Portland Resident is State Truck Driving Champion

Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition This Week

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 8, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Ruben Cortez, of Portland, was named the best professional truck driver in Texas after winning the flatbed competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 Texas Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by Texas Motor Transportation Association.

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Cortez, who drives for H-E-B, 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 Texas Motor Transportation Association President John D. Esparza. "I join all Texans as we root for the exceptional drivers who represent our great state at Nationals."

Texas participants at Nationals for each category include:
Ruben Cortez, H-E-B, Portland, Texas (Flatbed)
Benny Zamudio, H-E-B, Corpus Christi, Texas (Straight Truck)
Michael Andrews, H-E-B, Valley Mills, Texas (Three-Axle)
Randy Vrana, YRC, Fort Worth, Texas (Four-Axle)
Phil Beck, YRC, Midlothian, Texas (Twins)
Rick Pledger, Wal-Mart Transportation, Denison, Texas (Five-Axle Sleeper)
Aryn Pittaway, FedEx Express, Arlington, Texas (Step Van)
Thomas Wilson, H-E-B, Katy, Texas (Tankers)
David Martinez, H-E-B, Natalia, Texas (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 Texas Motor Transportation 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