Liner Notes

As we begin our NTDC 2025 Rewinds and share unreleased interviews from our onsite coverage in Minneapolis, we will start by presenting our conversation with Chris Spear, the President and CEO of the American Trucking Associations. As you will hear in this interview recorded on Friday of NTDC 2025 Week, Chris always places a special mark on his calendar and makes a point to be on the ground to share some time with the state champion drivers and NTDC organizers during the annual celebration of safety.

In addition to Chris sharing his perspective on the achievements of all the participants involved in NTDC 2025 and the inspiration they provide for the industry, this episode will also feature the speech that Chris made to the competitors, honoring their commitment to safety and praising their families before everyone in attendance for the festivities on Championship Saturday morning.

Friend Of The Podcast: JoyRide Logistics is serving as our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode. JoyRide Logistics is focused on being a world-class, customer-focused business. JoyRide is driven by its people and their dedication to provide valuable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain. To learn more about JoyRide Logistics, visit JoyRideLogistics.com.

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Not long after the finalists had been announced on Championship Saturday, PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson walked up to say hello to two of the past Grand Champions – Wayne Crowder (2004) and Gragg Wilson (2023). In addition to having their names etched forever on the Bendix Grand Champion trophy, both Wayne and Gragg have served as Captains on America’s Road Team. And, as we learn in this edition of the podcast, Wayne and Gragg will share another title within the next few months. Gragg will be joining Wayne in retirement.

While the Championship Round driving course was being set up for the drive off, Gragg talked about the conclusion of his NTDC career and discussed his retirement plans as he prepares to park his truck one last time for UPS. Along with asking Wayne to share advice for Gragg in making the transition, we look back with Wayne on his Grand Champion victory in 2004 as a rookie-rookie.

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 2023 NTDC Grand Champion Gragg Wilson Shares Retirement Plans appeared first on PodWheels.

Championship Saturday at NTDC 2025 was filled with memorable moments and North Dakota’s David Comings of FedEx Freight shared the realization of a career goal with his six children and his wife Judy cheering him every step of the way. On the eve of his 23rd wedding anniversary, David was able to hand the Bendix NTDC National Championship trophy to Judy that he earned as the 2025 Grand Champion. In this episode of our podcast, you will hear David’s full acceptance speech and our interview just as David walked off the stage.

PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson and Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero recorded this episode just as the annual awards banquet was concluding. In addition to David’s interview, you’ll hear the tribute to two-time NTDC Grand Champion Richard Gillespie, who was presented with the inaugural NTDC Lifetime Achievement Award. This episode will put you right in the room where the announcements were made and celebrations took place.

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 North Dakota’s David Comings Shines Brightly In Becoming 30th NTDC Grand Champion appeared first on PodWheels.

When the second day of driving and pre-trip competition got underway on Friday of NTDC 2025 Week, the annual celebration of safety welcomed Minnesota native and NTDC Legend Ray Simon as one of the spectators. Ray is the only professional driver who has won three National Grand Championships, and Ray accomplished his trifecta during the only three times he qualified for NTDC. Now retired and living in nearby St. Cloud, Ray made the trip to the Minneapolis Convention Center, where he was greeted by some old friends as well as current competitors who still marvel at his unmatched record at NTDC.

For this episode of the podcast, Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero spent some time with Ray and Eugene also had his notebook out talking to a number of this year’s state champions to get their perspective on how they did on the driving course and the pre-trip. PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson was also at the Convention Center on Friday conducting interviews and chatting with a host of people onsite. As you’ll hear, Eugene and Greg work to cover all of Friday’s happenings at NTDC 2025, and they also share their thoughts on Championship Saturday.

Friend Of The Podcast: JoyRide Logistics is serving as our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode. JoyRide Logistics is focused on being a world-class, customer-focused business. JoyRide is driven by its people and their dedication to provide valuable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain. To learn more about JoyRide Logistics, visit JoyRideLogistics.com.

The post An All-Time Legend Returns For Friday Fun At NTDC 2025 appeared first on PodWheels.

The NTDC 2025 Podcast salutes JoyRide Logistics as a Friend of the Podcast Sponsor of our onsite coverage from Minneapolis of this year’s National Championships. JoyRide Logistics will also be joining us for our post-event coverage of all things NTDC, and we wanted to provide you an opportunity to get to know the story of JoyRide Logistics and the company’s commitment to safety.

In the days prior to traveling to Minneapolis for NTDC 2025, PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson chatted with Kemal Balihodzic, the Executive Vice President of JoyRide Logistics. As you will hear, Kemal shares his fascinating personal story of how he found his route to the trucking industry and how the men and women behind the wheel left an indelible positive impact on him and the team at JoyRide. Kemal also shares his respect and admiration for the dedication to safety by all the champions, their families and the volunteers who are a part of NTDC 2025.

More About Our Friend of the Podcast: JoyRide Logistics is focused on being a world-class, customer-focused business. JoyRide is driven by its people and their dedication to provide valuable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain. To learn more about JoyRide Logistics, visit JoyRideLogistics.com.

The post Getting To Know JoyRide Logistics: A Friend of the Podcast Sponsor Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

The NTDC 2025 Podcast is grateful for the support of Project 61 as a Friend of the Podcast Sponsor of our onsite coverage from Minneapolis of this year’s National Championships. Project 61 will also be joining us for our post-event coverage of all things NTDC, and we would like to invite you to learn more about Project 61’s beginnings and the work the organization is doing to improve the lives of professional drivers.

Just prior to making the trip to Minneapolis, PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson caught up with Jeremy Reymer, the founder of Project 61. In this Sponsor Spotlight, Jeremy goes in-depth on the origin story of Project 61 and what inspired him to start the organization. Jeremy also shares one of the initial success stories from the life-changing work that Project 61 is doing. Jeremy also takes some time to salute the mile-by-mile commitment to safety by all the champions gathered to compete at NTDC 2025.

More About Our Friend of the Podcast: 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 Learn More About Project 61: A Friend of the Podcast Sponsor Spotlight appeared first on PodWheels.

On Day Two of NTDC 2025, five vehicle divisions hit the course and went through the Pre-Trip phase of the National Championships, and Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero filled his notebook (and audio recorder) with many great conversations. With a record 15 state champions in the NTDC field, Eugene caught up with Ina Daly, Haley Ooms and Karen Roderick to get their perspectives on what they experienced on the course as well as the growth in the number of women who have qualified for NTDC.

Eugene shares his tour and his audio highlights of Day Two with Greg Thompson, the Executive Producer of PodWheels. Greg talks to Eugene about the energy in the arena and much more, including Eugene’s conversation with Jackie Reed, the returning National Grand Champion who had just finished his drive in the Tanker Class.

JoyRide Logistics is serving as our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode. JoyRide Logistics is focused on being a world-class, customer-focused business. JoyRide is driven by its people and their dedication to provide valuable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain. To learn more about JoyRide Logistics, visit JoyRideLogistics.com.

The post Record Number Of Women State Champions In Spotlight At NTDC 2025 appeared first on PodWheels.

What do the National Truck Driving & National Step Van Driving Championships mean to the Safety Directors whose companies have drivers who qualify to reach the NTDC competition? Our NTDC 2025 Podcast asked that question and a few more about what has been called the “nation’s longest-running safety program” when we talked with Jason Ahten, who is the Senior Director of Fleet Safety for Walmart Transportation. Jason also serves as a member of the all-volunteer NTDC 2025 Organizing Committee.

In a conversation recorded on Wednesday of NTDC Week with PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson, Jason shares with us how the Walmart fleet has embraced the State TDC and overall NTDC program. And, with a record number of state champions reaching the NTDC from Walmart this year, Jason notes how the example set by those participating in State TDCs and those reaching the nationals have worked to inspire the company’s fleet.

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 Walmart’s Senior Director of Fleet Safety Jason Ahten Discusses Positive Impact of NTDC Program appeared first on PodWheels.

The NTDC 2025 Podcast opens our onsite coverage of the National Championships in Minneapolis with a look back at Day One. PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson and Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero share their reflections on Opening Day of NTDC 2025. You’ll hear the heartfelt speech from Jackie Reed, the 2024 NTDC Grand Champion. You’ll also hear the fun welcome to the host state by John Hausladen, the President and CEO of the Minnesota Trucking Association. As you’ll hear, Greg and Eugene recorded this episode in the arena at the convention center as the competitors began to do their walkthroughs prior to taking the written test, which is part of the three phases of the semifinal round.

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 Day One Of NTDC 2025: Warm Welcomes, Walkthroughs and Test Taking appeared first on PodWheels.

As the champions prepare to gather in Minneapolis for today’s Driver Orientation Meeting on the Opening Day of the National Truck Driving & National Step Van Driving Championships, PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson and Transport Topics Senior Reporter Eugene Mulero take some time to look back on our podcast journey on the Road To Minneapolis. They also provide a look ahead at what will be taking place at NTDC 2025.

As you will hear, both Greg and Eugene have a great sense of anticipation for the start of NTDC 2025, like the arrival of the holiday season for everyone involved in the Championships. For Eugene, the opening of NTDC 2025 also marks the debut of the second edition of the NTDC history book he co-authored with Jacob Pierce of the American Trucking Associations. “From Roadeo To TDC” will be available for sale onsite at NTDC 2025. The book will also be available for online sales as well.

JoyRide Logistics is serving as our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode. JoyRide Logistics is focused on being a world-class, customer-focused business. JoyRide is driven by its people and their dedication to provide valuable solutions to meet the challenges of today’s supply chain. To learn more about JoyRide Logistics, visit JoyRideLogistics.com.

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