It is National Truck Driver Appreciation Week and we couldn’t think of a better way to kick it off than recognizing this year’s ultimate Road Warrior. We tallied the more than 13,000 votes that our three finalists received and are excited to announce the grand prize winner of the 2019 Road Warrior contest: Tim Chelette.
Congratulations, Tim!
Tim’s company, Big G Express, partnered with us to surprise him with the exciting news and present his $10,000 prize at the Pilot Travel Center in his hometown of Mursfreesboro, TN.
A professional driver at Big G for nearly 15 years, Tim has driven more than 1.9 million accident-free miles. He served as a Tennessee Road Team Captain and is currently an American Road Team Captain presenting on safety across the nation.
Tim has raised more than $30,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through an annual motorcycle ride fundraiser that he created.
“It is a great honor to be named the Road Warrior winner,” said Chelette. “Thank you to Big G Express for nominating me and to Pilot Flying J for putting on this great program that recognizes drivers like me. I will be able to do more charity rides now that my motorcycle will be paid off. I appreciate everyone who voted – it really means a lot.”
We also awarded second place winner, Rodney Hagan of Webster, Florida, with a $5,000 prize and third place winner, William McNamee of Christopher, Illinois, with a $2,500 prize.
Nominators of the grand, second and third place winners also receive a $500 reward for their submission. Big G Express shared that they are donating their $500 nomination prize to Tim’s annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, helping him hit this year’s goal to raise $15,000.
Congrats to Tim and a big thank you to all of the Road Warriors out there working hard on and off the road. Take a moment to share your thanks for professional drivers by following @PilotFlyingJ social channels and using #thankyoudrivers in honor of Driver Appreciation.
Check out how Tim and our team members celebrated his big win!
