Bendix announced that it is sponsoring the ATA National Truck Driving Championship (NTDC) Grand Champion Award for the twelfth straight year.

“The NTDC is the premier showcase for honoring America’s safe commercial vehicle drivers, and Bendix is grateful for the chance to support the competition,” said Fred Andersky, director of demos, sales, and service training at Bendix. “These professionals bring exceptional skill and dedication to their role as drivers while also performing a vital job as industry ambassadors and mentors to their fleets’ newer drivers. At every level, these inspiring drivers deserve recognition and thanks, and we extend wishes of good luck to all the 2023 contestants.”

The NTDC – which dates back to 1937, when it was known as the National Truck Rodeo – is the culmination of local, state, and regional truck driving championships from across the country. The event features the winners in eight classes of competition from 50 state trucking associations’ truck driving championships. To qualify, all competitors must drive accident-free for at least one year prior to the event.

In Columbus, these top drivers will compete in the championship event, testing their expertise through a written exam, pre-trip inspection test, and the crowd-pleasing skills-based competition course. Inside the Greater Columbus Convention Center, drivers must demonstrate extensive knowledge of safety, equipment, and the industry, as well as put their driving abilities to the test. The driving course challenges drivers to maneuver, reverse, park, and position their vehicles with precision over scales, before barriers, and around curves. In the behind-the-wheel skills course, drivers are tested on their ability to handle their trucks, judge distances, and move through tight spots.