Every year, our dispatch locations encourage drivers with an accident-free record to participate in a local obstacle challenge. The drivers with the top three scores go on to represent Publix at their respective state truck driving championships, and if they win at state, they move on to the national competition. During this year’s local challenge, the top three scores were Publix drivers. They participated at the Florida Truck Driving Championships in Daytona, Florida, where they competed with more than 245 drivers from different companies.

During registration, drivers are provided with an orientation of the course and the event rules. After completing the course, they are required to complete a written test with questions from an industry book — provided by the American Trucking Association — called Facts of Drivers.

At the state level, there are approximately 30 competitors per vehicle class. There are eight truck classes and one step van class. This year, Publix drivers — John Kinchen in Tank class, Pat Kutenits in Flatbed and Larry Taylor in 4-Axle — won the state championship in their respective class and were invited to represent Publix at the National Truck Driving Championships in Orlando, Florida. Publix also took home the Large Team Trophy, which is awarded to the team with the highest average scores gathered at all the competitions in Florida. This is the third year in a row Publix has received this award. Congratulations!