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The National Truck Driving Championships have long been a rollercoaster of emotions between two different audiences, both determined to win everything at this prestigious event.

The newcomers to the 87th edition of the Super Bowl of Safety are ready to lead a youth movement and make a new history. While the old guard of the national tournament often relies on their experience to easily overshadow the achievements of the newcomers, that experience forges a will in the younger group to try again next year.

Wisconsin’s Matthew Boenisch, a personable thirtysomething who is enjoying a meteoric rise in the field of precision driving, has qualified for his second appearance in the summer classic after outrunning a field comprised mostly of veterans from his state. He is this year’s Badger State Grand Champion, a well-deserved distinction considering how hard he works after hours to hone his mastery of the craft.

Aware of his fellow pickup truck drivers’ struggle to win, Boenisch is relying on his young man’s determination to gain the momentum he needs in this month’s national competition.

National Truck Driving Championships 2024

WHO: Winners from nine categories at the state level who made it to the national competition where a Grand Champion is crowned

What: Participants are assessed based on a written test, a pre-trip inspection and their driving skills.

When: 21-24 August

Where: Indianapolis

Looking back on his state win in mid-May that put him in the industry’s summer show at the Indiana Convention Center, the FedEx Freight driver told Transport Topics, “I knew I could win again – but winning the overall was not even on my radar. So I guess I’ll try to ride that wave all the way to Indianapolis and then we’ll see how the cards fall.”

The NTDC’s three tasks are a test of federal regulations, a pre-trip vehicle inspection and a precision drive through a course. The top five finishers from nine vehicle classes advance to the final round.

“We all know that anyone can ride,” he said, “but I think the best results come from the written test and the pre-race. So that’s what I’ve really been focusing on. Because if you don’t do your best on the track, you at least have a chance with what you do behind the scenes. That’s what I’m most focused on at the moment.”

The NTDC competition begins on August 21. His family, he said, expects great things from their patriarch. Wife Kayla Boenisch, 10-year-old daughter Hailey and 8-year-old son Nathan have raised the stakes.

“My whole family is excited to be able to experience the Nationals,” said Boenisch. “And now they’re putting a little pressure on me because I have to do this every year.” He was quick to note that the feeling is mutual: “Once I get a taste for it, I’m sure I’ll want to come back and do more.”

On the final day of competition, scheduled for August 24, Boenisch hopes to participate in the final ride, which is reserved for the top five competitors in each class. But beyond the competition, Boenisch values ​​the meaningful opportunities to build an NTDC family and enrich the spirit.

“It’s just a great group of safe riders and there’s just a great camaraderie,” he noted. “Most of these guys you don’t know when you come (here)… I just think it’s great that all these guys had to ride safely for at least a year to make it to Nationals. In today’s society, that’s a very big accomplishment.” He continued, “Some people make it look easy, but just being there is a big deal.”

Other winners from Wisconsin:

3-axle: Jacob Moore, Old Dominion Freight Line

4-axle: Paul Smith, FedEx Freight

5-axle: Matthew Myer, Old Dominion Freight Line

Sleeping place: William Minor, Walmart Beaver Dam

Step trolley: Matthew Callis, Old Dominion Freight Line

Straight axis: Nicholas Jamtowski, Old Dominion Freight Line

Tanker: Shawn Modaff, FedEx Freight

Twins: Connor Dent, FedEx Freight

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