Dana driver wins tank category in ATA driving contest

Aug. 26, 2004
Ronald Bowman Sr, 62, a driver for Dana Transport, Avenel NJ, has taken home the gold in the tank truck category in the recent National Truck Driving Championships sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA).

Ronald Bowman Sr, 62, a driver for Dana Transport, Avenel NJ, has taken home the gold in the tank truck category in the recent National Truck Driving Championships sponsored by the American Trucking Associations (ATA). He is the first tank truck driver to take home the first place in that category since the late 1990s. Many non-tank truck drivers compete in the tank truck division.

Another tank truck driver won third place in the tank category, Mark Krall, a driver for BRT Inc, Parkesburg PA.

Bowman, a driver and driver trainer with at least three-million miles of driving under his belt, is assigned to Dana's petroleum division. Before joining Dana three years ago, he spent 33 years with Getty Petroleum Marketing Inc.

Fred Terpolilli, Dana safety director, says that in addition to Bowman's driving skills, his driver training results in 90 percent of new hires being retained by the company.

In making his way to the ATA contest in Salt Lake City UT, August 18-21, Bowman won the New Jersey competition to qualify for the finals.

Krall, 50, has about 1.5 million miles in his driving history and has been employed at BRT Inc for three years. Krall captured the Pennsylvania contest to reach the finals. "He is a fantastic individual, as well as an excellent driver," Bill Graham, the carrier's safety director, says. "Safety is just his style."

Other tank truck drivers noted for their driving skills in Salt Lake City include John Postier of Groendyke Transport Inc, Enid OK; Wayne VanVuren, Liquid Transport Corp, Greenfield IN; Michael Beich, Klemm Tank Lines, Green Bay WI; and Gene P Davis, Petroleum Transport Inc, Belle WV.

The competition is sponsored by ATA and challenges drivers for skills used in daily driving. Drivers qualify for the championship by winning state contests. Tests include rear line stops, parallel parking for trailers, right turns, front line stops, and straight line driving through a narrow path of tennis balls.

To see other various category winners in the contest, click here for the ATA Web site at truckline.com.

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