As we continue our NTDC 2025 Rewind Series from our time onsite in Minneapolis, PodWheels is rolling it back to Wednesday of NTDC Week when we caught up with a friend we met in Columbus two years ago. In 2023, PodWheels Executive Producer was introduced to Alex Ayala, who serves as a Safety Consultant for H-E-B Grocery. As you will hear in this edition of the podcast, Alex works with the H-E-B drivers who qualify for the NTDCs. And, in 2025, while competing in the state of Texas, Alex and H-E-B experienced the joy of seeing six of their drivers win their vehicle divisions and qualify for the nationals.

During his conversation with Greg, Alex also shares his history with the State TDCs and the Nationals, including serving as a volunteer while he was part of the Safety Department at H-E-B. Alex has actually been involved with the state and national competitions in various roles since 1966. Following his retirement from H-E-B, Alex began serving as a Safety Consultant for the company with a primary focus on the Texas State TDC and the NTDC. As Alex tells Greg, one of his most important roles at the nationals is to secure his place in line on Wednesday of NTDC Week to hang the H-E-B banner that honors all of the company’s competitors in this field of champions. As you will hear, Alex was onsite at the Minneapolis Convention Center as the doors opened on Wednesday of NTDC Week to be the first line to enter the competition hall.

Our Friend of the Podcast Sponsor for this episode of the NTDC 2025 Series is PROJECT 61. Driving health. Fueling life. Supporting the heroes behind the wheel — that’s what PROJECT 61 is all about. Project-61.org is the web address where the change begins. If you’re a driver — or if you care about someone who is — head over to Project-61.org. You’ll find resources to get started, including access to a free mobile app built specifically for life on the road — plus a chance to take the Trucker Health Pledge and show your support for the men and women behind the wheel. You can even make a donation to help PROJECT 61 keep doing this important work across the industry.

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