TOPEKA, Kan. – June 24, 2014 – Eleven drivers representing FedEx Corporation (NYSE: FDX) operating companies placed among the top finishers at the 2014 Kansas State Truck Driving Championship in Topeka on June 20-21.
- Jeff Thompson, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Kansas City, earned his seventh state title with a win in the Flatbed class. He also posted the highest score in the Pre-Trip Inspection portion of the competition and earned the Grand Champion title for achieving the highest score among the winners of all classes.
- Topeka-based FedEx Freight driver Don Logan won his eighth Kansas state title – this one in the Twins class. He also posted the highest score in the Written Exam portion of the competition. Logan is the 2012 National Grand Champion, the prestigious title bestowed upon the competitor who achieves the highest score among the winners of all nine classes at the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). He was also the 2012 National Flatbed Champion, the 2010 National Twins Champion and 2009 National 3-Axle Champion.
- Fellow FedEx Freight driver Jay Miller (Kansas City) captured his third state title, this year in the 3-Axle class. Miller was the second-place finisher in the Straight Truck class at the 2010 NTDC.
- Dean Harris, also a driver for FedEx Freight based in Kansas City, won the Step Van class for his second state title.
- FedEx Freight driver Sammy Pelton (St. Joseph) attained his first state title in the 4-Axle class. He also posted the highest score in the driving portion of the competition.
- Troy Lape, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Kansas City, earned first place in the Tank Truck class.
- Dan Stapleton, of QIC Corporation domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Lenexa, and Maurice Jackson, of Desert Fox Logistics, Inc. domiciled out of the FedEx Ground station in Topeka, completed the sweep in the Step Van class with their second- and third-place finishes, respectively.
- FedEx Freight drivers John Heavener (Kansas City) and Melissa Guthery (Wichita) finished second and third, respectively, in the 5-Axle class.
- John Bouddhara, a driver for FedEx Freight in Wichita, took home the third-place trophy in the Twins class.
Additionally, the competitors representing FedEx Freight earned the Team Trophy.
Thompson, Logan, Miller, Harris, Pelton and Lape 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 Kansas state championship demonstrates the professionalism and dedication to safety found throughout the entire FedEx organization.”
The Kansas 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.