Road to NTDC Spotlight: Gragg Wilson
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This month, a new grand champion will be named at the 87th annual National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. The latest blue ribbon recipient, to be announced Aug. 24, will succeed last year’s best-in-show: Nevada’s Gragg Wilson with UPS.
The field of more than 400 elite competitors at this month’s “Super Bowl of Safety” will not include Wilson. In Nevada’s highly competitive qualifying round this spring, another driver’s supreme performance denied Wilson a chance to repeat.
In the wake of that disappointing runner-up finish, Wilson has taken some comfort in the dozens of accolades he’s earned over the years.
A former Nevada driver of the year, Wilson is the winner of many state titles. He was named a member of American Trucking Associations’ most recent class of America’s Road Team captains.
2024 National Truck Driving Championships
Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level who have advanced to the national competition, where a Grand Champion will be crowned
What: Contestants are judged on a written exam, pre-trip inspection and driving skills
When: Aug. 21-24
Where: Indianapolis
His “Super Bowl of Safety” curriculum vitae includes a vehicle condition award and a state team award. He says there is satisfaction in knowing he secured a spot in NTDC’s exclusive grand champions’ club. Twenty-eight men have won the illustrious top prize; Wilson is one of them.
The UPS standout will deliver keynote remarks at the tournament’s orientation Aug. 21 and plans to cheer on colleagues and friends from the sidelines during three days of precision-driving festivities. His advice to competitors: Trust your preparation and “make sure when you go there you’re mentally ready and you are well-rested."
He indicated the competition can be a measure of appearance as well as execution.
Gragg Wilson and wife Denise were all smiles as he displayed his tank class and grand champion trophies at NTDC 2023 in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
“Sometimes people want to stay up a little bit later to study or go over the course or stuff like that. If you’re ready to go to bed, and you’re tired, and you know it’s going to be a long day the next day, go ahead. Just go get some rest and be ready and fresh the next morning,” Wilson said, amplifying the importance of decorum and professionalism. “Make sure that you are presentable. Make sure you look good. If you want to be a winner, you got to look like a winner.”
As the reigning grand champion, Wilson acknowledged that many competitors become overwhelmed by the tournament’s pressure, leading to a nostalgic longing for pre-competition days. For that, Wilson has a remedy: You want to take it seriously but not too seriously.
You’re going out there and you’re doing what you do every day. So try not to overthink things.
UPS driver Gragg Wilson
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“You’re going out there and you’re doing what you do every day. So try not to overthink things. When you go out there and you’re looking at the course, try to stay with what you know,” he explained. “If you walk the course and you say, ‘I’m going to do it a certain way,’ stick to it. Try not to listen to what other people are saying because sometimes those people do things differently.”
Wilson further emphasized: “Try to stay focused on the goals … visualize what you’re going to do and stick to that plan.”
Put your hands together for Gragg Wilson the #NTDC Grand Champion! (1st out of 418 competitors & the first UPS National Grand Champion!)
He placed 1st in the tanker class before being crowned the Grand Champion at the National Truck Driving Championships.
Gragg is… pic.twitter.com/aS7uwyVQfS — UPS (@UPS) August 21, 2023
Many drivers at NTDC will push themselves to pursue perfection. The challenge to succeed can become extreme. Wilson reminded competitors to follow the tournament’s rules and, most importantly, “Go out there and do the best that you can.”
The road to victory often is arduous and unpredictable.
“Once you’re done, don’t beat yourself up,” he said. “Have a good time. And remember, you’re there for a reason, because you earned it.”
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