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A driver navigates his rig on the NTDC layout in the final round of the driving skills competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A course official checks to see how close a truck came to the rubber duck marker on the final day of the driving skills discipline at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A driver walks the course to get a feel for the layout before taking the wheel on the final day of the driving skills portion at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Scenes from the final round of the driving skills discipline at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19 (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Handshakes, hugs and smiles typified the spirt of camaraderie at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A trucking event the magnitude of NTDC wouldn't be successful if not for the behind-the-scenes efforts of the volunteers. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

The Parade of Champions, consisting of 421 competitors, begins to start the final day of activity at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

American Trucking Associations Chairman Dan Van Alstine delivers remarks at the start of the final day of competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

XPO backers cheer a driver's introduction during the Parade of Champions at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 19. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

James Cook of TCW was all smiles during the Parade of Champions on Aug. 19 at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio. (John Somers II for Transport Topics)

Officer Shane Northrup competes in the North American Inspectors Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center on Aug. 18. The event is held in conjunction with NTDC in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Trucking fans at NTDC found this moment during the second day of the driving competition to be picture perfect. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Officer Samuel Davis competes in the North American Inspectors Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center. The event is held in conjunction with NTDC in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Banners adorn the Greater Columbus Convention Center on the second day of the driving competition at NTDC. (John Somers II for Transport Topics)

A competitor got down on the floor to inspect his vehicle during the pretrip discipline at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 18. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

This tire-smudged rubber duck marker proves the difficulty some NTDC drivers had navigating the course at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 18. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)

A competitor in the twins class steers his rig on the course during the driving portion of NTDC at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 18. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Lorenso Ramos of XPO scrutinizes his vehicle during the pre-trip inspection discipline at the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 18. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Fans in the stands cheer on their drivers during the skills portion of NTDC at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 18. (John Somers II for Transport Topics)

Larry Kendall of FedEx competes in the 4-axle class during the first day of the skills competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Tina Peterson announces the names of NTDC drivers as they compete on the course at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Gabriel Baca, a 4-axle driver for Dependable Highway Freight, maneuvers his vehicle during the first day of the skills competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

An official on the course signals that a driver failed a problem during the first day of the skills competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

The Freedom Drivers Project truck and trailer were on location at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17 to promote awareness of human trafficking. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

A couple of drivers hitch a ride on a cart during the first day of the driving competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

The grand champion trophies for the 2023 National Truck Driving Championships and Step Van Championships. The smaller trophy goes to the driver, the larger one stays with American Trucking Associations. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Activity during the first day of the driving competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Somers II for Transport Topics)

A driver maneuvers his tank truck during the first day of the NTDC skills competition at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

An attendee browses the souvenir stand at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Oregon grand champion Dan Shamrell waits in the "bullpen" for this turn to take the course in the 4-axle class on the first day of the driving competition at NTDC. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)

2014 NTDC grand champion Jeffrey Langenhahn (left) stands with a familiar fellow during the first day of the driving competition Aug. 17. Langenhahn of XPO is this year's Wisconsin champion in the twins class. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)

Jeffrey Sharpe adjusts the side mirror for a driver during the first day of the skills competition at NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FedEx fans pack the stands to watch their NTDC drivers perform at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Duck marks the spot for drivers on the course at the NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 17. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Two-time NTDC grand champion Roland Bolduc shares some insights on succeeding in the tournament. Bolduc, who will compete in the sleeper berth, won titles in 2017 and 2022. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Safety Sammy and NTDC Duck toys were on display at NTDC at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

FMCSA Administrator Robin Hutcheson addresses participants at the kick-off of the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Championships at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Drivers immerse themselves in the written portion of NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

American Trucking Associations President Chris Spear addresses drivers during the kick-off of NTDC in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (John Sommers II for Transport Topics)

Trucks line the outside of the course at the National Truck Driving Championships and National Step Van Driving Championships in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)

FedEx Freight driver Mindy Rathjens, the 3-axle winner and grand champion from Iowa, is shown after completing the written segment of NTDC. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)

A view of the course layout for the driving portion of NTDC at the Greater Columbus Convention Center in Columbus, Ohio, on Aug. 16. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)