FedEx Freight Driver Jackie Reed Wins Bendix Grand Champion at 2024 National Truck Driving Championships

A Champion Emerges

Reed, who is based in Mississippi and drives for FedEx Freight, distinguished himself among the elite field of competitors, winning not only the Bendix Grand Champion title but also the top spot in the Tank Truck vehicle class. His expertise in driving, safety, and industry knowledge earned him recognition at the 87th annual NTDC, often referred to as the "Super Bowl of Safety."

Chris Spear, President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), praised Reed's performance, stating, "Jackie demonstrated the precision and professionalism we have come to expect from NTDC champions. While all of our competitors are champions, he separated himself from even this elite field, showing the skills that have produced three million miles of accident-free driving over his 34-year career. Congratulations to him and to all our NTDC participants."

Honoring Excellence Across the Industry

The competition also recognized other outstanding drivers. Todd Gimpel, another FedEx Freight driver from Nebraska, received the 2024 Rookie of the Year Award, while the state of Colorado was honored as the team champion for achieving the highest collective score.

The NTDC included rigorous events such as driving competitions, vehicle inspections, and a written exam. In addition to the individual awards, Richard Sweeney of XPO was presented with the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award, and David Wiechers of ABF Freight received the Sam Gillette Lifetime Volunteer Award.

Results by Vehicle Class

The results for the various vehicle classes were as follows:

Step Van:

• 1st: Matthew Montandon, FedEx, Texas
• 2nd: Scott Wickstrom, FedEx, Maine
• 3rd: Travis Hutchinson, FedEx, Oregon

Straight Truck:

• 1st: James Kohr, FedEx, New York
• 2nd: Christopher Shaw, FedEx, New Mexico
• 3rd: Corey Mitchell, FedEx Freight, Louisiana

3-Axle:

• 1st: David Mogler, FedEx Freight, Colorado
• 2nd: Ritch Fundell, FedEx Freight, Illinois
• 3rd: Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight, Oregon

4-Axle:

• 1st: Joseph Hicks, XPO, Rhode Island
• 2nd: Dustin Scholle, United Parcel Service, Illinois
• 3rd: Paul Swan, FedEx Freight, Colorado

5-Axle:

• 1st: Brandon Hardy, XPO, Nevada
• 2nd: Eric Courville, FedEx Freight, Louisiana
• 3rd: Nick Gaudette, FedEx Freight, Colorado

Flatbed:

• 1st: Ruben Cortez, H-E-B Grocery Co., Texas
• 2nd: Larry Rhein, FedEx Freight, Arkansas
• 3rd: Martin McMahon, RIST Transport, New York

Tank Truck:

• 1st: Jackie Reed, FedEx Freight, Mississippi
• 2nd: Glen Kirk, Old Dominion Freight Line, Indiana
• 3rd: Terry Covey, FedEx Freight, Kansas

Twins:

• 1st: Connor Dent, FedEx Freight, Wisconsin
• 2nd: Michael Flippin, FedEx Freight, Colorado
• 3rd: Jeffrey Cochran, FedEx Freight, Arkansas

Sleeper Berth:

• 1st: Gregory Ryan, Walmart Transportation, Arizona
• 2nd: Andrew Girdley, Walmart Transportation, Missouri
• 3rd: James Dixon, A. Duie Pyle, Connecticut

A Celebration of Safety and Skill

The 2024 NTDC highlighted the dedication and expertise of America's truck drivers, who have collectively driven nearly 685 million accident-free miles. The event was supported by various corporate sponsors, including FedEx, Old Dominion Freight Line, Walmart Transportation, and XPO.

As the largest national trade association for the trucking industry, ATA continues to champion the importance of safety and excellence on the road. The organization’s efforts, combined with the passion of the drivers and volunteers, made this year’s championships a resounding success.

For more information on the ATA and the NTDC, visit their website or follow them on social media.