The Truckload Carriers Assn. last week honored three TCA member company drivers in its 11th Annual "Company Equipment Driver of the Year" contest.

The three drivers each won an all-expense paid trip for two to the April 30 California 500 Winston Cup NASCAR race in Fontana, CA.
The awards, presented during ceremonies at the TCA annual meeting in Florida, were based on the drivers’ excellent safety records, unblemished work history, and involvement in the community and industry. The top three winners are:
* Paul Barnes of Pottle's Transportation, Bangor, ME. Barnes has been driving trucks for 25 years, driving more than 3.2 million miles without an accident or moving violation. He has won numerous awards and was recognized as the Maine Motor Transport Driver of the year in 1998.
* Marilyn Cochrane of U. S. Xpress, Chattanooga, TN. Cochrane has been a professional truck driver for 18 years and has spent the last 16 years with U. S. Xpress. She has driven over 1.5 million miles without an accident or moving violation. She is a Captain of America's Road Team and has testified before the National Transportation Safety Board.
* George Thomason of Umthun Trucking, Eagle Grove, IA. Thomason has been driving trucks for more than 32 years and has been with Umthun Trucking the entire time. He has driven over 3.6 million miles without an accident.
"These professional drivers exemplify the finest in the trucking industry," said Dave Mayoras, vice president of Detroit Diesel, which provided the tickets, transportation, hotel accommodations, food, and spending money for the Winston Cup race scheduled for April 30, 2000.
In addition to the all-expense paid trip, the top three winners will receive a host of other prizes, including cash, savings bonds, and gift certificates good for merchandise at truckstops.