America’s Road Team Captain wins Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award
THE A TEAM: The 2007-2008 America’s Road Team are from left back row (left to right): William Burton, Steve Eckhoff, Albert Adams, Dennis Day, Kent Durant, Steve Fields, Larry Shelton. Front row (left to right): Jose Franco, Rick Whittle, Tony Spero, Anthony Sifford, Richard Scholl, Chris Serviss, Wayne Crowder, Dellonzo "Mack" McAdory, Clarence Jenkins, Jr.
The Trucker News Services
9/2/2008
ARLINGTON, Va.— America’s Road Team Captain Clarence Jenkins, Jr. was honored last weekend at the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships with the prestigious Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award.
Jenkins, who hails from Poca, W.Va., was honored for most exemplifying all of the best attributes of a professional truck driver. Contestants are judged on their driving records, skills, attitude and professionalism. The winner must also have competed at the National Truck Driving Championships for at least seven years.
“I could not think of a driver that more exemplifies the criteria of the Neill Darmstadter Professional Excellence Award,” said ATA Vice President Elisabeth Barna. “We at ATA are fortunate to work closely with Clarence in spreading the industry’s message of safety and professionalism, and he is truly one of the best representatives for the industry.”
Jenkins has competed in 13 National Truck Driving Championships, including this year. In 1988, he took home the top prize in his division, winning the five-axle competition.
“Each day Clarence Jenkins epitomizes what America's Road Team stands for by representing the American trucking industry with professionalism, skill and safety,” said. Scott Kress, senior vice president, sales & marketing, Volvo Trucks North America. “Mr. Jenkin's entire career demonstrates the highest level of driving performance, while at the same time being a truly effective ambassador to the general public.”
Jenkins also has received the following honors: Distinguished West Virginian Award, Award of Excellence, Mack Million Mile Award, Pre-trip Inspection Award, West Virginia State Police Safety Traffic Award, West Virginia Driver of the Month (three times), and West Virginia Outstanding Driver Award (six times).
Jenkins is a past president of the West Virginia Association of Truck Driver Champions and is a member of the Mid-Atlantic Professional Truck Drivers Association. He was also a member of the Overnite/UPS Road Team. He participates in the Mid-Atlantic Charity Fun Drive annually to help raise money for the Make-a-Wish Foundation, winning the sleeper-class division in 2002.
The America's Road Team, sponsored by Volvo Trucks North America, is a national public outreach program led by a small group of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills, remarkable safety records and a strong desire to spread the word about safety.