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XPO Announces Team of 38 Finalists for National Truck Driving Championships
July 13,
2025 by Karen Parrish in Business Strategy, Industry 
XPO (NYSE: XPO), a leading provider of freight transportation in North America, today announced its team of 38 finalists for this year’s National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) from August 20-23 in Minneapolis.
Mario Harik, chief executive officer of XPO, said, “We’re proud of the 38 drivers who will represent XPO at NTDC this year. They earned their place on trucking’s biggest stage through years of hard work and commitment to safety, professionalism and service. Congratulations to our team representing us in Minneapolis and to everyone who competed in their state competitions.”
XPO’s finalists come from 25 states and have collectively appeared at NTDC over 250 times. Each qualified for nationals by winning their vehicle class at their state championships and maintaining an accident-free driving record for more than one year.
Six of XPO’s finalists were named Grand Champions of their state competitions, achieving the highest total score among competitors across nine equipment categories. XPO also took home trophies for the highest overall team scores at the Wisconsin, Louisiana, Idaho, Delaware and South Dakota state TDCs.
XPO’s six individual state Grand Champions are:
Nick Farness (Minnesota): Nick, who has driven over one million consecutive accident-free miles with XPO, returns for his fifth appearance at nationals in his home state – Minnesota.
Joe Hicks (Rhode Island): Joe first competed at NTDC in 2010, earning the Rookie of the Year award. He won the 4-axle class at the 2024 NTDC, becoming the first-ever driver from Rhode Island to secure a national title. This will be Joe’s 11th time competing at NTDC.
Dan Istre (Idaho): With nearly 25 years of experience competing in state championships, Dan is checking in for this eighth NTDC, where he will represent XPO in the Twins class.
Chris Poynor (Washington): Chris recently achieved two million consecutive accident-free miles and is competing at nationals for the ninth time this year, in the Twins class.
Jeremy Steger (Wisconsin): Appearing in his sixth NTDC, Jeremy will compete in the 4-axle class after leading XPO to the highest team score at his state competition.
Wilbert Vano (New Jersey): The 2023 New Jersey Driver of the Year and six-time NJ Grand Champion will compete in his 14th NTDC in the 3-axle class.
XPO’s 2025 NTDC Finalists:
Ina Daly; Arizona - Flatbed
Greg Ziegler, Arizona - Tank Truck
Ernie Budlowski, Connecticut - Tank Truck
John Brown, Connecticut - Twins
Tom Griffin, Connecticut - 4-Axle
Tony Orfitelli, Connecticut - 3-Axle
Brandon Morris, Delaware - 3-Axle
Paul Grandel, Delaware - Stright Truck
Jeff Halford, Idaho - 4-Axle
Dan Istre, Idaho - Twins
Ben Scholes, Idaho - 3-Axle
Scott Marnin, Iowa - Straight Truck
Ken Saur, Kansas - 4-Axle
Leroy Williams, Louisiana - Stright Truck
Curt McMellon, Louisiana - Tank Truck
Adam Lucas, Maryland - Twins
Rich Sweeney, Massachusetts - Tank Truck
Shaun McArdle, Massachusetts - Tank Truck
Nick Farness, Minnesota - Twins
Sam Wilson, Nebraska - Stright Truck
Bill Fox, Nevada - Flatbed
Wilbert Vano, New Jersey - 3-Axle
David May, New York - Stright Truck
Brad Morrow, North Dakota - Twins
Tom Opgrand, North Dakota - Flatbed
Bob Neese, Oklahoma - Twins
Scott Mullen, Pennsylvania - Twins
Joe Hicks, Rhode Island - 4-Axle
Dominic Semedo, Rhode Island - Straight Truck
Pat Schneider, South Dakota - 4-Axle
Judd Adams, Utah - Stright Truck
Lenny Trifaro, Vermont - 4-Axle
Chris Poynor, Washington - Twins
Mike Roberts, West Virginia - 3-Axle
Jeff Langenhahn, Wisconsin - Tank Truck
Jeremy Steger, Wisconsin - 4-Axle
Andy Rynearson, Wisconsin - 3-Axle
Heath Holstein, Wyoming - 4-Axle