Ohio's State Truck Driving Champion

Nine Drivers Continue on to National Competition This Week

COLUMBUS, OH--Aug. 8, 2011:Mark Hewitt, of Lorain, was named the state Grand Champion in Ohio after winning the four-axle competition and receiving the highest overall score in the nine competing categories at the 2011 Ohio Truck Driving Championships. The annual event is sponsored by the Ohio Professional Roadeo Association and sanctioned by the Ohio Trucking Association.

Hewitt, who drives for YRC, Inc., 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 Ohio Trucking Association President Larry Davis. "I congratulate all the contestants and I hope Ohio roots for our drivers as they move on to Nationals in Orlando."

Ohio participants at Nationals for each category include:

Mark Hewitt, YRC, Inc., Lorain, Ohio (Four-Axle)

Edwin Jarzenski, ABF Freight System, Stow, Ohio (Twins)

Elijah Edenfield, Con-way Freight, Hillsboro, Ohio (Three-Axle)

Sheldon Brown, FedEx Freight, Curtice, Ohio (Five-Axle Sleeper)

Scott Woodrome, FedEx Freight, Middletown, Ohio (Flatbed)

David White, USF Holland, Barberton, Ohio (Tankers)

Howard Friend, Pitt Ohio, Columbus, Ohio (Step Van)

Jason Imhoff, Wal-Mart Transportation, Ashland, Ohio (Five-Axle)

Mark Kance, ABF Freight System, Cleveland, Ohio (Straight Truck)

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.

American Trucking Associations is the largest national trade association for the trucking industry. Through a federation of 50 affiliated state trucking associations and industry-related conferences and councils, ATA is the voice of the industry America depends on most to move our nation's freight.   Follow ATA on TrucksBringIt on Twitter and Facebook.

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