Wichita FedEx Freight driver Terry Covey beat hundreds of competitors to win the Sleeper Berth division at the 2026 National Truck Driving Championships in Pittsburgh.

Covey, a 17-year trucking veteran, topped a field of 429 drivers from 49 states during the Aug. 11–14 competition, according to the American Trucking Associations. He has logged 1.5 million accident-free miles for FedEx Freight over 12 years with the company, the Wichita Eagle reported.

Every day, Covey drives a 400-mile round trip from Wichita to Oklahoma City and back.

Covey told the Eagle that even though he runs the same route, conditions shift with the seasons and traffic patterns. "It's just really enjoyable to be out here and taking it all in," he said.

The national championships, organized by the American Trucking Associations, date back to 1937. Competitors must have driven accident-free for at least one year to qualify. Together, this year's field had logged nearly 775 million accident-free miles.

The competition tests drivers in three areas: a 40-question written exam covering trucking history, security regulations and first aid; a timed pre-trip inspection; and a driving skills course worth the most points. In the Sleeper Berth inspection, Covey had nine minutes to find 15 defects hidden in the truck. He compared that portion to an Easter egg hunt.

This was Covey's sixth trip to nationals. He has won the Kansas state title every year since 2022 and has been studying for the written exam since he started competing in 2016.

Trucking runs in the family. Covey's father is also a truck driver, and Covey started riding along at age 7, spending summers going cross-country. He said both of his parents were a big support throughout the competition and were excited when he won.

James Barnes, FedEx Freight media relations manager, told the Eagle that Covey is "part of a great team and a great legacy there in Kansas."

The 2027 National Truck Driving Championships are scheduled for Aug. 11–14, 2027, in Columbus, Ohio.