UPS Freight Driver Clarence Jenkins led his company drivers into the Columbus (Ohio) Convention Center this past week at the National Truck Driving and Step Van Championships and led them across the finish line Saturday night in a competition that saw 415 drivers with a combined 53 million accident-free miles vying for top honors in this “Super Bowl of Safety.”

Thirteen UPS and UPS Freight drivers, all state champions and none more seasoned than Jenkins, were among those competing in nine separate divisions, testing drivers in on-course maneuvering skills, pre-trip inspections and written exams covering safety regulations and responsibilities.

Three years ago, the American Trucking Associations’ awarded Jenkins its highest individual honor, the Darmstradtler Professional Excellence Award, for lifetime commitment to safety and the trucking industry.

Now, carrying a 34-year unblemished safety record into the fray and the holder of a record 14 West Virginia State Driving Championships, Jenkins brought the crowd to its feet with his second-place finish in the Sleeper Division. Twenty-two years ago, in St. Louis in the same competition, he captured a National title in the 5-axle division. It appeared he had successfully turned back the hands of time as he bid to become the first UPS driver to ever win two National Championships.  Unfortunately, a brief mental error cost him the title by the narrowest of margins on the final day of competition.

“It is what it is,” said Jenkins, with a shrug of his shoulders as he sought out his wife in the crowd.

“It is hard to outline my emotions regarding Clarence,” said UPS Freight Vice President Phil Warren, whose duties include overseeing UPS’s participation in the various state and National competitions “It was wonderful seeing Clarence in the finals and heartbreaking to watch him come so close to that second National title that he’s been chasing for more than 20 years.”

Warren had no problem, however, describing his overall feelings. “You heard it many times this week — you are watching ‘the best of the best.’ Our drivers, who have all made a commitment to safety, each performed magnificently this week.”

Following Clarence, UPS’s next top finisher was Paul Savill, this year’s Ohio 4-axle champion, who settled for fifth place in his division here.

This year’s company team also included UPS small package driver David Sharp, who captured his third straight Nevada championship in 2010; UPS Freight’s Steve Newsome, who won his fourth South Carolina championship in the past six years; UPS small package’s Jeff Kalinowski, two-time Illinois Step Van title holder; and West Virginia UPS Freight driver John Hodges, who brought 30 years of accident-free driving into this, his second appearance at the National competition.

Other team members were small package driver Randall Stromlund from NV, and UPS Freight drivers Shaun Flageolle, CO, Jerry Guenon, UT, Bobby Johnson, NC, Roger Nicolson, GA, Scott Raper, MO, and Vernon Smith, NV.