FedEx Freight Captain Smith Challenge

Frederick W. Smith, the founder, former executive chairman, and long-time chairman and CEO of FedEx Corporation, conceived a program encouraging drivers to represent FedEx at state truck driving championships and ultimately at the American Trucking Associations' National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC). That legacy continues at FedEx Freight with the launch of the Captain Smith Challenge.

The Captain Smith Challenge affirms FedEx Freight's unwavering commitment to safety–for our drivers, our team members, and everyone on the road. It also provides a platform for our drivers to demonstrate their skills and professionalism while championing the importance of safe driving across the industry.

Since 2003 when Mr. Smith first issued his challenge, Team FedEx Freight has earned 53 National Champion titles, seven National Grand Champion honors, and seen nine drivers named National Rookie of the Year.

In 2025, 112 FedEx Freight drivers represented the company at the National Truck Driving Championships. For seven of the past eight years the event has been held, more than 100 of our professional drivers have competed at the NTDC. Each driver qualified by winning their state's championship and driving accident-free for at least the past year.

The 2026 championships will be held Aug. 11-14 at the David L. Lawrence Convention Center in Pittsburgh.

FedEx Freight Sending 111 Drivers to NTDC

Highlighted by 18 drivers who were named Grand Champion in their respective states this year and nine past National Champions, FedEx Freight will field a team of 111 drivers at the National Truck Driving Championships in Pittsburgh, Aug. 11-14.

Drivers will compete for national titles in nine different truck classes as well as battle for the prestigious National Grand Champion title. Competitors earn points by showcasing their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, pre-trip inspection, and driving skills challenge.

Since 2003, FedEx Freight drivers have earned 53 National Championship titles and seven National Grand Champion honors. This year’s FedEx Freight team includes three defending national champions from the 2025 NTDC. Notably, past National Grand Champions Jackie Reed of Hattiesburg, Mississippi (2024) and David Comings of Wahpeton, North Dakota (2025) return to compete at the 2026 NTDC.

Collectively, the FedEx Freight team has logged more the 230 million safe-driving miles, including 96 drivers who have surpassed one million miles of safe driving, and 22 who have surpassed three million accident-free miles. Together, the team has more than 2,950 years of professional driving experience.

The National Truck Driving Championships are hosted annually by the American Trucking Associations. The competition, which is called the “Super Bowl of Safety,” dates back to 1937 when it was originally the National Truck Roadeo. The NTDC requires drivers to qualify through their performance at state-level truck driving championships.