After 20 Years, Gary Wrobel Returns to Winner’s Circle and Adds Michigan Grand Champion Title
[Stay on top of transportation news: Get TTNews in your inbox.]
Gary Wrobel is a patient man.
The 2019 National Truck Driving Championships
Qualifiers | Map | Photos | Video
Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level have advanced to the national competition, where a Grand Champion will be crowned
What: Contestants are judged on a written examination and their driving skills
When: Aug. 14-17
Where: Pittsburgh
The 32-year Martin Brower employee first earned a No. 1 finish in the 5-Axle competition at the Michigan Truck Driving Championships in 1999.
Twenty years later, he won the 5-Axle again, and added the Grand Champion title at the competition June 7-8.
MICHIGAN ARCHIVE PAGE: Previews, recaps and more
“It’s been 20 years since I got the first place, but then when I got the Grand Champion, I was just beaming,” he said.
Wrobel is preparing for his trip to the National Truck Driving Championships by studying.
“I just keep going over the book,” he said, “because a point’s a point.”
“I won the Martin Brower truck rodeo, I won at state, but I know things get tougher as you go along.”
Wrobel recalls his first trip to nationals in 1999, which were held in Tampa, Fla. He brought his family, including daughter Allison, who attended all of his competitions when she was growing up. She made him a grandfather two weeks before this year’s competition, he said.
“I was floored when I won,” he said. “I knew I did first-place good, but I didn’t know I was Grand Champion good. I couldn’t wait to call her. I think she brought me some luck.”
Wrobel has been in the industry for 42 years and has driven 2.6 million miles with no accidents in 39 years.
“I’m constantly looking ahead,” he said. “I gotta use patience every day.”
PHOTOS: 2019 Michigan Truck Driving Championships
When he’s not driving, Wrobel likes to restore cars.
He has a 1970 Mustang Mach I, a 2002 Mustang convertible with “only 17,000 miles” and a ’57 Chevy two-door hardtop from California. “No rust.”
“I’ve always had an interest in old cars,” he said. “They’re fun, but you gotta take your time. It’s like driving. You’ve gotta be patient.”
This year’s NTDC will be held in Pittsburgh Aug. 14-17.
All competitors moving on to nationals:
3-Axle: Chad Williams, Old Dominion Freight Line
4-Axle: James Bishop, XPO Logistics
5-Axle: Gary Wrobel, Martin Brower
Flatbed: Ron Forsyth, Old Dominion Freight Line
Sleeper Berth: Shawn Rumsey, Walmart Transportation
Tank Truck: Michael Tobolic, Holland
Twins: Eric Halchishak, Walmart Transportation
Straight Truck: Ty Possehn, FedEx Freight
