From Florida Department of Transportation
In what was one of the country's largest events, over 330 drivers qualified and registered for the 2024 Truck Driving Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Drivers participated in three areas of assessment with 11 classes, including a new class this year for FDOT Straight Truck. The top three winners were announced in each class with additional awards for Written Test, Pre-Trip, and Rookie of the Year.
At a sold-out awards banquet, over 1200 drivers, family members, and company representatives packed the room to celebrate the winners along with two Hall of Fame Inductees, Small and Large Team Trophy, The Drivers of the Month, and Driver of the Year.
Thank you to the more than 100 volunteers! This event took an immense amount of time and talent- with outstanding results.
Photo provided by FDOT
Let's cheer on the top winner in each category as they head to the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis, Indiana, August 21-24.
3-Axel
1. Rusty Pederson, FedEx Freight Corporation
2. Justin Nehring, Old Dominion Freight Line
3. Harold Penrod, XPO Logistics
4-Axel
1. Juan Velez, UPS, Rookie
2. James Watson, FedEx Express
3. Stephen Lassiter, FedEx Freight Corporation
5-Axel
1. Rifat Becirevic, Publix Super Markets
2. Joshua Ehret, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
3. Sheldon Brown, FedEx Freight Corporation
Flatbed
1. Edward Pennington, FedEx Freight Corporation
2. Eddie Hosegood, FedEx Freight Corporation
3. Jeremy Shirah, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
Sleeper
1. Fred Combs, Walmart Transportation
2. Tyler Payne, UPS
3. Tommy Bianculli, Walmart Transportation
Straight
1. Joseph Michael Hipsher, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
2. Juan Santiago, FedEx Freight Corporation
3. Alexander Lai, FedEx Freight Corporation, Rookie
Tanker
1. Dennis Rollins, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
2. John Roberts, Publix Super Markets
3. Luis Gonzalez, Old Dominion Freight Line
Twins
1. Jason Vanscoten, ABF Freight System, Rookie
2. William Paulson, UPS
3. Ben Atkinson, ABF Freight System
Step Van
1. Judith Stoffo, FedEx Ground
2. Nicholas Tison, UPS, Rookie
3. Rick Warner, Walmart Transportation
Auto Transport
1. Matthew Cole, Proficient Auto Transport
2. Paul Jones, Centurion Auto Transport
3. Carlos Herrera, Proficient Auto Transport
FDOT Straight Truck
1. Dillon Steinborn, FDOT
2. Carlos Teran, FDOT
3. Bradley Browning, FDOT
Fleet Force Rookie of the Year
1. Joshua Ehret, Publix Super Market
Written Test
3-way tie:
Rebecca Nelson in Straight Truck with FedEx Express
Henry Mahler in Sleeper with Oakley Transport
Jottyn Santos in 5 Axle with FedEx Express
Pre-Trip
Juan Velez in 4-Axle class a rookie with UPS
Grand Champion
Rifat Becirevic in the 5-Axle class with Publix Super Markets
Team Trophy
Oakley Transport (Small Team)
XPO Logistics (Large Team)
Hall of Fame
Ray Llloyd, Coca Cola Beverages Florida
Eddie Hosegood, FedEx Freight Corporation
Drivers of the Month
January- Sheldon Brown, FedEx Freight Corporation
February- Terry Bennett, ABF Freight
March- Michael Ocasio, Publix Super Markets
April- Ricky Gonsales, FedEx Freight Corporation
May-Jerry Humphrey, Trans-Phos Transportation
June- Ben Poitevint, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
July- Tommy Forrest, FedEx Freight Corporation
August- John Roberts, Publix Super Markets
September- Dale Prevatt, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
October- Randy Logan, UPS
November- Michael Hadley, Trans-Phos Transportation
December- Jorge Acosta, FedEx Freight Corporation
Driver of the Year
John Roberts, Publix Super Markets
Photo provided by FDOT