Con-way Freight announced that it will send more drivers than ever before to the American Trucking Associations-sponsored National Truck Driving Championships in August. This year, 983 U.S. Con-way Freight drivers participated in state qualifying competitions. A total of 68 of the company’s drivers representing 34 U.S. states came in first place and will compete at the event, set for Aug. 19-23 in Houston. Drivers are invited to Nationals after winning their equipment classes during state competitions.
The national competition tests drivers on their skills and knowledge of safe driving practices through interviews, written examinations, equipment safety inspection testing and formal driving tests. Since the championships began, 11 Con-way Freight drivers have been named National Champion in their equipment classes, including Dale Duncan of Chula Vista, Calif., who won the National Grand Champion overall title in 2006. In 2007, two company drivers earned National Champion honors – Duncan and Dennis Day of Georgia.
“Con-way Freight’s driver sales representatives are front-line professionals whose outstanding skills, safety records and focus on customer service are a tremendous asset to our company and our industry,” says John G. Labrie, president of Ann Arbor, Mich.-based Con-way Freight. “Their extraordinary success in the state truck driving championships continues to validate an unwavering dedication to their craft. I wish them the best of luck at Nationals.”
Con-way Freight U.S. competition highlights:
The National Champion in each equipment class is awarded a check for $1,000, a plaque and a gold belt buckle from ATA. Additionally, the organization honors the event’s Grand Champion with a plaque and a commemorative diamond ring, along with industrywide recognition as “The Best Truck Driver in America.”
Since 1999, Con-way Freight has recognized each of its National Champions with a new Ford F-150 pickup truck, as well as the use of a customized commercial tractor displaying the driver’s name and championship title. Con-way Freight also awards any of its drivers named Grand Champion a $7,500 prize.
Additionally, in Canada, 36 Con-way Freight drivers representing eight provinces participated in province-level events. Con-way Freight driver Brian Hrabarchuk won first place in the 3-Axle division at the Manitoba Truck Driving Championship in June. The final provincial competition, for Quebec’s drivers, is set to take place Aug. 16. Canada’s first-place winners will move on to compete in the National Professional Truck Driving Championships Sept. 11-13 in Ottawa. Between the United States and Canada, a total of 1,019 drivers participated in competitions.
