Road to NTDC Spotlight: Rick Cates
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Rick Cates likes to say the moment he arrived at the National Truck Roadeo more than five decades ago, he knew he was home.
For 52 years, to be exact, Cates has been involved with the Roadeo, now known as the National Truck Driving Championships. His invaluable institutional knowledge secured him a lifetime spot on the event’s organizing committee. As a sign of respect, the NTDC community began referring to him as “Senator,” or “Sen. Cates.” When he shares crucial insights about tournament operations, committee members sometimes refer to him as “master of the Senate.”
Cates has devoted his life to the trucking industry. It was only natural he would gravitate to the country’s prestigious forum for safety and precision-driving skills. Always ready to offer advice, listen to ideas, or share words of encouragement, Cates said the days leading up to the annual “Super Bowl of Safety” are cherished.
“We’ll have truck drivers that have a proven safety record. Some of them have 5 million miles when they’re going to be competing. So it’s exciting to see many safety professionals and also the safety professionals in the industry will be coming together to organize and conduct the truck driving championships,” “Sen. Cates” told Transport Topics ahead of the event’s kickoff Aug. 21.
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
“Every year, it’s like a reunion of safety professionals and the professional truck driver. And it is about the professional truck driver,” he added. “That’s what the NTDC is all about: to showcase their skills. And each one’s a winner. Each one’s a state winner to get there. And each one’s a winner supporting their families and their companies.”
Expressing humility, the “Senator” pointed to the reward of giving-back to an industry he said has been there for many friends and family.
“If I can be of help and bring something to the NTDC that can help a rookie or the driver for the first time, or the veteran [driver], at least we have those safe drivers on the road.”
Rick Cates with son Jamie at the National Truck Roadeo in Kansas City, Mo., in 1980. (Cates family photo)
Each year, NTDC volunteers and industry leaders unite to produce this premier safety event, showcasing the nation’s top commercial drivers. While more than 400 qualifiers compete for national titles, Cates has come to appreciate the family atmosphere that has developed over the years.
Rick Cates and son Jamie at an industry event this year. (Cates family photo)
For Cates, everything comes down to family and the support individuals receive from their household. For many years, Cates’ son Jamie, a manager of sales and service with Old Dominion Freight Line, has stood alongside his father at the summer classic.
Reflecting on the event’s family tradition, the younger Cates said in 2023, “It brings back old memories. I feel pride for them,” Jamie Cates added. “You’re pulling for everybody on your team. There’s a lot of pride.”
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