Jackie Reed, a veteran driver with FedEx Freight from Mississippi, was crowned Bendix Grand Champion at the 2024 National Truck Driving & Step Van Championships held in Indianapolis August 21-24. Reed’s victory, announced today by the American Trucking Associations (ATA), highlights his remarkable career that spans 34 years and three million accident-free miles.

Reed bested 421 other top drivers from 49 states who collectively logged nearly 685 million accident-free miles. His skill, precision and unwavering commitment to safety set him apart in what is often referred to as the “Super Bowl of Safety.” In addition to his overall victory, Reed also took first place in the tanker class, further cementing his status as an elite driver.

“Jackie demonstrated the precision and professionalism we expect from NTDC champions,” said Chris Spear, ATA President and CEO. “He even separated himself from this elite field and demonstrated the skills that have led to his long, successful and safe driving career.”

Reed’s performance at this year’s championships adds to his growing list of accolades, including being named Mississippi Grand Champion in the 3-Axle category in 2022.

While Reed was the star of the event, the competition also honored other top performers, including Nebraska’s Todd Gimpel, who was named 2024 Rookie of the Year, and Colorado State, who was named team champion.