Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative announce they are again partnering in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver who successfully transitioned to the trucking industry following military service.
Under the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” recognition program, Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th consecutive year. This year’s award is a T680 equipped with a 76 in., sleeper and the Paccar Powertrain featuring the Paccar MX-13 engine, Paccar TX-12 automated transmission and Paccar DX-40 tandem rear axles.
The truck will be on display March 26–28 at the Mid-America Trucking Show (MATS) at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, Ky.
[RELATED: Take a video tour of Kenworth’s new extreme-duty C580]
The Kenworth T680 features a Diamond VIT interior in slate gray with madrona accents and includes the latest in driver amenities. Both the driver and passenger seats are GT703 Ultraleather seats that are fully heated and cooled. The 76 in., sleeper includes space for a microwave and TV, a factory-installed fridge and a rotating work table. The T680 also includes the latest in driver assistance systems, including Kenworth’s DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) Stop and Auto Go and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering.
“The trucking industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to those who have served by recognizing the leadership, discipline and focus veterans bring to the workforce,” says Brad Bentley, Fastport president. “Returning to the Mid-America Trucking Show with the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award and this year’s Kenworth T680 grand prize allows us to celebrate that commitment on one of the industry’s biggest stages. It’s an incredible opportunity to spotlight veterans who are excelling behind the wheel and to encourage more service members to see trucking as a pathway to long-term success.”
“The Mid-America Trucking Show brings together the very best of the trucking community, making it an ideal venue to highlight the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award,” says Kyle Kimball, Kenworth director of marketing. “For the 11th consecutive year, Kenworth is proud to support this transformative program and to once again present our flagship T680 to an outstanding veteran who represents the future of our industry.”
“For many veterans, trucking offers a way to continue serving with purpose, responsibility and pride,” says Eric Eversole, U.S. Chamber of Commerce vice president and Hiring Our Heroes president. “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence recognizes veterans who are thriving in an industry that keeps our economy moving and offers durable, long-term careers with real opportunity. We’re honored to work alongside Fastport and Kenworth to elevate these success stories for the 11th year.”
The organizers say the top driver will be determined by an expert panel of judges. To qualify, drivers must meet eligibility requirements as specified in the official Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence Award rules, including:
- Be a legal resident of the continental United States and a military veteran or current/former member of the National Guard or Reserves.
- Graduated from PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS or CVTA member driver training school, with a valid CDL.
- Have been employed by any for-hire carrier or private fleet that has pledged to hire veterans and hired as a CDL driver after January 1, 2025. Nominations open March 28 and the final deadline to submit applications will be June 30. Award semi-finalists will be announced on August 5. Finalists will be invited to Columbus, Ohio, to tour the National Veterans Memorial and Museum and attend a reception, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant, where the finalists will be announced. Public voting on the finalists will occur from November 1 through 11. The final award announcement will be made in mid-December and the winner will drive home in the Kenworth T680.
