Seventeen Roadway drivers placed first in their respective state driving championships to qualify for the 2006 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). They join the ten Roadway drivers who have already qualified for the NTDC to be held August 15-19 at the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, LA.
Nick Caiola, a Roadway driver and freight handling professional based in Kearny, NJ, won the "Best Pre-Trip" award, in addition to placing first in the straight truck class in the New Jersey competition. Nick also won first place in the straight truck class at the New Jersey State Truck Driving Championships in 1994, 1995, 1998, 2000, 2002 and 2004.
Charles Lucas, a driver and freight handling professional from the Meridian, MS, service center, was named grand champion in the Mississippi competition.
In addition, Ben Zadrozny, a driver and freight handling professional from Waterbury, CT, won the "Best Pre-Trip" award, and placed first in the straight truck class in the Connecticut Truck Driving Championships.
Roadway drivers also won the Team Trophy for their respective states in Mississippi, Virginia, Illinois, and Kansas state competitions.
Each year the Safety & Loss Prevention Management Council of the American Trucking Associations hosts the NTDC, known to many as the "Super Bowl of Safety." The 2006 competition will be the 69th year for the event.
New state champions to join Team Roadway at the NTDC include:
| Name | St. | Class | Special Recognition |
| Regnald Ansbach | WI | Tanker | First Place** |
| Nick Caiola | NJ | Straight Truck | First Place & Pre-Trip Award** |
| Mike Cicalese | NJ | 4-Axle | First Place** |
| Kent Durant | KS | 4-Axle | First Place** |
| Ralph Eisenschenk | MN | Twins | First Place |
| Dan Fitzpatrick | IL | 4-Axle | First Place |
| John Kuiphof | MI | Tanker | First Place** |
| Jack Larson | KS | Straight Truck | First Place |
| Charles Lucas | MS | 3-Axle | First Place & Grand Champion** |
| Bill MacDonald | VT | Tanker | First Place |
| Wilson Meier | NY | 5-Axle | First Place |
| Keevin Phillips | NJ | Twins | First Place** |
| Mickey Rafeal | NH | Twins | First Place** |
| Richard Seigle | IL | 5-Axle | First Place** |
| Lynn Springer | OR | Tanker | First Class** |
| Ronald (Ron) VanBibber | UT | 4-Axle | First Place** |
| Ben Zadrozny | CT | Straight Truck | First Place & Pre-Trip Award |
| (** previous winner) | |||
Competitions include a personal interview, challenging maneuvering tests, vehicle inspection procedures, and a written examination covering vehicle operation and federal safety regulations.
These drivers merit the highest recognition for their dedication to safety, professionalism, and driving skill.
