SALT LAKE CITY -- Jeff Payne, of Cedar City, was named the best professional truck driver in Utah after winning the twin trailers competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 Utah Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by Utah Trucking Association.
Payne, who drives for Reddaway, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships Aug. 9-13, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. - also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.
Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Orlando for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers-they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.
On Saturday night, Aug. 13, one contestant will drive away as the 2011 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.
"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's passion and dedication to safety," said Utah Trucking Association Executive Director Dave Creer. "I congratulate all the contestants and I hope Utah roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Orlando."
Utah participants at Nationals for each category include:
Jeff Payne, Reddaway, Cedar City, Utah (Twins)
Barry Geck, Wal-Mart Transportation, Ivins, Utah (Five-Axle Sleeper)
Judd Adams, Con-way Freight, West Jordan, Utah (Straight Truck)
Chris Shafer, Wal-Mart Transportation, Grantsville, Utah (Three-Axle)
Moe Stamper, Con-way Freight, Centerville, Utah (Four-Axle)
Steven Tribe, Richmond, Utah (Five-Axle)
Ron Van Bibber, YRC, Inc., South Jordan, Utah (Tankers)
Alvin Kippen, Wal-Mart Transportation, West Haven, Utah (Flatbed)
Tamra O'Mealy, FedEx Express, Salt Lake City, Utah (Step Van)
ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 9-13 in Orlando, Fla. The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators. For more information, visit the 2011 National Truck Driving Championships website: http://www.truckline.com/Federation/Councils/slpmc/NTDC/Pages/Default.aspx
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