As we prepare to enter the heart of State TDC Season, our podcast takes some time to go inside our interview vault to highlight 12 of the conversations that NTDC Historian Eugene Mulero had with drivers who made it to the championship runoffs at NTDC 2025. With practice and study sessions happening in the remaining 47 states preparing to hold State TDCs during the 2026 season, we thought it might serve as a bit of inspiration to look back at the first thoughts from members of last year’s field who earned a place in the NTDC Championship round.

During this edition of the podcast, you will hear the instant reaction from 12 of the “Top Guns” as they exited the truck and the finals course after their respective run. The “At The Top” moments shared in this episode will feature the following finalists: Andy Bryant (Straight Truck), Mark Carver (Straight Truck), Connor Christensen (Step Van), Terry Covey (Tanker), Eric Davidson (Step Van), Eric Flick (Sleeper), Chris Flippin (Twins), Matt Futral (Step Van), Nick Gaudette (Flatbed), Edward Hill (Flatbed), Gary Luster (3-Axle) and Chad Rudesill (3-Axle).

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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