08/14/2026
Press Release from ATA's Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 14, 2026
Office of Public Affairs
(703) 838-1995
Finalists Announced for 2026 National Truck Driving Championships
Nothing Without Trucking
Download a high-resolution photo of the NTDC26 finalists
Pittsburgh, PA — Forty-five professional truck drivers have advanced to the finals of the National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championships, which are being held this year at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.
These annual competitions date back to 1937 and inspire thousands of drivers to operate accident-free for the right to compete. This year’s competitors have driven a combined 775 million accident-free miles throughout their careers.
“Over the past several days, these professional drivers have demonstrated the skill, discipline, and commitment to safety that define the very best of our industry,” said Heath Arnold, NTDC Chairman. “Every competitor who earned a place at NTDC should be immensely proud of that accomplishment. Advancing to this stage requires countless hours of preparation, unwavering professionalism, and a dedication to excellence behind the wheel. We congratulate the finalists who are moving forward and salute every competitor for exemplifying the highest standards of our industry.”
The drivers hail from 49 states and represent 55 companies of every size. Of the 429 competitors, the following 45 individuals have advanced to drive for the Bendix Grand Championship:
Step Van
Ceth Christensen, United Parcel Service Inc, Illinois
Robert Ledoux, Federal Express Corporation, Massachusetts
Logan Stacho, Federal Express Corporation, Ohio
Rafael Jusfredo, Federal Express Corporation, Vermont
Gregory Long, Federal Express Corporation, Virginia
Straight Truck
Robert Cochran, Federal Express Corporation, Maine
Robert Stokes, PITT OHIO, Maryland
David May, XPO, New York
Michael Bills, Federal Express Corporation, North Carolina
Lynn Wilson, Walmart Transportation LLC, Utah
3-Axle
Chuck Pearson, ABF Freight System Inc., Georgia
Jeffrey Halford, XPO, Idaho
Todd Loreman, Walmart Transportation LLC, Louisiana
John Jadrossich, FedEx Freight, New York
Chris Poynor, XPO, Washington
4-Axle
Miguel Corral, United Parcel Service Inc, Illinois
Stephen Johnson, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
Todd Gimpel, FedEx Freight, Nebraska
David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota
Bryan Krol, The Martin-Brower Company L.L.C., Pennsylvania
5-Axle
Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, Idaho
Robert Bramwell, ABF Freight System Inc., Missouri
Daniel Bruch, FedEx Freight, New Mexico
Andres Garcia, FedEx Freight, Texas
Matthew Boenisch, FedEx Freight, Wisconsin
Flatbed
Richard Prescott, Walmart Transportation LLC, California
Karl Wilkerson, United Parcel Service Inc, Illinois
Darius Uible, United Parcel Service Inc, Kentucky
Mark Collins, Walmart Transportation LLC, Louisiana
Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight, Wyoming
Tank Truck
Eric Ramsdell , Walmart Transportation LLC, Arizona
James Dixon, A. Duie Pyle Inc., Connecticut
Steven Elliston, Walmart Transportation LLC, Georgia
Allen McNeely, ABF Freight System Inc., North Carolina
Paul Waite, A. Duie Pyle Inc., Pennsylvania
Twins
Gary Mars, Walmart Transportation LLC, Arkansas
Vladyslav Piatkovskyi, FedEx Freight, Maryland
Jeffrey Reed, United Parcel Service Inc, New Mexico
Mark McLean, FedEx Freight, New York
Ronald Ramon, H-E-B Grocery Co., Texas
Sleeper
Patrick Condon, Walmart Transportation LLC, Florida
Ron Marker, Walmart Transportation LLC, Indiana
Erik McFarland, Fareway Stores Inc., Iowa
Terry Covey, FedEx Freight, Kansas
Matthew Fletcher, The Martin-Brower Company L.L.C., Pennsylvania
The 45 finalists announced this morning will compete in the Championships Finals today, and a Grand Champion will be announced at a banquet reception this evening. For regular updates, follow ATA on social media and .
Sponsors of the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships include:
Platinum:
Fed Ex
Fed Ex Freight
Old Dominion Freight Line
Walmart
XPO
Gold:
ABF Freight
C.A. Short Company
Cummins
Boeing
Truck Parking Club
UPS
Silver:
DHL
Peach State Truck Centers
PGT Trucking
PITT OHIO
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
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American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation’s freight. Nothing Without Trucking.
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