INDIANAPOLIS — The interior of the Indianapolis Convention Center has been transformed into a test track for trucks.

“Today we had the departure inspection and the practical course,” said Ritch Fundall, a truck driver.

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Fundall has been a rider for 26 years and safety is a priority in the competitions he takes part in.

“As a professional rider, I want to be as good as I can be and this competition helps me do that,” said Fundall.

The National Truck Driving Championship brings together more than 400 drivers from across the country.

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“A year without any preventable accidents and winning the local state competition,” said Heath Arnold of the committee.

Road safety is a big topic of conversation at the convention and in Indiana. In July, Indiana State Police reported 400 incidents of road rage, well on their way to surpassing last year’s record of 55 incidents.

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“I have to stay physically, mentally and emotionally in control at all times and not allow the actions of other drivers to influence me. I just have to concentrate on myself and my vehicle,” said Fundall.

The competition consists of three parts: a written test, a driving test and a pre-trip inspection in which drivers must find defects on their truck.