Enjoy the Magic of NTDC’s History

Attention NTDC attendees! When you’re at the championships this month in Minneapolis, be sure to check out the second edition of the event’s history book. 

“From Roadeo to TDC: A history of the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships (Second Edition)” features new interviews with organizers and competitors, analyses of the most recent tournaments (2023-’24), a foreword by 2023 NTDC grand champion Gragg Wilson, and chapters specific to the grand champions, the media’s role over the years, and the volunteers who have made the tournament come to life since NTDC’s debut in 1937. 

Importantly, this second edition also aimed to capture NTDC’s foundational essence, which is its family culture. An excerpt from the new chapter about family observed, 

The central aim of the NTDC experience is to promote safety. Its byproduct is the family happiness derived from the greatest number of participants. An influential tradition, this ethos has been championed since the National Truck Roadeo’s early days. Over the years, a family-friendly vibe expanded across NTDC arenas. Since such an atmosphere always aims to connect individuals with one another, there is greater need for maintaining the foundation of morals than of stating industry principles and knowledge of the craft. To put it simply, when you’re here you’re family. 

This family culture helps to enhance the experience for the more than 400 drivers who qualify. Wisconsin’s Jeffrey Langenhahn, winner of the grand champion award in 2014, summed it up, “I look forward to it every year, from the state level all the way to the national level. There are so many friends you gain along the way. And you just look forward to seeing them every year. And you may not necessarily have nationals every year, depending on how you do at the state level, but you get to know their families and everything. You just look forward to just seeing everybody.”

“It's such a good core group of people at these events,” Langenhahn observed, “and I just hope I can keep on competing year after year. So, [I'm] just, really looking forward to those conversations with everybody. And it’s just a great reunion.”

Get your copy of the new NTDC history book at the event gift shop. This year’s National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Driving Championships will be held Aug. 20-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. 

The history book’s first edition is available online.