Massachusetts driver named Grand Champion at National Truck Driving Championships

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Roland Bolduc is the 2017 Bendix Grand Champion. (Image Courtesy of Facebook/American Trucking Associations)Roland Bolduc is the 2017 Bendix Grand Champion. (Image Courtesy of Facebook/American Trucking Associations)

The American Trucking Associations crowned Massachusetts driver Roland Bolduc as the 2017 Bendix Grand Champion at the National Truck Driving Championships this weekend.

The championships were held in Orlando, Aug. 9-12, at the Orange County Convention Center.

Bloduc, a FedEx Express driver, competed against more than 420 other truckers to win the award. He also won the Sleeper Berth class. Bolduc has been driving for over 36 years, 23 of which he’s spent with FedEx, and has over 1.9 million safe driving miles.

“With an impressive showing this week, Roland Bolduc emerged as the leader of the field and is taking home our industry’s top prize,” said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. “On behalf of ATA and the entire trucking community, I want to thank the strong field of competitors for participating in these championships and practicing safety every day on our nation’s highways. Your commitment to excellence makes us proud to be in the trucking industry.”

Bryce Neilson, from Montana, was named the 2017 Rookie of the Year. He drives for FedEx Freight.

Champions from each of the 9 classes and the top state delegation are as follows:

3-Axle: Glen Kirk, Franklin, Indiana, Old Dominion Freight Line

4-Axle: James Duffy, Marshall, Wisconsin, FedEx Freight

5-Axle: Michael Miltenberger, Cumberland, Maryland, PITT OHIO

Flatbed: Wayne Crowder, Louisville, Kentucky, FedEx Freight

Sleeper Berth: Roland Bolduc, East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, FedEx Express

Straight Truck: Richard Bailey, Macomb, Michigan, FedEx Freight

Tank Truck: Scott Woodrome, Middletown, Ohio, FedEx Freight

Twins: Chris Poyner, Richland, Washington, XPO Logistics

Step Van: Michael Bills, Fuquay Varina, North Carolina, FedEx Express

Other Awards

Rookie of the Year: Bryce Neilson, Anaconda, Montana, FedEx Freight

Team Champions: Kentucky

Vehicle Condition: Bryan Wold, Reiles Acres, North Dakota, XPO Logistics

Highest Written Exam Award: Paul Brandon, Oxford, Connecticut, FedEx Freight and Don Logan, Eskridge, Kansas, FedEx Freight

Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence: Daniel Shamrell, Battle Ground, Washington, FedEx Freight

Lifetime Volunteer Award: Joe Smith, Kenco Management