CHARLESTON, W.Va. — Truck drivers from West Virginia are heading west this week to compete in the American Trucking Association’s national truck driving championship, dubbed the “Super Bowl of Safety,” in Salt Lake City, Utah.
Vince May is one of them. The 49-year-old resident of Russell, Ky., works with FedEx Freight out of Kenova. He told MetroNews he isn’t nervous, having driven about 2.6 million miles during his career.
“All you have to do is go do what you do everyday,” said May, who reached the national competition for the second time.
May said he has spent more than a quarter-century behind the wheel.
“It’s been a very, very good living for myself and my family, and I’ve made a lot of friends along the way on the highway,” May said, adding he never intended to be a truck driver. “I guess you end up where you’re supposed to be. That’s what I’m good at.”
May was named the state’s Professional Driver of the Year during the West Virginia Trucking Association’s 58th Annual Truck Driving Championship in June in Charleston.
He also won first place in the twin trailers category and will be competing against other twin trailer drivers in Salt Lake City.
The West Virginia drivers who also advanced to the national competition include:
Charles Randolph, Belle, W.Va, Pitt Ohio
Kevin Asbury, Point Pleasant, FedEx Freight
Travis Gibson, Scott Depot, ABF Freight
Nickolas Backes, Fraziers Bottom, Pitt Ohio Express
John Gibson, Scott Depot, ABF Freight
Paul Norman, Charleston, Pitt Ohio Express
Joe Boyles, Grafton, Con-Way Freight
James Priddy, Jr., Charleston, FedEx Freight.
The competition runs Tuesday through Saturday at the Salt Palace Convention Center. More than 400 drivers from across the United States will be part of the event.