98 FedEx drivers compete to be named safest driver on the roads

They’ve put on their game faces and traveled from all across the country to the City of Champions for a shot at earning a championship title of their own at the “Super Bowl of Safety.”

The 98 driving professionals who make up Team FedEx arrived in Pittsburgh earlier this week for the 2009 National Truck Driving Championships, held inside the David L. Lawrence Convention Center. After getting their first peek at the driving “obstacle course” this morning, the competitors took the written exam that tests their knowledge of vehicle operations, safety regulations and first aid. Tomorrow and Friday, they’ll show off their safety skills in the pre-trip inspection and their precision on the driving course, where the difference between scoring 0 and the top 50 points is often a matter of 18 inches.

John Smith Jr., a contractor for FedEx Ground based in Tupelo, Miss., is competing at his fifth NTDC and he is a two-time National Champion in the Tank Truck class (2008) and the National Flatbed Co-Champion in (2007). John is going for the “three-peat” this year in the city that is called “Sixburgh” by locals in honor of the six-time Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

John says competing at the NTDC is like playing in the Super Bowl.  John is affectionately known as “You Know from Tupelo” among his colleagues. He adds that the competitors at this event represent the safest and most professional drivers on the road today. And to be counted among them is truly an honor.

We're wishing John and the other 97 drivers the best of luck this week.  Please do the same.