TEXAS Truck Drivers Compete for National Title

ARLINGTON, Va., Aug. 12, 2015 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- 420 professional truck drivers will arrive in St. Louis today to compete in the National Truck Driving Championships at America's Center Convention Complex & Edward Jones Dome Center.  These elite drivers earned their way to compete in the "Superbowl of Safety" after winning their title earlier this summer at the state level.

Over 420 drivers from all 50 states will compete in St. Louis for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers—they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On August 15, one contestant will drive away as the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's dedication to safety," said Texas Trucking Association President and CEO John D. Esparza. "I congratulate all the contestants and join our entire membership as we cheer on our Texas drivers."

Texas participants at National Truck Driving Championships for each category include:

Bobby Brown, UPS Freight (Tank Truck) - Ft. Worth, TXRuben Cortez, Jr., HEB Grocery Company (Flatbed) - Portland, TXRonnie Davis, Brookshire Grocery Company (Sleeper) - Lindale, TXPatrick Erickson, Wal-Mart Transportation (5-Axle) - Palestine, TXJoel Flores, HEB Grocery Company (Twin Trailers) - Harlingen, TXFrank Haba Jr., Wal-Mart Transportation (4-Axle) - Brenham, TXRicardo Molina, YRC Freight (Straight Truck) - Humble, TXAryn Pittaway, FedEx Express (Step Van) - Arlington, TXDavid Sanchez, HEB Grocery Company (3-Axle) - Robstown, TX

ATA's National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the United States competing at company, state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 11-15 in St. Louis, Mo. The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. For more information, visit the 2015 National Truck Driving Championships website.  Follow NTDC this week on Facebook.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations