HELENA, Mont. – June 18, 2013 – Thirteen drivers representing FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the top finishers at the 2013 Montana State Truck Driving Championship in Helena on June 15.
- Erik Lilleberg, a driver for JRM Enterprises Inc. based at the FedEx Ground hub in Billings, captured his fourth state title with a win in the Tank Truck class. Lilleberg finished third in the Twins class at the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC).
- FedEx Freight driver Richard Grayson (Billings) took home his second straight title in the 4-Axle class.
- Craig DeCelles, a driver for JNL Brown Trucking Corp. based at the FedEx Ground station in Great Falls, earned the top spot in the Step Van class. He also earned the Rookie of the Year award.
- Heith Cox, a driver for Custom Transport, Inc. based at the FedEx Ground hub in Billings, won the Straight Truck class.
- FedEx Freight driver Keith Linn (Butte) finished first in the Twins class.
- Russell Smith, a driver for Custom Transport, Inc. based at the FedEx Ground station in Missoula, won his first state title in the 3-Axle class.
- Billings-based FedEx Freight drivers Richard Wayman and Tom Miller finished second in the Tank Truck and 3-Axle classes, respectively.
- William Depell, a FedEx Freight driver based in Butte, took home the second-place trophy in the Straight Truck class.
- Marty Anzik (FedEx Freight, Butte) and Reese Butler, owner of R&M Butler Transport, Inc. based at the FedEx Ground hub in Billings, completed the sweep in the Twins class with their second- and third-place finishes, respectively.
- Nick Brown and Jason Brown, both of JNL Brown Trucking Corp. based at the FedEx Ground station in Great Falls, finished second and third in the Step Van class, respectively.
Lilleberg, Grayson, DeCelles, Cox, Linn and Smith will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2013 NTDC, known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” August 20-24 in Salt Lake City. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.
“Our company is represented by professional drivers who not only strive daily to ensure shipments are delivered on time, but also that they remain safe on the road. It’s a fundamental priority in our company,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, FedEx Corp. “The performance of these participants at the Montana state championship demonstrates the dedication to safety of our entire team.”
The Montana State Truck Driving Championship is an opportunity for professional truck drivers to demonstrate their driving skills and safety expertise. The event includes a difficult driving-skills challenge, pre-trip inspection and written examination covering vehicle operation and knowledge of federal safety regulations.
In 2012, 137 driving professionals from 46 states representing FedEx Freight, 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. One FedEx competitor captured the National Grand Champion title. In addition, FedEx drivers captured National Champion titles in the Flatbed, 3-Axle and Step Van classes. Eight other FedEx drivers earned top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.