
The Louisiana Motor Trucking Association crowned the winners of its 2017 Truck Driving Championships, which took place in Baton Rouge March 24-25. In the competition, 104 drivers with a combined 161 million accident free miles faced off in several categories.
The competitors all had to face one challenge in particular, regardless of their category: weather. This year was the first time in the 31-year history of the championships that it was rained out by hail, lightning and rain.
See the winners of the 2017 LMTA Truck Driving Championships:
Straight Truck:
- First Place β Corey Mitchell, FedEx Freight
- Second Place β Michael Brian, FedEx Freight
- Third Place β Abraham Fisher, FedEx Freight
3 Axle Van:
- First Place β Henry Bruster, UPS Freight
- Second Place β Eric Courville, FedEx Freight
- Third Place β James Maxwell, Jr., XPO Logistics
4 Axle Van:
- First Place β Ricky Critney, Martin Brower
- Second Place β Mark Stevenson, YRC Worldwide
- Third Place β Xavier Theriot, FedEx Freight
5 Axle Van:
- First Place β Leslie Gamble, FedEx Freight
- Second Place β Tammy Clemmons, Walmart
- Third Place β Glen Winston, C&S Wholesale Grocers
5 Axle Tank:
- First Place β Curtis Mellon, XPO Logistics
- Second Place β Mark Judson, FedEx Freight
- Third Place β Raymond Acosta, Ergon Trucking
5 Axle Flatbed:
- First Place β Joseph Vital, FedEx Freight
- Second Place β Larry Smith, XPO Logistics
- Third Place β Kenneth Fabacher, Walmart
Twins:
- First Place β Richard Gibbs, FedEx Freight
- Second Place β Mark Judson, FedEx Freight
- Third Place β Jerry Farmer, XPO Logistics
Sleeper:
- First Place β Johnnie Long, Walmart
- Second Place β Chad Rudesill, FedEx Ground
- Third Place β James Taylor, FedEx Freight
Step Van:
- First Place β Leroy Williams, XPO Logistics
- Second Place β Donald Williams, FedEx Ground
- Third Place β Robin Butler, FedEx Ground
Mechanics Award: Richard Gibbs, FedEx Freight
Rookie of the Year: Demond Washington, Old Dominion Freight Line
Team Trophy: XPO Logistics
Grand Champion: Richard Gibbs, FedEx Freight