Our Publix truck drivers are vital to ensuring products arrive at our stores safely. Every year, they showcase their skills and industry knowledge by participating in truck driving competitions across various states.
This year’s Florida Truck Driving Championships was held June 13 – 15 in Daytona Beach. Publix had 27 truck drivers competing in different vehicle classes, and the championship winners were
- Rifat Becirevic — 1st place, 5-axle tractor semitrailer
- Joshua Ehret — 2nd place, 5-axle tractor semitrailer
- John Roberts — 2nd place, tanker and
- Jeremy Shirah — 3rd place, flatbed truck.
First-place winner Rifat will compete at the American Trucking Associations’ National Truck Driving Championships, which will be held Aug. 21 – 24 in Indianapolis. In addition to winning 1st place in the 5-axle category, he received the Grand Champion award — the competition’s highest honor given to the top-performing driver in all classes combined.
Two Publix drivers received Driver of the Month; Michael Ocasio and John Roberts won for March and August, respectively. John was also awarded the state’s prestigious Driver of the Year award, the 1st time a Publix driver has received this honor.
Congratulations to all our truck drivers who competed in the Florida Truck Driving Championships!
Winners by state
Read about the winners from the other states:
