Thank you to everyone who attended the 35th annual IFDA Truck Driving Championship held in Orlando, Florida. This event, which celebrates safety and skill, draws in drivers from all over the country, where contestants compete in different categories ranging from written examinations to a driving obstacle course and pre-trip inspection.
This year marked the first time the event has been held since 2019 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Attendees from around the country came together to recognize and celebrate the professional drivers who stepped up throughout the pandemic to keep Americans fed and the economy running.
"As many Americans were heading home to work in March 2020, our professional drivers didn’t have that luxury," said Mark S. Allen, President and CEO of IFDA. "They were deemed essential by our government (which we always knew to be true), and they worked tirelessly to ensure Americans everywhere were fed! And for that, we are all grateful."
The 2022 IFDA Truck Driving Championship Winners
1st, 2nd, and 3rd Place awards were presented for the three different truck classes in the competition. This year, there is no 2nd place winner in the Straight Truck category because there was a tie for 1st place.
The winners are:
Straight Truck
1st Place: Bobby Caballero of Ben E. Keith Co.
1st Place: Steven Garner of Shamrock Foods Company
3rd Place: Bill Kiefer of McLane Foodservice-Riverside
3-Axle (28-foot Tractor/Trailer)
1st Place: Phil Trejo of Shamrock Foods Company
2nd Place: Russell Miller of US Foods-Raleigh
3rd Place: Daniel Kramer of Gordon Food Service – Texas Division
5-Axle (53-foot Tractor/Trailer)
1st Place: Matt Wadman of Performance Foodservice
2nd Place: Justin Dougan of Performance Foodservice – Kansas City
3rd Place: Casey Woods of Ben E. Keith – Oklahoma
In addition, a Team Award was presented to the top performing company. Shamrock Foods Company was awarded the Team Award with the highest average score amongst their drivers. A Rookie of the Year award, given to the first-time driver with the highest score, was presented to Casey Woods of Ben E. Keith Co. – Oklahoma. Finally, five individuals were honored for receiving perfect pre-trip scores: Lino Garcia of Performance Foodservice – Chicago; Russell Miller of US Foods – Raleigh; Norman Lank of Performance Foodservice – Tidewater; Dale Wangler of Gordon Food Service – Great Lakes East Division; and Casey Woods of Ben E. Keith Co. – Oklahoma.
Agenda At A Glance
Thursday, October 13, 2022
9:00 – 11:30 am Transportation Managers Share Group
12:00 – 6:00 pm Registration
5:00 – 6:00 pm Judges Orientation
6:30 – 7:30 pm Drivers Orientation
6:30 – 8:30 pm Family Orientation & Welcome
7:30 pm – Completion Driver’s Written Exam
Friday, October 14, 2022
5:45 am Drivers and Judges Depart for Osceola Heritage Park (OHP)
6:00 – 7:00 am Guest Breakfast at Hotel
6:30 – 7:15 am Driver and Judges Breakfast at OHP
7:15 am Guests Depart for OHP
7:15 – 8:15 am Course Walkthrough
8:30 – 8:45 am Opening Ceremony
8:45 am – 2:00 pm* Competition and Family Activities
11:00 am – 12:30 pm Lunch Served
2:00 – 3:00 pm All depart and travel to the Hotel
Evening On your own
*Competition is expected to conclude around 2:00 pm
Saturday, October 15, 2022
Enjoy a fun or relaxing day at the hotel or in Orlando. For those interested in a theme park experience, please see the Shuttle Schedule information.
5:00 – 6:00 pm Reception
6:00 – 6:30 pm Banquet Seating
6:30 – 8:30 pm Awards & Dinner
What prizes are awarded to drivers?
All competing drivers will receive a competition shirt and hat, a duffel bag, and a certificate of participation. Prizes for the winners in each category of the competition are as follows:
1st Place: $2500, Championship Medal, Champion’s Jacket (letterman style with logo on back and driver’s name on front), and a large Champion’s Magnet to display on their company vehicle.
2nd Place: $1500 & Championship Medal.
3rd Place: $1000 & Championship Medal.
Rookie of the Year Award: $500 and a Customized Louisville Slugger.
Team Award: Championship Team Trophy.
Registration
There are a variety of registration options for the IFDA Truck Driving Championship including drivers, management, family members, guests, and judges (also note that pricing differs between member and non-member companies). When registration opens, please use our online registration portal and follow the instructions for each type of registrant. Deadline to register is September 23, 2022.
Hotel & Destination
The Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress is sold out. The Candlewood Suites is located across the street from the Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress and still has availability.
Participants and attendees will be staying at Hyatt Regency Grand Cypress in Orlando, FL. Ranked #9 on Condé Nast Traveler’s 2019 Reader’s Choice Awards for Orlando Resorts, the resort sits on 1,500 lush acres with a private lake, tennis courts, and a unique lagoon-style pool.
IFDA has established a discounted housing block for the 2022 Truck Driving Championship. Registrants will receive access to the block via a housing link that will be included in the registration confirmation letter. If you are interested in establishing a group housing sub-block of 10 or more rooms, please contact Grace Hong (ghong@ifdaonline.org).

The Field Course will be located at the Osceola Heritage Park in Kissimmee, FL.

Orlando attractions await you!
There is plenty of fun adventures to be had in Orlando, Florida. Here are a few links to help you plan your free-time.
Shuttle Information
IFDA will provide complimentary ground roundtrip transportation between the Hyatt and Disney Springs on Saturday, October 15 between 10 am - 2 pm as follows:
From Hotel
10:00 AM
11:00 AM
12:00 PM
1:00 PM
From Disney Springs
11:30 AM
12:30 PM
1:30 PM
*Schedule subject to change.
Photo Galleries
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