Liner Notes

In this episode of the podcast, we visit with Rebecca Olyer, who is the President and CEO of the Pennsylvania Motor Truck Association. As you will hear, NTDC 2026 will be the first edition of the National Championships that Rebecca has attended since she took her post to lead the PMTA in 2021. While she is very familiar with the State TDC through the large event Pennsylvania holds each year, Rebecca is looking forward to seeing Nationals staged in Pennsylvania, especially during a year when the United States is celebrating the 250th anniversary of the nation’s birth.

We talked to Rebecca about some of her duties as the President and CEO of the host state’s trucking association. She actually broke some news on the podcast, sharing with us that, while she will be front and center to present the State Team trophy on Championship Friday night, Rebecca is bringing in a very strong pinch-hitter to deliver the welcome from the PMTA during Tuesday’s driver meeting. Past National Grand Champion and NTDC legend from Pennsylvania Bob Dolan will be providing the welcome message on Tuesday to the 429 State Champions gathering for the Driver Meeting to kickoff NTDC 2026. 

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.

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Terry Luthy from FedEx Freight will have two very unique experiences in tow when he arrives at NTDC 2026 this week in Pittsburgh. First of all, Terry will have the honor of representing South Dakota as the State’s Grand Champion, winning that title and the 5-Axle Division as a rookie. (He also posted the best score on the State TDC course and became the overwhelming choice to win the Rookie of the Year).

As he shares with us in this interview recorded on August 5th, the other unique qualification that Terry will bring to NTDC 2026 is the experience from his high school days as a competitive bull rider. That’s correct, Terry knows what it’s like to climb aboard and hang on while the bull charts his course for a few exhilarating and sometimes terrifying seconds.

As you’ll hear, Terry feels much more comfortable these days being behind the wheel of his truck and having minutes to navigate a course at the Nationals steeped in a tradition that dates back to days when it was first called the “Roadeo.” Given the overall focus on safety within trucking and particularly on the course during the Nationals, as Terry told us, the only thing that is at risk of getting hurt during an NTDC driving run is a rubber duck. As he prepares for his first-ever driving run at an NTDC, Terry is recalling the lyrics from the Chris LeDoux song “The National Finals Rodeo.”

FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org.

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On Sunday morning, two days before the August 11th official start of NTDC 2026, Old Dominion’s Wes Herek will lead the Driving Course Committee out to the floor of the David L. Lawrence Center in Pittsburgh. The months of planning, discussion and reviewing design options will actually come to life as Wes and his group of volunteers will set up the layout for the semifinal round course.

Our podcast had the opportunity to visit with Wes in late July, and, as you’ll hear, he knows that leading the Driving Course Committee means that he’s following in the legendary footsteps of prior Course Chairman Frank Ems, who succeeded another highly respected Course Chairman in Robert Foskey.

To his credit, Wes has embraced the challenge and he’s sought out counsel from Frank and Bob while also gathering input from all the members of his committee. Additionally, Wes spent time talking with and then reviewing the course design with Lifetime NTDC Committee Member Rick Cates, a mentor to Wes, who has more than 50 years of experience serving in various roles at the Nationals.

So, what will the semifinals and finals courses look like at NTDC 2026? While we did ask for hints and clues, Wes was careful to not reveal any details. Though, as you’ll hear, Wes is a big fan of seeing drivers have opportunities to score points on NTDC courses that are both challenging and fair.

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.

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As a professional driver with more than two million safe miles to his credit, XPO’s Steve Iburg understands the important roles that patience and persistence play in his success on the road. As he shares with us in this episode of the podcast, Steve continued to be persistent, even when his patience was tested, in his quest to return to the Nationals.

A five-time state champion from the state of Iowa with his first title arriving in 2015, Steve had not taken home a first-place trophy since 2023 and the State Grand Championship that he won in 2017 felt like it was 20 years ago. Coming into the June Iowa TDC, Steve used the past couple of years as motivation to work harder and be at his best in all phases of the competition.

As you’ll hear, those efforts paid off in a return trip to the NTDCs as the Twins title holder and, for the first time in nearly a decade, Steve earned the Grand Championship for Iowa.

FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org.

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As a veteran volunteer at the NTDCs, Carlos Ortiz was ready when the opportunity arrived for the New Jersey-based Safety Professional with NFI Industries to lead the 2026 Pre-Trip competition that will take place in Pittsburgh. In this edition of the podcast, we take some time to look back with Carlos at his involvement in both the NTDCs and the New Jersey TDCs over the years. We also look ahead to NTDC 2026 and discuss the work that Carlos and the Pre-Trip Committee have been doing to prepare for the Nationals. This is his first year leading the Pre-Trip Committee after working for a number of years with the equipment that is part of the Nationals.

As you’ll hear, Carlos has a deep appreciation for the State Champions gathering in Pittsburgh and the community of support that is always a part of the Nationals with family, friends and everyone who is a part of the NTDC Community. While Carlos did not provide any hints about the defects included in this year’s Pre-Trip competition, he did share some sage advice for the 429 State Champions coming to Pittsburgh that you can hear during the closing moments of our conversation. 

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.

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With this episode of Destinations, PodWheels begins our coverage for the 2026 edition of the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award. Launched in 2015 as a collaborative initiative from Kenworth, Fastport and the US Chamber of Commerce’s Hiring Our Heroes Program, the Transition Trucking: Driving For Excellence Award recognizes the accomplishments of military Veterans who have entered into careers as professional drivers.

To get things started on our journey will eventually bring us to the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York, we’ll be joined by FASTPORT President Brad Bentley. He will provide a look back at the history of the Driving For Excellence Award. Brad will also share how the Driving For Excellence Award grew out of conversations with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Hiring Our Heroes, spotlighting the need for a pathway that could lead veterans into trucking and, eventually, entrepreneurship. Kenworth, as Brad points out, has helped smooth the road to becoming a trucking entrepreneur. For the 11th straight year, the grand prize for the Driving For Excellence Award winner will be a new Kenworth T680 truck, equipped with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain.

This edition of the podcast will also feature interesting perspectives from three of the members of the Driving For Excellence Award Committee involved with the selection process. We will hear from Brad Klepper, President of Drivers Legal Plan, Martin Garsee, the Executive Director of the National Association of Publicly Funded Truck Driving Schools and Elisabeth Barna, the Founder of EAB Strategies and a longtime advocate involved with the image of the trucking industry. All of the committee members discuss the Driving For Excellence Award program and what it means to them to be involved in the selection process each year.

One of the highlights of the podcast takes place at the 17:11 mark of the episode when Brad Bentley shares the names of the 11 Elite, the semifinalists for Driving For Excellence Award who have been chosen from all the submissions around the country. To learn more about Transition Trucking and the Driving For Excellence Award, please visit TransitionTrucking.org.

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As the Chairman of NTDC 2026 National Organizing Committee, Heath Arnold is greatly appreciative of all the work that has been done by the committee, the volunteers, ATA staff and everyone involved in the preparation for this year’s National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships that begin in Pittsburgh on August 11th. While Heath also knows that he’ll be front and center for most of the ceremonies related to NTDC 2026, he tells us in this episode of the podcast that the spotlight should always be focused on the 429 State Champions who will be gathering in Pittsburgh.

Over the course of the conversation, Heath reflects on the work of the Organizing Committee and the volunteers. He celebrates what the Nationals mean to the competitors and their families. We also discuss the institutional knowledge that is being passed from experienced competitors and even retirees to those professional drivers making their first trips to the NTDCs, creating a level of camaraderie that helps to keep the program growing.

Looking back at the storied history of the National Championships, Heath takes a moment to highlight the invaluable contributions that Rick Cates has made to the NTDC program and the trucking industry over the past five decades. Rick will be stepping back from his role as a National Committee member following the conclusion of NTDC 2026.

FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org.

The post Final Countdown: NTDC 2026 Chair Heath Arnold Placing Spotlight On 429 State Champions appeared first on PodWheels.

What is involved in being ready to welcome State Champions from across the country to the National Truck Driving & National Step Van Driving Championships? Our podcast asked that question and discussed a range of topics with Jacob Pierce, the Executive Director of the Safety Management Council & Transportation Security Council of the American Trucking Associations. Jacob also serves as ATA’s liaison to the NTDC National Organizing Committee.

As you will hear over the course of the conversation, we talked with Jacob in mid-July about the preparations for the Nationals and the final items on his checklist. We also discussed Jacob’s appreciation for the accomplishments of those drivers who qualified for NTDC 2026 as well as the thousands of drivers from across the country who set their sights on the Nationals by qualifying for their State TDCs and, in many cases, their company competitions. Jacob notes that participation in the State TDCs is on the rise, speaking to the strong health of the NTDC program that has nearly a 90-year history.

Jacob also takes some time to remind all those making their way to Pittsburgh to take some time to enjoy the experience. While it’s a high-level competition, the NTDCs are an annual celebration of safety where everyone who has made it to Nationals is a champion.

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 Final Countdown: ATA’s Jacob Pierce Checking His List Twice appeared first on PodWheels.

By Tuesday evening of next week, NTDC 2026 will be officially underway as the state champions from across the country will have gathered for the initial driver meeting and orientation, the written test will be in the books and the walk-through of the semifinal course will have taken place. In this final countdown edition of the podcast, we spend some time talking with FedEx Freight’s Scott Dewey, who is serving as the First Vice Chairman of NTDC 2026.

Recorded in mid-July, Scott takes us through the preparations the NTDC Committee goes through to bring together the National Championships. As Scott shares with us, the planning for NTDC 2026 actually began two years ago. While it’s been a long and rewarding road to get to the start of NTDC 2026, Scott reminds us about the dedication to safety and the millions of safe miles driven by the State Champions who will be gathering in Pittsburgh.

We also talk to Scott on how he first became involved in the TDCs and made his way to the Nationals in 2016. Scott delivers some great advice in the closing moments of the episode to all the competitors and their families making the trip to NTDC 2026. 

FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org.

The post First Vice Chair Scott Dewey Counting The Days Until NTDC 2026 appeared first on PodWheels.

Once Don Jones got a taste of winning vehicle class championships and going to Nationals for the first time back in 2022, the FedEx Freight veteran from Montana has not stopped winning. In this episode of the podcast, Don takes some time to look back at a run that now includes five consecutive vehicle division titles and the 2026 Grand Championship trophy for Montana.

As you’ll hear, Don was so stunned that could barely believe his ears when his name was called as Montana’s Grand Champion. But Don took the time to cherish the moment with his wife who has supported his dedication to safety and the trucking industry across a career that includes more than one million safe miles driven.

Don and his wife have never been to Pittsburgh. And while he is looking forward to the trip and the opportunities ahead to compete at NTDC 2026, Don offers some inspirational words at close of the episode for all those competitors who are making their first trip to the Nationals.

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 Don Jones’ Big TDC Run Now Includes Montana’s Grand Championship appeared first on PodWheels.