ATA crowns National Trucking Driving champions

FedEx Express driver Roland Bolduc was named Bendix grand champion at the American Trucking Associations’ 85th National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships held Aug. 16-19 in Indianapolis.

Bolduc, competing in the sleeper berth division, bested a field of 408 drivers with nearly 730 million combined accident-free miles to claim the coveted title in this year’s “Super Bowl of safety,” ATA said.

“Congratulations to Roland and the great team at FedEx for being crowned Bendix Grand Champion,” said Chris Spear, ATA president and CEO. “It has been a long road for these drivers to get here, and to emerge as the best of a truly elite group is a tremendous honor. Roland’s commitment to safety and professionalism is an example of what this industry and this event are truly about.”

This is Bolduc’s second championship, having also won the title in 2017. A resident of East Longmeadow, Massachusetts, he has more than 2.5 million safe driving miles in his more than 40-year-long career. Bolduc was named an America’s Road Team Captain in 2000.

In addition, ATA crowned Tyler Tollefson, from FedEx Freight, as 2022 Rookie of the Year. To compete as an NTDC rookie, a driver must be a first-time competitor at their state competition who advanced to nationals. This year, there were 22 rookies competing at the National Truck Driving Championships.

ATA also recognized the state of North Carolina with the NTDC Team Championship, placing five drivers into the finals. New York finished second in the team competition and Connecticut finished third.

“NTDC was a tremendous success thanks to all the drivers, staff, and volunteers who made it happen,” said Harold Sumerford Jr., ATA chairman and president of J&M Tank Lines. “After two long years, it was great to be back and see this competition in person, getting to observe the professionalism and dedication to safety of these drivers was a great privilege.”

Champions from each of the nine vehicle classes were also announced. Joining Bolduc on the list of national champions are:

Three-axle division

1. Wilbert Vano, XPO Logistics (New Jersey)
2. Chris Poynor, XPO Logistics (Washington)
3. Brian Walker, TForce Freight (North Carolina)                                              

Four-axle division

1. Martin McMahon, RIST Transport (New York)
2. Miguel Corral, UPS (Illinois)
3. David Rohman, FedEx Express (North Carolina)                                            

Five-axle division

1. David Guinn, Publix Super Markets (Florida)
2. Timothy Banasiak, UPS (Illinois)
3. Alphonso Lewis, Yellow (Alabama)                                              

Flatbed division

1. Eric Ramsdell, Walmart Transportation (Arizona)
2. Raymond Waage, FedEx Freight (New York)
3. Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight (Wyoming)                                              

Sleeper berth division                                            

1. Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express (Connecticut)
2. Eric Courville, FedEx Freight (Louisiana)
3. Charles White, Walmart Transportation (Indiana)                                              

Straight truck division                 

1. Christopher Shaw, FedEx Express (New Mexico)
2. Michael Bills, FedEx Express (North Carolina)
3. Jesse Benkert, FedEx Ground (Kentucky)                                              

Tank truck division                      

1. Michael Flippin, FedEx Freight (Colorado)
2. Heladio Fernandez, FedEx Freight (Oregon)
3. Dennis Shirar, Walmart Transportation (Indiana)                                            

Twins division                                             

1. Damien Hebert, XPO Logistics (Louisiana)
2. Leslie Smyth, FedEx Freight (Florida)
3. Jeffrey Langenhahn, XPO Logistics (Wisconsin)                                              

Step van division

1. Gregory Long, FedEx Express (Maryland)
2. Ceth Christensen, UPS (Illinois)
3. Jerome De La Cruz, FedEx Express (Alaska)