Performance Foodservice drivers swept the top two spots in the five-axle, 53-foot tractor-trailer competition at the International Foodservice Distributors Association’s 35th annual IFDA Truck Driving Championship in Orlando, Florida.
Drivers competed in the event for the first time since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The championships celebrate safety and skill, and bring together drivers from all over the country to compete in categories ranging from written examinations to a driving obstacle course and pre-trip inspection.
“As many Americans were heading home to work in March 2020, our professional drivers didn’t have that luxury,” said Mark S. Allen, president and CEO of IFDA. “They were deemed essential by our government (which we always knew to be true), and they worked tirelessly to ensure Americans everywhere were fed.
“And for that, we are all grateful.”
First-, second-, and third-place awards were presented for the three different truck classes in the competition. This year, there is no second-place winner in the Straight Truck category because there was a tie for first.
The 2022 IFDA Truck Driving Championship Winners are:
Straight Truck
- First place: Bobby Caballero of Ben E. Keith
- First place: Steven Garner of Shamrock Foods Company
- Third place: Bill Kiefer of McLane Foodservice (Riverside)
3-Axle (28-foot tractor-trailer)
- First place: Phil Trejo of Shamrock Foods Company
- Second place: Russell Miller of US Foods (Raleigh)
- Third place: Daniel Kramer of Gordon Food Service (Texas division)
5-Axle (53-foot tractor-trailer)
- First place: Matt Wadman of Performance Foodservice
- Second place: Justin Dougan of Performance Foodservice (Kansas City)
- Third place: Casey Woods of Ben E. Keith (Oklahoma)
In addition, IFDA presented a team award to top performer Shamrock Foods, which boasted the highest average driver score; and Ben E. Keith-Oklahoma’s Casey Woods was named Rookie of the Year for posting the best score among first-time drivers.
Finally, five individuals were honored for receiving perfect pre-trip scores:
- Lino Garcia of Performance Foodservice (Chicago)
- Russell Miller of US Foods (Raleigh)
- Norman Lank of Performance Foodservice (Tidewater)
- Dale Wangler of Gordon Food Service (Great Lakes East division)
- Casey Woods of Ben E. Keith (Oklahoma)
