Terry Luthy from FedEx Freight will have two very unique experiences in tow when he arrives at NTDC 2026 this week in Pittsburgh. First of all, Terry will have the honor of representing South Dakota as the State’s Grand Champion, winning that title and the 5-Axle Division as a rookie. (He also posted the best score on the State TDC course and became the overwhelming choice to win the Rookie of the Year).

As he shares with us in this interview recorded on August 5th, the other unique qualification that Terry will bring to NTDC 2026 is the experience from his high school days as a competitive bull rider. That’s correct, Terry knows what it’s like to climb aboard and hang on while the bull charts his course for a few exhilarating and sometimes terrifying seconds.

As you’ll hear, Terry feels much more comfortable these days being behind the wheel of his truck and having minutes to navigate a course at the Nationals steeped in a tradition that dates back to days when it was first called the “Roadeo.” Given the overall focus on safety within trucking and particularly on the course during the Nationals, as Terry told us, the only thing that is at risk of getting hurt during an NTDC driving run is a rubber duck. As he prepares for his first-ever driving run at an NTDC, Terry is recalling the lyrics from the Chris LeDoux song “The National Finals Rodeo.”

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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