3-Axle Champion Gary Ott - Final Results
As tears of joy rolled down the smiling cheeks of Marie Ott, she tightly hugged her husband Gary, who was in a state of pure exhilaration. Neither of them could speak. Gary had just been announced as a new National Champion: first place winner in the 3 Axle class at the American Trucking Association's National Truck Driving Championships.
Gary Ott had reached a milestone. For over 16 of his 27 years in the trucking industry, he has strived for this moment. He was a seasoned National competitor with a fourth, sixth, and two third-place finishes. Combining cool nerves, a positive attitude and expert skills, Gary dominated this year's competition.
"Gary was due . . . definitely due for this one. He is one of the best drivers out there. I'm very happy for him," said Kevin Boyd, Gary's co-worker and a competitor in the 4-Axle class.
Both Kevin and Gary are drivers at Roadway's service center in Billings, Montana. They are two of 38 Roadway drivers who competed at this year's championship held at the Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center in Long Beach, California, August 12 - 15.
This is the largest and most successful National Championship team ever. Team Roadway accounted for 10 percent of all participants, while Yellow and Viking had 9 each and CF had only a few. Not a single driver from these companies placed, while six Roadway participants, or 25% of the Roadway contingent, qualified for the finals.
"We have a great group of professionals here and the camaraderie is outstanding. I'm very proud of their accomplishments and the way they represent Roadway and the industry. Long Beach is filled with some of the finest drivers in the world this week," said John Bronneck, Vice President of Operations.
Most drivers arrived with their families the weekend before the event, tagging on a vacation. Darryl Ledford, Alabama State Champion in 3-Axle, spent some time relaxing on Catalina Island. Keith Powell, Delaware State Champion in 3-Axle, and his wife Mariann stayed two nights on the Queen Mary which was docked about a mile from the convention center. Their friends, Delaware State Champion in 4-Axle Willie Holter and his wife Peggie spent some time in San Diego and Hollywood.
The drivers and their families were welcomed Tuesday night with a special Roadway dinner unofficially starting the week's events. The dinner was hosted by President and COO Jim Staley.
"The dinner was great. We got to meet all the other drivers and their families. It's a fun way to start the week. It helps reduce any stress you get," said 4-Axle Oklahoma State Champion Jerry Tucker, enjoying his seventh trip to the Nationals.
Tony Gemma, Pennsylvania State Champion in Straight Truck, added, "Mary (Berry) and Amy (Polk) do a great job. The time and effort they put into this really shows. Everything is first class."
After dinner, drivers received their own personal trading cards plus a large gym bag filled with t-shirts, hats and other mementos. Then chatter fills the room as the autograph session erupts - each driver has earned his hour of fame.
Wednesday is the official start of the event. Drivers begin with registration, then must endure a tough written exam. After that, they enter the convention center by classification to choose the equipment they will drive. The day comes to a close with a review of the driving course and all the challenges they will encounter.
Thursday, 6:30 a.m. The morning sun glows across the Pacific as it creeps over the horizon. The weather is near perfect and stays that way throughout the week. All the attendees stroll into the convention center. Time for the traditional Breakfast of Champions, highlighted by inspirational words from 1998 America's Road Team Captain and Roadway driver Maggie Peterson.
Shortly after breakfast, a rumble can be heard from the convention center. The driving competition has already begun. Trucks are rolling, engines are humming. The overhead projector used as a scoreboard (probably since the 1960s) is turned on. Anxious fans fill the bleachers armed with video cameras and official trucking company paraphernalia. The pin haggling and trading starts up. Golf carts whiz by. Drivers put on their game faces as they visualize their maneuvers.
Roadway has so many drivers competing this year that it seems the announcer is perpetually saying"...and is employed by Roadway Express." There seems to be a Roadway driver constantly on the course. In fact, the very last driver in the competition is Jesse Holt, Georgia State Grand Champion and first place winner in the Flatbed class.
As the Team Roadway party got under way Friday night, rumors of who is in contention for the finals run rampant. But within minutes, everyone removes their competitive hats and puts on the one they had to decorate for the hat contest. It was time to unwind.
"Did you see Donald Marr's hat and outfit?...How about Nick in the one-piece bathing suit?" asks a laughing Mark Sion, District 19 Safety Manager.
The hats were a hit. The roar of laughter and applause caught the attention of quite a few Con-Way party-goers down the hall.
"So, this is where the real party is!" said one CCX driver trying to edge his way into the Roadway event. "Where can I get an application?"asked another.
Back inside, the dance floor was filled.
"Ginny and I are having a great time. The music, the food and the contest . . . Roadway always goes all out and this year was one of the best," exclaimed Randy DeVault, Maine State Grand Champion and first place in the 3-Axle class.
For nearly all competitors and spectators, the announcement of the finalists does not come soon enough. Finally, Saturday morning, after the parade of champions, the announcements.
Roadway dominated the finals with the most drivers representing one company. And, the most ever in our history of competing.
"What a week. This was one of the most enjoyable and successful Nationals ever. I know all the drivers really appreciate all the support,"states George Gaboriault, the Arizona State Champion in Flatbed who first competed nationally in 1967.
"This event is the pinnacle of safety. All of the good things in our industry are rolled into this week. We should all stand up and support this and I encourage all drivers to get involved locally and at the state level," said Jim Staley.
Sunday morning. The crowd now gone, Gary Ott walks into the California sun with a look of fulfillment. He has achieved his goal to become a National Champion.
