We are thrilled to launch our NTDC 2025 Champions Series by welcoming Dan Shamrell, who met the challenge of winning a National Championship in his final appearance at an NTDC. Prior to arriving in Minneapolis for NTDC 2025, Dan had shared his plans to retire before the end of 2025 after 38 years on the road with FedEx Freight.

Dan, an 11-time State Grand Champion from Oregon, had reached the Nationals 19 times over his career. He knew the 3-Axle field would once again be a gauntlet just to make it to Championship Saturday and driving in the finals. Yet, as Dan shares on this episode of the podcast, he felt an inner peace during his time in Minneapolis that kept a sense of calm that opened the doors to his 3-Axle Championship victory. Dan looks back with us on his final NTDC and a sterling career that is marked by his daily excellence on the road and within the field of precision driving.

Our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode of the NTDC 2025 Series is PROJECT 61. Driving health. Fueling life. Supporting the heroes behind the wheel — that’s what PROJECT 61 is all about. Project-61.org is the web address where the change begins. If you’re a driver — or if you care about someone who is — head over to Project-61.org. You’ll find resources to get started, including access to a free mobile app built specifically for life on the road — plus a chance to take the Trucker Health Pledge and show your support for the men and women behind the wheel. You can even make a donation to help PROJECT 61 keep doing this important work across the industry.

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