2021 Kansas Motor Carriers Association

Professional Truck Driving Championships

Dear KMCA Family:

This last year we have been met with unprecedented challenges which will have everlasting effects on our industry.  The transportation industry has been working on the front lines supplying the necessary tools, supplies and services needed to fight this pandemic.  As we continue to fight this battle against COVID-19, our industry continues to protect the health, safety and wellbeing of our nation.

Yesterday, after long discussions, ATA announced that they are canceling the 2021 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Minneapolis, MN.  ATA stated that the NTDC was canceled due to the CDC restrictions, travel bans, and limited participation from carriers.  With this decision confirmed, the Kansas Motor Carriers Association Board of Directors decided to follow suit by canceling the 2021 Kansas Truck Driving Championships.

The spirit of the Truck Driving Championships is “Safety First” and these decisions are a direct result of this philosophy.  Protection of our drivers, carrier employees, volunteers and KMCA staff is currently the highest priority.  The safety of our industry is essential to the continued fight to help our communities and our country. 

We know that we all enjoy the comradery of this event and we look forward to seeing you at next year’s event which will be held June 17^th & 18^th, 2022 in Topeka, KS.  We would like to congratulate all the drivers that have been accident free this year.  From KMCA’s Directors, members, and staff we thank you for your continued work and we recognize you as heroes of this country.

Kay Hendrix

Director of Safety

Kansas Motor Carriers Association

2019 Kansas Truck Driving Championships

Congratulations to the 2019 Kansas Professional Truck Driving Championship winners!

Written Exam Award:
The written exam is a challenging and important segment of the competition and emphasizes that a professional driver’s skill is not just in operating a truck but includes making important informed decisions that will affect their safe operation on the highways.
The award recognizes the contestants understanding of all aspects of the trucking industry by knowledge of the trucking industry’s general information, safety and security rules, first aid and fire safety.

Third Place: Timothy Helus, FedEx Freight, Inc., Sleeper Berth

Second Place: Jimmie Lee Wisley, YRC Freight, 4-Axle Class

First Place: Jason Damron, Convoy Systems, LLC, 5-Axle Class

Field Test Top Score Award:
This award recognizes the drivers who maneuvered the course and scored highest number of points while driving the 6-problem course.

Third Place: Josue Rivera, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc., 3-Axle Class

Second Place: Jerry Joyner, Walmart Transportation, Straight Truck Class

First Place: Kevin Mailand, YRC Freight, 3-Axle Class

The Kansas State Troopers Association sponsors an award to the contestant who does the most outstanding job with the vehicle inspection competition. This is a challenging and important segment of the competition because it encourages the drivers to pay close attention to the integrity of the safety equipment on their truck.

Vehicle inspection award winner: Dean Harris, FedEx Freight, Inc., 3-Axle

STRAIGHT TRUCK CLASS:

Third Place: Bryan Studley, Walmart Transportation

Second Place: Ronald Gabel, FedEx Freight, Inc.

First Place: Jerry Joyner, Walmart Transportation

3-AXLE CLASS:

Third Place: Josue Rivera, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Second Place: Jason Ramsdell, FedEx Freight, Inc.

First Place: Kevin Mailand, YRC Freight

4-AXLE CLASS:

Third Place: Jordan Billinger, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Second Place: Donald Kendall, Walmart Transportation

First Place: Jimmie Lee Wisley, YRC Freight

5-AXLE CLASS:

Third Place: Donald Grubb, HIT, Inc.

Second Place: Jason Damron, Convoy Systems, LLC

First Place: Gary Harms, Walmart Transportation

SLEEPER BERTH CLASS:

Third Place: Jeffrey Dwerlkotte, UPS Freight

Second Place: Kenneth Minium, Walmart Transportation

First Place: Gary Stackhouse, Convoy Systems, LLC

TANK TRUCK CLASS:

Third Place: David Eckles, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Second Place: Bill Chrisman, Great Plains Trucking, Inc.

First Place: Jeff Davis, Walmart Transportation

FLATBED CLASS:

Third Place: Sammy Pelton, FedEx Freight, Inc.

Second Place: Bob Oswald, Walmart Transportation

First Place: Terry Covey, FedEx Freight, Inc.

TWIN TRAILER CLASS:

Third Place: Larry Gamblin, Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Second Place: Daniel Jones, Walmart Transportation

First Place: Stephen Caudill. Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

STEP VAN CLASS:

Third Place: Heidi Law, FedEx Ground

Second Place: Brian Espinosa, FedEx Freight, Inc.

First Place: Richard Johnson, FedEx Freight, Inc.

The Ronald E. Williams Rookie of the Year Award is given to the first-year contestant who displays an outstanding attitude, cooperative spirit, community interest, safe driving record, industry awareness and a good driving performance. This year we had 16 rookie drivers participating in the 2019 TDC. 

Rookie of the Year: Donald Grubb, HIT, Inc.

Grand Champion Driver: Kevin Mailand, YRC Freight

Team Trophies:
Our Championships team trophies are awarded to the company who’s top three drivers outscore any other firm's top three contenders.

Small Fleet Team Trophy Winner: Great Plains Trucking, Inc.

Large Fleet Team Trophy Winner: Walmart Transportation