LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative are again partnering in the search for America’s top rookie military veteran driver who successfully transitioned to the trucking industry following military service.
“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,” said 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.”
Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence
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-inch 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 at the Kentucky Expo Center in Louisville, featured in the Fastport booth, #39501.
Kenworth T680
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-inch 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 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,” said 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.”
Highlighting Veterans Becoming Truckers
“For many veterans, trucking offers a way to continue serving with purpose, responsibility, and pride,” said 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.”
Eligibility Requirements
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 Jan. 1, 2025.
Nominations open March 28, and the final deadline to submit applications will be June 30. Award semi-finalists will be announced on Aug. 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 Nov. 1-11. The final award announcement will be made in mid-December, and the winner will drive home in the Kenworth T680.
Full criteria and online nomination forms are available now on the “Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence” website.
To read about 2025’s winner, Charles Jones Jr., click here.
Dana Guthrie is an award-winning journalist who has been featured in multiple newspapers, books and magazines across the globe. She is currently based in the Atlanta, Georgia, area.
