FedEx Freight Rookie Takes Top Driver Award

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ALT LAKE CITY — Before 3,000 cheering spectators here, FedEx Freight’s Wayne Crowder became the first person in the 67-year history of the National Truck Driving Championships to win honors as both the Rookie of the Year and the Grand Champion, for 2004.

By his own admission a reluctant entrant, Crowder took home to Louisville, Ky., the contest’s top award as a result of his performance in a flatbed rig — equipment that he last drove regularly a decade ago. Normally a driver of twin trailers, he beat out 366 other drivers at the Salt Palace, capping a process that started earlier this year with 6,000 drivers nationwide.

Crowder’s victory here Aug. 21 marked the second consecutive victory for a driver from the less-than-truckload subsidiary of FedEx Corp.

For the full story, see the Aug. 30 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.

(Jim Urquhart for TT)
ATA President Bill Graves congratulates Rookie of the Year and Grand Champion Wayne Crowder.

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