BILLINGS, Mont. – June 18, 2014 – Twelve drivers representing FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the top finishers at the 2014 Montana State Truck Driving Championship in Billings on June 14.
- Marty Anzik, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Butte, attained his third state title with a win in the Twins class. He also took home the Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of all classes.
- Erik Lilleberg, of JRM Enterprises Inc. domiciled out of the FedEx Ground hub in Billings, captured his fifth 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 third straight state title with a win in the 5-Axle class.
- Russ Smith, of Custom Transport, Inc. domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Missoula, won his second-consecutive title with a win in the 5-Axle Sleeper class. Smith’s wife, Lindsay Smith, also of Custom Transport, Inc. domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Missoula, won the 3-Axle class for her first state title.
- Tracey James, of Jaybird Delivery Company domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Helena, won the first-place trophy in the Step Van class. James was also awarded the Rookie of the Year award.
- Billings-based Dalton Cornell (FedEx Freight) and Reese Butler, of R & M Butler Transport Inc. domiciled at the FedEx Ground hub in Billings, finished second in the 3-Axle and Twins classes, respectively.
- Completing the sweep in the Step Van class were Clint Anderson, a driver for FedEx Express based in Belgrade, and Judson Harris, of PJE, Inc. domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Missoula, with their second- and third-place finishes, respectively.
- Billings-based Owen Vogel, of JRM Enterprises Inc. and Chad Reichert, a driver for FedEx Freight, finished third in the 4-Axle and Tank Truck classes, respectively.
Additionally, the competitors representing FedEx Freight earned the Team Trophy.
Anzik, Lilleberg, Grayson, R. Smith, L. Smith and James will go on to compete at the American Trucking Associations’ 2014 NTDC, known as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” Aug. 12-16 in Pittsburgh. In addition, each state winner will be recognized by FedEx as part of its safe driving initiative, The Chairman’s Challenge.
“Our team is dedicated to staying safe on the road,” said Frederick W. Smith, chairman, president and CEO, FedEx Corp. “The accomplishment of these participants at the Montana state championship demonstrates the professionalism and dedication to safety found throughout the entire FedEx organization.”
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 2013, 132 driving professionals from 46 states representing FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, FedEx Express and FedEx SupplyChain 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. Three FedEx drivers captured National Champion titles in the Flatbed, 3-Axle and Step Van classes. Nine other FedEx drivers earned 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 $46 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 300,000 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 news.fedex.com.