The New Mexico Truck Driving Championships were held this year at the Isleta Resort for the second year. There was a large spectator turnout and the event is looking more like a “state fair/balloon fiesta” type function every year. With ABF, Sysco, UPS Freight, and YRC all having cook outs, it was a great family day for all that attended. See Photos Here
This year, the event had not only trucking companies showcasing their driver’s talents, but some companies set up booths for people to learn more about their company. There were also vendors with booths of their own giving out goodies which included; Mack Truck, Rush Truck Center, Pre-Pass, NM Trucking, NM DOT-ITS (Intelligent Transportation Systems), Penske, and Legal Shield. There were also “show trucks” there, including the Teamster Joint Council #3 Truck, (thanks to Teamster retiree Jim Adams for bringing it in from Colorado) the ATA Share-The-Road Truck, San Juan Community College Truck, and the Veterans Day-POW Tanker by EMG Ltd.
The Teamster Companies were well represented again this year with 35 Teamsters from 5 Companies competing including ABF, Sysco, TeamOne, UPS Freight, and YRC sending their best of the best. Teamsters Local 492 is proud of these great drivers for competing in the TDC this year. Whether they placed or not, having such a strong Teamster presence of Professional Drivers at these functions speaks volumes in the trucking industry.
Congratulations to all the competitors and winners for another great Truck Roadeo! A special thanks to Teamsters Robert Aragon, Albert Lujan, Kenton Newbill, and Chad Sullins for volunteering to hostle and to Teamster Roy Lucas and also Ron Cordova, Randy Archer and his wife for setting up all the tents and cooking for everyone again this year, and all of the other unnamed volunteers that helped cook for the members.
Below is a list of the Teamster Companies that competed (in alphabetical order). Some of the companies did not respond to our request for information, so we apologize if we missed anyone.
ABF had 17 drivers compete, 13 placed:
Straight Truck: Don Wood – 2nd Place
3 Axle: Robert Delgado – 2nd Place
4 Axle: Ralph Garcia – 1st Place
4 Axle: Justin Gallant – 2nd Place (Rookie)
5 Axle: Joey Padilla – 2nd Place (Rookie)
5 Axle: Duane Oldfield – 3rd Place
Flatbed: Michael Contreras – 1st Place
Flatbed: Josh Perez – 2nd Place (Rookie)
Sleeper: Joseph Carrillo – 1st Place
Sleeper: Charlie Estrada – 3rd Place
Tanker: Gerald Benavidez – 1st Place
Tanker: Carl Marquez – 2nd Place
Twins: Fernando Gonzalez – 2nd Place (Rookie)
Justin Gallant – Rookie of the Year
ABF received the Team of the Year Award for the highest points.
ABF also was awarded the Fleet Safety Awards in the following categories:
100k – 500k Miles Fleet (City Operations)
5 Million Miles plus (Line Haul Operations)
The following ABF Teamsters also competed: In the 3 Axle - Randel Amberman & Kirk Wise. In the Twins Trailers - Ricky Lucas & Steven Russell.
Sysco - David Logan won 3rd place in Tanker.
Sysco had 6 drivers competing this year: In 3 Axle - Thomas Humphries, Jose Salas, & Sean Smartt. In 5 Axle - Aaron Clanan. In Tanker Truck – David Logan and Martin Montez.
TeamOne (UPS Truckload) won the 500k to 1M Fleet Safety Award and had 2 drivers competing this year; Brian Thais 4-Axle (this is his 8th year competing) & Cam Misner 4-Axle (this is his 4th year competing)
UPS Freight had 6 drivers compete this year: In 3 Axle - Steve Lopez, Ginger Victoria McKeegan & Joe Seijas. In 4 Axle - Keith Brewer & Armondo Hernandez. In Flatbed - Wendell Ellis.
YRC had 4 drivers compete this year: Stanley Aragon in 4 Axle. In 5 Axle Sleeper - Michael McAfee & Jack Rojas, In 5 Axle - Steven Taylor.
It was another great event put on by the NMTA and it seems to improve and grow larger each year. It was also great to see such a strong Teamster presence again this year and we hope to see you all again next year! Click Here to view all the scores.
