At The Top

A PodWheels Column

He stood several inches north of six feet, built like a retired linebacker–the kind of man who seemed destined from New England granite.

Yet, on a warm afternoon in 2023 at the New England Tri-State trucking championships, Brian Singelais — known to many simply as “Big Brian” or “The Governor”— stood at the microphone fighting back tears. He had just watched his mentee punch his ticket to the National Truck Driving Championships.

The big man, who rarely showed cracks in the armor, needed a moment to gather himself before he could continue calling the qualifiers. For those in the crowd that day, it was more than a fleeting emotional pause. It was hard proof that the NTDC is far more than a precision driving contest. It is a stage where skill meets heart; where competitors become family.

On June 2, that larger-than-life voice fell silent. Brian S. Singelais, Sr., of Webster, Massachusetts, passed away at the age of 55, leaving behind a trucking community that feels noticeably smaller without him.

A third-generation trucker with more than 30 years behind the wheel, Singelais was a force on the New England circuit for decades. His competitive peak came in 2015 when he claimed the national title in the demanding 5-axle tanker division, bringing home the blue ribbon and cementing his reputation as one of the region’s finest.

Even after stepping back from full-time competition, he remained deeply embedded in the sport. 

As master of ceremonies, mentor, and constant presence, he poured his energy into lifting up the next generation. He celebrated their victories as if they were his own — because, in many ways, they were. In an industry often defined by long lonely miles and tight schedules, Singelais embodied something rarer: connection.

He reminded everyone around him that trucking isn’t just about moving freight. It’s about pride, tradition, and the human stories that unfold along the highway. Big Brian may be gone, but the echoes of his voice and the lessons he taught will carry on at every NTDC event, every New England competition, and in every trucker who learned from the giant who wasn’t afraid to let the world see his heart.

From the team at PodWheels, rest easy, Governor. The road ahead will be a little quieter without you.

In His Own Words: A PodWheels Rewind

Back in 2025, PodWheels and our NTDC Podcast Series featured an interview with Brian Singelais that was conducted by two-time NTDC Grand Champion Roland Bolduc. At the time, Brian had been home from the hospital for a while following his heart transplant surgery that took place in February of 2024. 

In this very engaging conversation between two long-time friends, Roland provides Brian the opportunity to look back on a great career in trucking that was highlighted by Brian’s 2015 National Championship in the 5-Axle Tanker Division. As you will hear, Brian shares how he got involved in the Singelais family tradition of trucking and how he found his way to competitive precision driving. Roland notes Brian’s important work as an organizer at the state TDC level.