WVTruck Driving Championship · 2026
West Virginia's Best
Behind the Wheel.
The West Virginia Trucking Association has announced the winners of the 2026 Truck Driving Championship — nine classes, twenty-seven drivers, and the state's sharpest professional skill behind the wheel.
2026 Class Champions Gold · Silver · Bronze
Straight Truck
1
Nickolas Backes
Pitt Ohio
2
John Thompson
FedEx Freight
3
Chad Sheets
FedEx Freight
3-Axle
1
Jerrold Friend
FedEx Freight
2
Kenneth Tresselt
FedEx
3
Larry Ross
ABF Freight
4-Axle
1
Roy Smith
Walmart Transportation
2
Darrell Meadows
ABF Freight
3
Michael Markham
Old Dominion Freight Line
5-Axle Van
1
Alex Atkins
Pitt Ohio
2
Ken Barnett
FedEx Freight
3
Brett Thompson
Walmart Transportation
Tank Truck
1
Larry Gorby
XPO
2
Justin Moody
Walmart Transportation
3
J.B. McClung
Precision Delivery
Flatbed
1
Chris Wigal
DHL
2
Dustin Strickland
XPO
3
John Travis Gibson
ABF Freight
Sleeper Berth
1
William Adkins
FedEx Freight
2
James Roberts
XPO
3
Dave Roberts
Walmart Transportation
Twins
1
Stephen Hartman
FedEx Freight
2
Marvin Slater
ABF Freight
3
Mark Fisher
XPO
Step Van
1
Brian Ash
FedEx
2
Joseph Kaib
FedEx
3
Jeremey Hess
FedEx
2025–2026 WVTA TDC Safety Award Winners
In addition to the 2026 class champions, the West Virginia Trucking Association recognized outstanding individual drivers, fleet safety achievements, and the state's Professional Driver of the Year.
Outstanding Drivers
Brett Thompson
Walmart Transportation
27 years on the road and 1,000,000 miles driven accident-free.
Justin Moody
Walmart Transportation
11.5 years driving with over half a million accident-free miles.
Ronnie Miller
Houff Transfer
14 years driving and 1.5 million miles with no accidents.
Award accepted on his behalf at the ceremony.
David Roberts
Walmart Transportation
14 years on the road and 455,000 miles driven.
Randy Spencer
Houff Transfer
30 years driving with over 1 million accident-free miles.
Truck Fleet Safety Contest
ABF Freight
0 – 1,000,000 Local Miles
Houff Transfer
0 – 1,000,000 Combined Miles
Pitt Ohio
1,000,000 – 2,000,000 Local Miles
Walmart Transportation
1,000,000 – 6,500,000 Combined Miles
FedEx Freight
1,000,000 – 6,500,000 Intercity Miles
2025 WV Professional Driver of the Year
Mark Nelson
Houff Transfer
Mark has been driving a truck for 26 years, 24 of those with Houff Transfer, and has accumulated 2.4 million miles with no accidents. He has been married for 26 years with four children and currently resides in Keyser, WV.
Congratulations to all 2026 champions.
Congratulations to every driver who placed — recognized for the skill, safety, and professionalism that keeps West Virginia moving.