2019 NTDC Photo Gallery

A race car leads the parade of trucks into the David L. Lawrence Convention Center Aug. 17 to kick off the final day of competition at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

All 427 drivers began the morning by being introduced and accepting congratulations from officials Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Walmart's Jason Imhoff acknowledges the cheers after he's announced as a Straight Truck finalist Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FedEx Freight driver Basher Pierce of North Carolina shares his joy at being named a finalist in Flatbed Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Hey Robert Lilly of FedEx Freight, how do you really feel about being named one of the five finalists in the Flatbed division? An Aug. 17 scene from the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Safety Sammy and Duckman exchange high-fives during the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

They're not starting a wave, they're cheering for their driver on the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

XPO Logistics fans show their enthusiasm during the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Safety Sammy strolls past fans during the final day of competition, Aug. 17, at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers navigate a tricky course during the final round of competition Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers navigate a tricky course during the final round of competition Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers navigate a tricky course during the final round of competition Aug. 17 at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Finalist drivers conduct a course walk-through on the morning of Aug. 17 before tackling the championship course at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Finalist drivers conduct a course walk-through on the morning of Aug. 17 before tackling the championship course at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A small boy happily engages with a large duck Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Volunteer judges signal drivers and record scores on Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Washington's Amanda Collins works on a test Aug. 16 during the 2019 North American Inspectors Championship at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Kansas' Herbert Bradley conducts an inspection during the 2019 North American Inspectors Championship at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Mississippi's Level Walley works on a test Aug. 16 during the 2019 North American Inspectors Championship at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Vidal Zamora with USDOT / FMCSA works on a test during the 2019 North American Inspectors Championship at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA Chairman Barry Pottle (right) chats with CVSA Executive Director Collin Mooney on Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez (right) chats with ATA First Vice Chairman Randy Guillot (left), president of Triple G Express Inc., on Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A driver conducts a backing exercise Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Montana's John Watkins competes during the North American Inspectors Championship at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

West Virginia's Justin Wills competes during the North American Inspectors Championship Aug. 16 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Maine's Ronald Round, a driver for Pottle's Transportation, competes in the Flatbed division during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A driver navigates the skills course during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Fans and other drivers, including Pennsylvania's Bryan Krol (blue shirt) watch the competition Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A driver competes in the Step Van division Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

West Virginia's Daniel Knight, with FedEx Freight, conducts his pre-trip test Aug. 16 during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Things are still looking up for last year's Grand Champion from Ohio, Scott Woodrome of FedEx Freight, as he conducts a pre-trip inspection during first-day action in the Twins category at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Delaware's Robert Benton of Walmart Transportation conducts a pre-trip inspection during first-day action for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Hawaii's Harold Oliveros, a driver for Aloha Petroleum, conducts a pre-trip inspection in the 5-Axle division on Aug. 15, during the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Kansas trucking legend Don Logan (left) isn't competing this year, but he helped give Ray Martinez and other FMCSA officials a tour during first-day action for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear (left) and FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez visit drivers in their den during first-day action Aug. 15 for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Maine's Matthew Richardson competes in the Twins competition during first-day action Aug. 15 for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

New Hampshire's George Treantafel of Walmart Transportation competes in the Sleeper Berth category during first-day action for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

ATA President Chris Spear addresses the crowd at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships' Breakfast of Champions at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez addresses the crowd at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships' Breakfast of Champions at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

NTDC Chairman Dean Yockey addresses the crowd at the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships' Breakfast of Champions at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Jamie Hofer (right) explains how the pre-trip test works to FMCSA Administrator Ray Martinez during competition at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the kickoff to the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh, Aug. 15, the first day of competition for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships. (John Sommers for Transport Topics)

Florida Grand Champion Becky Nelson focuses on the written exam on the first day of activity for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Competitors tackle the written exam on the first day of activity for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers get a preview of what they'll face during the pre-trip inspection portion of competition on the first day of activity for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers stroll along on a course walk-through during the first day of activity for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers stroll along on a course walk-through during the first day of activity for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Robert Krol of the Pennsylvania State Police addresses the contestants in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

2018 NAIC Champ Jeremy Usener addresses the competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Arkansas Highway Police Chief and CVSA President Jay Thompson addresses competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Contestants in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships stand at attention during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships stand at attention during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships stand at attention during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Chief Safety Officer & Assistant Administrator Jack Van Steenburg addresses the competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Chief Safety Officer & Assistant Administrator Jack Van Steenburg addresses the competitors in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Truck drivers listen as officials discuss the course layout for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Truck drivers listen as officials discuss the course layout for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Truck drivers listen as officials discuss the course layout for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Truck drivers listen as officials discuss the course layout for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

NTDC Chairman Dean Yockey addresses the contestants in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Contestants in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships stand at attention during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Contestants in the 2019 North American Inspector Championships stand at attention during the opening ceremonies Aug. 14, 2019. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Trucks queue up at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 in preparation for the arrival of competitors and fans for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

An exterior shot of the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13, awaiting the arrival of competitors and fans for the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

The awards are ready, now we just need the competitors! A scene from the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Workers prepare the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh Aug. 13 for the arrival of competitors and fans in advance of the 2019 National Truck Driving Championships, National Step Van Driving Championships and North American Inspectors Championship. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)