As he shares with us in this episode of the podcast, Tony Burns from FedEx Freight was in a state of total disbelief when he heard his point total and then name called out as the State Grand Champion of Indiana. Qualifying for his third career trip to the NTDCs with his victory in Indiana’s 5-Axle Class, Tony was thrilled and quite satisfied to be making his first trip back to Nationals since 2023 as he heard his name called for a second time at the Champions Banquet.

Tony talks to us about his approach to safety and how he first got involved in the TDCs. You’ll also hear about his first trip to Nationals 11 years ago and the awe-inspiring experience he had walking into the Edward Jones Dome in St Louis, which was the site of NTDC 2015. Tony is hoping his third trip to Nationals (and his first-ever visit to Pittsburgh) will open the door of opportunity to compete in the NTDC 2026 runoff.

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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