2019 Massachusetts Truck Driving Championship recap
The Massachusetts Truck Driving Championship – sponsored and supported by the Trucking Association of Massachusetts was held at the beginning of the month. The event was a success and we had a beautiful weekend for the drivers.
Thank you to the sponsors, volunteers and the more than 60 drivers who came out this year. A full year of accident free driving, regardless of fault is a major accomplishment in todays distracted society. Your personal and professional pride was very obvious.
Congratulations to the nine drivers that will represent Massachusetts at the ATA National Competition in Pittsburg in August. This year’s Grand Champion Award goes to Rich Sweeney from XPO Logistics.
- Straight Truck, Bill Colantuone, FedEx Express
- 3 Axle Van, Jerry Dube, XPO Logistics
- 4 Axle Van, Jeremy Paulsen, XPO Logistics
- 5 Axle Van, Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express
- Sleeper, Brian Singelais, Frito-Lay
- Flatbed, Andy Barilone, Regency
- Tanker, Rich Sweeney, XPO Logistics
- Twin Trailer, Bill Oakes, FedEx Freight
- Step Van, Bob Ledoux, FedEx Express
Full scores and results have now been posted.
WGBH News interviewed a few competitors, including Roland Bolduc, a 15-time state champion and three-time national champion.
Some 70 professional truck drivers from across the state gathered in a parking lot in North Andover on Sunday, June 3, for this year’s state Truck Driving Championships. The winner in each of nine categories — ranging from delivery vans to twin trailers — earned a trip to the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships this August in Pittsburgh. Believe it or not, this national competition has been happening annually since 1937.
For the full article and audio, visit the WGBH website.
Additional Results
Top Pre-trip Inspection Awards to Andy Barilone from Regency (truck class) and Tom Westgate from FedEx Ground (step van).
Highest written test score was Roland Bolduc from FedEx Express.
Rookie-of-the-Year Awards go to Sarah Gudaitis from Frito-Lay (truck class) and Christiano Julio from FedEx Ground (step van)
Our student driver award goes to Nick Jacobson.
The James Dolliver Professional Excellence Award was presented to JB Baer form Hood Distribution. Well deserved!
This year we not only had a great showing of drivers but also lots of family and friends.
Linda Greenburg, Board member of TAM, was able to make a contact with WGBH Radio for event coverage this year.
WGBH Reporter Edgar Herwick spent a good part of Sunday interviewing drivers, judges and committee for the story. Even though Edgar had no idea what the championships were about before the event, he was able to capture the flavor of the competition by the end of the day.
The Truck Driving Championships would not be possible without the commitment from our sponsors with monetary donations and use of company equipment.
Thank you to Don Lane and Mark Greenburg at NETTTS for securing the site from Osgood Landing and covering the cost of the site, the portable bathrooms and the sound system.
Financial contributions this year from Advantage Truck Group, Boyle Transportation, RDI Logistics, J&S Transport, Cumberland Farms, FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, Frito-Lay, Ballard Truck Center, Old Dominion Freight Lines, Regency Transportation, Highway Driver Leasing, Hood Distribution, Anthem Propane and OB Hill Trucking and Rigging.
JB Baer handled the procurement of equipment from Regency Transportation, EJ Wyson, FedEx Express, FedEx Freight, FedEx Ground, Old Dominion, RDI Logistics, Hood Distribution, Stop & Shop and YRC Freight.
Mass Professional Truck Drivers Association supplied the equipment trailer. Additional equipment trailer from FedEx Express.
Volunteers
This year we had 45 volunteers for course setup, pre-trip inspection, course problems and scoring.
Pre-Trip Inspection – Steve Hanley from FMCSA was in charge of the Pretrip inspection assisted this year by 3 members of the Massachusetts State Police Truck Team: Trooper Patrick Haynes, Trooper Patrick Scanlon & Trooper Steve Browning. Also working Pretrip, Rick Lane – Griffin Greenhouses, Doug Freese – Ross Express, John Luongo – MA DPU and Wayne Peasley.
There is no question that the pre-trip inspection process can be nerve wracking, especially the waiting.
Course – The course designer and Roadeo Master was Bob Darling from EJ Wyson. The Saturday setup crew included: Don Herzog (ret ABF), Pete Delgrego (FedEx Express), Kevin Loggie, Kevin Weeks (TAM), Harold Carter (Regency) & Fred Schenk (J&S Transport), Bill Darling, JB Baer (Hood Distribution) & Dave, Alex & Alan Misenheimer (Dominos)
On Sunday: Many thanks to the volunteers from the New Hampshire Drivers Assoc. New Hampshire conducted their competition on Saturday and the volunteers helped us out on Sunday: Mickey & Linda Rafeal, Neil Nogues, Pete Borges, Paul Robichaud, Michele Wells & Pat Osborn.
From FedEx Express – Pete Delgreco & Karen Tierney; FedEx Ground – Trish & Chris Vallee; FedEx Freight -John Dolan, David & Mindy Bryant, Joel Colon, Mirge Rosario
From Domino’s Pizza (CT) – Dave, Alex & Alan Misenheimer. From A Duie Pyle (PA) -Leo Flack, John & Patty Reed.
From Regency – Dan Lacroix & Harold Carter. Hood Distribution – JB Baer. From Old Dominion – Keith Adams & Rob Guba. From XPO Logistics – Hesse Wagner.
From Boyle Transportation – Amanda Blue.
Also working the course this year – Shirleen Bolduc & Jade Andre. Our announcer was Brittany Singelais, assisted by Patty Reed.
Our scorer was Colleen Kane from TAM. Thank you Colleen, another great job.
Written Test – Dan Lacroix, Regency Transportation.
Special thanks to Trish Vallee for getting so many new drivers involved from FedEx Ground in the step van class. Largest step van class ever.
To all the drivers, thank you for your participation and putting yourself “on the line”. We hope to see you all at future championships.
To all the volunteers, thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to promote a positive image of the trucking industry.
