Charleston, W.Va. (August 10, 2015) – Hundreds of professional truck drivers, including nine drivers from West Virginia, will arrive in St. Louis, MO later this week to compete at the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships at America’s Center Convention Complex & Edward Jones Dome Center. These elite drivers earned their way to compete in the “Superbowl of Safety” after winning their titles at state competitions earlier this summer.

Over 420 drivers from all 50 states will compete in St. Louis for the four day competition, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers – they will drive a course and maneuver through obstacles that recreate situations truck drivers face daily. These may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On August 15, nine competitors will become champions of respective categories while one contestant will drive away as the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.
 
“The Truck Driving Championship represents the culmination of the industry’s dedication to safety,” said Jan Vineyard, president of the West Virginia Trucking Association. “West Virginia is home to some of the safest, most professional drivers in the country.  Our talented drivers earned their spots to compete in this industry-revered event and I wish them the best of luck!”

West Virginia participants at the National Truck Driving Championship for each category include:
Kevin Asbury, FedEx Freight (4-Axle) – Leon, WV
Nickolas Backes, Pitt Ohio (Tank Truck) – Fraziers Bottom, WV
Timothy Bailey, Con-Way Freight (3-Axle) – West Union, WV
Ken P. Barnett, FedEx Freight (5-Axle) – Given, WV
Wesley Bentley, Wal-Mart Transportation (Sleeper) – Vienna, WV
Corkee Clay, FedEx Freight (Flatbed) – Huntington, WV
Thomas Edens, FedEx Freight (Twin Trailers) – Saint Albans, WV
James Priddy, FedEx Freight (Straight Truck) – Charleston, WV
Kenneth Tresselt, FedEx Express (Step Van) – Charles Town, WV

About the National Truck Driving Championships
The American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) and National Step Van Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the United States competing at company, state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 11-15 in St. Louis, MO. The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators.

An article from the State Journal on this press release can be seen here.