The Road to Nationals: Nine Champions to Represent Pennsylvania at NTDC
📢 Tomorrow, Minneapolis becomes the stage for the nation’s top professional truck drivers as they compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) and National Step Van Driving Championships — the premier showcase of safety, precision, and skill in the industry. Since 1937, this prestigious event has crowned the Bendix Grand Champion, a title earned only by the very best.
This year, more than 425 drivers from 56 companies will put their knowledge and abilities to the test through a written exam, pre-trip inspection, and challenging driving skills course. Collectively, they represent an astounding 756 million accident-free miles.
Among them, a team of nine standout drivers will proudly represent Pennsylvania, having earned their place at nationals by winning top honors at the Pennsylvania Truck Driving Championships in June. Now, they’ll bring their expertise, professionalism, and pride to the national stage:
- Kraig Keller, ABF Freight – 3-Axle
- William Giles, Old Dominion Freight Lines – 4-Axle
- Dean Herb, Giant Company – 5-Axle
- Matt Fletcher, Martin Brower – Sleeper & Grand Champion
- Brian Smeltzer, R.H. Crawford – Flatbed
- Walter Payne, Sherwin Williams – Tank Truck
- Scott Mullen, XPO – Twin Trailer
- Joenel Guerra-Olivio, FedEx Corp. – Straight Truck
- Chuck DiGiovanni, FedEx Corp. – Step Van
Beyond crowning champions, NTDC celebrates the extraordinary commitment to safety upheld by the 8.5 million men and women in the trucking industry.
Finalists will be announced Saturday morning, and the Bendix Grand Champion will be crowned that evening. Stay connected to the action on ATA’s Facebook, X, and Instagram, and tune in to the official 🎙️ PodWheels podcast for exclusive updates from Minneapolis.
🎉 Keep our PA champions in your thoughts as they look to bring the 🏆 hardware back where it belongs!
Pictured from left to right: Dean Herb (Giant Company), Chuck DiGiovanni (FedEx Corp.), Matt Fletcher (Martin Brower), Brian Smeltzer (R.H. Crawford),
William Giles (Old Dominion Freight Lines), Kraig Keller (ABF Freight), Scott Mullen (XPO), Walter Payne (Sherwin Williams), Joenel Guerra-Olivio (FedEx Corp.)