XPO’s Budlowski Secures 13th Trip to NTDC
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WINDSOR LOCKS, Conn. — On June 8, Connecticut’s elite precision-driving team qualified for this summer’s 87th annual National Truck Driving Championships and Step Van Championships.
The case for it to repeat as national champion became more apparent after high-profile performances from the squad’s luminaries during state competition.
FedEx Freight’s John Greene, last year’s 5-axle national title winner, again qualified for the big show in 5-axle. Last year’s sleeper berth national title winner Roland Bolduc of FedEx will be competing this year in the twin trailer class.
XPO’s Ernie Budlowski, the qualifier’s overall winner, is Connecticut’s team captain. He took over for Tony Spero, a longtime decorated competitor, who retired last year. A year after winning 2023’s state category at the “Super Bowl of Safety” summer classic, Budlowski and Co. are aiming for a repeat. Back-to-back victories for the Constitution State’s roster could secure their place in NTDC history. Budlowski recently evaluated his team’s prospects.
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
“I’m hoping that we can do well. We do have a lot of talent on the team,” he explained. “I rather underestimate than overestimate where we would finish. I don’t like to really tout, you know, being the greatest or anything. But we do have a solid team.”
Acknowledging the battleground for state supremacy at NTDC consists of multiple strong contenders.
“We have a lot of good competitors in Connecticut here. Roland Bolduc is one of them,” Budlowski observed.
Bolduc, the national grand champion in 2017 and 2022, will be the only former grand champion still actively competing.
Getting to Know You
Name: Ernie Budlowski
Age: 62
From: Shelton, Conn.
Vehicle: tank truck
Food: Steak or lobster
Music: 1970s-’80s rock
Hobby: Going out on the boat to fish and exercise in the gym.
Last place visited: Columbus, Ohio
Memorable NTDC moment: Coming in third in 2002 in 3-axle
Last Word: “It’s awesome that the trucking industry can get to a place where everybody is there for safety.”
Winning the state competition marked Budlowski’s third grand champion distinction and secured his 13th trip to the national stage. There’s something to be said for his commitment to the craft, much like there’s something to be said for the team’s pursuit of greatness.
At NTDC, the XPO veteran will be driving in the tanker class: “It’s the third time that I’ve [won state grand champion], but it’s just an awesome feeling. Especially since Connecticut took team trophy last year at the nationals and then become the grand champion here in Connecticut — it just it blows my mind.”
For Budlowski, the national event’s longevity is admirable.
“I just think it’s very cool the trucking industry started this truck driving championships in 1937, and it’s still going strong,” he said. “It’s just, really awesome to see that we’re promoting safety.”
Connecticut team roster:
• 3-Axle: Antonio Ortiftelli, XPO
• 4-Axle: Sean Huckaby, A. Duie Pyle
• Flatbed: Dave Bonocore, Bozzuto’s
• Step van: Dave Pereira, Frito-Lay
• Straight truck: Derrick Caro, XPO
• Sleep berth: James Dixon, A. Duie Pyle
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