Source: Bendix
ELYRIA, Ohio – For the ninth consecutive year, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is sponsoring the American Trucking Associations (ATA) National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) Grand Champion Award
The Bendix NTDC Grand Champion Award is given to the overall top driver in the four-day competition, which takes place Aug.14-17 in Pittsburgh. 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.
“There is no bigger stage than the NTDC for honoring America’s safe commercial vehicle drivers, and Bendix – where safety is a top priority – is grateful for the chance to support the competition,” said Scott Burkhart, vice president – sales, marketing and business development at Bendix. “Drivers and driver training remain vitally important. The NTDC shines a light on the tremendous skill and value that professional drivers bring. At every level, these inspiring men and women deserve recognition and thanks, and we extend wishes of good luck to all the 2019 contestants.”
The NTDC features the winners from 50 state trucking associations’ truck driving championships. All competitors must drive accident-free for at least one year before qualifying for the competition. In Pittsburgh, more than 420 of these top-notch drivers are expected to compete in the championship event, testing their expertise through a written exam, personal interview, pre-trip inspection test, and skills-based competition course.
Inside the David L. Lawrence 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 maneuver through tight spots.
Scott Woodrome, a FedEx Freight driver based in Middletown, Ohio, was last year’s NTDC Grand Champion award winner.
