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UPS’ Miguel Corral claims grand champion honors at NTDC 2026
4-axle driver revels in an unbelievable evening
4-axle driver Miguel Corral of UPS displays his hardware for winning Bendix Grand Champion honors at NTDC 2026 on Aug. 14 in Pittsburgh. (American Trucking Associations)
Key Takeaways:
- UPS driver Miguel Corral won the 2026 Bendix Grand Champion title after competing against 429 drivers at ATA’s national championships.
- Competitors represented 55 motor carriers and 49 states and had accumulated nearly 775 million accident-free miles.
- Illinois won the state team championship, while Todd Loreman, Melissa Johnson and Jeff Davis received individual honors.
PITTSBURGH — Miguel Corral, a 4-axle driver with UPS, emerged from a field of 429 competitors to capture Bendix Grand Champion honors at American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships on Aug. 14.
"It’s an unbelievable experience,” Corral said shortly after hearing his name called. “It took years for me to accomplish it. I’ve been doing truck driving championships since 2012.”
Corral, who resides in Indiana and secured his berth to nationals at the Illinois Truck Driving Championship, outlasted a field of elite drivers representing companies of every size. Competitors qualified for the national championship after advancing through state truck driving championships.
“Miguel’s performance reflects a simple truth: Safe roads begin with highly trained, highly qualified professional drivers,” ATA President Chris Spear said. “The National Truck Driving Championships celebrate the very best among them, and this year’s champion has earned a place among the industry’s finest. We congratulate Miguel on this extraordinary accomplishment and thank all of this year’s competitors for setting an example of professionalism and safety for the entire nation.”
PERSPECTIVE: Competitors prove excellence matters
The competitors — who have accumulated nearly 775 million accident-free miles during their careers — hailed from 49 states and represented 55 motor carriers. Over the past four days, the drivers competed in events designed to measure their driving prowess, industry knowledge and dedication to safety.
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UPS 4-axle driver Miguel Corral reacts as his name is announced as the Bendix Grand Champion at NTDC 2026 on Aug. 14 in Pittsburgh. (American Trucking Associations)
Corral encouraged his fellow competitors to keep pushing themselves and striving for improvement.
“Believe in yourself,” he said. “Keep dreaming. Don’t stop. If you love something, keep working at it and things will happen.”
FMCSA Administrator Derek Barrs attended the event and complimented the drivers whose dedication has made NTDC trucking’s premier safety showcase.
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"We congratulate Miguel on this extraordinary accomplishment and thank all of this year’s competitors for setting an example of professionalism," ATA Chris Spear told the attendees at NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgth. (American Trucking Associations)
“Congratulations to this year’s winners, and to all the professional drivers who worked hard to earn their spot here,” Barrs said. “The skill, focus and commitment to safety we see in these championships are a great reminder of what professional drivers do every day to keep our roads safe and our supply chain moving. FMCSA is proud to recognize these champions and grateful to all the drivers out there who put safety first, mile after mile.”
Corral credited his victory to hard work, dedication and consistency, along with the support of his teammates.
Congratulations Miguel Corral of @UPS, the #NTDC26 Bendix Grand Champion! pic.twitter.com/qLUGvwCrfE — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) August 15, 2026
“This wouldn’t have happened if it wasn’t for my teammates at practice,” he said. “Yes, I won as an individual but it’s a reflection of my team.”
Corral is an NTDC veteran, winning the twins division in 2018 and placing second in the 4-axle in 2022. A resident of Crown Point, Ind., he has totaled more than 1.4 million safe driving miles in a career spanning almost three decades.
“For nearly 90 years, the National Truck Driving Championships have showcased the professionalism, skill and dedication that define America’s trucking workforce, and this year’s competition once again raised the bar,” said ATA Chairman Greg Hodgen, who also is CEO of Groendyke Transport. “Congratulations to Miguel on earning the title of 2026 Bendix Grand Champion and to all of this year’s competitors and champions who demonstrated an unwavering commitment to safety and excellence.”
The competition is complete, the scores are in, and we're moments away from crowning the #NTDC26 Bendix Grand Champion! https://t.co/95d88jdZeD pic.twitter.com/PaWICLCHUR — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG) August 14, 2026
Rookie of the Year
ATA honored Todd Loreman of Louisiana, a professional driver for Walmart Transportation, with the 2026 Rookie of the Year Award, and Illinois was crowned the team champion for having the highest collective score.
Volunteer of the Year
NTDC is made possible by dozens of committee members and volunteers who judge the course, serve as liaisons to the drivers, conduct course walk-throughs, and perform other key tasks. As such, ATA and ATA’s Safety Management Council honor one volunteer. This year’s Sam Gillette Volunteer of the Year Award was presented to Melissa Johnson.
Neil Darmstadter Award
Jeff Davis of Kansas, a professional driver with Walmart Transportation, was recognized with the Neil Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award as the competitor “who most exemplifies all the best attributes of a professional truck driver.”
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A Pitt Ohio flatbed driver navigates the course during NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh. (American Trucking Associations)
Competition Classes
3-Axle
1. Chris Poynor, XPO, Washington
2. Todd Loreman, Walmart Transportation, Louisiana
3. Jeffrey Halford, XPO, Idaho
4-Axle
1. Miguel Corral, UPS, Illinois
2. Bryan Krol, The Martin-Brower Co., Pennsylvania
3. David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota
5-Axle
1. Andres Garcia, FedEx Freight, Texas
2. Adam Heim, FedEx Freight, Idaho
3. Matthew Boenisch, FedEx Freight, Wisconsin
Flatbed
1. Richard Prescott, Walmart Transportation, California
2. Kenneth Rageth, FedEx Freight, Wyoming
3. Karl Wilkerson, UPS, Illinois
Sleeper
1. Terry Covey, FedEx Freight, Kansas
2. Erik McFarland, Fareway Stores, Iowa
3. Patrick Condon, Walmart Transportation, Florida
Straight Truck
1. Robert Cochran, FedEx, Maine
2. David May, XPO, New York
3. Lynn Wilson, Walmart Transportation, Utah
Tank Truck
1. Eric Ramsdell, Walmart Transportation, Arizona
2. Allen McNeely, ABF Freight System, North Carolina
3. James Dixon, A. Duie Pyle, Connecticut
Twins
1. Ronald Ramon, H-E-B Grocery Co., Texas
2. Vladyslav Piatkovskyi, FedEx Freight, Maryland
3. Gary Mars, Walmart Transportation, Arkansas
Step Van
1. Robert Ledoux, FedEx, Massachusetts
2. Logan Stacho, FedEx, Ohio
3. Ceth Christensen, UPS, Illinois
Vehicle Condition
Edward Hill, FedEx Freight, Delaware
Written Exam
David Comings, FedEx Freight, North Dakota
Todd Gimpel, FedEx Freight, Nebraska
State Team
Illinois
