United States (English)

Five FedEx Drivers Earn Honors at the Mississippi State Truck Driving Championship

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MEMPHIS – May 19, 2008 – Five drivers representing FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the winners at the 2008 Mississippi State Truck Driving Championship in Tupelo on May 16-17.


  • John Smith Jr., a contractor for FedEx Ground based in Tupelo , captured the top spot in the Tank Truck class to earn his fourth state title in six years. He also won the coveted Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of each class. Smith is the reigning national co-champion in the Flatbed class.
  • Jason Matte, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Jackson , won his second straight title in the 5-Axle class. Matte earned the Rookie of the Year honor at the 2007 National Truck Driving Championships.
  • Jackson-based FedEx Freight drivers James Kilpatrick and Maxie Wallace also placed among the top finishers. Kilpatrick was second in the Twins class, while Wallace took third place in the Flatbed class.
  • Glimmie Christopher, a driver for FedEx Freight in Hattiesburg , finished third in the 3-Axle class.

Smith and Matte will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2008 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety” August 20-23 in Houston . In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.


The Mississippi State Truck Driving Championship is an opportunity for professional truck drivers to demonstrate their driving skills and commitment to safety. The event includes a difficult driving skill test, pre-trip inspection, personal interview and written examination covering vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.


In 2007, a record 78 driving professionals from 38 states representing FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express, FedEx Custom Critical and FedEx Global Supply Chain Services qualified to compete at the National Truck Driving Championships by winning their respective state’s competition and driving accident-free for at least one year. FedEx drivers captured National Champion titles in the Flatbed and Straight Truck classes and the NTDC Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, FedEx drivers earned five additional top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.


About FedEx


FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) provides customers and businesses worldwide with a broad portfolio of transportation, e-commerce and business services. With annual revenues of $37 billion, the company offers integrated business applications through operating companies competing collectively and managed collaboratively, under the respected FedEx brand. Consistently ranked among the world’s most admired and trusted employers, FedEx inspires its more than 290,000 employees and contractors to remain absolutely, positively focused on safety, the highest ethical and professional standards and the needs of their customers and communities. For more information, visit news.fedex.com.