Wyoming Truckers Show Off Skills at National Championship — Ducks Beware

Wyoming’s best truck drivers rolled into Minneapolis last weekend to prove they can hang with the top haulers in the country — and they didn’t disappoint.

The National Truck Driving and Step Van Driving Championship brought together 425 drivers from 49 states, all battling it out on a tricky obstacle course inside the Minneapolis Convention Center. The goal? Show off precision, safety, and control — all while avoiding one very important hazard: rubber ducks.

Yes, ducks.

The tiny yellow birdies dotted the course, daring competitors to get as close as possible without running them over.

“It’s pretty funny just to see grown men getting excited about ducks,” said Jessica Smith, a FedEx driver from Riverton. “But once you’re out there, you get it. It’s all about respecting the duck.”

Smith, who earned her spot with a spotless driving record and a state title in Cheyenne, was competing at nationals for the first time. She admits the nerves got to her a bit — and a few ducks didn’t survive her run. Still, she placed 20th out of 47 in her division.

“It was fun trying to figure out a bigger truck than I’ve ever driven,” she said. “Now I want to go back and do better.”

Her teammate, FedEx driver Kenneth Rageth of Casper, is no rookie. Competing in the flatbed division, Rageth placed third in the nation — his second time landing in the top three. His strategy? Slow and steady.

“It’s not about speed,” he said. “It’s about safety and precision. Get close, don’t hit anything, and definitely don’t squish a duck.”

The NTDC has been around since 1937 and celebrates the best of the best in trucking. This year’s field represented a combined 756 million accident-free miles — proof these aren’t just drivers, they’re pros at the top of their game.

For Smith and Rageth, it was about more than trophies. It’s about showing that Wyoming truckers, used to ice, wind, and long empty highways, can compete with anyone.

As Smith put it:

“I’m ready for the challenge. I’ll be back.”

The original story by Jackie Dorothy for Cowboy State Daily.