Big Island man to compete in National Truck Driving Championships

A Waimea man is among 420 professional truck drivers who arrived in St. Louis Wednesday to compete in the National Truck Driving Championships at America’s Center Convention Complex & Edward Jones Dome Center.

Steve Haskill, who operates a step van for FedEx Express, will join hundreds of elite drivers who earned their way to compete in the “Superbowl of Safety” after winning their title earlier this summer at the state level.

The four-day event challenges driving skills, and knowledge of safety, equipment and the industry. From 18-wheeler five axle sleepers to tank trucks to twin trailers, they will drive a course that recreates situations truck drivers face daily. These maneuvers may include: an alley dock, a rear line stop, a side park, a scale stop, a right turn, a front line stop, and straight line driving through a diminishing clearance.

On Saturday, one contestant will drive away as the Bendix National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion.

“The Truck Driving Championships represent the culmination of the industry’s dedication to safety,” said Hawaii Transportation Association Managing Director, Gareth K. Sakakida. “I congratulate all the contestants and I hope Hawaii cheers for our drivers this week.”

In addition to Haskill, three Oahu residents are competing in the event: Harold Oliveros, who operates a 5-axle truck for Aloha Petroleum; Chadwick Olson, who operates a straight truck for FedEx; and Roger Ranada, who operates a flatbed for Pepsi.

ATA’s National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships include top professional truck drivers from around the United States competing at company, state and regional levels to make it to the national competition. The event annually attracts more than 2,000 friends, family, colleagues and spectators.