Paul Butkowski Brings Home Second Career Minnesota Grand Championship

ABF’s Nick Saverino Enjoys ‘Straight’ Sweep With First Grand Championship

[https://podwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Lutzie_Podcast_Blog_Banner.jpg]https://lutzie43.org First entering the Virginia TDC in 2017, Nick Saverino from ABF Freight thought it might be fun to compete while sharpening his skills to become a better driver. As he shares with us in this episode of the podcast, Nick viewed the accomplishment of staying safe all year in order to compete as a valued title of its own. So, following his initial trophy with a third place in 2025, Nick was optimistic that his return to the Straight Truck Division could allow him to climb to a higher finish. Yet, as he notes to us, Nick never expected to hear his name called as the 2026 Virginia State Grand Champion. As you’ll hear in the episode, Nick credits the ABF Team in Virginia, noting the support and encouragement of the management at his terminal. He also has high praise for all the professionals who gather each year at the Virginia TDC. At the top of his support team, Nick lists his wife, Tricia, who is an elementary school art teacher. As he looks ahead to being part of the NTDC Community at his first Nationals in August, Nick tells how Tricia has made special arrangements with her school to be onsite in Pittsburgh to watch him compete at NTDC 2026. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation  [https://lutzie43.org/]and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org [https://lutzie43.org/]. The post ABF’s Nick Saverino Enjoys ‘Straight’ Sweep With First Grand Championship [https://podwheels.com/abfs-nick-saverino-enjoys-straight-sweep-with-first-grand-championship/] appeared first on PodWheels [https://podwheels.com].

He Now Goes To 11: Latest State Title For XPO’s Curt McMellon Is Grand

[https://podwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SCF_Podcast_Post_Banner.jpg]https://www.truckersfund.org Like so many TDC veterans with vehicle division titles to their credit, Curt McMellon from XPO had found the Grand Championship of his home state of Louisiana quite elusive over the years. Prior to 2026, Curt had won 10 Vehicle Class crowns and, as he shares with us in this episode, last year Curt thought he might finally have earned the Grand Champions’ trophy – only to once again hear a fellow competitor’s name called. This year, after winning the Tanker Division and taking his State Title career total to 11 that also provided him with 11 trips to Nationals, Curt didn’t really give the Grand Champions’ crown a first thought. In fact, as he notes during our conversation, he was chatting with some XPO teammates when he heard his name called for the trophy that had always escaped his grasp. It was at that moment of disbelief and shock that Curt did a complete double take. A State Grand Champion for the first time, Curt talks to us about his experience during TDC week and the atmosphere around the Louisiana State Championships, which were held inside at the Cajundome and Convention Center in Lafayette. As you’ll hear, Curt compared the energy and enthusiasm inside the Cajundome on a level that approached the fan intensity similar to what you would find at a college football game. OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund [https://truckersfund.org/] is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund  [https://truckersfund.org/]also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund [https://truckersfund.org/] and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org [https://truckersfund.org/]. The post He Now Goes To 11: Latest State Title For XPO’s Curt McMellon Is Grand [https://podwheels.com/he-now-goes-to-11-latest-state-title-for-xpos-curt-mcmellon-is-grand/] appeared first on PodWheels [https://podwheels.com].

Mike Chatterton’s Grand Championship Tops Purple Wave At Missouri’s TDC

[https://podwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Lutzie_Podcast_Blog_Banner.jpg]https://lutzie43.org As one of six competitors from FedEx Freight to qualify for NTDC 2026 during the Missouri TDC, Mike Chatterton was not expecting to hear his name called as the Show-Me State’s Grand Champion. As he details to us in this episode of the podcast, Mike was still overwhelmed with the feeling of earning the 2026 Tanker title after finishing second to Walmart’s Mike Carpenter in 2025. This year, Chatterton, as he notes in this episode, edged out Carpenter, primarily on the strength of his backroom performance. Chatterton, who won the Missouri State Grand Championship in 2022, credits the positive thinking of his wife, Tonya, as they waited through the late afternoon until the Championship banquet. As Mike shares with us, Toyna believed that Mike had a strong shot to return to Nationals and they were both blown away when the announcement was made that a second career State Grand Championship trophy would be coming home to the Chatterton house. Recorded as he was preparing to volunteer at the Arkansas TDCs, Mike shares what it means to him to be a part of the FedEx Freight Team as well as his approach to staying safe out on the roads in his daily work. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation  [https://lutzie43.org/]and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org [https://lutzie43.org/]. The post Mike Chatterton’s Grand Championship Tops Purple Wave At Missouri’s TDC [https://podwheels.com/mike-chattertons-grand-championship-tops-purple-wave-at-missouris-tdc/] appeared first on PodWheels [https://podwheels.com].

Old Dominion’s Chad Williams Earns State Grand Championship In Return To Michigan TDC

[https://podwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/SCF_Podcast_Post_Banner.jpg]https://www.truckersfund.org A two-time State Grand Champion with multiple vehicle division titles, Old Dominion veteran driver Chad Williams had been counting the days until the 2026 Michigan TDC. Chad missed time with a medical issue that kept him on the sidelines during the 2025 Michigan competition. As Chad shares with our podcast, he found an opportunity to serve as a volunteer at last year’s TDC, and he also took advantage of the opportunity to learn through observing the competitors on the course and in the pre-trip phase. In early June, Chad returned to the competition in Lansing and he immediately made his presence felt with a good written test performance and earning the top score on the pre-trip portion of the competition. On Day 2, Chad was the first person in the Twins Class to hit the course and his overall work in the three phases of the competition would ultimately send him back to the Nationals as a State title holder. Earning the third State Grand Championship of his career put an exclamation mark on his return to the TDCs. As you will hear, Chad is following in the footsteps of his father who was not only an accomplished professional driver, but he also competed at the State TDC during his career. These days, Chad and his father share time on the water in their home state fishing for Walleye. OUR FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR: Founded in 2007, the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund [https://truckersfund.org/] is the only nationwide nonprofit that provides short-term relief to Class A OTR drivers suffering from an illness or injury that took them out of work within the last 365 days. The St. Christopher Truckers Development and Relief Fund  [https://truckersfund.org/]also provides several free prevention health and wellness programs for OTR drivers in an effort to keep them on the road, including nicotine and smoking cessation, diabetes prevention, chronic disease management, at-home cancer screenings, and vaccine vouchers. To learn more about the St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund [https://truckersfund.org/] and all of the offerings available from SCF, including how you can support their important work to help professional drivers and their families, visit TruckersFund.org [https://truckersfund.org/]. The post Old Dominion’s Chad Williams Earns State Grand Championship In Return To Michigan TDC [https://podwheels.com/old-dominions-chad-williams-earns-state-grand-championship-in-return-to-michigan-tdc/] appeared first on PodWheels [https://podwheels.com].

Chuck Pearson Thrilled To Represent ABF Freight and Georgia At NTDC 2026

[https://podwheels.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Lutzie_Podcast_Blog_Banner.jpg]https://lutzie43.org Over a period of time that lasted for a decade, Chuck Pearson of ABF Freight never lost sight of the most important aspect of having the opportunity each year to compete in his State TDCs for a shot at securing his spot at the Nationals. Every day since he made his first and only trip from his home state of Georgia to compete in the NTDCs in 2016, Chuck has focused on staying safe out on the roads while also working to sharpen his skills during his runs for ABF. As you will hear Chuck tell us on the podcast, his approach to his daily work and being ready for the State TDC competition year after year paid off this Spring with the Georgia 3-Axle Championship and a trip this August to NTDC 2026 in Pittsburgh. Looking back to the beginning of this year, Chuck’s dedication to safety and commitment to take advantage of the opportunities to practice all came together, beginning with his performance at the Safety Drive For A Cure charity event in March. In 2016, Chuck was the Grand Champion of Safety Drive and went to Nationals. This year, Chuck earned the honor of having the best score on the driving course and he earned his second State TDC title in Georgia. Over the course of our conversation, we take a look at Chuck’s career, including how he first got involved with precision driving competitions and how he found a home at ABF Freight. You’ll also hear Chuck talk about the support he has received from his family over the years. As part of that discussion, Chuck takes a moment to share the incredible career path of his wife, Krista, who started working in education some three decades ago as a teacher at Lowndes High School. This August, as NTDC 2026 gets underway, Krista will be beginning her third school year as the principal for one of the largest high schools in the state of Georgia with over 3,200 students. FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation [https://lutzie43.org/] is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation  [https://lutzie43.org/]and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org [https://lutzie43.org/]. The post Chuck Pearson Thrilled To Represent ABF Freight and Georgia At NTDC 2026 [https://podwheels.com/chuck-pearson-thrilled-to-represent-abf-freight-and-georgia-at-ntdc-2026/] appeared first on PodWheels [https://podwheels.com].