12–16, Mars joined the other eight divi- sion Arkansas winners in Pittsburgh, Pa. to compete at the National Truck Driving Championship. The state event also included the
Technician Championship which is divided into two classes: truck techni- cians and trailer technicians. The truck technicians competed in 12 hands-on stations, and the trailer technicians competed in four hands-on stations to demonstrate skills and knowledge like electrical tasks and drive train. All tech- nicians completed a written exam. Wade Ashley Thompson of Oakley
Trucking won top honors and was named Grand Champion in the trailer technician division. Thompson also placed first at the electrical station and PMI station. He has worked for Oakley Trucking for five years and is a resident of Cabot, Ark. Technician Eric Rusk of McKee
Foods Transportation earned the high- est score and the Grand Champion title in the truck tech division. This is Rusk’s third year to take home the Grand Champion title (2007 and 2010) in the competition. “Eric consistently represents himself and his company well by excelling in this competition,” said Shannon Newton, president of the Arkansas Trucking Association. In addi- tion to earning the highest cumulative score across all 12 classes, Rusk also won first place in the electrical class and the steering and suspension class. The truck tech grand champion will also compete for the national title on September 22–24 in Orlando, Fla. The Arkansas Trucking
Championship also hosts some healthy competition on the sidelines. Companies decorate tents and bring food to cheer on their drivers and technicians tailgate-style. Among the companies that showed the most spirit were the Best Dressed Driver Team - J.B. Hunt Transport, Best Decorated Tent - Oakley Trucking, Loudest Group - Tyson Foods, Biggest Group - FedEx Freight, and Best Overall - FedEx Freight.
ARKANSAS TRUCKING REPORT | Issue 4 2014
Trucking Championship Sponsors
GOLD SPONSORS: ABF Freight
Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems, LLC CalArk International FedEx Freight
J.B. Hunt Transport Southern Tire Mart
Summit Truck Group Tyson Foods, Inc.
Walmart Transportation LLC
SILVER SPONSORS: FedEx Ground
J. J. Keller & Associates, Inc. Maverick Transportation, LLC
McKee Foods Transportation, LLC Truck Centers of Arkansas Truck Lite Co. LLC USA Truck
Wayne Smith Trucking BRONZE SPONSORS:
Bridgestone Commercial Solutions D.W. Story & Associates, Inc. Meritor
Michelin North America SAF Holland
Everyone gets into spirit of the competition. Son of FedEx Freight’s Brian Figgins cheers him on.
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