Richard Sweeney Tops Strong Field in Massachusetts
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A former national Grand Champion and the 2018 Grand Champion won their categories at the Massachusetts Truck Driving Championships June 2 in North Andover, but Richard Sweeney of XPO Logistics took the 2019 Grand Champion title, winning in Tank Truck.
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
2017 national Grand Champion Roland Bolduc of FedEx Express won in 5-Axle for the second consecutive year. He also came out tops in the written test.
2018 state Grand Champion Brian Singelais of Frito-Lay took the Sleeper Berth after winning in 3-Axle last year.
Sarah Gudaitis of Frito-Lay was third in 4-Axle and was named Rookie of the Year.
MASSACHUSETTS ARCHIVE PAGE: Previews, Recaps and More
She was one of two women competing. Kimberly Seidenberg of Regency Transportation was second in the 5-Axle.
Seidenberg “gave Roland Bolduc a run for the money, finishing 15 points behind,” said Fred Schenk, chairman of the event.
Bob Ledoux of FedEx Express repeated as Step Van champion. Of the 29 first-time drivers this year, 21 were in Step Van, Schenk said. Christian Julio of FedEx Ground was Step Van Rookie of the Year.
PHOTOS: 2019 Missouri Truck Driving Championships
Andrew Barilone of Regency Transportation, who won Flatbed, also was tops in Pre-Trip Inspection.
“Pre-Trip Inspection judges were a mix of Massachusetts State Police Truck Team members, FMCSA agents and company safety managers,” Schenk said.
This year’s NTDC will be held in Pittsburgh Aug. 14-17.
All competitors moving on to nationals:
- 3-Axle: Gerald Dube, XPO Logistics
- 4-Axle: Jeremy Paulsen, XPO Logistics
- 5-Axle: Roland Bolduc, FedEx Express
- Flatbed: Andrew Barilone, Regency Transportation
- Sleeper Berth: Brian Singelais, Frito-Lay
- Tank Truck: Richard Sweeney, XPO Logistics
- Twins: Bill Oakes, FedEx Freight
- Straight Truck: Bill Colantuone, FedEx Express
- Step Van: Bob Ledoux, FedEx Express
