47 ABF drivers recognized at 2026 state truck driving championships
Over the last several months, 186 drivers from ArcBest’s LTL carrier, 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 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. 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!
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 |