Dale Duncan, a driver for Con-way Freight, was named the 2006 National Truck Driving Grand Champion at the American Trucking Associations event held in New Orleans last month.
The Chula Vista, CA-based driver has logged 1.1-million accident-free miles during his 16 years with Con-way Freight.
For the national competition, drivers from around the country — 382 in all — were tested on driving skills, knowledge of transportation and truck safety expertise. All had been named state champions in their respective vehicle categories.
In addition to being named Grand Champion, Duncan won the individual tank-truck driving competition. Joining Duncan as individual category winners are:
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Five-Axle: James Hines, Wal-Mart Transportation, Richmond, VA.
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Five-Axle Sleeper: Ryland Hogan, Wilson Trucking Corp., Stuarts Draft, VA.
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Four-Axle: Mark Hassemer, Yellow Transportation, Whitelaw, WI.
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Three-Axle: Daniel Shamrell, FedEx Freight, Battle Ground, WA.
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Twins: Robert French, Con-way Freight, Bland, VA.
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Flatbed: Anthony Spero, ABF Freight System, Stratford, CT.
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Straight Truck: Randy DeVault, Roadway, Hartford, ME.
Rookie of the Year went to Timothy Cohen, a three-axle driver for FedEx Ground who is based in Stafford, CT.
Bruce Green, a five-axle driver for Yellow Transportation from Lenexa, KS, won the 2006 Professional Excellence Award. Daniel Shamrell of FedEx Freight won the 2006 Neill Darmstadter Vehicle Condition Award.
Honors for the best state team went to Maine, with teams from Kansas and Iowa following right behind.
