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For this episode of the show, we open the vault once again to feature the interview that Eugene Mulero had with Carl Krites, the Grand Champion of NTDC 2010. Last year, as Eugene was developing the second edition of the From Roadeo To TDC history book with co-author Jacob Pierce, he caught up with Carl to look back on what even Carl admits was an unexpected run to a national championship in his vehicle class and the Grand Championship.

In the closing portion of this episode (at 32:51), PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson also spends some time discussing the NTDC career of Dan Shamrell, who collected 550 out of a possible 600 points in the two drives he made at NTDC 2025 en route to the 3-Axle National Title. Greg also talks with Eugene about Eugene’s first experience covering an NTDC back in 2017. You’ll hear Eugene look back on how his time on the ground in Orlando nine years ago served as the spark that eventually inspired the development of the NTDC History Book project. To buy a copy of the From Roadeo To TDC history book online, please click here.

OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org.

The post Rewinding To 2010: Recalling Carl Krites’ NTDC Grand Champion Run appeared first on PodWheels.

Our NTDC Podcast closes out our series of conversations with the 2025 Vehicle Class National Champions by sharing the inspiring story of Merle Ashbaugh. In winning the Sleeper Class Division at NTDC 2025, Merle not only earned his first National title, but he also wrote his name into the history books at DHL – becoming the carrier’s first-ever National Champion.

As you’ll hear in this episode of the podcast, it was quite poetic that Merle became the first to claim a first-place trophy at NTDC for DHL. Having enjoyed his experience in state TDCs and having qualified for the Nationals in 2017 at his previous company, Merle asked DHL about getting involved in the NTDC program at the state level shortly after joining the company. About a year later, Merle won his vehicle class at the Ohio TDC and went to Columbus for NTDC 2023.

Merle’s success at the state level created momentum, inspiring other drivers at DHL to get involved at the state level. Merle’s lone state and national participation in 2023 opened the door, showing what is possible. By 2025, DHL had 47 drivers enter State TDCs across the country. In addition to Merle qualifying in the Sleeper Class, DHL Team members Wally Mejia, 3-axle, and Ron Zoz, a finalist in 5-axle, were a part of NTDC 2025.

SAFETY DRIVE 2025 VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP: As we noted in the episode, Merle will be one of the 250 professional drivers participating in the 15th Annual Safety Drive For A Cure 2025, the benefit for the Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation that is coming up on March 14th in Atlanta. The Safety Drive organizers are still looking for volunteers to help onsite March 13-14. You can sign up to become a volunteer by clicking here. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities to support what will be the largest competitive field in the history of Safety Drive. You can also support the drivers who have entered the competition or the cause in general by making a donation. You can learn more by visiting Safety Drive event page by clicking here. To stay updated on what’s happening with Safety Drive you can visit the Safety Drive’s Facebook Page, by clicking here.

OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org.

The post Merle Ashbaugh’s First National Title Makes History For DHL appeared first on PodWheels.

Our guest for this Borderless Coverage edition of the Trucking Matters Podcast Series is Kenneth Smith Ramos, who served as the Chief Negotiator of USMCA for Mexico in 2018, playing a key role in the trade agreement’s ratification. In addition to his leadership on USMCA, Kenneth is the former Head of NAFTA from Mexico in Washington D.C. He currently serves as a partner at AGON in Mexico City, which is a full-service antitrust and regulatory group that focuses on the most complex issues in Mexico.

Your host for this edition of the podcast is Borderless Coverage Founder Mark Vickers, who is an Executive Vice President and the Head of International Logistics at Reliance Partners. Mark will be talking with Kenneth about the intricacies of cross-border trade, the evolution of trade agreements and the future of USMCA. Kenneth also shares his journey from a government intern to a key figure in international trade negotiations, discussing the opportunities and challenges that he sees on the road ahead for Mexico and the United States in the context of global trade dynamics.

RELIANCE CAN HELP: Are you in the market for cross-border insurance coverage? Borderless Coverage is a Reliance Partners‘ business that enables international companies to conduct safe and profitable business in North America and across North American borders. We provide cross-border insurance. Our team consists of business minded cross-border supply chain consultants, economists, insurance experts, lawyers and global trade agreement negotiators, including the most recent lead negotiators of USMCA from Mexico. To learn more about the offerings available through Borderless Coverage from Reliance Partners, please click here.

The post Exploring The Future of USMCA: Insights from Kenneth Smith Ramos appeared first on PodWheels.

To highlight the return of the NTDC to Pittsburgh this year, we continue our look back at NTDC 2019, the first time that PodWheels had the opportunity to cover the National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships. This edition of the podcast revisits the 2019 retrospective that we produced from our time at NTDC 2019. The rewind portion of the show opens with PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson recalling the contributions that John Lex made to the coverage by the podcast in Pittsburgh. This section of the show is highlighted by the interview that Greg did with John, a little more than three years before John passed away following his battle with cancer. A Captain with America’s Road Team, John, who had more than three million accident-free miles during his 32-year career, was the recipient of the Mike Russell Trucking Image Award in 2016 and he earned the Trucking Cares Foundation Premier Achievement Award in 2021.

For this return to 2019, Greg is joined once again by Barry Courter, the co-founder and co-host of The What Podcast, which covers Bonnaroo and other music festivals. Along with sharing highlights from Championship Saturday, Greg and Barry share their thoughts about being onsite for the Parade of Champions and the Awards Ceremony. The retrospective also features interviews with back-to-back NTDC Grand Champion Scott Woodrome as well as the family of Nebraska State Patrol Sergeant Benjamin Schropfer, the CVSA’s North America Inspectors Challenge Grand Champion.

SAFETY DRIVE 2025 VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP: As we mentioned in this episode, the 15th Annual Safety Drive For A Cure 2025 is coming up on March 14th in Atlanta. While all 250 spots for competitors are filled for this event that benefits the Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation, Safety Drive organizers are still looking for volunteers to help onsite March 13-14. You can sign up to become a volunteer by clicking here. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities to support what will be the largest competitive field in the history of Safety Drive. You can also support the drivers who have entered the competition or the cause in general by making a donation. You can learn more by visiting Safety Drive event page by clicking here. To stay updated on what’s happening with Safety Drive you can visit the Safety Drive’s Facebook Page, by clicking here.

OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org.

The post Recalling The Great John Lex and Memories of NTDC 2019 in Pittsburgh appeared first on PodWheels.

As we countdown the days to the first State TDC that serve as the first miles on this year’s Road To Pittsburgh, our series would like to take our listeners back to NTDC 2019, the last time the NTDC was held in the Steel City. NTDC 2019 also marked the first time that PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson attended and covered the National Championships.

In this episode of our series, Greg brings us the retrospective the PodWheels Team put together from seven years ago. You’ll also hear the story of how Greg was first introduced to the NTDC Program through a memorable experience at the Tennessee State TDC. As you’ll hear, Greg is joined on this retrospective edition by Barry Courter, the co-founder and co-host of The What Podcast, which covers Bonnaroo and other music festivals. Highlights of the retrospective episode originally produced in August of 2019 include interviews with 2007 NTDC Grand Champion Alphonso Lewis and his wife Regina. Alphonso made the runoff in 2019 and Regina was leading his cheering section.

OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org.

The post Taking A Trip Back In Time To Pittsburgh and NTDC 2019 appeared first on PodWheels.

To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the Super Bowl and to get into the championship spirit, our podcast is doing a bit of a rewind with this episode. Greg Thompson and Eugene Mulero will be taking listeners back to the day of the Championship Runoff at NTDC 2025. We will be sharing a collection of the interviews that Eugene did just as the “Top Guns” of 2025 were exiting their trucks on the floor of the Minneapolis Convention Center.

Among the featured drivers in this rewind are Ernie Budlowski, Robert Crowder, Todd Flippin, Glen Kirk, David Hall, Adam Heim, Dave Mogler, Kenneth Regeth and Dan Shamrell. This edition of the podcast closes with a bit of an exit ramp departure from NTDC as Eugene and Greg spend a moment recalling the comedic genius of actress Catherine O’Hara, who passed away on the day this episode was recorded.

WELCOMING A NEW FRIEND OF THE PODCAST: We are thrilled to welcome the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund as our newest Friend of the Podcast Sponsor. Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org.

The post Championship Runoff Rewind: NTDC’s Version Of The Playoffs appeared first on PodWheels.

In this Safety Matters episode of the series, Reliance Partners Safety Impact Team Members Mark Barlar and Daniel Vega return to the podcast to highlight a collection of Case Studies they have compiled related to the work that Reliance Partners has done on behalf of clients navigating the FMCSA’s Compliance, Safety and Accountability Enforcement Program. Thom Albrecht, the Chief Revenue Officer at Reliance Partners, served as the host for this discussion that focused on real-world examples that are tied to the first four CSA Basics.

As you will hear, the conversation highlighted how the Reliance Safety Impact Team has helped motor carriers identify issues, resolve challenges, and strengthen their safety performance. In addition, the insights shared offer practical takeaways that motor carriers can apply immediately within their own operations. This episode was originally shared on January 15th as part of the Reliance Partners live webinar series on the Seven Basics.

SIGN UP FOR FEBRUARY’S LIVE WEBINAR: Reliance Partners will be holding its next live webinar covering the Seven BASICS Series on Thursday, February 12th at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Standard Time. The February webinar will feature a discussion of the Controlled Substances/Alcohol BASIC. You can register for the Reliance Partners’ February 12th webinar by clicking here.

The post Discussing Reliance Impact Safety Team Case Studies Related To CSA BASICS appeared first on PodWheels.

We are honored to welcome back America’s Road Team Captain and TA Citizen Driver Herschel Evans to the podcast. The driving force behind the annual Safety Drive For A Cure, Herschel takes us inside what it takes to bring together a premiere “preseason” TDC-level event that has now raised over $400,000 to support the work of the Pediatric Brain Cancer Foundation.

As the calendar turned to February, Safety Drive had reached its capacity for entries with 250 registrations and Safety Drive now has a waiting list for competitors. As you’ll hear in this episode of the podcast, Herschel and his Safety Driver Organizing Team are still seeking volunteers to work on the event, which will be held in Atlanta on March 14. You can sign up to become a volunteer by clicking here. There are a wide range of volunteer opportunities to support what will be the largest competitive field in the history of Safety Drive. In addition to filling a role at Safety Drive as a volunteer, Herschel shares that you can support the drivers who have entered the competition or the cause in general by making a donation. You can learn more by visiting Safety Drive event page by clicking here. To stay updated on what’s happening with Safety Drive you can visit the Safety Drive’s Facebook Page, by clicking here.

During this episode of the podcast, Herschel takes us back to the early days of Safety Drive For Cure and he also reflects on what has been an amazing career in the trucking industry highlighted by his commitment to safety and making a difference in the communities he serves. Coming off a third-place finish at NTDC 2025 in the Sleeper Class, Herschel’s career includes two National Vehicle Class Championships in NTDC competition. Looking ahead to the future, Herschel also shares some thoughts on how Safety Drive is looking to grow in the coming years.

Our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode of the NTDC 2025 Series is PROJECT 61. Driving health. Fueling life. Supporting the heroes behind the wheel — that’s what PROJECT 61 is all about. Project-61.org is the web address where the change begins. If you’re a driver — or if you care about someone who is — head over to Project-61.org. You’ll find resources to get started, including access to a free mobile app built specifically for life on the road — plus a chance to take the Trucker Health Pledge and show your support for the men and women behind the wheel. You can even make a donation to help PROJECT 61keep doing this important work across the industry.

The post Herschel Evans Preparing For Record Field At Safety Drive For A Cure appeared first on PodWheels.

In his work on the second edition of the From Roadeo To TDC history book on NTDC last year, Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero had the opportunity to conduct an extended interview with Mike Alpine, the 2004 National Champion in the Auto Hauler Vehicle Class. Now, as you’ll hear beginning at the 19-minute mark of this episode, Mike holds the distinction of being the final Auto Hauler National Champ as that vehicle class was not offered as part of the competition beginning in 2005.

What makes Mike’s accomplishment in 2004 even more impressive and memorable is the fact that he was competing as a rookie in the last run of the Auto Hauler Class. During this 2025 interview that Eugene conducted, you will also hear how Mike returned to the TDC and NTDC 18 years later in 2022 representing ABF Freight and the state of Arizona.

Mike, who holds the incredible accomplishment of over four million accident-free miles, returned to the nationals as an Arizona State Champion in 2023 and 2024. Mike’s observations on what the NTDC means to him and the indelible impression that being part of the competition made on his dedication to safety can be heard throughout this interview.

This episode of the podcast opens with Greg Thompson and Eugene Mulero noting the selection of two recent NTDC National Champions as Captains on America’s Road Team for 2026-27. Greg and Eugene salute Mississippi’s Jackie Reed and Florida’s Miguel Sanchez on being a part of the new class of America’s Road Team Captains, which was announced on January 20th. In 2024, Jackie won the Tanker Division National Title en route to earning the honor of becoming NTDC’s Grand Champion for that year. Miguel claimed the 2025 Twins National Championship after winning the Grand Championship at the Florida TDC. We hope you enjoy this super-sized episode of our series. To buy a copy of the From Roadeo To TDC history book online, please click here.

Our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode of the NTDC 2025 Series is PROJECT 61. Driving health. Fueling life. Supporting the heroes behind the wheel — that’s what PROJECT 61 is all about. Project-61.org is the web address where the change begins. If you’re a driver — or if you care about someone who is — head over to Project-61.org. You’ll find resources to get started, including access to a free mobile app built specifically for life on the road — plus a chance to take the Trucker Health Pledge and show your support for the men and women behind the wheel. You can even make a donation to help PROJECT 61 keep doing this important work across the industry.

The post Time Capsule: Taking Trip With Mike Alpine Back To 2004 Championship appeared first on PodWheels.

The HIghway To Hope begins our seventh year of podcasting with an episode dedicated to a critically important women’s health concern. Podcast host Lindsey Bryan, who is also SCF’s Health and Wellness Manager, welcomes SCF’s Director of Philanthropy Diane Hutsell to discuss the launch of SCF’s new at-home cervical cancer screening initiative tailored for women in the trucking industry. You will hear Lindsay and Diane detail how this program came together while they highlight the importance of early detection, simplifying the screening process and how these efforts align this program with the other initiatives that SCF. 

This episode details the significance of early detection and statistics around cervical cancer risk. It also notes the work that has been done in the design of the program to remove many of the obstacles related to screenings for women who are on the road as professional drivers. One of the highlights of the episode is the personal story that Lindsay shares about the importance of testing and screenings. As you’ll hear, while this is a women’s health issue, taking the preventative steps available helps everyone in your family. 

To learn more about the Health & Wellness programs available from SCF and you can support their important mission, please visit TruckersFund.org

The post Supporting Women’s Health in Trucking: SCF’s New Cervical Cancer Screening Program appeared first on PodWheels.