Eros Resident is State Truck Driving Champion

Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition This Week

BATON ROUGE, La., Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alan Worster, of Eros, was named the best professional truck driver in Louisiana after winning the three-axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 Louisiana Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by Louisiana Motor Transport Association.

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Worster, who drives for Brookshire Grocery Company, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 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, August 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 Louisiana Motor Transport Association Executive Director Cathy Gautreaux. "I congratulate all the contestants and I hope Louisiana roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Orlando."

Louisiana participants at Nationals for each category include:

Alan Worster, Brookshire Grocery Company, Eros, La. (Three-Axle)

Keith Courbille, Wal-Mart Transportation, Maurice, La. (Straight Truck)

Jaye Hebert, The Martin-Brower Company, Thibodaux, La. (Flatbed)

Pat Rudesill, FedEx Ground, Hammond, La. (Five-Axle Sleeper)

Paul Book, FedEx Ground, Lake Charles, La. (Step Van)

Xavier Theriot, FedEx Freight, Shreveport, La. (Twins)

Milton Hebert, FedEx Freight, Lafayette, La. (Tankers)

Leroy Williams, Con-way Freight, Zachary, La. (Four-Axle)

Jerry Farmer, Con-way Freight, Ida, La. (Five-Axle)

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  

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 TrucksBringIt on Twitter and Facebook.

The American Trucking Associations, including Louisiana Motor Transport Association, leads the effort for safer highways, focusing on greater education, enforcement and enhancement of traffic safety laws for all drivers.  www.truckline.com  

SOURCE American Trucking Associations