Georgia Truck Driving Champion Crowned

Jonathan Churchwell, of Adairsville, was named the best professional truck driver in Georgia after winning the three-axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the eight competing categories at the 2008 Georgia Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by the Georgia Motor Trucking Association.

Churchwell, who drives for Con-way Freight, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 18-23, 2008 in Houston, Texas -- also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the seven other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.

Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Houston for four days, 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 that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers will 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 Saturday night, August 23, one contestant will drive away as the 2008 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.

"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's dedication to safety," said Georgia Motor Trucking Association President & CEO Edward Crowell. "I congratulate all the contests and I hope Georgia roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Houston."


Georgia winners for each category included:

Timothy McElwaney, ABF Freight System, Carrollton, Ga. (Straight Truck)

Jonathan Churchwell, Con-way Freight, Adairsville, Ga. (Three-Axle)

Joseph Obregon, ABF Freight System, Ellijay, Ga. (Four-Axle)

Buner "Herschel" Evans, USF Holland, Bremen, Ga. (Five-Axle)

William "Scott" Cain, UPS Freight, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Five-Axle Sleeper)

Brian Dubberly, Wal-Mart Transportation, Douglas, Ga. (Tankers)

Ben Moore, Jr., Wal-Mart Transportation, Americus, Ga. (Flatbed)

William Keeling, Roadway, Lawrenceville, Ga. (Twins)

ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 19-23 in Houston, Texas. The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators.