More than 400 top professional truck drivers from all across the U.S. are competing this week in the 2011 National Truck Driving Championships, August 9-13 at the Orange County Convention Center in Orlando, Fla.


The "Super Bowl of Safety" is sponsored annually by the American Trucking Associations.

The contestants are state champions (in eight competing classes with an affiliated competition for step vans) from all 50 states. They have driven over a half billion accident-free miles in earning the right to compete in the NTDC. Drivers will compete for four days, challenging their driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. The tests typically include obstacles like an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scales stop, a turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

When it is all over on Saturday, August 13, the U.S. will have a new National Grand Champion Truck Driver, along with individual champions in each truck class. The state team with the highest score will also be honored.

Bendix Commercial Vehicle Systems LLC is the first-time sponsor of the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion Award.