Stanga: Silver State’s Standout

Since the start of this season’s “Road to NTDC,” drivers have been challenged by the courses, the elements and whatever whimsical wit organizers deliver.

As you know, the top performers in nine categories punch their tickets to the super bowl of trucking safety summer classic. The 88th annual National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships are scheduled for mid-August in Minneapolis. 

About a decade ago, Arizona’s Tim Stanga made his debut, as a rookie, at NTDC. The experience was rather joyous and, at the time, he promised himself he’d return to the big show. Fast-forward to this month, and Stanga, now in Nevada representing FedEx Freight, took home the top prize at the state’s precision driving tournament. Competing in four-axle, his performance qualified him for his second NTDC. 

All that was needed to return, he explained, was more practice. 

“If I want to get there, I've got to step it up, so I just kept practicing my skills, because that's the one area I was kind of lacking. So every moment I got, I was just practicing my skills,” the first time Silver State grand champion recently told Transport Topics. Reflecting further on the moment, he added: “I've been waiting for a while.”

Following a prolific state-level performance, Stanga is admittedly focused on NTDC. If persistent practice propelled him to the top at the state competition, further practicing will enhance his chances at nationals. “I'm still reading that book over and over,” he said referring to “Facts for Drivers,” the requisite for NTDC’s written examination. “Trying to memorize that thing.” 

“I'm still doing my pre-trip every day,” he added, pointing to the pre-trip vehicle inspection, another NTDC feature. While at work, you guessed it, he also will “practice skills while I'm waiting.”

Not only will Stanga represent a Nevada roster deep in talent (ie, 2023 grand champion Gragg Wilson), he also will join Team FedEx. The tournament’s dominant firm produces national champions with regularity. Or, as Stanga put it, “They're going to do great like they always do.”

Name: Tim Stanga

Age: 52

From: Las Vegas

Vehicle: four-axle

Favorite food: pizza

Sports hero: Arnold Schwarzenegger

Last TV show watched: Mobland

Lucky token: “TCB” keychain

Last word: “Buckle up. Safety is an everyday challenge.”