The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has sent a final rule linking the driver certification to the commercial license, and a proposed rule creating a national registry of doctors qualified to certify drivers to the White House Office of Management and Budget.

HOUSTON — Dennis Shirar, a 51-year-old driver for Heritage Transport, Indianapolis, earned the title of Grand Champion at the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships.

Citing soaring raw materials costs, trailer maker Wabash National Corp. said it would raise prices an average of 5%, effective for new orders booked on or after Oct. 1.

Manufacturing activity in the Chicago region improved in August, the National Association of Purchasing Management said Friday.

The annual National Truck Driver Association Week began Sunday and will run through Saturday, American Trucking Associations said.

Dennis Shirar, a driver with Indianapolis-based Heritage Transport who has driven 3 million accident-free miles, was named the 2008 National Truck Driving Grand Champion, American Trucking Associations said.

Existing homes sales rose 3.1% in July, the National Association of Realtors said Monday.

Two national truckload carriers have signed letters of intent to participate in the port of Los Angeles’ Clean Trucks Plan, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.