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YRC Freight sends 23 state champion drivers to the 2014 National Truck Driving Championships

YRC Freight announced that it will be sending 23 state champion drivers to participate in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) to be held August 12 – 16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. YRC Freight drivers have a long history of competing in this event which originated in 1937. Several YRC Freight drivers have won the Grand National Championship at past competitions.

The 23 YRC Freight state champion drivers competing for the national championship have a combined 500 years of service and 26 million miles of operating YRC Freight equipment without a preventable accident.

“This event is a celebration of safety and we have 23 participants who are not only state champions but also champions of safety and service at YRC Freight. We are proud of their achievement and the entire YRC Freight team will be cheering them on as they compete for the national title at the NTDC,” stated Darren Hawkins, president of YRC Freight. “While these drivers have been preparing for months to compete in this event, in reality what makes them champions is a career-long dedication to safety and customer service,” Hawkins said.

To qualify for the competition drivers must be accident free – regardless of fault – for one year prior to the event and win their class at the state truck driving championship where they are domiciled. Both the state and national competitions include challenging driving skills and maneuvering tests, a pre-trip inspection, and a written examination covering vehicle operation and federal safety regulations.

The 2014 YRC Freight National Truck Driving Championships Team:

Champion State Class
Dave Messmer Arizona 3-Axle
Mike Jundt Arizona Straight Truck
Mark Livingston California Flatbed
Henry Mahler Florida Flatbed
Tim Marchand Illinois 3-Axle
Don Conklin Indiana Tanker
Chris Ballard Indiana 4-Axle
Doug Pohl Kansas Straight Truck
Jude Hurst Kentucky Twins
James McKeen Maine Straight Truck
Duane Maroney Minnesota 5-Axle
Bruce Quaal Minnesota Twins
Russ James Montana Straight Truck
Robert Stephenson Montana 4-Axle
Neil Nogues New Hampshire Straight Truck
Mark Hewitt Ohio 4-Axle
Kevin Slavens Oklahoma 5-Axle
Mike Erick Rhode Island Twins
Wade Wagemann South Dakota 3-Axle
George Swanson Tennessee Tanker
Tony Dorries Texas 3-Axle
Ricardo Molina Texas Straight Truck
Todd Butler Utah 3-Axle