Ditomasso and Walton will go on to compete in the 2012 National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis on August 7-11.
Ditomasso, who is based at the New Penn facility in Providence, is a city driver who currently has more than half a million consecutive safe-driving miles. He has worked in the transportation industry for 15 years, the last 12 years with New Penn. This will be his second time to compete at the national championships. He won a state title in the 4-axle class to qualify for nationals in 2009.
Ditomasso's inspiration is his father, Steve, a driver who retired after 27 years with Yellow Transportation and YRC Freight. The senior Ditomasso often participated in state contests and competed at the national championships five times. "I compete to follow in the footsteps of my father. He's the reason I drive safely every day. I know it makes him proud," said Ditomasso.
Walton has worked in the transportation industry for 31 years, the last 10 years with New Penn. He has been accident-free his entire New Penn career. Walton is a road driver and is based at the New Penn facility in Camp Hill. This will be Walton's third time at the national championships. He won state titles in the twin trailers class to qualify for the nationals in 2009 and 2010.
Walton has been participating in truck driving competitions since 1985. "I compete to improve my driving skills, keep up with the industry, and make friendships with drivers from other companies. The competitions make me a better driver. I think of my family, and I want everybody to be safer," Walton said.
"Working and driving safely every day takes practice, determination and focus. Competing at driving championships requires that same level of concentration. Professionals like Marc and Rich who lead through safety demonstrate the high quality service we provide to our customers each and every day," said Steve Gast, New Penn president.
New Penn drivers also competed at state driving championships in New York and Vermont in June. Top finishers in the New York contest were Pete Glogowski, who placed first in the pre-trip inspection contest and second in the 4-axle class, and Eric Consaul, who scored highest in the course driving portion of the competition. Both Glogowski and Consaul are based at the New Penn terminal in Rochester. In Vermont, Matt Ketcham placed third in the 4-axle class. He is based at the New Penn facility in Burlington.
