehicle class at the state-level truck driving championships. Professional truck drivers progress from the state championships to nationals, competing in eight classes of truck and one step van class. The competition consists of a written examination that tests drivers’ knowledge of trucking facts, rules, statistics and safety protocols; a pre-trip inspection that tests drivers’ ability to identify defects on the vehicle; and a challenging driving course.

The National Truck Driving Championships take place August 15-18 at the Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. Professional truck drivers compete for the title of National Champion in the eight different classes, with one driver taking home the overall title of 2018 National Truck Driving Championships  Grand Champion.

Last year, FedEx Express driver Roland Bolduc took home grand champion honors. In June of this year, Bolduc won the 5-axle state championship in Massachusetts, qualifying once again for the NTDCs, and will be attempting to defend his crown in August. A of last year’s National Truck Driving Championships can be found on .

Transport Topics has been chronicling “,” including a comprehensive list of qualifiers and stories about several of the professional truck drivers competing this year in Columbus. Of the 424 drivers who qualified for this year’s National Truck Driving Championships, there are 28 “rookies” who are competing in any level of �Ӱɴ�ý federation truck driving championships for the first time.

�Ӱɴ�ý’s Safety Management Council is hosting this year’s National Truck Driving Championships with Premiere Sponsor . Dozens of industry professionals serve on the National Truck Driving Championships committee and volunteer at the event. To find out more about the competition, visit the official NTDC website.

�Ӱɴ�ý continues to develop relationships with key industry partners looking to promote the elite, dedicated drivers who lead the trucking workforce. As such, �Ӱɴ�ý thanks NTDC Gold Corporate Sponsors AAA Cooper Transportation, ABF Freight System, Inc., Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., PrePass – services provided by HELP Inc., UPS Freight, Walmart Transportation, LLC., and Rolling Strong; Platinum Corporate Sponsors FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, and FedEx Ground; and Silver Corporate Sponsor PITT OHIO.