Liner Notes

In early June, Miguel Sanchez completed the circle on what has been an incredibly successful 12-month run for the veteran UPS driver. Competing in the Florida State TDCs, Miguel made a successful defense of his Twins Class title and he also brought home the Sunshine State’s Grand Championship for the second consecutive year.

During this edition of the podcast, Miguel looks back at the events that have taken place since last June, which also include winning the National Championship in the Twins Division during NTDC 2025 last August and his selection as a Captain on America’s Road Team in January of this year. Through all the success he has experienced, Miguel remains quite humble and intensely focused on the road ahead as well as how he can give back to the trucking industry. He’s looking forward to his time in Pittsburgh and getting together with all the competitors who will be a part 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.

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XPO Million Miler Joe Hicks is incredibly humble given all that he has accomplished over his career on the road and while driving at the State TDCs and in the Nationals. He’s quietly becoming a legend in his home state of Rhode Island, and Joe is one of the top competitors everyone expects to see at the NTDCs.

As you will hear in this episode of the podcast, the 2026 Rhode Island TDC provided the opportunity for Joe to win his eighth State Grand Championship and his 12th vehicle class title. Joe also holds the distinction of having a proclamation read at the Rhode Island State House. The proclamation recognizes Joe’s accomplishment of becoming the first professional driver from his state to win a National Championship. Joe brought the 4-Axle title that he earned at NTDC 2024 back home to Rhode Island.

In this conversation, we look back on Joe’s career on the road and in competition. We also talk to Joe on how he is approaching NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh. In addition, you will hear Joe pay tribute to his wife, Barbara, a school bus driver who serves as a coach in his preparations for the state and nationals. We asked Joe to share some words of wisdom for the rookies and second-year drivers who will be competing at NTDC 2026 this year. You’ll want to stick around until the end of the episode because Joe delivers some sage advice.

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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For this episode of the Highway To Hope, Julie Dillon is our special guest. As you will hear, Jule shares her inspiring return to the Saint Christopher Trucker’s Relief Fund after a personal family journey. In her second tour of duty as SCF’s Health & Wellness Manager, Julie talks about her history with SCF and she discusses her passion for driver health and well-being.

We look at addressing the challenges that professional drivers can encounter with their health and how the SCF has developed programs that can help. Julie looks back at the success of the “Rigs Without CIGs” program over the past nine years as well as the work being done through SCF’s Healthy Habits For The Long Haul. As mentioned in the episode, the next session for Healthy Habits For The Long Haul is set to begin in mid-August. If you would like to learn more about Healthy Habits For The Long Haul, including how to sign up for the next session, please click here.

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When veteran Walmart driver Eric Ramsdell won the Tanker Class title at the Arizona State TDC earlier this year, he did not take another trip to the NTDCs for granted. Instead, as he has done every year since he first qualified for his first Nationals in 2000, he savored the moment and valued the opportunity. A winner of two National Championships and multiple State Grand Championships, Eric is dedicated to safety and he loves having the chance to compete. As Eric shares with us in this edition of the podcast, the State TDCs and the NTDCs actually bring him back to some early childhood memories when his father got involved in precision diving competitions.

Eric also tells us how the NTDC program has opened some new doors within his career. When Eric was considering a transition from the food transit sector of the industry, he spent some time talking with a few Walmart drivers he had met at the Nationals. Those conversations helped Eric make the decision to join the Walmart fleet. As he shares with us, Eric appreciates the support that he and his Walmart teammates receive from the company as they strive to do their best at the State TDCs and the NTDCs. A Captain on America’s Road Team, Eric still has a few career goals he would like to realize. His trucking bucket list includes winning another National title and to be in the running for the Grand Championship at NTDC.

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 From Competitor to Champion: Eric Ramsdell’s Road to the NTDC and Beyond appeared first on PodWheels.

As Q3 for 2026 begins to get rolling, the Grawe Pod places a spotlight on the opportunities and challenges ahead for trucking and logistics companies in the second half of the year as well as being prepared for 2027. Grawe Group Founder and CEO Doug Grawe is joined by Gary Randall for an insightful discussion covering topics including market strategies, operational discipline, network management and leadership during market shifts to help companies thrive amid ongoing challenges. Gary serves as an Executive Business Partner with the Grawe Group.

During this episode, Doug and Gary explore why it’s important to take a disciplined approach to equipment and fleet management amid market fluctuations. They will address the need for a continued focus on driver retention and recruiting in a competitive environment as the freight market improves. They also discuss how successful companies work to strike a balance between short-term rate opportunities and long-term relationship building.

With the trucking and logistics industries in a constant state of change, Doug and Gary spend some time noting the art of pivoting with purpose, and how to adjust strategies without creating confusion or doubt. It’s important to maintain a long-term view while being consistent with strategies that remain true to your company’s core principles. As you’ll hear, there is a critical role for clarity, purpose and communication in leadership decisions.  To learn more about the Grawe Group, visit the firm’s website, TheGraweGroup.com.

The post Is Your Operation Ready For Opportunities In The Months Ahead? appeared first on PodWheels.

Even though Ernie Budlowski ventured into some new territory within a familiar place during the 2026 Connecticut State TDCs, the veteran XPO driver still found the route to a championship result. As you’ll hear in this edition of the podcast, Ernie has been a part of 22 editions of the Connecticut State TDCs. He’s now won 15 State Titles and, in 2026, Ernie added the Sleeper Class championship to his TDC career accomplishments, which now includes first-place trophies across five different vehicle classes.

This year, Ernie brought home the State Grand Championship for the fourth time in his career that also includes the crowning achievement of 2.8 million safe miles over his 31 years as a professional driver. While NTDC 2026 will be his 15th trip to the Nationals, Ernie tells us he never takes these opportunities for granted. In fact, one of the many highlights of the conversation can be heard when Ernie recalls his first trip to the Nationals in 2002 like it was yesterday. Ernie made his mark as a Rookie 24 years ago, winning third place in 3-Axle in Milwaukee.

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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There’s no question that Kevin Lemar of FedEx Freight has established an impressive track record for winning at the Delaware State TDC. As you’ll hear in this episode of the podcast, Kevin has won a Vehicle Division title and qualified for Nationals in each of the past four years – the first four years since he began competing in the State TDCs. With his Delaware Grand Championship victory last month, Kevin now holds a rare three-peat as a State Grand Champion.

As Kevin tells us during our conversation, he wants to follow in the inspiring footsteps of his FedEx Freight teammates and earn his first trophy on the national stage at NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh. Kevin already knows a little something about following a good inspiration. Initially holding the career goal of becoming a railroad engineer, Kevin made the decision to get behind the wheel while working on the dock and loading his father’s truck for his nightly run. His father, who is also a FedEx Freight driver, has been a source of encouragement for Kevin as he works to prepare for his opportunity to shine at 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.

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A few years ago, ABF Freight veteran Darrin Kirby encountered some moments of doubt as he found himself falling back with his finishes in the Oklahoma TDC. At one point as Darrin shares with us in this episode of the podcast, he thought about stepping aside from the competition and the time it takes to prepare for the State TDC. That’s when Darrin’s wife, Kathy, spoke up. She believed in Darrin, asking him to stick with it and knowing the hard work would allow him to break through.

Darrin, who won his first state title in 2024 after competing at the TDC since 2014, had a good feeling coming into the 2026 Straight Truck competition. Not long after learning he would be returning to the Nationals as the Straight Truck title holder from Oklahoma, Darrin was next to Kathy when they both were stunned by the announcement that Darrin had won his first State Grand Championship. As Darrin tells us, it was an unforgettable moment with family, friends and ABF teammates.

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 Perseverance Pays Off At Oklahoma’s TDC For ABF’s Darrin Kirby appeared first on PodWheels.

Terry Covey from FedEx Freight seems to shift into a special competitive gear when the Kansas TDC is held in even-numbered years. The State Grand Championship trophy Terry earned during the 2026 TDC can now find a place in his house next to the Kansas Grand Championships he won in 2024 and 2022. Competing in the Sleeper berth class this year, Terry has also made trips to the Nationals in Tanker and Flatbed.

As he shares with us in this episode, Terry’s love for trucking comes from recalling the days as a seven-year-old when he began riding with his father, who was an owner-operator. A long-time veteran of FedEx Freight, Terry first got involved in the TDCs in 2016. As he tells us, Terry had a front-seat to watch the great Don Logan, an NTDC legend and past National Grand Champion, compete in Flatbed during the first two years he entered the Kansas TDC. Terry’s second-place finish to Don in 2017 served as a huge boost to his confidence that has now seen Terry win three state Grand Championships and take home a third-place Tanker finish at the Nationals in 2024.

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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To say that Tom Congrove’s first Ohio TDC State Grand Championship was a surprise would be one of the biggest understatements of the 2026 State TDC Season. A 42-year veteran professional driver who has called UPS his home for the past seven years, Tom didn’t even think he would hear his name called in his 5-Axle Vehicle Division.

During the driving portion of the competition, Tom got caught up in the moment and forgot to take the truck out of reverse after completing a backing problem on the course. That oversight cost Tom a 25-point deduction and his bid to return to the Nationals after his first appearance at the NTDCs in 2024 felt like it had slipped away. However, as he shares with us in this episode, Tom rallied on the remainder of the course and that good work, combined with his back room scores, carried him to the 5-Axle crown. Next, as Tom notes in his conversation with us, his career-first State Grand Championship came as a total surprise. Tom even had to ask, “Did they really just call my name?”

For someone who started competing in the TDCs for the first time in 2024 after 40 years on the road, Tom has found the both the State and Nationals to be filled with lasting memories and a collection of positives will keep him connected to these celebrations of safety for years to come – even after he retires from the road.

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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