Trucking news and briefs for Tuesday, June 9, 2026:
- State trucking association hails grand champion, other class winners.
- Big weed bust at roadside in Georgia.
- Drunk driver rolls truck in North Dakota.
Nebraska state truck driving grand champion, other winners recognized
Among the many state trucking associations hosting truck driving skills contests over this past weekend was Nebraska's, and no shortage of fans were on-hand to cheer on the pros, according to the Nebraska Trucking Association.
Emerging victorious as grand champion, ultimately, was Paul Badgett of FedEx Freight.
Truckers represented in the skills competition came from every type and size of trucking company, ranging from competitors with decades of experience in the competition to real "rookies." Competitors in 10 different truck classifications navigated difficult driving challenges, with the winning drivers literally inching out their closest competitors.
Along with the demanding driving course, the drivers competed in pre-trip inspections, written exams, and oral interviews with the Nebraska State Patrol. Competitors faced six problems on a course designed to challenge their skills.
Awards were based on scores in the four test areas.
In addition to the grand champion pictured above, an individual "Rookie of the Year" award went Logan Booker of Walmart Transportation as the first-time championship participant with the highest overall score in all four parts of the competition. Booker also bagged the Kurt Everett Vehicle Condition Award. Named in honor of a long-time championships committee member, it goes to the driver with the highest score on the pre-trip inspection.
A Professional Excellence Award was given to the driver with the highest written test -- Todd Gimpel with FedEx Freight.
The Bucky Buchholtz Top Driver Award, named in honor of Buchholtz, a former trooper and longtime championship committee member, goes to the driver with the highest score on the course. Garet Poland from Walmart Transportation took home the 2026 honor, and Joseph Busch of ABF Freight won the Jerry Wessel Award for the highest rating for professionalism, industry knowledge, and attitude.
First-place winners in each class advance to the nationals in Pittsburgh in August. The mixer class winner advances to the National Mixer Driver Championship in Nashville in October.
Class winners:
- Straight: Clinton Rast, Omaha, ABF Freight System
- Three-axle: Garet Poland, Kenesaw, Walmart Transportation
- Four-axle: Todd Gimpel, Aurora, FedEx Freight
- Five-axle: Tom Canning, Bellevue, Old Dominion Freight Line
- Five-axle sleeper: John Putney, Blanchard, Oklahoma, Greater Omaha Express
- Tank truck: Tim Dean, Griswold, Iowa, Werner Enterprises
- Flatbed: George Chaney, Aurora, FedEx Freight
- Twin-trailer: Paul Badgett, Aurora, FedEx Freight
- Mixer: Jacob Friederich, Papillion, Lyman-Richey Corporation
- Step van: Korey Clifton, Plattsmouth, FedEx Express
Georgia troopers seize 1,800 pounds of weed, 4K illegal THC vape cartridges
The Georgia Department of Public Safety recently stopped a tractor-trailer for a traffic violation. It turned into a large drug seizure.
The traffic stop occurred along I-20 in Carroll County, and, after speaking with the driver, officers brought in K-9 Draco to assist. After alerting to illegal substances, Draco, his handler and other troopers discovered four suspicious pallets hidden amongst other cargo in the trailer.
[Related: Owner-op jailed in Oklahoma for hauling 'legal' hemp]
Officers seized more than 1,800 pounds of marijuana and more than 4,000 illegal THC vape cartridges.
Information about the driver and/or motor carrier were not immediately available.
Truck driver who rolled rig in North Dakota was 6X over legal alcohol limit
On June 4 at approximately 10 p.m., North Dakota Highway Patrol troopers responded to a commercial motor vehicle rollover near a truck stop in Valley City.
The driver was arrested for driving under the influence with a preliminary breath test result of .259, over three times the legal limit (and over six times for a CDL holder while operating a CMV).
NDHP highlighted the dangers of driving while impaired.
