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Chaunce Umfleet of Arkansas reflects on FedEx founder Fred Smith, who died in June. (Umfleet: Eugene Mulero/Transport Topics; Smith: Anna Moneymaker/Bloomberg News)

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MINNEAPOLIS — The FedEx family is honoring its founder, the late Fred W. Smith. during the four days of competition at the 88th annual National Truck Driving Championships.

in the event are wearing baseball caps featuring the initials of the trucking titan who died in June.

Smith’s commitment to safety prompted FedEx to become a safety proponent unmatched in its dominance at NTDC in recent years. A testament to the culture established by the big purple bloc is evident by their winning record. For more than two decades, the tournament’s top winners have direct or indirect links to FedEx.

Connecticut’s Roland Bolduc, a two-time NTDC grand champion (2017, 2022), competed in the 5-axle class Aug. 22. Equipped with the “FWS” on his FedEx cap, he recalled meeting Smith after his NTDC success.

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FedEx founder Fred Smith took his company to new heights in the 1970s. (FedEx Corp.)

“If it wasn’t for Fred Smith, I wouldn’t be here,” Bolduc told Transport Topics after taking the course in the first round. “For Mr. Smith, he developed the charity challenge and challenged all of us to do better, to get better, and to be safer. And that’s basically what this is: a safety challenge. with FedEx. Safety above all is our motto, and that’s what we live by.”

�����𲵴Dz�’s Dan Shamrell, competing in his 19th and final NTDC, is among FedEx’s most decorated NTDC competitors. The winner of the Professional Excellence Award said Smith inspired drivers to reach for perfection in safety competitions.

Today’s events pushed skill and focus to the max. Tomorrow, the best of the best will compete for the crown! — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)

“In 2006 was the first time I met Fred Smith after I had won the national championship in the 3-axle class, and I got to meet with him in Memphis. It was an incredible experience. The most down-to-earth person. He talked to me as if I was a friend,” Shamrell said. “An incredible man, incredible leader and he is truly missed.”

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Dan Shamrell of Oregon, shown at NTDC 2023 in Columbus, Ohio, is retiring from competition after this, his 19th appearance in the safety showcase. (Judd Hanson/Transport Topics)��

Arkansas’ Chaunce Umfleet also is a member of Team FedEx. Wearing his “FWS” hat, he reflected on the late founder’s contributions.

“He did a great job with safety in the industry; the way we are trained as drivers, the way we go about and care about what we do on a daily basis with safety pre-trips, post-trip — doing the right thing. Delivering the purple promise every single day.

“That was a wonderful staple that he embedded in all of us when we were hired, and I greatly will miss him. He was a wonderful man, a wonderful founder and a great leader of our company.”

The moment we’ve all been waiting for is almost here. Tune in live on Saturday morning as we reveal the elite drivers advancing to the Championship Finals at — American Trucking (@TRUCKINGdotORG)

In a statement to TT, John Smith, chief operating officer for U.S. and Canada, observed, “Mr. Smith’s commitment to safety is the foundation of everything at FedEx. His legacy continues to inspire, and he would be extremely proud of the 174 competitors for FedEx at this year’s National Truck Driving Championships.

“They personify the safety values he cherished, and are a fantastic representation of the ‘Safety Above All’ culture that Mr. Smith created.”

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