NTDC Finals Have a Familiar Feel

Alphonso Lewis of Yellow celebrates after advancing to the finals in the 5-axle division at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis. Lewis was national grand champ in 2007. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

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INDIANAPOLIS — Roland Bolduc, Jeff Langenhahn, Alphonso Lewis and Mike White are headlining the final round at the National Truck Driving Championships.

The four former national grand champions finished in the top five in their respective vehicle classes after three days of competition.

Not advancing to the final round was FedEx Freight’s Scott Woodrome of Ohio, who won national grand championships in 2018 and 2019.

The 2022 National Truck Driving Championships

Photos: Awards | Competition | Road to NTDC | Contestants | Map of State Champions

Who: Winners from nine categories at the state level who have advanced to the national competition, where a Grand Champion will be crowned

What: Contestants are judged on a written exam, pre-trip inspection and driving skills

When: Aug. 16-19

Where: Indianapolis

The top five scorers from nine divisions qualified for the finals Aug. 19.

Bolduc, the 2017 grand champion with FedEx Express in Connecticut, and White, 2016’s grand champion with Walmart out of Indiana, are facing off in the sleeper berth class. Wisconsin’s Langenhahn with XPO Logistics, who won it all in 2014, is competing in the twin trailers class. Lewis, 2007’s grand champion and an America’s Road Team captain in 2011, is competing in the 5-axle class. He is based in Alabama and drives for Yellow.

The four decorated drivers and the other 41 finalists are tasked with competing on a newly designed driving course at what’s been called the “Super Bowl of Safety.” Top performers in the finals will be crowned winners in their division, and best-in-show will be this year’s national grand champion. Winners will be announced during an evening ceremony.

Sleeper berth drivers Mike White (left) of Walmart and Roland Bolduc of FedEx Express

“Big names,” White said, reflecting on the competition in the sleeper berth. “You win this class, and you’ve done something.”

Langenhahn said he felt ready for the final round, while Lewis and Bolduc were displaying game faces prior to their last drive around the course. Joining White and Bolduc in the sleeper berth class is FedEx Freight’s Eric Courville, this year’s Louisiana grand champion.

Notable finalists in 3-axle include North Carolina’s grand champion Brian Walker, the reigning national champ in the division. His father, Charles Linwood Walker, won the national 3-axle championship in 1981. XPO Logistics’ Joe Hicks, this year’s top driver from Rhode Island, and New Jersey champ Wilbert Vano, also with XPO, will battle Walker for the title.

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear speaks to the drivers on the final day of competition at the National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

XPO’s Ina Daly from Arizona, the only woman to advance to the finals, is competing in the tanker division. She said she’s been celebrating each moment this week.

“I’ve enjoyed the time with my company. I’ve enjoyed the time with friends that I’ve kept in contact [with] over the years,” she said. “I’m just glad that everybody stepped up and did this again.”

2022 NTDC Finalists

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