Jamie Sowder from FedEx Freight was not expecting to hear his name called as the Grand Champion of the Tennessee State TDC. As Jamie shares with us in this edition of the podcast, he was thrilled to be returning to the NTDCs as Tennessee’s Flatbed Division title winner. For Jamie, the victory in Flatbed represented his third career trip to the Nationals. Jamie was last part of the NTDCs in 2023 when he claimed third place in the Flatbed Division

As Jamie tells us, the Grand Championship for the Volunteer State had never really been on his radar. After the Grand Champion announcement, the joy and the opportunity to celebrate another milestone could be traced back to 2014 when Jamie accepted the invitation of fellow FedEx driver Dave McGee, a long-time TDC competitor, to enter the Tennessee TDC. As he notes in our conversation, Jamie has continued to incorporate the training and lessons he’s learned through the TDC program into his daily work of being prepared and staying safe on the road with each mile. The attention to detail that success in the TDC often requires is the perfect mindset to take on the road.

Approaching his 20-year anniversary with FedEx Freight, Jamie is grateful for all the support he’s received over the years and the doors that have opened through participating in the TDC, including the opportunity to be a member of the Tennessee Trucking Association’s Road Team.

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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