.jpg)
Cedar County Transit driver competes in national event
RANDOLPH — A Randolph resident recently hit the road running by competing in a national truck driving competition.
Cedar County Transit employee and lifelong truck driver, Dave Owens, participated in this year’s CTAA National ROADEO.
After winning the state-level competition last September, Owens was awarded a free trip to San Diego, Calif., for nationals. The two-day competition started May 31 and ran through June 1.
In total, there were 61 competitors, only four of whom were Nebraskans. Owens placed 29th overall with the highest score of all Nebraskans.
“It surprised me when I found out where I ended up, because I didn’t think I did that good,” said Owens. “I thought I really blew it.”
It was Owens’ first time qualifying for the national competition, and he said it was nerve-wracking.
“I didn’t know what to expect when I got there,” said Owens. “I go, ‘man, there are a lot of good drivers here … how am I going to compete against these people?”
The national competition is made up of four parts, according to the CTAA Roadeo 2025 guide.
The first session was a written test of 25 questions in a true, false and multiple- choice format. This level was worth 125 points or 12.5 percent of the overall score and was limited to 30 minutes. The questions were taken from the training materials used for transit driver training.
The next test involved a pre-trip inspection of the vehicle. In under 25 minutes, the driver was required to find and identify four defects that were pre-set. This section was worth 150 points or 15 percent of the total score.
The third challenge involved passenger assistance. In this test, the competitor must perform all necessary actions to assist loading a person in a wheelchair in under seven minutes. This section is worth 200 points or 20 percent of the overall score.
The final test was a driving course that had to be completed in under seven minutes.
It included obstacles such as cones and narrow pathways. Different obstacles and cones had different points attached, but in total, 525 points were available, equating to 52.5 percent of the overall score.
“I was exhausted after the second day,” said Owens.
Owens has been around trucking most of his life and was raised in the field.
“My dad and grandpa had trucks, so I was a third generation of truck drivers in my family,” said Owens. “I helped my dad and grandpa drive,’’ he said.
When he was fresh out of high school, he drove loads of bees down to Texas.
Owens said he has held other jobs but has always come back to the open road. His favorite part of the work is being able to see the various scenery.
“I like seeing different areas and how the areas compare, just the scenery,” said Owens.
As for furthering his roadeo career, Owens said he is more than happy to take a step back.
“I just think other people should get a chance to do it, too. If they’re willing to do it, I’d say, go for it, because it’s a good experience,” said Owens.
Overall, Owens was surprised by how many people supported and encouraged him in this new experience, but is extremely grateful.
“I’m just glad for all the people that cheered me on, on my Facebook or on my phone,” said Owens. “I just didn’t know I had that many friends.”
