The 88th American Trucking Associations’ (ATA) National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships (NTDC) concluded Aug. 20–23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, with David Comings, a FedEx Freight driver from North Dakota, earning the 2025 Bendix Grand Champion title.

A Career Built on Safety

Comings has been a professional driver for nearly 30 years, logging more than 3.1 million safe miles. He has competed three times in the North Dakota Motor Carriers Association state championships and three times at NTDC, previously winning state-level titles in both the 4-axle and 5-axle categories. This year, he also placed first in the 5-axle class at the national event.

Competition Overview

The NTDC brought together 425 drivers representing 56 companies across 49 states. Collectively, participants have logged nearly 756 million accident-free miles. Drivers competed in three phases: a written knowledge exam, a detailed pre-trip inspection, and a driving skills course designed to test precision in navigating tight turns, reversing, scaling, and maneuvering around obstacles.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems sponsored the Grand Champion Award for the 14th consecutive year. “We congratulate David Comings and all the drivers who competed this year,” said Nicole Oreskovic, vice president of sales and marketing at Bendix. “Their skill and dedication to safety are vital to the industry.”

ATA President and CEO Chris Spear said Comings’ record shows his “driving skill and commitment to safety,” adding that all competitors demonstrated the professionalism of the trucking industry. ATA Chairman Dennis Dellinger also recognized the efforts of volunteers who make the championships possible.

Additional Awards

• Rookie of the Year: Jeffrey Reed, UPS, New Mexico

• State Team Champion: Colorado

• Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award: Leroy Williams, Sr., XPO

• Sam Gillette Lifetime Volunteer Award: Linda Nodland

Class Winners

• Step Van: Logan Montandon, FedEx (Texas)

• Straight Truck: Mark Carver, FedEx Freight (Missouri)

• 3-Axle: Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight (Oregon)

• 4-Axle: Stephen Johnson, FedEx Freight (Mississippi)

• 5-Axle: David Comings, FedEx Freight (North Dakota)

• Flatbed: Edward Hill, FedEx Freight (Delaware)

• Tank Truck: Jeff Langenhahn, XPO (Wisconsin)

• Twins: Miguel Sanchez, UPS (Florida)

• Sleeper Berth: Merle Ashbaugh, DHL Supply Chain (Ohio)

Additional honors went to Nick Gaudette of FedEx Freight (Colorado) for the Vehicle Condition Award and to Comings for the Written Exam Award.