Pittsburgh, PA — The 2026 National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) have kicked off with 429 state champions from across the United States competing for national titles. Among the most watched competitors are David Comings and Scott Meyers, teammates at FedEx Freight out of North Dakota, whose mentor-student dynamic has become a defining narrative of the event. Comings enters the competition as the defending NTDC Grand Champion, having secured both the 5-Axle division title and the overall Grand Championship in Minneapolis during the 2025 season.
This year’s competition highlights the depth of talent within the North Dakota trucking community, specifically the three FedEx Freight drivers representing the state. Meyers qualifies for the Sleeper division after achieving a rare feat: earning state championships in all eight CDL vehicle classes contested at the North Dakota Truck Driving Championships. Rounding out the trio is Chris Scholand, who earned his spot in the Tanker division after winning his own state title. These three drivers frequently practice together, sharing technical insights and refining their skills throughout the season, blending friendly rivalry with collaborative preparation.
The relationship between Comings and Meyers traces back to 2019 at a FedEx Freight terminal in Fargo, North Dakota. Comings first noticed a practice course marked by orange cones and asked Meyers about it, leading to an introduction to the Truck Driving Championships. That initial curiosity prompted Comings to begin training alongside Meyers and Scholand. When the COVID-19 pandemic suspended national competitions until 2022, Comings used the hiatus to intensify his preparation. He studied the American Trucking Associations’ *Facts For Drivers* manual extensively, recognizing that written test scores and pre-trip inspection results carry significant weight in the overall scoring system before a wheel even turns on the driving course.
What This Means for Drivers
For professional CDL-A drivers, the NTDC serves as a benchmark for operational excellence that extends beyond basic regulatory compliance. The competition demonstrates that mastery of pre-trip inspections and written knowledge is as critical as driving skill, a fact that often goes overlooked in daily fleet management. Owner-operators and fleet managers should note that competitors like Comings invest heavily in studying FMCSA regulations and ATA materials, a discipline that often correlates with lower accident rates and higher retention. As trucking companies hiring top talent look for drivers who prioritize safety and precision, the skills honed in these championships are increasingly valued in the commercial sector.
Industry Reaction
The presence of three FedEx Freight drivers from a single state underscores the carrier’s long-standing commitment to developing driver talent through competitive programs. FedEx Freight has historically supported local and state-level championships, using them as a pipeline to identify high-performing OTR truck drivers and regional specialists. This approach helps maintain a steady stream of skilled professionals, reducing turnover and ensuring that safety standards remain high across the network. The industry generally views these events as a vital component of driver education, reinforcing the idea that continuous improvement is a core expectation for every professional on the road.
Key Points
- 429 state champions are competing at the 2026 NTDC in Pittsburgh for national titles.
- David Comings defends his Grand Championship title after winning the 5-Axle division in 2025.
- Scott Meyers competes in the Sleeper division after winning state titles in all eight CDL classes.
- Chris Scholand represents North Dakota in the Tanker division, completing the FedEx Freight trio.
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