Olamide Olayiwola of FedEx Freight discusses the intricacies of the course after completing his 3-axle run. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Sharp turns on a narrow stretch complemented by an alley dock maneuver stumped many elite competitors during the first driving day at the 86th annual “Super Bowl of Safety.”
Drivers were tasked with avoiding the event’s official “rubber ducky” toys on the course during their maneuvers along tight turns in their respective vehicle classes. American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships showcases elite commercial drivers in nine vehicle classes.
For Iowa’s Joshua Anderson with XPO, operating the flatbed truck, the course was simply not an easy endeavor.
“It was difficult. I don’t normally pull a spread axle, and so it was an adjustment, and I was learning on the fly,” he told Transport Topics soon after finishing his run Aug. 17. Competing in his first nationals, Anderson conceded, however, he was overjoyed when he noticed his family cheering in the stands. Nearly 4,000 spectators, mostly family, friends and colleagues, meet annually at NTDC to offer encouragement.
2023 National Truck Driving Championships
NTDC Qualifiers | 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
“I was a little bit emotional,” Anderson said. “I saw my daughter up there cheering for me. And so, yeah, you know, that’s a really good feeling. It hits you right here.”
Missouri’s Samuel Martin with Buchheit Logistics acknowledged that nerves played a role during his ride in the tanker truck. “A little nervous,” said Martin, also a first-timer to nationals. “Course felt good. Seemed like a pretty fast course — it seemed like a lot was going on at once. Hope to be back next year.”
For Texas’ Olamide Olayiwola with FedEx Freight, the course was intense. He navigated the obstacle venue in the 3-axle truck. “I mean, the course is challenging, but hopefully by the end of the course, we find out how, you know, how each and every one of us did,” Olayiwola, who goes by “Double O,” a nickname, told TT. “But right now, I’m just feeling great. Just happy to be here,” he added. “I’m just so excited. So happy to be here. It’s all about safety.”
Joshua Anderson of XPO was inspired by family cheering him on during his flatbed circuit of the course. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
As he reflected on the big picture, NTDC is an opportunity to further master the craft of precision driving. This week is his second time competing in the national spotlight.
“I love it … It’s just been [great] — meeting all the same drivers; having to communicate and talk to them; get to know how they do their own crafts,” “Double O” observed. “This is different from the way I do mine. I learn from them. They learn from me. And it’s just great to be here.”
“Seemed like a pretty fast course — it seemed like a lot was going on at once,” says tanker truck driver Samuel Martin of Buchheit Logistics. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)
Competitors are scheduled to continue to tackle the driving course Aug. 18. Drivers also have toiled through a pre-trip vehicle inspection, which is one of three assignments in the tournament. The top five performers advance to a final round to determine first-place finishers.
The blue ribbon drivers earn a national title in their respective vehicle classes and will be announced along with the tournament grand champion during a gala Aug. 19.
