For Immediate Release
June 25, 2024
ICYMI: Florida Trucking Association - 2024 Florida Truck Driving Championships Winners Announced!
TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — In what was one of the country's largest events, over 330 drivers qualified and registered for the 2024 Truck Driving Championships in Daytona Beach, Florida.
Drivers participated in three areas of assessment with 11 classes, including a new class this year for FDOT Straight Truck. The top three winners were announced in each class with additional awards for Written Test, Pre-Trip, and Rookie of the Year.
At a sold-out awards banquet, over 1200 drivers, family members, and company representatives packed the room to celebrate the winners along with two Hall of Fame Inductees, Small and Large Team Trophy, The Drivers of the Month, and Driver of the Year. 
Thank you to the more than 100 volunteers! This event took an immense amount of time and talent- with outstanding results.
3-Axle
1. Rusty Pederson, FedEx Freight Corporation
2. Justin Nehring, Old Dominion Freight Line
3. Harold Penrod, XPO Logistics
1. Juan Velez, UPS, Rookie
2. James Watson, FedEx Express
3. Stephen Lassiter, FedEx Freight Corporation
5-Axle
1. Rifat Becirevic, Publix Super Markets
2. Joshua Ehret, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
3. Sheldon Brown, FedEx Freight Corporation
1. Edward Pennington, FedEx Freight Corporation
2. Eddie Hosegood, FedEx Freight Corporation
3. Jeremy Shirah, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
Sleeper
1. Fred Combs, Walmart Transportation
2. Tyler Payne, UPS
3. Tommy Bianculli, Walmart Transportation
1. Joseph Michael Hipsher, Publix Super Markets, Rookie
2. Juan Santiago, FedEx Freight Corporation
3. Alexander Lai, FedEx Freight Corporation, Rookie
1. Dennis Rollins, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
2. John Roberts, Publix Super Markets
3. Luis Gonzalez, Old Dominion Freight Line
Twins
1. Jason Vanscoten, ABF Freight System, Rookie
2. William Paulson, UPS
3. Ben Atkinson, ABF Freight System
Step Van
1. Judith Stoffo, FedEx Ground
2. Nicholas Tison, UPS, Rookie
3. Rick Warner, Walmart Transportation
Auto Transport
1. Matthew Cole, Proficient Auto Transport
2. Paul Jones, Centurion Auto Transport
3. Carlos Herrera, Proficient Auto Transport
FDOT Straight Truck
1. Dillon Steinborn, FDOT
2. Carlos Teran, FDOT
3. Bradley Browning, FDOT
Fleet Force Rookie of the Year
1. Joshua Ehret, Publix Super Market
Written Test
3-way tie:
Rebecca Nelson in Straight Truck with FedEx Express
Henry Mahler in Sleeper with Oakley Transport
Jottyn Santos in 5 Axle with FedEx Express
Juan Velez in 4-Axle class a rookie with UPS
Grand Champion
Rifat Becirevic in the 5-Axle class with Publix Super Markets
Ray Llloyd, Coca Cola Beverages Florida
Eddie Hosegood, FedEx Freight Corporation
January- Sheldon Brown, FedEx Freight Corporation
February- Terry Bennett, ABF Freight
March- Michael Ocasio, Publix Super Markets
April- Ricky Gonsales, FedEx Freight Corporation
May-Jerry Humphrey, Trans-Phos Transportation
June- Ben Poitevint, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
July- Tommy Forrest, FedEx Freight Corporation
August- John Roberts, Publix Super Markets
September- Dale Prevatt, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
November- Michael Hadley, Trans-Phos Transportation
December- Jorge Acosta, FedEx Freight Corporation
Driver of the Year
The Florida Department of Transportation’s mission is to provide a safe transportation system that ensures the mobility of people and goods, enhances economic prosperity, and preserves the quality of the state’s environment and communities. The department is committed to building a transportation system that not only fits the current needs of Florida’s residents and visitors, but also enhances mobility throughout the state to accommodate its consistent and rapid growth. The unique nature of the Sunshine State provides numerous opportunities to achieve the department’s mission through multiple transportation modes including highways/streets, air, rail, sea, spaceports, transit, and the ever-expanding deployment of bicycle & pedestrian facilities.