
FedEx Chairman's Challenge
Conceived by FedEx Chairman of the Board Frederick W. Smith, the Chairman’s Challenge is a call to drivers from all operating companies to represent FedEx in the annual American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). In 2025, the event will be held in Minneapolis, Minn., Aug. 20-23.
The key purpose of this corporate-wide initiative is to reinforce the FedEx commitment to the safety of its drivers, contracted service providers and couriers – and the motoring public. In addition, NTDC offers an excellent opportunity for our drivers to demonstrate their skills and professionalism while promoting the importance of safe driving at all FedEx companies.
With eight National Grand Champion, 76 National Champion and 11 National Rookie of the Year titles in the past 20 years, Team FedEx has established a reputation for excellence at the NTDC.
In 2003, the first year for the Chairman's Challenge, 902 drivers and contractors from FedEx operating companies competed in state-level competitions from which FedEx registered 58 state champions. In 2024, more than 150 professional drivers represented FedEx at the NTDC for the eighth consecutive year the championships have been competed. Each driver qualified by winning their respective state's competition and driving accident-free for at least one year.
FedEx to Field More than One-Third of Competitors at 2025 National Truck Driving Championships
More than one-third of the competitors at this year’s National Truck Driving Championships will represent Federal Express Corporation or FedEx Freight. The FedEx enterprise is sending 174 drivers to the event, which takes place Aug. 20-23 in Minneapolis.
Drivers will compete for national titles in nine different truck classes as well as the prestigious National Grand Champion title. Competitors earn points by showcasing their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, pre-trip inspection, and driving skills challenge.Â
Since 2003, FedEx drivers have claimed eight National Grand Champion titles, 76 National Champion titles, and 11 National Rookies of the Year honors. This year’s FedEx team includes five defending champions from the 2024 NTDC and 18 past National Champions. Notably, past National Grand Champions Jackie Reed of Hattiesburg, Miss. (2024), Roland Bolduc of East Longmeadow, Mass. (2017 & 2022), and Scott Woodrome of Middletown, Ohio (2018 & 2019) will return to compete at the 2025 NTDC.
Among the FedEx team’s achievements this season, 24 drivers earned their state’s Grand Championship titles, and eight first-time competitors were named their state’s Rookie of the Year.
Collectively, the team has logged more than 298 million safe-driving miles, including 119 drivers who have surpassed one million miles of accident-free driving.
The National Truck Driving Championships are hosted annually by the American Trucking Associations. The competition, which dates back to 1937 when it was originally called the National Truck Roadeo, requires drivers to qualify through their performance at state-level truck driving championships.
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