Driving competitions showcase Walmart drivers’ talent and professionalism.
You’ve probably spotted a Walmart truck rolling down the highway. And you’ve definitely seen one of our trailers delivering merchandise to a store. But have you ever considered the skill required to maneuver one of those semis?
It’s that skill — plus the practice and hard work that goes into developing it — that’s on display at state and national truck driving championships (TDCs). And for Walmart drivers who compete, driving is a serious sport.
During these competitions, drivers take a written exam, perform a pre-trip inspection test and a practical skills test.
One tricky maneuver in the skills test — the rear stop — asks the driver to position their truck’s rear bumper within 18 inches of a designated line. Competitors are scored in 3-inch increments. (Imagine backing up a 63-foot truck to within a 3-inch margin!)
We caught up with several Walmart drivers at the 2024 Missouri Truck Driving Championships to find out how they prepare for the TDCs.
Chris Moore (pictured above), based in Douglas, Georgia, has been with Walmart for nine years. He says he learned about trucking from his dad, who drove for Walmart for 40 years. Tagging along both on the road and at truck driving competitions, Chris knew he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps from an early age.
He started competing in 2012 and has attended every year since. “It’s very competitive,” he says. Drivers can even win cash prizes at some competitions.
Chris explains that he’s preparing “every day, out on the roads, delivering to stores.”
Jason Imhoff (pictured above) agrees. “I practice every day, honestly,” he shares. “Out on the road when you park anywhere, we're always looking at lines and curbs. It never ends. Once you get hooked on doing these TDCs or rodeos, it's something that you're just passionate about, and it's like you’re in competition all the time.”
As a driver out of Grove City, Ohio, Jason has been with Walmart for 21 years. Like Chris, he learned about driving from his father, who drove for 44 years — 26 of those with Walmart.
Jason started competing in state competitions in 2005 and has attended the American Trucking Association’s National Truck Driving Championships six times.
Ron Marker drives out of Seymour, Indiana, and has been with Walmart for 21 years. Driving for 39 years total, he says he followed in the footsteps of his father, who owned trucks “forever.”
Even with so many years of experience, Ron practices his skills every morning to make sure he’s ready to compete.
“The run I’m on, I usually get two hours before I have to pick up. So in the morning I lay stuff out in the parking lot and do it,” he explains. “I found out a long time ago, it's not something that you pick up in two weeks.”
Jeff Davis (pictured above) is a driver out of Ottawa, Kansas. He has been on the road for 44 years total, and with Walmart for 33 years. Quite a few members of his family, including his father, grandfather and uncles, were also truck drivers. (His early start in the industry may be why Jeff now has 4.2 million accident-free miles!)
Jeff leans on his wife for additional help getting ready for competitions. “Anytime we're traveling — and we do a lot of traveling, to see our folks and different things — she'll read those practice tests for me going down the road,” he explains. “Then we'll go out to the yard and do a little practicing.”
Over the years, Jeff says he has participated in about 80 competitions.
“There’s a lot of talent out there in this competition, and it's really intimidating,” he admits. “I've been competing for about 32 years now, and a lot of these drivers you see every year. It just has to be your day. You have to have a lot of luck. Because once you get to this level, you can't make any mistakes.”
It was clearly Jeff’s day at the 2024 National Truck Driving Championships in Indianapolis: He took home 11th place in in the 5-axle sleeper division!
Congrats to our intrepid Walmart drivers! It’s always exciting to see their championship wins, but the competitions aren’t the only victories to celebrate. With every mile they put in their rearview mirror and each maneuver into a busy parking lot, our drivers are always practicing to be at the top of their game.
