New York driver wins grand champion award by 55 points

NYS Truck Driving Championships Chair Melissa Eppard, of FedEx Ground, presents Gerald Thompson with the grand champion award. (Image Courtesy of Trucking Association of New York)NYS Truck Driving Championships Chair Melissa Eppard, of FedEx Ground, presents Gerald Thompson with the grand champion award. (Image Courtesy of Trucking Association of New York)

Twenty-one companies were represented by 88 truckers June 9-10 at the New York State Truck Driving Championships at Long Beach Park in Liverpool.

Gerald Thompson, an XPO Logistics driver, won the grand champion award with an overall score of 371. The next eligible highest overall score was 316.

The winners, by category, were:

Grand Champion: Gerald Thompson, XPO Logistics 

Team Trophy: FedEx Express

Written Exam: Michael Guanciale, FedEx Express

Pre-Trip Award: Randy Swart, FedEx Express

Rookie Winner: Deangelo Rivera, FedEx Freight, Inc.

Ray Dagostino Volunteer Award: Ron Wheatley, Walmart Transportation

Step Van: Jeffrey Evans, FedEx Ground

Straight Truck: David May, XPO Logistics

3-Axle: John Jadrossich, FedEx Freight, Inc.

4-Axle: Randy Merle, FedEx Freight, Inc.

5-Axle: Martin McMahon, RIST Transport, Ltd.

Tank Truck: Raymond Waage, FedEx Freight, Inc.

Twins: Gerald Thompson, XPO Logistics

Flatbed: Randy Swart, FedEx Express

Sleeper: Mark Lockwood, Walmart Transportation