ANN ARBOR, Mich., Aug. 21 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Dale Duncan, a driver for less-than-truckload freight carrier Con-way Freight, a subsidiary of Con- way Inc. , in Chula Vista, Calif. was named the best truck driver in America when he won the grand champion title at the National Truck Driving Championships held this past weekend in New Orleans. He is the first Con-way driver to win the "Best of the Best" title.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20060821/DEM019 )
While 2,000 spectators and 377 competitors from across the country watched, Duncan coolly navigated his tractor and 42-foot tanker trailer through an obstacle course that included two rows of tennis balls placed only six inches away from the inside of his tractor and trailer's tires. The competition also included a personal interview, written test and pre-trip inspection test.
Duncan's road to the top honor began when he won first place in the Tanker Class at the California state competition in June which qualified him to compete at the national event. In New Orleans, on the same day he won national champion honors in the Tanker Class, he was named the grand champion based on his total score when compared to all other competitors. The American Trucking Association (ATA), sponsor of the event, presented Duncan with a championship ring and plaque. A veteran competitor, Duncan has competed in six previous national championships. In 2003 he was national champion in the 4-Axle Class.
Robert French, who works out of the company's service center in Wytheville, Va. won the national champion title in the Twins Class, beating 47 competitors. Like Duncan, he also received a check for $1,000, gold belt buckle and a trophy from the ATA for winning class national champion honors. New Orleans was his fifth national competition. In last year's contest he placed fourth in the class and in 2003 captured third place.
Jeff Halford, who works out of the company's service center in Boise, Idaho placed third in the 3-Axle Class. The New Orleans event was his fifth national competition.
Duncan and French will each receive a new Ford F150 4x4 Stretch Cab pickup truck from Con-way. The company will also create a custom decaled working tractor for each driver's exclusive use that displays his name and national title. Including these two winner's trucks, since 1999 the company has given away nine new pickups. For winning the top honor Duncan will also receive $7,500 from the company.
"Dale's accomplishment in becoming America's best truck driver, deserves our highest admiration. His honor is well deserved and also a reflection of the quality drivers who work for the company every day. Dale and his peers are at the heart of what makes Con-way a leader in our industry. At this year's competition, 15 percent of the state champions competing were from Con- way. That says a lot about the quality of our drivers," said David S. McClimon, president of Con-way Freight. McClimon and his team of top executives from across the country attended the event.
The company sent 57 drivers from 32 states to the competition, more than any single less-than-truckload carrier in the country. Each driver and guest went to New Orleans as guests of the company who paid all expenses during the four-day event.
Con-way Freight's other 11 top-ten finishers were:
Name Finish Class City State
Jerry Talley 8th Straight Truck Gadsden AL
Mark Klun 9th Twins Tucson AZ
Tim Taylor 5th Straight Truck Tucson AZ
Hector Zermeno 9th Twins Fontana CA
Steve Gordon 10th 5-Axle Sleeper Plainfield IN
Don Grace 5th Tanker Louisville KY
Richard Sweeney 8th 3-Axle Chicopee MA
John Maddox, Jr. 6th Tanker Laurel MS
Bryce Campbell 7th 5-Axle Flatbed Missoula MT
Carlos Sandoval 6th 5-Axle Flatbed Albuquerque NM
Les Gonsor 5th 4-Axle Watertown SD
Con-way Freight is a transportation and services company that provides day-definite less-than-truckload freight delivery services for commercial and industrial businesses in the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico. All Con-way Freight operating components are ISO certified for 9001 and 14001, C-TPAT/PIP, ACE and CSA certified and FAST highway carriers.
Con-way Freight is a subsidiary of San Mateo, California-based Con-way Inc. , a $4.2 billion freight transportation, logistics, supply chain management and trailer manufacturing company. Further information about Con-way Freight and additional press releases are available via the Internet at ... http://www.con-way.com/freight .
PRN Photo Desk,
