Grand Champion – Tim Bailey Con-way FreightCharleston, WV (June 23, 2015) – Today, the West Virginia Trucking Association (WVTA) announced the results from the 60th Annual Truck Driving Championship competition. The competition was held Saturday at the Charleston Civic Center. Forty-four West Virginia-based professional drivers, from eight companies, displayed their driving skills and knowledge of the trucking industry during the daylong event.
The Truck Driving Championship (TDC) is designed to promote safety in the trucking industry. During this event, drivers are given a written examination, pre-trip inspection test and finally the most visible - the field test.
“The TDC is a great way to showcase the talented and hardworking truck drivers in our state. They are true professionals who are dedicated to the highest level of safety and set the bar for others in our industry,” said Jan Vineyard, president of the WVTA. “Trucking keeps our state moving by not only hauling the goods and groceries that we all use every day, but also by being a significant employer of our residents and contributor to our state’s economy, so it’s a pleasure to recognize the “best of the best” in the industry.
In addition to the driving competition, the association recognized drivers for their 2014 safety accomplishments during an awards banquet Saturday evening.
Vineyard said Eugene Collins of Cowen, WV, who drives for Burns Motor Freight, was honored with the WV Professional Driver of the Year Award. Collins has driven for 44 years and accumulated 2.2 million safe miles. He has also earned the American Trucking Associations One and Two Million Mile awards.
Keith R. Miller, of Leivasy, WV, who drives for Burns Motor Freight, was honored with the State Police Safety Award. He has driven for 36 years and accumulated 3.3 million miles with no accidents. He has won ATA One, Two and Three Million Mile Awards. He is a past recipient of the WV State Police Safety Award.
James R. Bailes, a driver with Burns Motor Freight, and a Marlinton, WV resident, earned the West Virginia Public Service Commission Driver of the Year Award. He has driven for 29 years and 2 million accident-free miles. He also has earned the American Trucking Association One and Two Million Mile awards.
Grand Champion – Tim Bailey, Con-way Freight
First Place Straight Class – James Priddy, FedEx Freight
First Place Three-Axle Class – Tim Bailey, Con-Way Freight
First Place Four-Axle Class – Kevin Asbury, FedEx Freight
First Place Five-Axle – Ken Barnett, FedEx Freight
First Place Tank Class – Nick Backes, Pitt Ohio
First Place Flat Class – Corkee Clary, FedEx Freight
First Place Sleeper Class – Wesley Bentley, Walmart Transportation
First Place Twins Class – Thomas Edens, FedEx Freight
1st Place Step Van Class – Kenneth Tresselt, FedEx Express
Rookie of the Year - David Allen, FedEx Freight
Pre-Trip Inspection - Ryan Stacks, Pilot Thomas Logistics
Team Award - Con-way Freight
The first place drivers from each division will compete at the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championship – also known as the Super Bowl of Safety – taking place in St. Louis, MO, August 11 – 15, 2015.
