Elite Truckers Test Skills in Indy
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INDIANAPOLIS — As the first day at the National Truck Driving Championships concluded Aug. 21, competitors reflected on the opening orientation before shuttling back to their hotels to ready themselves for the next day’s competition.
A trio of first-timers were among the more than 400 qualifiers taking part in the country’s most prestigious precision driving tournament. John Koberstine from Washington arrived representing Peninsula Truck Lines at Indiana Convention Center for the event, scheduled for August 21 - 24. He is competing in the twin trailers class.
“A lot of nerves going on here. I’m very proud to be here with all these professionals. I’m excited,” Koberstine said Aug. 21. He noted that the written exam on industry regulations posed an early challenge. “The test was amped up; a little harder written test here than was at state,” he said, referring to Washington’s truck driving championships. “I don’t know if a guy can study enough for it, but I put some time in.”
UPS’ Dustin Scholle from Illinois is competing in the 4-axle.
“It’s nice to see that we have the government behind us,” he said, “and we have other people that are looking out for us, too, not just us looking out for everybody else.”
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
XPO’s Raymond Nightingale from Rhode Island is competing in the twin trailers class, too. He said he was feeling nervous but also confident.
“Nervous because it’s my first time doing [the competition] on that type of level — that type of stage, but I’m pretty confident that I’m going to go far because it’s stuff that I’ve actually practiced this year.”
Nightingale trained this summer alongside his uncle, XPO’s Joseph Hicks, a Rhode Island competitor in the 4-axle class.
It’s nice to see that we have the government behind us, and we have other people that are looking out for us, too.
Dustin Scholle, UPS
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“Yeah, I feel pretty confident,” Nightingale said.
FedEx straight truck driver James Kohr from New York is making his ninth trip to nationals. He noted that this annual “Super Bowl of Safety” is a big family reunion for drivers who have made lasting friendships over the years.
“It’s more about meeting new people in my class that I haven’t seen before when I’ve been here,” Kohr affirmed. “Meeting new people is always the highlight.”
Nervous because it’s my first time doing [the competition] on that type of level … but I’m pretty confident.
Raymond Nightingale, XPO
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Programming at the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships on Aug. 20 aimed to motivate and inspire attendees about the industry’s contributions to safety and the economy. The tournament’s leadership, led by chairwoman Patti Gillette, expressed gratitude for the elite field’s capacity to drive accident-free for the year leading up to competition.
Kohr
Sen. Mike Braun (R-Ind.) as well as Sue Lawless, executive director and chief safety officer for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, thanked drivers for their dedication to the industry. Officials touted the commitment to safety displayed at the 87th annual summer classic.
Over the course of the event, drivers in nine vehicle classes will tackle an intricate course as well as a pre-trip vehicle inspection. The top scorers will advance to a final round to vie for national titles in their classes, and best-in-show will be named grand champion. The awards will be announced at a banquet Aug. 24.
Nevada’s Gragg Wilson with UPS, the reigning NTDC grand champion, stressed the level of talent in the room during a keynote address at driver orientation. He asked the field to stand, turn to each other and shake hands. After a few moments, Wilson told his peers, “Some of you shook hands with the next vehicle [condition] award winner, the next test winner, the next rookie [of the year]; a national champion — and some of you even shook hands with the 2024 national grand champion.”
Thank you for your visit and support @SenatorBraun! 🇺🇸 #NTDC24 https://t.co/otLrNPmTZH — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) August 22, 2024
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