Mike White Named Bendix Grand Champion at 2016 National Truck Driving Championships

INDIANAPOLIS, Aug. 13, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Today, American Trucking Associations announced Mike White as the Bendix Grand Champion of the 2016 National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis.

"After an impressive showing throughout the week, Mike White emerged as the most skilled and knowledgeable truck driver in the country," said ATA President and CEO Chris Spear. "On behalf of the ATA and the trucking community, I want to congratulate Mike and thank the entire field of competitors for participating in these championships. Your commitment to excellence has made the nation's highways a safer place for everyone."

To clinch the prestigious title of 2016 Bendix Grand Champion, White's driving skills and knowledge of transportation and truck safety surpassed the over 430 other professional truck drivers competing in Indianapolis this week.  

White, who also took home the 3-axle class title, lives in nearby Nineveh, Indiana and drives professionally for Walmart Transportation.

ATA also recognized Richard Merich as the 2016 Rookie of the Year. Merich took home the honor after a strong performance in the flatbed division. The team of drivers from South Carolina produced the best collective score, with an average of 278.13, and were honored as the top state delegation.

Professionalism and dedication to the trucking industry were key themes during the National Truck Driving Championships. Charles Woodland was honored during the awards banquet with the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award and Chris Ignowski, CDS was chosen as the Lifetime Volunteer Award recipient.

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

Since 2011, Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems has been the sole sponsor of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

Collectively, this week's competitors have accumulated more than 600 million safe-driving miles during their careers as professional truck drivers.  

Champions from each of the 9 classes and the top state delegation were also announced. Joining Mike White on the list of national champions are:

3-Axle: Mike White, Nineveh, Indiana, Walmart Transportation

4-Axle: Ronald Metternick, Lowell, Michigan, FedEx Freight

5-Axle: Toby Kort, Aurora, Nebraska, FedEx Freight

Flatbed: Jay Love, Davis, South Dakota, FedEx Freight

Sleeper Berth: Larry Breen, Bushnell, Florida, Walmart Transportation

Straight Truck: Charles Randolph, Belle, West Virginia, PITT OHIO

Tank Truck: Jeffrey Langenhahn, Plover, Wisconsin, XPO Logistics

Twins: Chris Poynor, Richland, Washington, XPO Logistics

Step Van: Frank Woods, Shawsville, Virginia, FedEx Express

Other Awards
Rookie of the Year: Richard Merich, Lochbuie, Colorado, FedEx Freight

Team Champions: South Carolina

Vehicle Condition: William Pudney, Minneapolis, Minnesota, FedEx Express

Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence: Charles Woodland, Surprise, Arizona, FedEx Freight

Lifetime Volunteer Award: Chris Ignowski, CDS, FedEx Ground

Full results from today's final competition below:

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

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