California's State Truck Driving Champion

STOCKTON, CA--Aug. 8, 2011: Alfonso Saavedra, of Watsonville, was named the best professional truck driver in California after winning the three-axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 California Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by California Trucking Association.

Saavedra, who drives for Con-way Freight, now qualifies to compete in the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships August 9-13, 2011 in Orlando, Fla. -- also known as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The winners from each of the eight other categories are also eligible to compete in the national championship.

Nearly 400 drivers from all 50 states will compete in Orlando for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers--they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On Saturday night, August 13, one contestant will drive away as the 2011 National Grand Champion Truck Driver.

"The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry's passion and dedication to safety," said California Trucking Association Executive Vice President and CEO Michael Campbell. "I congratulate all the contestants and I hope California roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Orlando."

California participants at Nationals for each category include:

Alfonso Saavedra, Con-way Freight, Watsonville, Calif. (Three-Axle)
Michael Sorenson, ABF Freight System, Lakewood, Calif. (Four-Axle)
Dale Duncan, Con-way Freight, San Diego, Calif. (Five-Axle)
Ernesto Torres, Covenant Transport, Thomasville, N.C. (Five-Axle Sleeper)
Troy Astrande, FedEx Express, Redlands, Calif. (Step Van)
Gary Martin, FedEx Ground, Galt, Calif. (Twins)
Sebastian Mora, El Centro, Calif. (Tankers)
Paul Phillips, Con-way Freight, Coarsegold, Calif. (Straight Truck)
Andrew Bringazi, Con-way Freight, Ceres, Calif. (Flatbed)

ATA's Truck Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the nation competing at state and regional levels to make it to the national competition Aug. 9-13 in Orlando, Fla.  The NTDC annually attracts over 2,000 cheering friends, family, colleagues and spectators.

The American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of other trucking groups, industry-related conferences, and its 50 affiliated state trucking associations, ATA represents more than 37,000 members covering every type of motor carrier in the United States.

The American Trucking Associations, including California Trucking Association, leads the effort for safer highways, focusing on greater education, enforcement and enhancement of traffic safety laws for all drivers.