Two Salt Lake truck drivers are headed for the National Truck Driving Championships later this month in Nashville, Tenn.
Bob Feenstra and Gerry Trujillo, drivers for CF MotorFreight, one of the nation's largest trucking companies, will compete against more than 300 of the top U.S. professional truck drivers at the American Trucking Association's 55th annual championship competition. It will be held Aug. 26-29.All participants will be trying for the title of grand champion, given to the person demonstrating the greatest driving skill and safety knowledge. Winners also get a share of the $50,000 in prizes.
In his 25 years with CF MotorFreight, Feenstra has traveled nearly 2.5 million miles and has won state truck driving championships.
Trujillo, who has worked for CF MotorFreight for 17 years, is making his fourth appearance at the national championships.
To qualify, drivers must have driven accident-free for the previous year.
At the national finals, contestants are judged in four areas: a personal interview; a written exam covering trucking regulations and safety procedures; a pretrip equipment safety inspection; and a driving skills test on a course that simulates commonly encountered road situations.
Those with information for this column are invited to call Wil Grey, Douglas D. Palmer or Chuck Gates at the Deseret News, 237-2100.