XPO Drivers Earn Top Honors at 2026 National Truck Driving Championships
XPO, a leading provider of freight transportation services in North America, has announced a strong showing by its professional drivers at the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC), with three XPO drivers earning top-three finishes in their respective vehicle classes.
The results highlight the experience, technical skill and safety-focused culture of XPO’s professional driving workforce. Chris Poynor of Pasco, Washington, captured first place in the 3-Axle class, while Dave May of Buffalo, New York, finished second in the Straight Truck class and Jeff Halford of Boise, Idaho, secured third place in the 3-Axle class.
The accomplishments came during the 2026 NTDC, hosted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) in Pittsburgh from August 11 through August 14. XPO was represented by 36 drivers from 23 states at the national competition, with each participant qualifying through state-level truck driving championships and meeting strict safety requirements.
The strong performance at the national event provides another demonstration of the high level of professionalism within XPO’s driver workforce. It also underscores the importance of safety, precision and operational expertise in the freight transportation industry.
Chris Poynor Takes First Place in 3-Axle Class
The highest individual honor among XPO’s competitors went to Chris Poynor, who placed first in the 3-Axle class.
Based in Pasco, Washington, Poynor is an experienced professional driver with a distinguished record both on the road and in competitive truck driving.
His latest achievement follows his success at the state level, where he was named Grand Champion of the 2026 Washington Truck Driving Championships. His victory in the 3-Axle category at the national championships adds another major accomplishment to an already impressive competitive career.
Poynor has previously won two national titles in the Twins class, demonstrating his ability to compete successfully across different vehicle categories.
Beyond his competition achievements, his professional driving record is particularly notable. Poynor has accumulated more than two million consecutive accident-free miles during his 27-year career with XPO.
That safety record illustrates the level of discipline required to operate commercial vehicles over millions of miles while maintaining a consistent commitment to safe driving practices.
His performance at the 2026 NTDC combines that extensive road experience with the precision and technical knowledge required in a highly competitive environment.
Dave May Earns Second Place
Dave May of Buffalo, New York, earned second place in the Straight Truck class, adding another national distinction to his long history of participation in professional truck driving competitions.
A U.S. Army veteran, May has made 15 appearances at the National Truck Driving Championships. His repeated qualification for the event reflects a sustained commitment to professional excellence and safe driving.
May has also served as a captain on America’s Road Team, an initiative that recognizes experienced professional truck drivers who represent the trucking industry and promote highway safety.
His second-place finish at the 2026 championships demonstrates that his experience continues to translate into high-level competitive performance.
Participation in the NTDC requires drivers to demonstrate a combination of knowledge, vehicle control, precision and safety awareness. Achieving a podium finish against other highly qualified professionals is therefore a significant accomplishment.
For XPO, May’s result also highlights the value of experienced drivers who bring decades of knowledge to the company’s freight transportation operations.
Jeff Halford Finishes Third
Jeff Halford of Boise, Idaho, completed the podium in the 3-Axle class by earning third place.
Halford has been driving for XPO for more than 30 years, making him one of the company’s most experienced professional drivers.
The 2026 competition marked his 14th appearance at the National Truck Driving Championships. His long history at the event demonstrates a sustained commitment to professional development and competitive excellence.
Like Dave May, Halford has also served as a captain on America’s Road Team, reflecting his standing within the professional trucking community.
His third-place finish in the 3-Axle class adds another accomplishment to a career spanning more than three decades.
Together, the achievements of Poynor, May and Halford illustrate the depth of experience represented among XPO’s professional drivers.
36 XPO Drivers Compete at National Championships
While three drivers earned podium finishes, XPO emphasized the achievements of all 36 of its drivers who competed at the 2026 NTDC.
The group represented 23 states and brought together professional drivers from across the company’s network.
Each driver earned the opportunity to compete at the national level by first winning one of nine vehicle classes at their respective state truck driving championships.
In addition to winning at the state level, competitors were required to maintain an accident-free driving record for at least one year before the national competition.
These qualification requirements ensure that the NTDC brings together some of the most skilled and safety-conscious professional drivers from across the United States.
For XPO’s 36 participants, reaching the national championships was itself a significant achievement.
The presence of drivers from 23 states also reflects the geographic breadth of XPO’s freight transportation operations and the company’s nationwide professional driving workforce.
A Competition Focused on Safety and Skill
The National Truck Driving Championships are designed to recognize professional drivers who demonstrate exceptional driving ability, safety awareness and knowledge.
Competitive truck driving requires more than the ability to operate a commercial vehicle on public roads. Participants must demonstrate precise control, careful maneuvering and a detailed understanding of safe vehicle operation.
Drivers competing at the national level have already demonstrated their abilities through state competitions. They then face other top-performing professionals from across the country.
The event provides an opportunity to showcase the technical expertise required to operate commercial trucks safely and efficiently.
For the trucking industry, competitions such as the NTDC also serve as a platform for recognizing the professionalism of drivers who play a critical role in maintaining the movement of freight.
XPO Highlights Commitment to Safety
XPO Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mario Harik congratulated Poynor, May and Halford for their performances and recognized all 36 XPO drivers who competed at the national championships.
Harik emphasized that the drivers’ skill, professionalism and commitment to safety represent the best qualities of the trucking industry.
The recognition is particularly relevant given the importance of safety in commercial freight transportation.
Professional truck drivers operate large vehicles in a wide variety of conditions and share the road with millions of other motorists. Maintaining high safety standards is therefore fundamental to protecting drivers, customers, other road users and communities.
Poynor’s more than two million consecutive accident-free miles provide a notable example of the level of safety performance that can be achieved through experience, discipline and consistent adherence to safe driving practices.
Experience Matters in Professional Trucking
The careers of the three XPO podium finishers demonstrate the importance of experience in the freight transportation industry.
Poynor has spent 27 years driving for XPO, while Halford has more than 30 years with the company. May’s 15 appearances at the national championships further demonstrate his extensive experience.
Their combined backgrounds illustrate how professional drivers can develop increasingly sophisticated skills through years of practical experience.
Long-term drivers become familiar with vehicle characteristics, road conditions, freight requirements and operational challenges. They also develop the judgment required to make safe decisions in changing traffic and weather conditions.
Competitive truck driving provides another opportunity to refine those skills by requiring drivers to perform highly controlled maneuvers under pressure.
America’s Road Team Leadership
The careers of May and Halford also include service as captains on America’s Road Team.
America’s Road Team brings together professional drivers who serve as ambassadors for the trucking industry. Captains use their experience to promote safety and highlight the contributions of professional truck drivers.
Their participation demonstrates that XPO’s award-winning drivers contribute to the industry beyond their daily freight transportation responsibilities.
Drivers who serve in leadership and ambassadorial roles can help share practical knowledge with other professionals and the broader public.
Their experience at the national championships further reinforces their credibility as representatives of the trucking profession.
Recognizing the Role of Professional Drivers
The achievements at the 2026 NTDC come at a time when professional drivers remain central to the North American supply chain.
Trucking plays a critical role in transporting manufactured goods, retail products, industrial materials and other freight between production facilities, distribution centers, warehouses, ports and customers.
Companies such as XPO depend on highly skilled drivers to connect different parts of the supply chain and ensure freight reaches its destination safely and efficiently.
The recognition of professional drivers through competitions such as the NTDC provides an opportunity to highlight the expertise required to perform this work.
The achievements of XPO’s drivers also demonstrate that operational excellence extends beyond technology, equipment and logistics networks. The people operating commercial vehicles remain a fundamental component of freight transportation.
State Championships Provide a Path to Nationals
The road to the 2026 NTDC began at state-level truck driving championships.
Each XPO driver who competed in Pittsburgh qualified by winning one of nine vehicle classes at a state competition.
The qualification process creates a nationwide pathway for professional drivers to demonstrate their skills. Drivers must first compete against other professionals in their state before advancing to the national level.
The additional requirement of maintaining an accident-free driving record for at least one year prior to the competition reinforces the emphasis on safety.
For drivers, reaching the national championships represents recognition from both their state-level peers and their employers.
For companies, having drivers qualify for the event provides an opportunity to showcase the quality of their professional workforce.
Pittsburgh Hosts the 2026 Event
The 2026 National Truck Driving Championships were held in Pittsburgh from August 11 through August 14.
Hosted by the American Trucking Associations, the event brought together leading professional drivers from across the United States.
The competition provided a national platform for drivers who had already established themselves as top performers at the state level.
For XPO, the event provided an opportunity to showcase the capabilities of 36 drivers representing 23 states.
The three podium finishes gave the company a particularly strong presence among the national competitors.
Building a Culture of Professional Excellence
The results also reflect XPO’s emphasis on developing a professional and safety-focused driving workforce.
The combination of long-serving drivers, national competition experience and safety records demonstrates the value of retaining and developing experienced transportation professionals.
Driver expertise is increasingly important as freight networks become more complex and customers demand reliable transportation services.
Highly trained drivers can contribute to operational efficiency by safely handling equipment, navigating complex routes and responding to unexpected conditions.
Their performance also influences the customer experience because professional drivers are often one of the most visible representatives of a freight transportation company.
XPO’s strong showing at the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships represents a significant achievement for the company’s professional driving organization.
Chris Poynor’s first-place finish in the 3-Axle class, Dave May’s second-place result in the Straight Truck class and Jeff Halford’s third-place finish in the 3-Axle category provide clear recognition of the skill and experience within XPO’s workforce.
At the same time, the participation of 36 drivers from 23 states demonstrates the broader depth of talent across the company.
The careers of the three podium finishers also provide compelling examples of long-term professional commitment. Poynor’s 27 years with XPO and more than two million consecutive accident-free miles, Halford’s more than 30 years with the company and May’s 15 national championship appearances reflect decades of experience in professional trucking.
Their success at the 2026 NTDC underscores the importance of safety, technical expertise and professionalism in the freight transportation industry.
As XPO continues serving customers across North America, experienced professional drivers will remain essential to its ability to move freight efficiently and safely.
The company’s results at the national championships demonstrate that its driving workforce is not only capable of meeting the everyday demands of freight transportation but can also compete successfully at the highest level of professional truck driving.
The achievements of Poynor, May, Halford and the other XPO competitors ultimately highlight a broader message for the transportation industry: skilled and safety-focused professional drivers remain one of the most important assets in keeping supply chains moving.
With three podium finishes at the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships and 36 drivers representing the company at the national event, XPO has demonstrated the strength of its professional driving team and its ongoing commitment to safety, skill and operational excellence.
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