FedEx Freight Driver takes top honor at Tennessee Truck Driving Championships. Professional drivers from across the state gathered in Antioch earlier this month for the 2026 Tennessee Truck Driving Championships, where James Sowder of FedEx Freight earned the event's overall grand champion title. Sowder also finished first in the flatbed division during the two-day competition held May 1 and 2 at the FedEx Freight facility in Tennessee. Hosted by the Tennessee Trucking Association, the annual championships test drivers on written exams, pre-trip inspections, and driving skills designed around precision, safety, and vehicle control. Several additional honors were handed out during the event, recognizing both competitors and volunteers involved with the championships. Donnie Shelby of XPO Logistics received the rookie award, while The Martin-Brower Company earned the team trophy award. The Inspector Challenge award went to Dallas Lange. Ed Hauhn of Martin-Brower received Driver of the Year honors, while Jack Hawkins of Thompson Machinery was recognized for volunteer contributions during the event. Division winners included drivers representing multiple carriers and equipment classes across the competition field. Division winners from the 2026 Tennessee championships. | Division | Winner | Company | | Step Van | Roy Daniels | FedEx Corporation | | Straight Truck | Samuel Bryant | FedEx Freight | | 3 Axle | Brian Turner | Old Dominion | | 4 Axle | Brandon Gilpatrick | FedEx Freight | | 5 Axle | William Shepherd | Tranco Logistics | | Tank | Ray Shelton | FedEx Freight | | Twin Trailers | Steve Marlow | ABF Freight | | Sleeper | Jeff Barton | FedEx Freight | | Flatbed | James Sowder | FedEx Freight | "We are proud of all of this year's professional drivers who showcased their skills this past weekend," the association said in a social media post. "Thank you, participants, volunteers, and sponsors, for another great event!" Drivers advancing from state competitions will continue to the National Truck Driving & Step Van Driving Championships scheduled for Aug. 11 through 14 in Pittsburgh. State truck driving championships remain one of the industry's longest-running ways to recognize professional drivers for safety knowledge, vehicle handling skills, and consistency behind the wheel. The Truck Drivers USA editorial team creates practical, driver-focused content covering industry topics, job trends, and real-world decisions that impact drivers at every stage of their careers. Each article is written to provide clear, accurate information that drivers can use. Last updated: May 14, 2026 Image Source: Tennessee Trucking Association

Martin Brower, a global leader in supply chain solutions for the world’s leading brands, has signed a lease for a 147,000-square-foot facility at Crow Holdings at I-95, 14515 McNulty Road in northeast Philadelphia.Crow Holdings Development anticipates the project, which includes 57,000 square feet of cold storage capacity, will be completed by Fall 2025.CBRE’s Jonathan Springer, Andrew Green and Mike Barker served as tenant representatives in the transaction. Colliers’ Brad Boone and Brian McCurdy represented Crow Holdings Development as exclusive leasing agents for Crow Holdings at I-95.Crow Holdings at I-95 occupies a 14.4-acre redevelopment parcel that Crow Holdings Development purchased earlier this year from PIDC, Philadelphia’s public-private economic development corporation. Crow Holdings at I-95 has a 10-year PILOT agreement in place. It is part of an established industrial park within a Keystone Opportunity Zone (KOZ), which provides eligibility for businesses to take advantage of certain state and local tax abatements.“These factors and our team’s ability to reconfigure the building’s design from traditional industrial to specialized use mid-development were key factors in securing a best-in-class tenant like Martin Brower,” Crow Holdings Development’s Clark Machemer, senior managing director, said. “It was an honor to be entrusted by PIDC to make this key redevelopment project a reality, and we couldn’t be more pleased with the result.”The building’s “spec to suit” construction is progressing, and Crow Holdings Development has begun interior fit-out work for Martin Brower. The specialized storage features cooler, freezer and cold dock components