Five drivers from Prime Inc, arefrigerated, flatbed, tanker, and logistics trucking company based in Springfield MO, were recently honored at the 46th annual Missouri Truck Driving Championships. The June 2013 event took place at the Holiday Inn Hotel & Trade Center in Joplin MO.
Sponsored by the Missouri Trucking Association’s Council of Safety Supervisors, a total of 161 drivers were evaluated on industry knowledge, first aid, safety, security, and required federal vehicle inspections.
According to the Missouri Trucking Association, participants also competed in a driving skills obstacle course that tested their ability to judge distance, maneuver tight spaces, park, and properly position their vehicle.
“I am very proud of our driver’s performance and the professionalism displayed at the Missouri Truck Driving Championships,” said David White, Prime’s safety supervisor. “Due to their hard work and dedication, our results were fantastic with five total trophies, the Rookie of the Year award—and we even received first place in the Spouse Driving Competition. This was the first year the Truck Driving Championships had a spouse competition. Doreen Cook won the competition. We had 22 spouses (men and women) sign up, and they drove a straight truck through the driving course.”
Top winners in all nine classes of competition were honored at an awards banquet recently. Major Dale Schmidt of the Missouri State Highway Patrol was keynote speaker.
Jerome Lobo of Springfield MO was named Rookie of the Year for his well-rounded performance as a first-time contestant. He also took first place in the Four Axle Class Truck Division.
Donald Cook of Gobles MI placed third in the Four Axle Class Truck Division. William “Bill” Stanford of Kennesaw GA won first place in the Five Axle Van Class. In Flatbed Class, Duane Grimme of Satsuma FL came in first place, and Thomas Miller of Bunker Hill IL placed third in the Tank Truck Class.
Lobo, Stanford, and Grimme will join other class winners as the Missouri championships team competes August 21-24 against other teams in the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships in Salt Lake City UT.
