Middleton and Guzman: Definitions of TDC Spirit and Dedication To Safety

Middleton and Guzman: Definitions of TDC Spirit and Dedication To Safety

From National Truck Driving Championships by PodWheels

April 30, 2026 · 27 min

About this episode

This episode features interviews with Ramon Guzman and Mike Middleton discussing their dedication to safety and experiences in truck driving championships.

Over the past 17 years, Ramon Guzman of FedEx Freight and Mike Middleton of Old Dominion Freight Lines have become the very definition of why the National Truck Driving and National Step Van Driving Championships stand as the longest running safety program in the history of trucking. While they have each dreamed of competing at the nationals (Ramon earned a spot at NTDC 2025 as California’s Flatbed Champion after 17 years between titles), the most important numbers they have put on the board during their careers are safe miles and the ability to participate in their State TDCs year after year. In this episode of the podcast, PodWheels Executive Producer Greg Thompson shares his interviews with Mike and Ramon that were recorded in March onsite during Safety Drive For A Cure 2026 in Atlanta. You’ll have the opportunity to hear the dedication to safety that is held firmly by Mike and Ramon, and they each talk about what brings them back ready to go into TDC Season year after year. A Captain with America’s Road Team, Mike considers it a privilege just to compete each year in Tennessee’s TDC. Ramon, meanwhile, had an opportunity to experience an international truck driving competition…

People in this episode

Host: Greg Thompson

Guests: Ramon Guzman, Mike Middleton

Topics covered

  • truck driving championships
  • safety in trucking
  • dedication to safety
  • interviews with drivers
  • international driving competitions

Keywords

  • truck driving
  • safety
  • championships
  • interviews
  • FedEx Freight
  • Old Dominion Freight Lines
  • international competition
  • dedication

Sponsors

St. Christopher Truckers Relief Fund

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: FedEx Freight, Old Dominion Freight Lines

Places: California, Tennessee, Ireland, Europe

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