“Go when you’re ready.”

Roland Bolduc peered through the windshield of his 18-wheeler across the saturated parking lot.

“It’s not raining hard enough,” Bolduc joked. It was in that moment that the sky really opened up, and the steady drizzle became a torrential downfall. But Bolduc’s resolution did not waver. “Okay, let’s go.”

Over the next several minutes, Bolduc delivered a flawless performance on the course at the 2025 Tristate Truck Driving Championships in Connecticut. With textbook precision, he expertly squeezed his large truck through tight barriers, stopped within inches of the designated targets, executed a perfect backup, and navigated tight turns.

In the end, despite the unfavorable weather conditions, Bolduc once again emerged on top.

A Champion Among Champions

Every year, thousands of truck drivers from coast to coast compete in state divisions with the hopes of earning a berth in the National Truck Driving Championships, often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety.” Each truck driving competition consists of a complex driving course, a challenging written exam, and a rigorous pre-trip inspection.

But even among this elite group of professionals, few are like Bolduc. His latest victory marked the 20th time he has won a state championship, making him a quadruple ace. Only one other driver has accomplished this feat in the nearly 90-year history of the event. Bolduc has also won the Grand Champion title twice at the national competitions, an exceedingly rare achievement.

Bolduc’s extraordinary journey from rookie to veteran to champion is the subject of a new docuseries produced by Nothing Without Trucking that features three exceptional truck drivers. It’s a story of perseverance, skill, and a commitment to excellence—qualities that define the trucking industry.

A Legend’s Family Legacy

Bolduc has been immersed in the trucking industry for his entire life. His father worked as a company driver and then started running his own trucking company before Bolduc was born. He put in a tremendous amount of effort to provide a good life for his wife and seven kids.

“He was such a hard worker,” Bolduc recalls. “Just as we were waking up to get ready for school, he was on his way out the door, and then he’d show up just in time for supper. The weekends, too. He never stopped.”

But just because Bolduc’s father was not always at home did not mean he rarely saw him. During his free time, Bolduc could be found at the terminal, watching his dad work and helping out where he could. By age 8, he was washing trucks, and at age 12, he was part of the crew. One particularly memorable experience was delivering furniture and the contents of an entire library to the third floor of a Victorian home.

The Road to Trucking

“August 4, 1984.” Bolduc recalls with perfect clarity the day he earned his CDL.

Given his upbringing and lifelong role model, it is perhaps no surprise that he ended up in the trucking industry.

Bolduc attributes his pinpoint driving accuracy to cutting his teeth earlier in his career making deliveries to New York City.

“Try driving in Harlem [or] in the Bronx. I’ll tell you what, that builds character. That builds precision. You have to know every square inch. When you’re driving down those narrow streets and people’s mirrors are out and you’re missing them by about two inches on each side of the vehicle, you know how wide your vehicle is. And you get used to backing up to these barricades year after year.”

From Rookie to Ace

Bolduc first competed in the truck driving championships in 1996, shortly after he began working for FedEx, and was immediately hooked. He won his first state title in 1997. After a couple of disappointing losses in subsequent years, he vowed to redouble his efforts.

“I was so mad when I got home,” Bolduc said. “I told my wife, ‘I will never lose again. I will practice harder than everyone else. I will read the book more than anyone else. I will practice my pre-trip more than anyone else. I will not lose again.’”

What followed was a nearly unbroken winning streak that has endured to this day.

To turn his resolve into reality, Bolduc assembled a group of committed, likeminded individuals who wanted to hone their skills regularly. He often invites other drivers to join him, lightheartedly referring to it as the “Roadeo Research and Development Facility.”

Bolduc’s evident edge in competitions and rumors of his intense preparations quickly gave his informal practice sessions a life of their own. After one of his triumphs, Bolduc’s friend told him that another driver whispered to him Bolduc’s “secret.”

“He goes to a place called the ‘Roadeo Research and Development Facility,’” conjuring up images of classrooms with formulas on chalkboards, scientists in white lab coats, and professional closed driving tracks.

“In reality, it’s just a parking lot,” Bolduc laughs.

Practice Makes Perfect

Bolduc’s alarm goes off at 1:15AM every Monday morning. Every other day of the week, he can sleep in—until 2:15AM. He reports to work well before dawn to map out the day’s routes and then makes deliveries on his own. Bolduc applies this same clockwork precision to his training regimen as well.

During the heat of the competition season, his group congregates early on Saturday mornings. Although the drivers represent different companies, when they practice, they are all on one team. They spend about five hours designing courses for one another, critiquing each other’s performances, and refining their own skills.

Bolduc’s vigorous practice schedule, coupled with his extensive experience of more than four decades behind the wheel, essentially provides him with a sixth sense when he is navigating the course at truck driving competitions.

That became evident most recently in his competition in Connecticut, where the weather became one more obstacle he needed to overcome. When rain obscures pavement markings and obscures the field of vision, you are virtually flying blind, and even veterans can stumble. When that happens, Bolduc’s training and instinct take over.

The Heart of a Champion

Those operating at the top echelons of their crafts typically have a fair amount of swagger. Not Bolduc. Those meeting him for the first time might be surprised to find that such an exceptional driver is exceptionally humble.

“I never thought in a million years that night I would have taken first place—never mind grand champion,” Bolduc said, referring to his first triumph at the National Truck Driving Championship and often attributing his victory to luck. “So the whole night was a blur, it was a shock.”

Whenever someone asks Bolduc about his own success, he invariably pivots to speak admiringly of his fellow competitors, whose similar interests and ambitions bind them together. Many of the same faces return year after year, becoming almost like family.

“Honestly, I’d like to see everybody finish one point away from each other just because I want them all at the head table,” Bolduc states with sincerity. “I want everybody to do well.”

He also has a much more expansive definition of “champion” that encompasses his peers in the industry.

“A champion is any driver who drives year after year safely,” Bolduc adds.

Bolduc has officially mentored well over 100 drivers, and he has undoubtedly served as a role model to countless more. Anyone who crosses paths with Bolduc instantly becomes a fast friend.

It is these deep relationships he has forged and his love for the industry that he inherited from his father that has sustained him through victory after victory in the competitions and mile after mile delivering for FedEx. Even after so many years, his desire to do his best and be the best has never dimmed.

“That’s probably what I’m going to miss the most when I retire. Getting to know more people and see a lot of people on a daily basis. I guess I’m a people person.”

Bolduc’s Story on the Screen

What does Bolduc hope that viewers of Nothing Without Trucking’s DRIVEN will take away from watching the documentary?

First: “Trucking is a solid profession. It’s a reliable profession…You get the freedom of being on road, the freedom of being in your own cab. My office is windows, lots of windows.”

And second, specifically for fellow truck drivers: “Get involved with the truck driving championships…The earlier you get involved in the truck driving championships in your career, the better.”

Visit DrivenDoc.org to stream the DRIVEN series.

Washington — Today, Nothing Without Trucking Films launched the first episode of a new documentary series titled DRIVEN that shines a spotlight on the dedicated trucking professionals who keep our nation rolling through good times and bad.

The trailer for the series was unveiled on June 23 on Nothing Without Trucking’s YouTube channel. Two more episodes are scheduled to air following the release of today’s series premiere on Monday, July 21, and Monday, August 4.

DRIVEN was produced by the American Trucking Associations—in association with ACT 1 and the Texas Trucking Association Foundation—as part of its Nothing Without Trucking campaign, which educates policymakers and the public about the indispensable role trucking plays in Americans’ lives. Beginning with professional drivers, the series plans to document the vast array of roles throughout trucking that come together to form an unbreakable bond in the U.S. supply chain.

“We believe trucking has storytelling potential that few other industries can match,” said Jeremy Kirkpatrick, ATA’s vice president of public affairs and strategic communications. “This industry touches lives in every community and corner of our country — from the North Slope of Alaska, to the rolling hills of New England, to the streets of South Dallas. These stories need to be told – not only to celebrate the skill, resilience, and humanity of these incredible pros who run the nation’s supply chains, but also to ensure trucking always has a seat at the table when government officials are making decisions that affect our industry and the broader economy.”

“DRIVEN offers a rare and powerful look at our industry—and our nation—through the eyes of the professionals who keep it moving,” said Nikki Thomas, ATA’s vice president of industry affairs. “ATA is proud to bring their journeys to the screen—celebrating their unwavering commitment to excellence and the transformational impact of trucking. Perhaps most exciting of all is that we’re just getting started, with so many more stories still to tell.”

DRIVEN’s pilot episodes deliver a compelling journey chronicling the lives of three extraordinary professional truck drivers who keep America moving. Later this year, the series plans to expand its aperture to profile the vast ecosystem and intricate network of roles throughout the trucking industry that work in tandem to move the U.S. economy.

Meet the Stars

Roland Bolduc – A professional driver for FedEx and two-time National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion. His impressive achievements are the culmination of meticulous preparation, countless hours of practicing precision driving, and a relentless pursuit of safety.

Tiffany Hargraves – A single mom who drives the Dalton Highway, an iconic stretch that runs up the North Slope of Alaska to the Arctic oil fields. Making the 24-hour roundtrip route requires an indomitable spirit of independence and resilience that defines the trucking industry.

Germany Wiliams – A professional driver whose fortune changed after he earned his CDL. Germany’s story inspired the founding of the South Dallas Driving Academy, a non-profit that is breaking through the systemic barrier of driver’s license access in underserved communities and launching careers in the trucking industry.

Join the Journey

Audiences are encouraged to watch and share on social media and subscribe to the DRIVEN YouTube channel to catch each new episode when it drops. For more information, visit DrivenDoc.org.

Washington — Trucking on the open road has long been a symbol of freedom, opportunity, and resolve. Now, a new documentary series titled DRIVEN shines a spotlight on the dedicated professionals behind the wheel who keep our nation rolling through good times and bad—and the millions more who work throughout the industry to deliver for America.

DRIVEN was produced by the American Trucking Associations—in association with ACT 1 and the Texas Trucking Association Foundation—as part of its Nothing Without Trucking campaign, which educates policymakers and the public about the indispensable role trucking plays in Americans’ lives. Beginning with professional drivers, the series plans to document the vast array of roles throughout trucking that come together to form an unbreakable bond in the U.S. supply chain.

“We believe trucking has storytelling potential that few other industries can match,” said Jeremy Kirkpatrick, ATA’s vice president of public affairs and strategic communications. “This industry touches lives in every community and corner of our country — from the North Slope of Alaska, to the rolling hills of New England, to the streets of South Dallas. These stories need to be told – not only to celebrate the skill, resilience, and humanity of these incredible pros who run the nation’s supply chains, but also to ensure trucking always has a seat at the table when government officials are making decisions that affect our industry and the broader economy.”

“DRIVEN offers a rare and powerful look at our industry—and our nation—through the eyes of the professionals who keep it moving,” said Nikki Thomas, ATA’s vice president of industry affairs. “ATA is proud to bring their journeys to the screen—celebrating their unwavering commitment to excellence and the transformational impact of trucking. Perhaps most exciting of all is that we’re just getting started, with so many more stories still to tell.”

DRIVEN’s pilot episodes deliver a compelling journey chronicling the lives of three extraordinary professional truck drivers who keep America moving. Later this year, the series plans to expand its aperture to profile the vast ecosystem and intricate network of roles throughout the trucking industry that work in tandem to move the U.S. economy.

Meet the Stars

Roland Bolduc – A professional driver for FedEx and two-time National Truck Driving Championships Grand Champion. His impressive achievements are the culmination of meticulous preparation, countless hours of practicing precision driving, and a relentless pursuit of safety.

Tiffany Hargraves – A single mom who drives the Dalton Highway, an iconic stretch that runs up the North Slope of Alaska to the Arctic oil fields. Making the 24-hour roundtrip route requires an indomitable spirit of independence and resilience that defines the trucking industry.

Germany Wiliams – A professional driver whose fortune changed after he earned his CDL. Germany’s story inspired the founding of the South Dallas Driving Academy, a non-profit that is breaking through the systemic barrier of driver’s license access in underserved communities and launching careers in the trucking industry.

Join the Journey

Audiences are encouraged to watch and share the trailer on social media and subscribe to the DRIVEN YouTube channel to catch each new episode when it drops. For more information, visit DrivenDoc.org.

AUSTIN, TX — TXTA Foundation has announced a significant commitment to the American Trucking Associations’ newly launched “Nothing Without Trucking” campaign. The Foundation will contribute $50,000 over the next five years to support this nationwide initiative aimed at educating policymakers and the public about the indispensable role of trucking in Americans’ lives.

This latest pledge builds upon the Foundation’s previous support for industry image campaigns. The Foundation had previously committed $100,000 over ten years to the “Trucking Moves America Forward” initiative starting in 2014, demonstrating its ongoing dedication to promoting a positive image of the trucking industry.

“The ‘Nothing Without Trucking’ initiative resonates deeply with our mission to highlight the essential nature of our industry. By supporting this campaign, we’re not just investing in an image makeover; we’re investing in the future of trucking and its vital role in Texas and across America,” said TXTA Foundation Chair John Craddock.

This campaign aims to showcase the trucking industry’s commitment to safety, innovation, efficiency, and environmental responsibility. It will spotlight the millions of individuals who keep America’s economy moving, from drivers to dispatchers, safety directors, and fleet managers.

“Our industry has an essential story to tell – a story that is integral to the lives of everyone in this country and the conversations taking place around the kitchen table,” said American Trucking Associations President and CEO Chris Spear. “Thanks to the generous support of organizations like the Texas Trucking Association Foundation, our Nothing Without Trucking campaign is taking this story on the road in 2025 to depict the vast ecosystem at work delivering our nation’s goods, and to show why the men and women of trucking are indispensable to the prosperity of America.”

This contribution from the TXTA Foundation will help amplify the campaign’s message, ensuring that the stories of trucking professionals reach a wider audience. The initiative seeks to remind Americans that their daily conveniences and necessities are made possible by the tireless efforts of the trucking industry.

TXTA Foundation was established in 1978 to fund education and research projects for the Texas trucking industry. The Foundation is a non-profit educational, public relations, research and community service organization governed by a Board of Trustees. The mission of this all-volunteer organization is to work with TXTA member companies to fund educational and community service programs to enhance the understanding of and image of the Texas trucking industry, with the goal of positioning trucking as the most vital and necessary industry in Texas.

A little over a week ago, torrential rain from Hurricane Helene blanketed the southeast, burying many communities under several feet of water and mud. We witnessed human tragedy unfold as the death toll mounted and families’ possessions were swept away. But as is so often the case in the wake of catastrophes like this one, we have also seen countless examples of neighbors stepping up to help.

It is the nature of America’s trucking industry to be among the first on the scene following natural disasters. Only a few hours after the scale of the devastation became apparent, truck drivers began delivering aid directly to affected towns wherever possible. This storm has proved more challenging than most, with a wide swath of infrastructure literally wiped off the map. Truckers are continuing to work around the clock with local authorities to stage relief and surge it wherever it is needed most as the road network reopens.

Among those answering the call was professional driver Herschel Evans, who took the American Trucking Associations’ Share the Road truck to a staging area in Augusta, Georgia, where he delivered 4,400 gallons of non-perishable milk. This Convoy of Care isn’t a job; it’s a lifeline. Without trucking, communities wouldn’t have access to the resources they need in the wake of devastation.

The relief drop was featured on Good Morning America here: