“I start the day off with a prayer in the truck, and I go on my way. It helps me put on a great frame of mind,” says South Carolina 3-axle winner and grand champion David Fountain. (FedEx Corp.)
Ask the average precision driving competitor who took home the first-place trophy in a certain vehicle class, or which team won the state category many years ago, and you’ll probably get a blank stare in return.
Yet, every one of them would agree on the value of American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships.
The precision driving tournament, established in 1937, is a celebration of safety as well as a venue for creating friendships.
The Road to the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships
NTDC Qualifiers | State Photo Gallery | Map of State Champions
Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level who have advanced to the national competition, where a Grand Champion will be crowned
What: Contestants are judged on a written exam, pre-trip inspection and driving skills
When: Aug. 16-19
Where: Columbus, Ohio
For FedEx Express’ David Fountain, connecting with fellow drivers is the true essence of what is commonly referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety.”
Fountain, winner of the South Carolina Truck Driving Championships on April 28, will compete in the 3-axle division.
An affinity for NTDC’s family reunion-esque forum motivates the Palmetto State’s grand champion to keep on qualifying. This week will mark his eighth trip to the summer classic. NTDC kicks off Aug. 16, and winners will be announced during an awards gala Aug. 19.
Although Fountain is appreciative of the event’s competitive nature, he keeps his focus on his love for the event.
Getting to Know You
Name: David Fountain
Age: 52
Company: FedEx Express
Vehicle: 3-axle
Favorite food: Gumbo
Last movie you watched: “Maximum Overdrive”
Sports Hero: MLB Hall of Famer Reggie Jackson
Why do you compete at NTDC: “It’s thrilling. I’m proud of it. I’m proud of my safety record. I’m proud to even be representing the state.”
All-time favorite vacation: Alaska
Something people don’t know about you: “I miss maple sugaring. I used to do that up in Vermont and New York state.”
“It’s great sportsmanship, I guess you could say, you know, trucking sportsmanship. It’s just a great event,” he recently told Transport Topics. At nationals, his wife, Jennifer, is often by his side.
“We met lifetime friends at this event,” Fountain said. It’s a great reunion. Just to be eligible for this competition, obviously… you got to be a safe driver. And that’s what I try to do all year long. And it’s an honor to be at the event.”
Leading up to NTDC, Fountain incorporated his training on the weekends and before or after work. The objective was “just trying to put myself in the right frame of mind.”
Tackling the “Facts for Drivers” guidebook, the basis for the tournament’s written exam, has been an unvarying routine.
“It’s always a good read,” he said. “I’ve been trying to really crunch — trying to memorize the key points of that.”
Ultimately, competing at nationals remains a thrill.
“I always have a great time at the event. It’s a huge adrenaline rush,” Fountain said.
“And, you know, I guess what I always do is, I mean, I do this every day. I say a prayer. I start the day off with a prayer in the truck, and I go on my way,” he added. “It helps me put on a great frame of mind.”
4-Axle: Kenneth Smith, Old Dominion Freight Line
5-Axle: J.B. Quarles, Walmart
Flatbed: James Cook, TCW
Sleeper Berth: Richard McCoy, ADUSA-Food Lion
Step Van: A’rabb Thompson, FedEx Ground
Straight Truck: Dubby Freeman, FedEx Ground
Tank Truck: Bennie Yearty, TCW
Twins: Blake Taylor, Old Dominion Freight Line
