Somers, Conn. (June 13, 2026) – Nearly 100 drivers representing three states and ten trucking companies competed on Saturday at the Tri-State TDC for the rights to advance to the ATA National Truck Driving Championships in Pittsburgh this August. The combined event with RITA, TAM and MTAC coming together for what has become known as the ‘Superbowl of Safety’, was hosted for the first time by New England Tractor Trailer Training School at their Somers campus.

Drivers, who were scored on their proficiency on a written test, pre-trip inspection, and driving skills test, competed in eight different classes: step van, straight truck, 3-axle tractor-trailer, 4-axle tractor-trailer, 5-axle tractor-trailer, tanker and sleeper, and twin trailers.

Seven-time Rhode Island Grand Champion, Joe Hicks of XPO, notched another Rhode Island Grand Championship with the highest overall score and will return to the national competition to try for another first-place finish. Hicks was the 3-axle national champion in 2024. Rookie of the Year was Starlyn Martinez, who competed in the straight truck class for Ocean State Job Lot.

Winners in each class were as follows:

• Step Van – Jose Duarte, Fedex
• Straight Truck – Donaldo Afonseca, Old Dominion Freight
• 3-Axle – Joe Hicks, XPO
• 4-Axle – James Bergin, Fedex Freight
• 5-Axle – William Hicks, Ocean State Job Lot
• 5-Axle Sleeper – Joe Santo, Ocean State Job Lot
• 5-Axle Tanker – Steve Migneault, Fedex Freight
• Twin Trailers – Joseph Daccache, XPO

Congratulations to all the winners and best of luck at the National Truck Driving Championship in August!