Page 43 - ATR 4 2015 web

 clark
welch, Walmart
Transportation accepts
the Sportsmanship
Award from abby
crossland of ATA.

 Daniel cupp, USA
Truck receives runner
up trophy for the truck
technician competition
from Matt panning,
Tyson Foods, Inc.

 ATA President  Dave hall, ABF
shannon newton Freight, with his
recognizes scott trophies
Dewey of FedEx
Freight as the
Volunteer of the year

Champion title. Not only did Hall score The state event also included the year, Martin won the runner-up trophy
the most points in his division earn- Technician Championship which is and was grand champion in 2013. In
ing first place in the 4-Axle class, he divided into two classes: truck techni- addition to earning the highest cumula-
also won the overall honor. A competi- cians and trailer technicians. The truck tive score across all 12 classes, Martin
tor in the championship since 2004, technicians competed in 12 hands-on also won first place in the Drive Train,
Hall was a second time winner of the stations, and the trailer technicians the Air Systems & Brakes and the
4-Axle division and placed eighth at the competed in four hands-on stations to Safety & Environmental stations. The
National Truck Driving Championship demonstrate skills and knowledge like truck technician grand champion will
in 2008. Hall has served the industry electrical tasks and drive train. All tech- also compete for the national title on
for 28 years and holds a no-accident nicians completed a written exam. September 21–24 in Orlando, Fla.
record of 2 million miles. JD Flippo of Tyson Foods won The Arkansas Trucking
“The Trucking Championship the top prizes and was named Grand Championship also encourages com-
showcases the best of our industry – Champion in the trailer technician petition on the sidelines. Companies
and more importantly, they are the division. Flippo also placed first on the decorate tents, fire up the grills and
safest of the safe,” according to David written exam and second in the brakes cheer on their drivers and technicians
O’Neal, ATA’s new director of safety class. He has worked for Tyson Foods for tailgate-style. J.B. Hunt swept the “Best
services. “These professional drivers 13 years and is a resident of Russellville, Decorated Tent,” “Loudest Group,”
can be counted on to give trucking a Ark. “Biggest Group” and “Best Overall”
positive image mile after mile.” Technician Aaron Martin of Truck awards. And Con-way took home the
On August 11–15, Hall will join Centers of Arkansas earned the highest bragging rights and spirit stick for “Best
Arkansas’ other eight division winners score and the Grand Champion title in Dressed Team.”
in St. Louis, Mo. to compete at the the truck technician division. Martin
National Truck Driving Championship. is no stranger to the competition. Last 

arkansas Trucking repOrT | issue 4 2015 43