By Tuesday evening of next week, NTDC 2026 will be officially underway as the state champions from across the country will have gathered for the initial driver meeting and orientation, the written test will be in the books and the walk-through of the semifinal course will have taken place. In this final countdown edition of the podcast, we spend some time talking with FedEx Freight’s Scott Dewey, who is serving as the First Vice Chairman of NTDC 2026.

Recorded in mid-July, Scott takes us through the preparations the NTDC Committee goes through to bring together the National Championships. As Scott shares with us, the planning for NTDC 2026 actually began two years ago. While it’s been a long and rewarding road to get to the start of NTDC 2026, Scott reminds us about the dedication to safety and the millions of safe miles driven by the State Champions who will be gathering in Pittsburgh.

We also talk to Scott on how he first became involved in the TDCs and made his way to the Nationals in 2016. Scott delivers some great advice in the closing moments of the episode to all the competitors and their families making the trip to 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.

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