The Tennessee Trucking Association is proud to recognize Terry Certain of XPO as our 2025 Driver of the Year.

With more than 3 million career miles, including 2.85 million safe miles as a local driver, Terry embodies the excellence, dedication, and professionalism that define the trucking industry. Over his 35-year career, he has served as a Tennessee Road Team Captain, earned the title of Grand Champion at the Truck Driving Championships in both 2006 and 2008, and has educated countless others through driver education programs and public outreach.

Terry’s commitment to safety, service, and mentorship continues to make a lasting impact across Tennessee and beyond. We are honored to celebrate him as this year’s Driver of the Year.

Congratulations to the 2025 Truck Driving Championships winners, and thank you to everyone who made this event possible!

Inspector Challenge 

Runner Up: Trp. John-Mark Tarr

Winner: Trp. Jacob Edwards

Pre-Trip Inspection: Tim Blair, FedEx Freight, Inc.

Rookie of the Year: Raymond Hudson, Southeastern Freight Lines

Team Trophy: ABF

Fred Thayer Grand Champion: Samuel Bryant, FedEx Freight, Inc.

Step Van

1st: Ethan Thennes – FedEx

2nd: Chase Dickens – FedEx

3rd: Jason Flowers – FedEx

Straight Truck

1st: Samuel Bryant – FedEx Freight

2nd: Christopher Massingill – ABF

3rd: Jeffrey Johnson – Old Dominion

Three-Axle Van

1st: Gary Luster – FedEx Freight

2nd: Danny Ewell – Walmart

3rd: Raymond Hudson – Southeastern Freight Lines

Four-Axle Van

1st: Hobie Eirich – FedEx Freight

2nd: Brandon Gilpatrick – FedEx Freight

3rd: Paula Harper – FedEx Freight

Five-Axle Van

1st: Juan Nava – Huff & Puff Trucking, Inc.

2nd: John Lemmons – UPS

3rd: Terry Williams – Walmart

Tank

1st: Covey Thompson – The Martin-Brower Company

2nd: Michael Bowman – FedEx Freight

3rd: Marvin Humphries – Old Dominion

Flatbed

1st: Josh Arwood – Old Dominion

2nd: Daniel Huffine – FedEx Freight

3rd: Brandon Knight – Huff & Puff Trucking, Inc.

Twin-Trailers

1st: Tim Blair – FedEx Freight

2nd: Jimmy Duncan – FedEx Freight

3rd: Chad Skeen – Old Dominion Freight Line, Inc.

Sleeper

1st: Michael Andrews – Walmart

2nd: Dean Hiles – Walmart

3rd: Ray Shelton – FedEx Freight



 A heartfelt thank you to the state troopers, participants, and volunteers who worked tirelessly to ensure this event was a success. We could not have done it without you!

Click "Read More" to explore the highlights of the 2025 Tennessee Trucking Association Truck Driving Championships, featuring top winners, event photos, and a heartfelt thank you to our sponsors and volunteers. See who's headed to nationals and relive the event's unforgettable moments!

To promote highway safety for all drivers over the Memorial Day weekend, the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) and Foundation (TTF) is holding its annual “Holiday Safety Break”. 

The TTA is very excited to hold this event again, but we need your support to make it happen!

NEEDED: Volunteers to be at each location Chips, cookies, crackers, fruit water, sodas Coolers & Ice Kids Novelties Cash Donations 

WHEN: Friday, May 23, 2025. Beginning at 8:00 AM and ending at 2:00 PM. 

WHERE: Safety breaks will be held at four (4) rest areas across the state.

Rest area I-40 Westbound near Dickson – Mile Marker 170

Rest area 1-40 Eastbound near Jackson – Mile Marker 73

Rest area 1-40 Eastbound near Dandridge – Mile Marker 420

Rest area I-75 Northbound near Athens – Mile Marker 45 

WHAT: Members of Tennessee’s Road Team, TTA Safety Management Council Members, and Department of Safety will be at rest areas across the state providing free refreshments for travelers and encouraging safety as they travel this holiday weekend. TTA will have a tractor-trailer on display at each location to illustrate the four blind spots around large vehicles where crashes are more likely to occur. 

Motorists will be able to climb inside the truck and see the blind spots for themselves. Road Team Captains will be available to discuss the importance of buckling up, slowing down, keeping a safe following distance, not drinking and driving as well as the risks of drowsy driving and distracted driving (texting, cell phone usage, etc.)

Congratulations to the Tennessee Trucking Association (TTA) members who have earned a spot on Transport Topics’ 2025 Top 100 Logistics Companies list! We celebrate your success and look forward to your continued leadership in shaping the future of logistics.

Several fleets were recognized for outstanding safety and security practices at a recent conference. Plus, more trucking news.

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy finalized 76 infrastructure grants among a backlog of 3,200 projects that had been approved under the Biden administration but left incomplete.

Inspectors have quietly gathered data on truck driver personal conveyance time and are making plans to soon ask regulators to limit the use of conveyance time to two hours.

Join TCA for a 12-month program designed to educate small carriers in the areas of Operations, Maintenance, Safety Performance, and more.

In an industry where timing, safety, and trust are everything, communication isn't just a soft skill - it's a lifeline.

On May 21st at 12:00 pm EST, the American Trucking Associations (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC) is hosting a free webinar on "What Fleets Must Know to Influence the Replacement of the J560 Connector", presented by Ernie Hamilton from Associated Asphalt.

This is a valuable opportunity to learn about potential changes to the J560 pin connector (the seven-pin connector between the tractor and trailer), as decisions regarding its future are currently being made. As fleets prepare for possible replacements, this session will help you understand how these changes may impact acquisition costs, maintenance, safety, and fleet efficiency.

This webinar will address key questions that will guide your spec'ing decisions, including:

• Why is the Next Generation Tractor-Trailer Connector needed?
• How will the new connector impact acquisition and maintenance costs?
• Should this new connector be offered as an option to fleets?
• What benefits can fleets expect in terms of safety and efficiency?

This session will provide essential insights to help you make informed decisions.

To join, click the link below or use the following meeting details:

Date/Time: Wednesday, May 21, 2025, at 12:00 pm ET

Location: Microsoft Teams – No registration required. Add this event to your calendar using the link and phone number below to set a reminder when it starts.

Price: Free

Meeting ID: 213 569 252 208 1

Passcode: me9zk7ZJ

You can also dial in by phone:

+1 703-719-4689, Access Code: 356806006

Phone Conference ID: 356 806 006#

Governor Lee and TDOT Mark Historic Day for Tennessee Infrastructure MEMPHIS, TN-Governor Bill Lee joined the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT) today in Memphis to announce a historic investment in infrastructure. For the first time in history, the state's annual budget includes additional dedicated recurring General Fund dollars for transportation.

Washington - Today, the American Trucking Associations applauded Congressman Mike Collins (R-Georgia) for continuing to lead the effort to stop the costly and risky practice of criminals purposefully crashing into trucks in an attempt to shakedown motor carriers for a payout.