FedEx Express Driver Mark Brundage Takes Home Top Prize in Virginia Championships
Virginia is for lovers, and Mark Brundage loves the 4-axle. Finishing first in the class, Brundage earned the best-in-show trophy at the state’s annual truck driving championships.
Brundage
The win guarantees him a trip to the national truck rodeo this summer in Ohio, where he’ll face off against 4-axle winners from other states.
Brundage, who also is proficient in step van, has nearly three decades of professional driving experience. Almost two decades of his trucking tenure have been spent with FedEx. Along the way, he has recorded more than 1.5 million safe driving miles, according to his company profile.
The Road to the National Truck Driving Championships
Qualifiers | Map | Photos | Video
Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level advance to the national competition, with a grand champion crowned
What: Contestants are judged on a written examination and their driving skills
When: Aug. 15-18
Where: Columbus, Ohio
The Virginia grand champion wasn’t the only one securing a spot at nationals. Others taking home blue ribbons were David Price of FedEx Freight in straight truck, Anthony Cottrell of XPO Logistics in the 3-axle, Kerry Ryan of FedEx Freight in the 5-axle, Robert Lilly of FedEx Freight in flatbed, Jim Hines of Walmart in sleeper, Joe Clements of UPS Freight in tanker, and Earnest Allen of Walmart in twin trailers. Brundage’s colleague at FedEx Express, Greg Long, took home the gold medal in the step van class.
State competitors aiming to go to nationals must win their class. They also must work with a motor carrier fleet for at least a year, and remain accident-free the year prior to the championships. The National Truck Driving Championships will be held in Columbus, Ohio, Aug. 15-18.
