For Herschel Evans and for everyone involved in this year’s Georgia Truck Driving Championships, the event was a true emotional rollercoaster. The cheers for the hard-earned victories that secured championships and positions in the NTDC 2025 field were softened by the fact that the Georgia Trucking Community had lost a champion and a friend with the passing of Matt Awbrey following the first day of the competition.

Matt and Herschel had been friends and TDC training partners for many years, and Herschel had worked with Matt again prior to this year’s Georgia TDC. As you will hear in this episode of the podcast, Herschel dedicated his Grand Championship victory to Matt and he will be carrying Matt’s memory with him as added inspiration on the road to Minneapolis.

Recorded on the Sunday following the Georgia TDC, Herschel does an amazing job of sharing the emotional ride that he and the Georgia Trucking Community went through in early May. In fact, as you’ll hear, PodWheels first learned of Matt’s passing during the interview with Herschel. What Herschel shares through this interview stands as a wonderful tribute to a friend and it speaks to the strength and sense of caring that is present within the trucking industry.

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