Trucker logs million miles en route to championships

After securing the top spot at a Nebraska truck driving event in June, a Martinez resident is gearing up to make his first appearance this week at the 72nd annual National Truck Driving Championships in Pittsburgh.

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"I will be considered a rookie at the national championships," said Dennis Chambers, a commercial driver for Crete Carrier Corp. "It's an honor to go there."

Chambers not only placed first in the tank truck division during the Nebraska Truck Driving Championships, held nearly two months ago in Grand Island, Neb., but he also posted the highest final score at the two-day competition. The score helped Crete Carrier win the team championship title.

As a result, Chambers won cash prizes in addition to a bid to the American Trucking Association's national championships and a trip to a NASCAR event.

Though he professionally drives a 53-foot box trailer with his truck, he pulled a 43-foot-long tanker at the state contest.

"I drive a tanker maybe an hour a year," said Chambers, who has driven professionally throughout the country for 20 years. "It's pretty neat that I beat guys that drive tankers every day."

About 77 drivers competed during the Nebraska championships this year, said Sue Wilson, Nebraska Trucking Association director of membership and advertising.

"You have to have been a professional truck driver for your employer for at least the past 12 months," she said. "In addition, be accident free during that time."

Chambers' trucking company is based in Lincoln, Neb., and Chambers said he has driven about 1.7 million miles without an accident.

"There are drivers, who are competing in this event, who have been doing this for more than 10 years," Wilson said. "This is just his fifth year, and he takes the big kahuna trophy as well as first place in his particular class, which makes him eligible to compete at the national competition in Pittsburgh."

Chambers, who has participated in the state competition for five years, said he enjoys socializing with friends he scarcely sees otherwise.

"You want to win a trophy, but more than that, it's just going there," he said. "Usually, it's the same group of drivers there every year, and we all get together and we tell stories and laugh, kind of like a trucker family reunion."

The National Truck Driving Championships will take place at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, an indoor facility, in downtown Pittsburgh Tuesday-Saturday, with eight winners from each state competing.

Drivers are tested in four areas, including a written exam, pre-trip inspection, personal interview and driving skills test, which is worth the most points. The skills test entails maneuvering around obstacles, navigating past six simulated problems on a road course and more.

Chambers said he has been studying since May and has been practicing for the big day.

"I'm nervous as all get out, because I don't want to come in last place," he said.

When it comes to the national event, the best of the best drivers will be featured.

"It's a big deal," Wilson said. "It's been referred to the Superbowl of trucking."