First entering the Virginia TDC in 2017, Nick Saverino from ABF Freight thought it might be fun to compete while sharpening his skills to become a better driver. As he shares with us in this episode of the podcast, Nick viewed the accomplishment of staying safe all year in order to compete as a valued title of its own. So, following his initial trophy with a third place in 2025, Nick was optimistic that his return to the Straight Truck Division could allow him to climb to a higher finish. Yet, as he notes to us, Nick never expected to hear his name called as the 2026 Virginia State Grand Champion.

As you’ll hear in the episode, Nick credits the ABF Team in Virginia, noting the support and encouragement of the management at his terminal. He also has high praise for all the professionals who gather each year at the Virginia TDC. At the top of his support team, Nick lists his wife, Tricia, who is an elementary school art teacher. As he looks ahead to being part of the NTDC Community at his first Nationals in August, Nick tells how Tricia has made special arrangements with her school to be onsite in Pittsburgh to watch him compete at NTDC 2026.

FRIEND OF THE PODCAST SPONSOR:  The Lutzie 43 Foundation is our Friend of the Podcast for this episode of the NTDC 2026 Series. Founded to honor the legacy of Philip Lutzenkirchen, the Lutzie 43 Foundation is dedicated to make sure that the tragedy that took his life would never have to be repeated. Philip was a standout athlete, a beloved teammate, and a man of tremendous character. Today, the foundation that carries his name is working to change the driving culture across the Southeast and beyond by tackling distracted driving, impaired driving, and unsafe habits behind the wheel. To learn more about the Lutzie 43 Foundation and how you can use 43 Key Seconds to run through an important safety checklist before starting your vehicle, visit Lutzie43.org.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download | Embed