Three truckers named finalists to win Kenworth in rookie driver contest

The truckers were named finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” program, which recognizes the top rookie military veteran truckers. The finalists, from left, are: Gregg Softy (Army), Stevens Transport; Wayne Roy (Marine Corps), U.S. Xpress; and Daniel Shonebarger (Navy), Melton Truck Lines.

Three military veteran rookie truck drivers were named finalists in the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” program at the Great American Trucking Show in Dallas.

Wayne Roy, a Marine Corps veteran driving for U.S. Xpress; Daniel Shonebarger, a Navy veteran driving for Melton Truck Lines; and Gregg Softy, an Army veteran driving for Stevens Transport, were named finalists in the program. Shonebarger was named the 2017 Trucking’s Top Rookie by Truckers News at GATS, as well.

The program is put on through a partnership between Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes program.

The winner of the Transition Trucking award, who will be announced in December, will receive a Kenworth T680 Advantage with a 76-inch sleeper and a Paccar MX-13.

“We have a very elite group of drivers who have achieved significant accomplishments in their military careers and as professional truck drivers,” said Fastport president Brad Bentley. “It is important for organizations across the United States to do what they can to especially reach out to our veterans to help them make a smooth transition back into civilian life. This is one way that the trucking industry is doing its part.”

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Drivers were nominated for the contest by their fleets, members of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools, or Commercial Vehicle Training Association member schools.