Every year, the American Trucking Associations stages one of the most prestigious events in the industry: the National Truck Driving & Step Van Driving Championships (NTDC).
The 2025 Championships, held from August 20-23 at the Minneapolis Convention Center, brought together more than 425 drivers from 49 states, representing 56 different companies. Together, these men and women carried with them nearly 756 million accident-free miles, a testament to the professionalism and commitment to safety that define the trucking industry.
From navigating a demanding obstacle course to showcasing their expertise in pre-trip inspections and written knowledge tests, the competitors displayed the highest levels of skill, focus, and precision all week long.
What the Competition Involves
To earn a place at Nationals, every driver must first qualify at a state-level championship in one of nine vehicle classes.
They also need to be accident-free for at least a year, a requirement that encourages safe driving among the tens of thousands of drivers who compete for a spot each year. By the time competitors arrive at NTDC, they have already proven themselves among the best in their states.
Once at Nationals, drivers face three main tests that mirror the skills required on the job:
- Written Knowledge Test: This exam covers federal regulations, industry standards, and safe driving practices. It challenges drivers to demonstrate their understanding of the rules and responsibilities that guide the profession.
- Pre-Trip Inspection: In this hands-on challenge, drivers walk around a truck and trailer to identify mechanical issues that have been intentionally placed there. Spotting defects under time pressure reflects one of the most important real-world habits of a professional driver.
- Skills Course: Often the highlight of the competition, this course requires drivers to complete a series of precise maneuvers, such as tight turns, backing, and controlled stops. The course is designed to simulate the complex situations drivers face on the road every day.
2025 Bendix Grand Champion: David Comings
The top honor of the week, the Bendix Grand Champion award, went to David Comings of FedEx Freight, representing North Dakota. Comings has been driving for nearly 30 years and has accumulated more than 3.1 million accident-free miles.
David is no stranger to competition, as he has competed three times in the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association state trucking championships and three times at the national level. In 2022 and 2023, he won first place in North Dakota’s 4-Axle category, and in 2024, he captured the state title in the 5-Axle division.
Winners Across the Classes
Along with the Grand Champion award, NTDC recognizes the top finishers in each vehicle category. These results highlight the wide range of equipment and skill sets represented at the competition:
Step Van:
- Logan Montandon, FedEx (Texas)
- Matthew Futral, FedEx (Georgia)
- Connor Christensen, UPS (Illinois)
Straight Truck:
- Mark Carver, FedEx Freight (Missouri)
- Samuel Bryant, FedEx Freight (Tennessee)
- Bryan Reynaud, Walmart Transportation (Mississippi)
3-Axle:
- Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight (Oregon)
- Gary Luster, FedEx Freight (Tennessee)
- Brent Darnell, Southeastern Freight Lines (Georgia)
4-Axle:
- Stephen Johnson, FedEx Freight (Mississippi)
- Jeremy Steger, XPO (Wisconsin)
- Robert Crowder, Old Dominion Freight Line (Virginia)
5-Axle:
- David Comings, FedEx Freight (North Dakota)
- Roland Bolduc, FedEx (Connecticut)
- John Willinger, FedEx Freight (Kentucky)
Flatbed:
- Edward Hill, FedEx Freight (Delaware)
- Adam Heim, FedEx Freight (Idaho)
- Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight (Wyoming)
Tank Truck
- Jeff Langenhahn, XPO (Wisconsin)
- Ernie Budlowski, XPO (Connecticut)
- Glen Kirk, Old Dominion Freight Line (Indiana)
Twins:
- Miguel Sanchez, UPS (Florida)
- David Mogler, FedEx Freight (Colorado)
- David Hall, ABF Freight (Arkansas)
Sleeper Berth:
- Merle Ashbaugh, DHL Supply Chain (Ohio)
- Todd Flippin, FedEx Freight (Colorado)
- Herschel Evans, Aubrey Silvey Enterprises (Georgia)
Team and Special Awards:
State Team Award:
- Colorado
- Illinois
- Virginia
Vehicle Condition Award: Nick Gaudette, FedEx Freight (Colorado)
Written Exam Award: David Comings, FedEx Freight (North Dakota)
Why It Matters
The NTDC is more than just a competition. It highlights the incredible level of professionalism in trucking and shows the public what safe driving really looks like at its best. For drivers, it is a chance to test themselves against the top professionals in the country, and for the industry, it is a reminder of how much skill and responsibility goes into the job every day.
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