47 ABF drivers recognized at 2026 state truck driving championships

  
Over the last several months, 186 drivers from ArcBest’s LTL carrier, [ABF Freight](https://arcb.com/shippers/solutions/less-than-truckload/abf-freight), competed in state truck driving championships across the country. Forty-seven drivers earned top honors for demonstrating the knowledge, skill, precision and commitment to safety that define the profession.

"These drivers represent the very best of ABF Freight," said Matt Godfrey, president of ABF Freight. "They demonstrate professionalism and a commitment to excellence through safe, reliable service for our customers, and it’s great to see them receive recognition for the outstanding work they do every day. We’re proud of their accomplishments and are cheering on those headed to nationals."

Organized annually by state trucking associations, these championships bring together some of the industry's best drivers. The competition involves a written exam, pre-trip inspection and hands-on driving courses across multiple vehicle classes: straight truck, 3-axle, 4-axle, 5-axle, tank, flatbed, sleeper cab, twin trailers and step van.   
  
Earning a spot at state truck driving championships requires drivers to meet rigorous standards. Qualifications include at least one year of continuous employment with a motor carrier, a clean safety <a class="text-brick underline" name="_Int_juKcoDl1" target="_blank"></a>record and limited time away from their regular duties.

19 ABF drivers headed to Nationals

  
Nineteen ABF drivers are headed to Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, August 11-14 for the [2026 American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships](https://ntdc.trucking.org/). Several members of the ABF leadership team will join our drivers on site as they compete for a national title.

Congratulations to all 47 ABF drivers recognized at this year’s state championships, and best wishes to the 19 competitors representing us in Pittsburgh!

 

 

 

    ![](https://cdn.bfldr.com/IL79ZI6C/at/tc4tgkvk7rvvq8zhm979tq8/650x464_collage_blog_image?format=auto) 

 

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}### First place

| **AJ Kelly**  Road Driver  Cheyenne, WY  Category: Twins | **David Cothran**  City Driver  Greenville, SC  Category: Straight Truck | **Nick Saverino**  City Driver  Manassas, VA  Category: Straight Truck  Grand Champion |
|---|---|---|
| **Allen McNeely**  City Driver  Charlotte, NC  Category: Tanker | **Douglas Callihan**  City Driver  Grand Rapids, MI  Category: 3-axle | **Shaun Roth**  City Driver  Wichita, KS  Category: 3-axle |
| **Brendan Hennessy**  City Driver  Stratford, CT  Category: Flatbed | **James Fabian**  City Driver  Oklahoma City, OK  Category: 3-axle | **Steve Marlow**  Road Driver  Knoxville, TN  Category: Twins |
| **Chuck Pearson**  City Driver  Tifton, GA  Category: 3-axle | **Kraig Keller**  City Driver  Camp Hill, PA  Category: 3-axle | **Steven Holewinski**  City Driver  Baltimore, MD  Category: Flatbed |
| **Clint Rast**  Road Driver  Omaha, NE  Category: Straight Truck | **Marvin McLean**  City Driver  Fayetteville, NC  Category: 3-axle | **Terry Colhour**  Road Driver  Kansas City, MO  Category: Straight Truck |
| **Darrin Kirby**  City Driver  Tulsa, OK  Category: Straight Truck  Grand Champion | **Nate McCarty**  Road Driver  Denver, CO  Category: Straight Truck  Highest course score | **Tim Melody**  Road Driver  Pendleton, OR  Category: Tanker |

### Second place

| **Alan Levy**  City Driver  Battleboro, VT  Category: 4-axle | **Frankie Leyba**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: 4-axle | **Matt McKnew**  City Driver  Sacramento, CA  Category: Flatbed |
|---|---|---|
| **Bob Bramwell**  City Driver  Sedalia, MO  Category: 5-axle | **John Hemmingson**  City Driver  Minneapolis, MN  Category: 4-axle | **Matt Meadows**  City Driver  Charleston, WV  Category: 4-axle |
| **Bryan Holewinski**  City Driver  Baltimore, MD  Category: Sleeper | **Kirk Haggard**  Road Driver  Little Rock, AR  Category: Twins | **Ronnie Davis**  Road Driver  Omaha, NE  Category: Tank |
| **David Logan**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: Sleeper | **Kirk Weis**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: Tank | **Shawn Hale**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: Straight Truck |
| **Derrick Metzger**  Road Driver  Wichita, KS  Category: Straight Truck | **Marvin Slater**  Road Driver  Dayton, OH  Category: Twins |  |

### Third place

| **Anthony Booth**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: Straight Truck | **Joe Busch**  City Driver  Omaha, NE  Category: 5-axle | **Nathan Cude**  Road Driver  Omaha, NE  Category: 3-axle |
|---|---|---|
| **Chris Massingill**  City Driver  Chattanooga, TN  Category: Straight Truck | **Joshua Lee**  City Driver  Kalkaska, MI  Category: 3-axle | **Patrick McIntyre**  City Driver  Sikeston, MO  Category: 3-axle |
| **David Maestas**  Road Driver  Albuquerque, NM  Category: Sleeper | **Kevin Zelasney**  City Driver  Omaha, NE  Category: 4-axle | **Paul Robinson**  Road Driver  Dayton, OH  Category: Flatbed |
| **James Perl**  City Driver  Cleveland, OH  Category: 4-axle | **Larry Ross**  City Driver  Parkersburg, WV  Category: 3-axle | **Travis Gibson**  City Driver  Charleston, WV  Category: Flatbed |
| **Jason Vanscoten**  City Driver  Ocala, FL  Category: Twins | **Loren Hatfield**  Road Driver  Little Rock, AR  Category: Step Van | **Tyler Luckey**  City Driver  Winston-Salem, NC  Category: 4-axle |