Action Begins at National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis

ATA Kicks Off 79th Annual National Truck Driving Championships

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Aug 10, 2016, 03:00 ET

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 10, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations kicked off the 79th National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Indianapolis.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.Trucking Moves America Forward.

"State champions from across the country are here in Indianapolis to showcase their safe-driving skills, knowledge of the transportation industry and they are giving the motoring public a chance to see how serious the trucking industry takes safety," said ATA Chairman Pat Thomas, senior vice president of state government affairs at UPS. "All of the drivers here are strong ambassadors for our industry and we wish them all the best of luck during these championships."

More than 430 professional truck drivers from all 50 states are competing at this week's National Truck Driving Championships. With millions of safe-driving miles behind the wheel, the field of drivers compete in one of eight different classes, plus step van, for top honors and the chance to be named the 2016 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

The championships consist of three challenge phases, with each phase designed to test the competitors' abilities in a different way. The three components of the championships taking place over the next few days are: a pre-trip inspection, a written examination and a driving course where participants navigate obstacles and tight turns.

After the first two days of competition, finalists in each class will then test their skills on a championship course. Competition concludes Aug. 13 with the crowning of the 2016 Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion, as well as with awards for drivers in every vehicle class and for the top state delegation.

"All of the truck drivers on America's highways are tremendously skilled in their work, but the drivers competing this week are the best of the best – dedicated to improving their abilities and knowledge of the industry," said ATA First Vice Chairman Kevin Burch, president of Jet Express Inc. "They strive for excellence and push one another to do the same, knowing that by practicing for this competition, they're making the roads a safer place for the motoring public."

ACT 1 is a premier sponsor of the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships, taking place Aug. 10-13 at the Indiana Convention Center in Indianapolis.

To view a full list of competitors, companies and hometowns represented at the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships, click here.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight. Follow ATA on Twitter or on Facebook. Trucking Moves America Forward.

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SOURCE American Trucking Associations