NTDC 2014 Champ Langenhahn Returns as 2015 Finalist

ST. LOUIS — Defending champion Jeffrey Langenhahn, of Con-way Freight and Plover, Wis., is among the drivers who have advanced to today's finals of the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Championships.

Langenhahn, last year's Grand Champion, moved on in the twins class, one of eight Con-way drivers to advance after a three-day competition that tested the driver’s knowledge of safety, equipment, the trucking industry and driving skills. Wal-Mart also had eight drivers make the finals. FedEx led the way with 20 of the 46 finalists.

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“The competitors at the National Truck Driving Championships demonstrate the commitment to safety that truck drivers throughout America exhibit on the nation’s highways each day,” American Trucking Associations President Bill Graves said. “I congratulate all the finalists for their proven dedication to safety and applaud each of the competitors for their efforts in showing what it means to be a champion on our country’s roads.”

WI driver Jeff Langenhahn is hoping to advance after competing a great run. Let's show him our support! #NTDC2015 pic.twitter.com/Uq8LMT8Tnr — Con-way Freight (@Conway_Freight) August 13, 2015

Considered the “Super Bowl of Safety,” the top five drivers in seven of the eight competing categories, along with the affiliated step van competition, are set to complete a specially designed obstacle course to determine the top driver. Six competitors will drive this morning in the 3-axle class.

The top driver in each of the nine categories will be honored, and one will be named the 2015 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships grand champion.

2015 National Truck Driving Championship Finalists

Straight Truck Class

Jeremy Steger, Con-way Freight, Plymouth, Wis.

Loren Hatfield, ABF Freight System, Inc., Maumelle, Ark.

Paul Styzinski, Golden State Foods, Arlington Heights, Ill.

Ernest Budlowski, Con-way Freight, Shelton, Conn.

Paul Caruolo, FedEx Express, Cary, N.C.

3-Axle Class

Donald Logan, FedEx Freight, Eskridge, Kan.

David May, Con-way Freight, West Seneca, N.Y.

Dwayne Heaverin, FedEx Express, Dry Ridge, Ky.

Barry Kraemer, Con-way Freight, New Holstein, Wis.

Michael Clark, Wal-Mart Transportation, Bixby, Okla. — competing in Ark.

Paul Butkowski, FedEx Freight, Sauk Rapids, Minn.

4-Axle Class

Bradley Lester, FedEx Freight, Happy Valley, Ore.

Scott Donaldson, Holland, Loganville, Ga.

Albert Hockett, Con-way Freight, Rolla, Mo.

David Hall, ABF Freight System, Inc., Austin, Ark.

James Quarles, Wal-Mart Transportation, Laurens, S.C.

5-Axle Class

Eric Ramsdell, Wal-Mart Transportation, Wittmann, Ariz.

Basher Pierce, FedEx Freight, Sophia, N.C.

Chad Rudesill, FedEx Ground, Tickfaw, La.

Richard Gagnon, New Penn, Woonsocket, R.I.

William Brandon, FedEx Freight, Athens, Ala.

Flatbed Class

Scott Woodrome, FedEx Freight, Middletown, Ohio

James Mills, AAA Cooper Transportation, Covington, Ga.

John Wiley, Wal-Mart Transportation, London, Ky.

Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express, East Longmeadow, Mass.

Kenny Jenkins, Wal-Mart Transportation, Newport, N.H.

Tank Truck Class

Geoffory Davis, Wal-Mart Transportation, Ottawa, Kan.

Paul Brandon, FedEx Freight, Oxford, Conn.

John Maddox, Jr., Ergon Trucking, Inc., Stringer, Miss.

Brian Singelais, Sr., A. Duie Pyle, Inc., Webster, Mass.

David Magee, FedEx Freight, Huntingdon, Tenn.

Twins Class

David Mogler, FedEx Freight, Commerce City, Colo.

Jeffrey Langenhahn, Con-way Freight, Plover, Wis.

Henry Mahler, Jr.,YRC Freight, Ocala, Fla.

Gerald Thompson, Con-way Freight, Grand Island, N.Y.

Louis Petrovia, Con-way Freight, Baltimore

Sleeper Berth Class

Wayne Gootee, Walmart Transportation, Brooklyn, Mich.

Ronnie Davis, Brookshire Grocery Co., Lindale, Texas

Ronald Emenheiser, Wal-Mart Transportation, Yorkana, Pa.

Eric Courville, FedEx Freight, Breaux Bridge, La.

Bryan Elges, FedEx Freight, Ashland, Ohio

Step Van

James Sheehan, FedEx Ground, Hendersonville, Tenn.

Andrew Tuck, FedEx Ground, Xenia, Ohio

Nick Frazier, FedEx Ground, Granby, Mo.

Robert Ledoux FedEx Express, Swansea, Mass.

Dean Harris, FedEx Freight, Shawnee, Kan.