The Truckload Carriers Association has named finalists for its 2009 Owner-Operator Driver of the Year and 2009 Company Equipment Driver of the Year contests.

For the company equipment contest, co-sponsored by TCA and Truckers News, the contenders will be Gordon Colvin of Con-way Truckload, Richard Gassman of Greatwide Dedicated Transfer and Brian Rhodes of Con-way Truckload.

Competing for the owner-operator contest, co-sponsored by TCA and Overdrive magazine, will be Steven Recker of Warren Transport Inc., Larry Severson of Dart Transit Co. and Woodrow Walker, also of Dart Transit.

The winners will be announced at TCA’s annual convention, Feb. 28-March 3, at the Wynn Las Vegas in Nevada.

The finalists and grand prize winners will be recognized for their performance record, ability to operate safely, efforts to enhance the trucking industry’s image and contributions to their community.

To be eligible for the contests, applicants had to meet certain minimum criteria, including having driven one million consecutive, accident-free miles and being employed by or leased to a TCA-member trucking company for at least the last three years.