Pilot Flying J's has opened its annual Road Warrior contest that honors professional truck drivers in the U.S. who go the extra mile to ensure that products and goods are delivered safely, securely and on time to keep the country moving efficiently.
From July 10-23, the Road Warrior program will show appreciation for “heroes on the road” by encouraging online story submissions, spotlighting professional drivers’ perseverance and passion for the trucking industry for a chance to win big cash prizes. Through hard work and dedication, more than 3.5 million professional drivers deliver goods each day to our smallest towns and biggest cities, making sure all is safe along the way.
“We are proud to celebrate and honor professional truck drivers for their tireless work and commitment to provide our country with the goods that make our ways of life possible,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “This is the fifth year of our program and every year we are more and more inspired by the exceptional stories shared. This year, we are excited to recognize 12 finalists for their strong contributions to the professional driver community and thank them for a job well done.”
Pilot Flying J will invite its social media community to vote for the top three winners from the 12 selected finalists. The 2018 grand prize Road Warrior winner will receive $10,000, second place will receive $5,000, third place will receive $2,500 and the remaining nine finalists will each receive $1,000. Additionally, nominators of the grand, second and third place winners will also receive a $500 prize.
You can enter at RoadWarrior.PilotFlyingJ.com to tell the story of the professional driver in your life who inspires you and upload a photo. Anyone can nominate a Road Warrior, including coworkers, friends and family members, or professional drivers can even nominate themselves.
Mike Sheeds, a professional truck driver for more than 27 years with over 3.5 million safe driving miles, was named the 2017 Road Warrior winner. Sheeds was recognized by Pilot Flying J for his achievements on the road, teaching the importance of safety to over 300 students throughout his career, and, above all else, his dedication to his family. While driving can be a demanding career, Sheeds always prioritizes spending time with family and advocating for his children.
“I am so humbled to be chosen as a Road Warrior winner,” said Sheeds. “Driving has been part of my life for almost 30 years, and teaching aspiring professional drivers to prioritize safety above all else is what has remained most important to me throughout my career. Experience will never trump physics, and I encourage all drivers to remember this on the road.”
