24 Oregon Trucking Association, Inc. Oregon Truck Dispatch 11-Time Oregon Truck Driving Champion Chris Outen Encourages Drivers to Sign up for Oregon TDC AS THE 2024 Oregon Truck Driving Championships (TDC) approach on Saturday, April 27, 11-time Oregon Truck Driving Champion Chris Outen is looking forward to competing on his home turf at FedEx Freight’s Portland location. “We’re very proud that this is the first time FedEx is going to host the event,” said Chris. “We have some really good drivers who put so much time into preparing for this event every year. We’re hoping to take home a few plaques on our home turf!” Chris’ competitive spirit, coupled with his commitment to safe driving, have propelled him to 11 state TDC championships and two second place trophies at the National Truck Driving Championships, an impressive feat. But while the wins and the competition keep things fun, Chris is most proud of his 36 years of safe driving that have allowed him to compete in TDC every year since 1994. “I have such a respect for the drivers who are there at TDC because they’ve driven safely to be there,” said Chris. In order to compete at the TDC, professional truck drivers must be accident-free for at least one year prior to the competition. Chris’ personal commitment to safety stems from the loss of his father to a car accident when he was just 12 years old. Today, with 38 years of professional truck driving under his belt, he continues to put safe driving above all else, something his employer also prioritizes. “There are a lot of great trucking companies out there, but when I say FedEx puts safety first, they mean it,” said Chris. “Every time I’ve mentioned something that doesn’t seem right, they always have my back 100 percent, whether it’s a delivery up a dirt road or a difficult turnaround. If I tell them I don’t have 100 percent confidence I can make the delivery safely, they say to bring it back and we’ll find a better way to get it there.” Chris is also grateful for FedEx’s support for their drivers at TDC, both at the state level and at nationals, which is held in a different part of the country every year. “They really encourage us to do this and they back us when we go to nationals,” said Chris. “They’re really proud of their drivers who are involved in TDC because they know we’re some of the safest drivers they have out there.” Chris says that his experience participating at nationals has been one of the driving forces in teaching him the professionalism of the industry. He has appreciated the opportunity to not only compete against some of the best drivers in the country—and bring home a few titles while he’s at it—but also to meet presidents and executives from major trucking companies, and the drivers who keep things moving across all 50 states. “I have a friend in every state that I’ve met through TDC,” said Chris. “It becomes like a family away from your family, all from different trucking companies. And since my wife gets to come with me to nationals, she’s also made her own friends with folks from all across the country.”
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