Key Sponsor Keeps Up NTDC Tradition

This year’s blue ribbon winner at the National Truck Driving Championships will be fortunate enough to take home the event’s top trophy, which again will be presented by Bendix.

For the fourteenth consecutive year, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC will sponsor NTDC’s grand champion prize—the tournament’s crowning achievement following four days of exhaustive competition. More than 400 state title winners in nine vehicle classes qualify for NTDC. Only one driver can claim grand champion status.

“The NTDC is an inspiring celebration of precision, professionalism, and pride in the craft of driving,” Nicole Oreskovic, vice president of sales and marketing at Bendix, said in a statement Aug. 14. “We’re proud to support an event that highlights the absolute best of our industry – and even more proud to recognize drivers whose commitment to safety is matched by their skill behind the wheel. We wish all contestants the best of luck.”

This month, six former Bendix Grand Champion Award winners will compete in Minneapolis at the 88th annual NTDC. They are Utah’s Dale Duncan with UPS (2006, 2009), Wisconsin’s Jeffrey Langenhahn with XPO (2014), Ohio’s Scott Woodrome with FedEx (2018, 2019), Connecticut’s Roland Bolduc with FedEx (2017, 2022), Nevada’s Gragg Wilson with UPS (2023) and last year’s winner: Mississippi’s Jackie Reed with FedEx. “At the time of his win, Reed had logged over 3 million accident-free miles across a nearly 35-year driving career. Bendix looks forward to celebrating this year’s winner – and honoring the dedication, talent, and leadership of all who compete,” per background information Bendix provided. 

The grand champion prize debuted in 1987. Twenty-nine men have surpassed the competition to earn the contest’s best-in-show distinction. 

The National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships will be held at the Minneapolis Convention Center Aug. 20-23.