Two-Time 3-Axle Champ Mark Cole Adds Grand Champion Title in Montana
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Mark Cole of FedEx Freight found himself in the winner’s circle for the second year in a row as 3-Axle champion, then added the Grand Champion title June 15 at the Montana Truck Driving Championships in Helena.
“The event went great this year,” said Todd Mulcahy, Safety Coordinator for Motor Carriers of Montana. “The weather was nice the whole time, which is always a big concern this time of year in Montana.”
FedEx Freight’s Scott Lorio won Twins, FedEx Ground’s Rob Brown won Step Van and YRC Freight’s Russ James took the Tank Truck title.
The 2019 National Truck Driving Championships
Qualifiers | Map | Photos | Video
Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level have advanced to the national competition, where a Grand Champion will be crowned
What: Contestants are judged on a written examination and their driving skills
When: Aug. 14-17
Where: Pittsburgh
“FedEx, YRC and a few others had families and friends there to support their drivers,” Mulcahy said. “Montana Peterbilt had their big smoker at the event and made fantastic meals for all the contestants, volunteers and folks watching on.”
Rounding out the winners list were Lee Eastburn of XPO Logistics in 4-Axle, Lyle Turville of Decker Truck Line in 5-Axle, Scott Courtney of XPO Logistics in Flatbed and Charles Rogers of Wilson Logistics in Sleeper Berth.
“The ATA Road team captains enjoyed the event as well,” Mulcahy said. “The captains took turns announcing on the microphone throughout the day as the drivers took to the course. During the dinner banquet and award ceremony, the captains took a few minutes to share their stories and congratulated the drivers for being part of the event.”
MONTANA ARCHIVE PAGE: Previews, recaps and more
PHOTOS: 2019 Montana Truck Driving Championships
All competitors moving on to nationals:
- 3-Axle: Mark Cole, FedEx Freight
- 4-Axle: Lee Eastburn, XPO Logistics
- 5-Axle: Lyle Turville, Decker Truck Line
- Flatbed: Scott Courtney, XPO Logistics
- Sleeper Berth: Charles Rogers, Wilson Logistics
- Tank Truck: Russ James, YRC Freight
- Twins: Scott Lorio, FedEx Freight
- Step Van: Rob Brown, FedEx Ground
