ALBUQUERQUE – May 4, 2009 – Nine drivers representing FedEx Corp. (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the winners at the 2009 New Mexico State Truck Driving Championship in Albuquerque on May 2.
- Dion Saiz, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Albuquerque, captured first place in the Twins class. He also won the coveted Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of each class.
- Dan Bruch, also a FedEx Freight driver domiciled in Albuquerque, earned the top spot in the 5-Axle class. This is Bruch’s third state title in four years.
- Oscar Delgado, a driver for FedEx Ground contractor Ruben Martinez based in El Paso, Texas, won first place in the Step Van class.
- Amru Torres (San Elizario, Texas), a driver for FedEx Ground contractor Ruben’s Trucking Inc., and FedEx Freight driver Brooks Washburn (Albuquerque), finished second and third, respectively, in the 4-Axle class.
- Farmington-based FedEx Freight drivers Joe Bernal and Nathan Lovato were second and third in the Straight Truck class.
- FedEx Ground contractors Robert Thorn (Durango) and Jason Reyes (San Elizario, Texas) completed the FedEx sweep of the Step Van class by posting second- and third-place finishes.
Saiz, Bruch and Delgado will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2009 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), known as the “Super Bowl of Safety” August 18-22, 2009 in Pittsburgh. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.
The New Mexico 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 skills test, pre-trip inspection and written examination covering vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.
In 2008, 70 driving professionals from 36 states representing FedEx Freight, FedEx National LTL, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express and FedEx Custom Critical 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 Tank Truck, 4-Axle and Twins classes and the NTDC Rookie of the Year honor. In addition, FedEx drivers earned three 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 $38 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 team members 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 http://news.fedex.com.