MEMPHIS, Tenn., Mar. 22, 2018 – For FedEx drivers, contracted service providers and couriers, the message of “Safety Above All” reinforces the company’s continued commitment to promoting safety as its No. 1 priority.
Beginning in late March, FedEx drivers will bring that commitment to safety to the annual truck driving championships (TDCs) in all 50 states, with champions advancing to the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships (NTDC & NSVDC) Aug. 15-18 in Columbus, Ohio.
This will mark the 16th year drivers have competed collectively since FedEx chairman and CEO Frederick W. Smith conceived the Chairman’s Challenge as a call to drivers from all FedEx operating companies to represent the corporation at the championships. By competing in TDCs, drivers have an opportunity to demonstrate their skills and professionalism while promoting the importance of safety on America’s roads and highways.
Drivers have to be accident-free for at least the previous year leading up to the championships.
“Safety will always be the foundation of everything we do at FedEx, so we are proud to support our competitors as they showcase their commitment and expertise,” said David J. Bronczek, president and COO of FedEx Corp.
Over the past 15 years, drivers representing FedEx companies have won 50 National Champion titles, including four National Grand Champion honors.
Last year, 2,000 FedEx drivers and service providers participated in state championships. Six drivers representing FedEx were crowned National Champions:
- Roland Bolduc, a FedEx Express driver based in Windsor, Connecticut, was named the 2017 National Grand Champion and won the 5-Axle Sleeper category.
- Mike Bills, a FedEx Express courier based in Durham, North Carolina, was crowned the champion of the Step Van class.
- Rick Bailey, a FedEx Freight driver based in Warren, Michigan, won the National Champion title in the Straight Truck class.
- Jim Duffy, a FedEx Freight driver based in Madison, Wisconsin, was crowned the champion in the 4-Axle Class.
- Wayne Crowder, a FedEx Freight driver based in Louisville, Kentucky, took home the championship in the Flatbed class.
- Scott Woodrome, a FedEx Freight driver based in Dayton, Ohio, was named champion of the Tank Truck class.
Last year, FedEx was represented at the NTDC and NSVDC by drivers from all 50 states for a second straight year. Collectively, the 173 FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors who qualified for nationals had a combined 2,800 years of professional driving experience and 246 million accident-free miles.
The 2018 state TDCs begin with the Louisiana TDC March 23-24. Five state championships will be held in April, 14 in May and 29 during the month of June. The final state event is the Arkansas TDC July 12-14.
Champions in nine different classes will be determined at each state championship: 3-Axle, 4-Axle, 5-Axle, 5-Axle Sleeper, Flatbed, Step Van, Straight Truck, Tank Truck and Twins.