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HOUSTON — Dennis Shirar, a 51-year-old driver for Heritage Transport, Indianapolis, earned the title of Grand Champion at the 2008 National Truck Driving Championships.

Only four days after he was crowned Grand Champion of the 2008 North American Inspectors Championship on Aug. 23, Wisconsin State Patrol inspector Daniel Slick already was back at work.

The U.S. average price of retail diesel continued its descent last week, falling another 6.2 cents a gallon to $4.145, the Department of Energy reported.

A coalition representing highway users said Friday it has asked the U.S. Department of Transportation to reject a request from the Pennsylvania for permission to toll Interstate 80 in that state.

Surface trade among the United States, Canada and Mexico jumped 6.6% in June from a year ago, the Department of Transportation said Thursday.

Truck components maker ArvinMeritor Inc. said it dedicated a new $30 million manufacturing facility in northern Mexico for trucks built in the United States and Canada.

China’s largest truck maker, Sinotruk, boosted a first-half profit 40% as consumers rushed to buy vehicles before the introduction of a new emissions regulation, Bloomberg reported Thursday.

The U.S. economy grew at a 3.3% annual rate in the second quarter, up from an earlier estimate, the Commerce Department said Thursday.

Durable goods orders rose 1.3% in July, the Commerce Department said Wednesday.

A good rule of thumb is that you cannot appreciate truck drivers too much. But we’re convinced that expression of admiration for what America’s 3.5 million professional drivers accomplish on a daily basis carries a certain value.