2009 National Truck Driving Championships Finalists Announced

The finalists for the 2009 National Truck Driving Championships were announced early this morning after a three day competition that tested driver's knowledge of safety, equipment, the industry and driving skills. Considered the "Super Bowl of Safety," the competition is in the midst of a drive-off.

The top three drivers in each of the eight competing categories, along with the affiliated step van competition, will now run a specially designed obstacle course that will be unveiled this morning to determine the top driver. At the end of the day, the best driver from all eight categories will be named, with one driver named the 2009 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.

2009 National Truck Driving Championship Finalists

Straight Truck Class

Robert (Bob) J. Dolan - Con-way Freight (Catasauqua, Pa.)
Brent A. Glasenapp - FedEx Express (Franklin, Wis.)
Leroy Williams, Sr. - Con-way Freight (Zachary, La.)

3-Axle Class

Brian Clark - FedEx Express (Pittsboro, Ind.)
Don Logan - FedEx Freight (Eskridge, Kan.)
Joe Mangiaracino - FedEx Freight (Sullivan, Mo.)

4-Axle Class

Mike Stickley - Con-way Freight (Winchester, Va.)
Tim Dean - Werner Enterprises, Inc. (Omaha, Neb.)
Darryl Dodd - Wal-Mart Transportation, LLC (Phil Campbell, Ala.)

5-Axle Class

Dale Duncan - Con-way Freight (San Diego, Ca.)
Ray Jackson - H-E-B Grocery Co. (San Antonio, Texas)
J.W. (Jesse) Ballard - YRC (Portland, Ore.)

Flatbed Class

Rick Kinsey - Con-way Freight (Winchester, Va.)
Rich Sweeney - Con-way Freight (Springfield, Mass.)
Mick Simpson - Family Dollar Trucking, Inc. (Rose Hill, N.C.)

Tank Truck Class

Tony Spero - ABF Freight (Stratford, Conn.)
Dennis Chambers - Crete Carrier Corporation (Spartanburg, Neb.)
Jon Hume - FedEx Freight (Hillsboro, Mo.)

Twins Class

Mark McLean - FedEx Freight (Gardiner, N.Y.)
Stacy Sansom - YRC (Shreveport, La.)
Chris Poynor - Con-way Freight (Pasco, Wash.)

Sleeper Berth Class

Ralph Garcia - ABF Freight System, Inc. (Rio Rancho, N.M.)
John Hummel - UPS Freight (Gaffney, S.C.)
Troy Swenson - FedEx Freight (Watertown, S.D.)

Step Van

Skippy LeBlanc - FedEx Ground (Seaford, Del.)
Nick Paradiso - FedEx Ground (Portland, Ore.)
David Thompson - FedEx Ground (Alexander, Ark.)