XPO to Send 38 Elite Drivers to 2025 National Truck Driving Championships in Minneapolis
XPO (NYSE: XPO), a leading provider of freight transportation services across North America, announced that 38 of its top professional drivers have qualified to compete in the 2025 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). The prestigious event, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” will take place from August 20–23 in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Hosted annually by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), the NTDC is considered the premier competition in the U.S. trucking industry. The event brings together hundreds of the most skilled and safety-conscious drivers in the nation, all vying for national recognition and the ultimate honor of being named the NTDC Grand Champion.
A Culture of Safety and Excellence
Each of XPO’s 38 finalists earned their place at the national level by winning first place in their respective equipment classes during their state-level Truck Driving Championships. An additional requirement for participation is an impeccable safety record—each driver must be accident-free for at least one year prior to the competition.
“These 38 drivers are among the most dedicated and disciplined professionals on the road today,” said Mario Harik, chief executive officer of XPO. “They’ve earned their spots on trucking’s biggest stage through their relentless commitment to safety, precision, and professionalism. We’re proud to have them represent the XPO name in Minneapolis.”
Together, XPO’s 2025 NTDC team spans 25 states and collectively brings over 250 previous NTDC appearances, showcasing the company’s strong and sustained presence in the industry’s top talent pool.
State Champions and Individual Standouts
Six of XPO’s representatives earned the title of Grand Champion in their respective state competitions, meaning they had the highest overall scores among competitors across all nine equipment categories. These six Grand Champions are:
- Nick Farness (Minnesota): With more than one million accident-free miles driven, Nick is returning for his fifth NTDC appearance, this time on home turf. His consistent performance and leadership in the Twins class make him a key contender.
- Joe Hicks (Rhode Island): Joe boasts a long and decorated career in truck driving competitions, including his 2010 NTDC Rookie of the Year title and a 2024 national championship win in the 4-Axle class—the first ever for a driver from Rhode Island. Minneapolis marks his 11th NTDC appearance.
- Dan Istre (Idaho): Representing the Twins class, Dan brings nearly 25 years of experience in state-level competitions. This will be his eighth trip to the NTDC stage.
- Chris Poynor (Washington): Known for his consistency and focus, Chris has achieved an impressive two million consecutive accident-free miles. He’s competing in the Twins class for the ninth time.
- Jeremy Steger (Wisconsin): A 4-Axle class competitor, Jeremy helped lead XPO to the highest overall team score in Wisconsin. This year will be his sixth NTDC appearance.
- Wilbert Vano (New Jersey): Wilbert is a standout figure in New Jersey’s driving community, with six state Grand Champion titles and the 2023 New Jersey Driver of the Year honor. He returns to NTDC for the 14th time, competing in the 3-Axle category.
National Representation Across the U.S.
XPO’s 2025 NTDC finalists are drawn from across the country, reflecting the company’s deep bench of talent in all regions. The drivers will compete in equipment categories that include Flatbed, Tank Truck, Twins, 3-Axle, 4-Axle, and Straight Truck.
The full roster of finalists includes:
(Representative list excerpted for brevity — full list available upon request or company website)
- Arizona: Ina Daly (Flatbed), Greg Ziegler (Tank Truck)
- Connecticut: John Brown (Twins), Ernie Budlowski (Tank Truck), Tom Griffin (4-Axle), Tony Orfitelli (3-Axle)
- Delaware: Brandon Morris (3-Axle), Paul Grandel (Straight Truck)
- Idaho: Jeff Halford (4-Axle), Dan Istre (Twins), Ben Scholes (3-Axle)
- Wisconsin: Jeff Langenhahn (Tank Truck), Jeremy Steger (4-Axle), Andy Rynearson (3-Axle)
Other participating states include Iowa, Kansas, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia, and Wyoming.
XPO also took home team awards at several state competitions, including the highest overall team scores in Wisconsin, Louisiana, Idaho, Delaware, and South Dakota, underscoring the company’s depth of talent and commitment to safe driving practices.
Minneapolis
As the NTDC approaches, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling showcase of skill, discipline, and safety. Drivers will face written exams, pre-trip inspections, and driving courses designed to test every facet of their professional abilities.
“We’re cheering for all 38 of our drivers,” Harik added. “Regardless of the final results, their excellence already speaks volumes about who they are and the values they bring to our industry.”