Pittsburgh was the center of the trucking world last week as the nation’s best professional truck drivers came together for the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships. And Team Pennsylvania gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about.

Nine Pennsylvania drivers traveled to Pittsburgh after earning their spots at PMTA’s Truck Driving Championships earlier this summer. Competing against state champions from across the country, they represented the Commonwealth with skill, professionalism and an unwavering commitment to safety.

And when the week came to an end, Team Pennsylvania had plenty to celebrate.

Three of Pennsylvania’s nine drivers advanced to the finals, earning their place among the very best professional drivers in the country.

Congratulations to:

• Bryan Krol, Martin Brower - 4-Axle
• Matt Fletcher, Martin Brower - Sleeper
• Paul Waite, A. Duie Pyle - Tank

Advancing to the finals at Nationals is an incredible accomplishment in itself, putting these three drivers among the top competitors in their respective divisions from across the country.

And Pennsylvania’s success didn’t stop there.

🥈 Bryan Krol earned second place in the 4-Axle Division, bringing home a national runner-up finish and giving Team Pennsylvania one of the week's biggest accomplishments.

🥉 Team Pennsylvania also earned third place in the overall team competition, an outstanding result against some of the strongest state teams in the country.

Meet Team Pennsylvania

While three drivers advanced to the finals and Bryan earned a national podium finish, every member of Team Pennsylvania deserves recognition for earning the opportunity to compete at Nationals in the first place.

Representing Pennsylvania in Pittsburgh were:

• 3-Axle: Kraig Keller, ABF Freight
• 4-Axle: Bryan Krol, Martin Brower
• 5-Axle: Kevin Heintzelman, Walmart
• Flatbed: Bill Bennett, Sherwin-Williams
• Sleeper: Matt Fletcher, Martin Brower
• Step Van: TJ Altland, UPS
• Straight Truck: Adam Graybill, Old Dominion Freight Line
• Tank: Paul Waite, A. Duie Pyle
• Twins: Justin Walker, FedEx Freight

Each driver earned the right to represent Pennsylvania by competing at PMTA’s state championships, where they were tested on a written examination, pre-trip inspection and challenging driving skills course.

They then spent weeks preparing for the national competition, putting in countless hours of practice and preparation to make sure they were ready when they arrived in Pittsburgh.

The Super Bowl of Safety

Often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” the National Truck Driving Championships are about much more than who finishes with the fastest time or the highest score.

Drivers are tested on the same skills they rely on every day to keep themselves and everyone else on the road safe. They must demonstrate their knowledge of safety regulations, identify potential equipment problems during a detailed pre-trip inspection and navigate a demanding driving course with precision.

That level of performance doesn't happen by accident.

It takes experience, discipline, preparation and an unwavering commitment to doing the job right every single day.

That is what makes these drivers so deserving of recognition. They aren't simply competitors, they are professional drivers who have made safety a priority throughout their careers.

A Team Effort

The success of Team Pennsylvania belongs to more than the nine drivers who competed.

Behind every competitor is a company that supports their participation, provides time to practice and prepare, and recognizes the value of investing in professional drivers and safety.

It also takes the support of family members, friends, coworkers and others who spend countless hours cheering their drivers on throughout the journey.

PMTA extends a sincere thank you to all of the companies, families and supporters who helped make this experience possible.

Their support helps create a culture where professional driving excellence is recognized and celebrated.

Proud to Be Pennsylvania

Having Nationals in Pittsburgh made this year's competition particularly meaningful for PMTA and Team Pennsylvania.

Pennsylvania is a trucking state. Every day, professional drivers across the Commonwealth move the food, medicine, building materials, packages and countless other goods that keep our communities and economy moving.

Last week, Pennsylvania had the opportunity to showcase some of the very best of those professionals on a national stage.

✅ Three finalists. 

✅ A national runner-up. 

✅ Third place in the team competition. 

✅ Nine drivers who represented Pennsylvania with pride.

We couldn't be prouder of Team Pennsylvania and everything they accomplished in Pittsburgh.

Congratulations to Kraig, Bryan, Kevin, Bill, Matt, TJ, Adam, Paul and Justin on an incredible week. You represented your companies, your families, Pennsylvania and the trucking industry with professionalism, skill and pride.

PMTA is proud to call you Team Pennsylvania!