Once again, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) will take place face-to-face and tractor-to-tractor, after being held virtually last year and entirely sitting out 2020 due to the pandemic. Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC (Bendix) is returning, too, continuing its tradition of sponsoring the top award at the NTDC. For the 11th straight year, Bendix says it is honored to celebrate the drivers and their commitment to professionalism and safe roads.
The Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion Award is given to the overall top driver of the four-day competition, which takes place Aug. 16-19 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Ongoing sponsorship of the award by Bendix highlights the company’s commitment to highway safety, and honors the dedicated men and women whose skills help create safer roads, the company says.
“The key to helping achieve safer roads continues to be the safety-minded individuals behind the wheel piloting their commercial vehicles with great skill and care, and it’s always inspiring to see the best of the best gathered together for the NTDC showcase,” said Fred Andersky, director – demos, sales, and service training at Bendix. “Safety is a top priority at Bendix as well, and we’re thankful for the opportunity to support the competition. These men and women perform a vital job as professional drivers, as industry ambassadors, and as mentors to newer drivers in their fleets. We wish the best of luck to all the 2022 contestants.”
The NTDC, celebrating its 85th year in 2022, is the culmination of local, state, and regional truck driving championships from across the country. The event features the winners from 50 state trucking associations’ truck driving championships competing for First, Second, and Third Place titles, in addition to the Professional Excellence Award, the Vehicle Condition Award, the Rookie of the Year Award, and the highest honor – the Bendix Grand Champion Award. To qualify, all competitors must drive accident-free for at least one year prior to the event. Many competitors have notched millions of accident-free driving miles.
In Indianapolis, these top drivers will compete in the championship event, testing their expertise through a written exam, pre-trip inspection test, and skills-based competition course. Inside the Indiana Convention Center, drivers must demonstrate extensive knowledge of safety, equipment, and the industry, as well as put their driving abilities to the test. The driving course challenges drivers to maneuver, reverse, park, and position their vehicles with precision over scales, before barriers, and around curves. In the behind-the-wheel skills course, drivers are tested on their ability to handle their trucks, judge distances, and move through tight spots.
The most recent Bendix Grand Champion Award winners are Ron Round, representing the state of Maine and safely driving for Pottle’s Transportation, who was crowned the winner of last year’s virtual event; and Scott Woodrome, a FedEx Freight driver based in Middletown, Ohio, who earned the award in 2018 and defended his title in 2019.
