Publix Super Markets driver wins Florida driving competition title

Rifat BecirevicFlorida Trucking AssociationA driver for Publix Super Markets won the grand championship title of the recent Florida Truck Driving Championships.

Rifat Becirevic was the grand champion of the competition staged by the Florida Trucking Association. He also won the five-axle class.

Some 1,220 drivers competed in the event held in Daytona Beach.

The class winners were: 

• 3 Axle: Rusty Pederson, FedEx Freight
• 4 Axle: Juan Velez, UPS
• 5 Axle: Rifat Becirevic, Publix Super Markets
• Flatbed: Edward Pennington, FedEx Freight 
• Sleeper: Fred Combs, Walmart Transportation
• Straight: Joseph Michael Hipsher, Publix Super Markets
• Tanker: Dennis Rollins, Florida Rock & Tank Lines
• Twins: Jason Vanscoten, ABF Freight Systems
• Step Van: Judith Stoffo, FedEx Ground
• Auto Transport: Matthew Cole, Proficient Auto Transport 

For the first time, there was an Florida Department of Transportation class, all driving in a separate straight truck class. FDOT employees also both attended and served as volunteers for the event. As a state agency, their class was separated out, as they cannot compete for ATA Nationals.

The winner of the FDOT class was a rookie driver Dustin Steinborn.