The best driver safety program ever created — the National Truck Driving Championship (NTDC) — recently wrapped up in Orlando. The 2011 State Champions were invited to compete. Once again, our FedEx Champions had a strong presence and everyone is incredibly proud of them.

More than 400 professional drivers competed at nationals. FedEx represented almost a quarter of the competitors, sending 112 of our safest professional drivers. It was fierce competition to land a coveted top-three spot in each of the nine classes of trucks.

As usual, our FedEx Champions did not disappoint.

After three straight days of competition, the judges narrowed the field to just 45 contestants — the top five performers in each class. FedEx had 17 Champions in this elite group of 45. The Saturday-morning run-off was a tough Driving Skills Course. FedEx families and supporters made our excitement very loudly known in the Orlando Convention Center. No one could possibly miss the sea of screaming, purple fans.

That Saturday night, we eagerly awaited the results at the ATA banquet honoring all the State Champion competitors.  Each of the nine truck classes announced their top three finishers. Of the 27 top positions, FedEx Champions walked away with 10 awards — including a National Champion in the Step Van class.

Step Van Class

• National Champion: James Sheenan, Tennessee, FedEx Ground. James was also Grand Champion at the TN State Truck Driving Championship.
• Second Place: Tim Cole, Wisconsin, FedEx Ground.
• Third Place: Bob Ledoux, Massachusetts, FedEx Express.

Straight Truck Class

• Second Place: Sean Saxton, Arizona, FedEx Ground.

Three-Axle Class

• Third Place: Tommy Boyanton, Mississippi, FedEx Freight. Tommy was also Grand Champion at the MS State Truck Driving Championship.

Four-Axle Class

• Third Place: Larry Kendall, Oklahoma, FedEx Express. Larry was also the Grand Champion at the OK State Truck Driving Championship.

Five-Axle Class

• Third Place: Russell Beachler, Oklahoma, FedEx Freight.

Five-Axle Sleeper Class

• Second Place: Pat Rudesill, Louisiana, FedEx Ground.

Tank Truck Class

• Second Place: Tommy Winston, South Carolina, FedEx Freight.

Twins Class

• Third Place: Gary Martin, California, FedEx Ground.

FedEx is proud of each and every State Champions and we will brag about them for years to come. And our 10 National-Level Award winners deserve all the honors they took at the podium Saturday night.

As one of the FedEx Safety Directors, I am extremely proud of James, Tim, Bob, Sean, Tommy, Larry, Russell, Pat Tommy and Gary, and am thrilled their families could share in their big moment. Working the NTDC event all week, we get to know the drivers and their family members. Witnessing first-hand the professionalism, commitment, sacrifice, love and friendship among drivers and their families, you quickly realize why it’s no accident (pun intended) FedEx gets to brag about its Champions.

Think Safety, Act Safely, Be Safe.

(See a full list of our NTDC participants, plus a few special driver profiles here)