More than three-quarters of the top drivers at the recent 2009 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) drove Volvo VNs to podium finishes.
Volvo VNs were driven by 16 out of 21 top three finishers in seven categories where Volvo VNs were available, including six first-place finishes. Competitors choose which make of truck they compete in, even if it isn’t the same brand they drive for work. The competition requires navigating a challenging course that places a premium on visibility, truck performance, maneuverability, and ease of handling.
NTDC, held annually by the American Trucking Associations, is known as the “Superbowl of Trucking,” with the best drivers from each state competing in nine categories based on vehicle configuration. Volvo’s results for 2009 are:
•Four-Axle—a clean sweep with first, second, and third places (a VN also was driven to fourth place)
•Sleeper Berth—another clean sweep, with Volvo VNs scoring the first nine places
•Three-Axle—Volvo VNs took the first 13 places
•Flatbed—Volvo VNs took first and third places
•Tank Truck—first and second places
•Twin Trailers—first and third places
•Five-Axle—third place
Three America’s Road Team Captains had podium finishes: Tony Spero for tank trucks (first place), Ralph Garcia for sleeper berth (second place), and Tim Dean for four-axle (second place). Volvo Trucks North America is sole sponsor of America’s Road Team, a national highway safety outreach program.
