Missouri Driver Named “Best of the Best” At NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship
Alexandria, VA – October 7, 2021
Ready mixed concrete mixer truck driver Michael Twehus from Cole County Industries, a subsidiary of Farmer Companies in Jefferson City, MO, earned top honors at this year’s National Ready Mixed Concrete Association National Mixer Driver Championship held earlier this month at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, just outside Orlando, FL, in conjunction with NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2021. Mr. Twehus, seen here with his wife, Sarah, also earned the champion’s check of $5,000. He has been driving for Cole County Industries for 14 years and was also the champion in the 2021 Farmer Companies Driver Rodeo.
Now in its 15th year, this year’s national contest “continued to showcase the exceptional field of drivers in this industry,” said NRMCA Executive Vice President of Operations and Compliance Gary Mullings. Sixty-six drivers, including state rodeo champions as well as NRMCA member company champions from around the nation competed to be crowned the “Best of the Best.” Mr. Twehus was selected champion based on a cumulative score derived from competitions that included a driving challenge course, visual vehicle inspection, reaction-time test, delivery ticket station and a 2-hour written examination. Awards were presented for the top five finishers. The Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau (TMMB) was the premiere sponsor of the event.
Second place and a check for $2,000 went to Joey Melton of Anderson, SC. Mr. Melton is a veteran driver of 18 years and currently drives for Thomas Concrete of South Carolina. He is the 2019 Carolinas Ready Mixed Concrete Association South Carolina State champion.
Third place and a check for $1,000 went to Damion Wynter of Apollo Beach, FL. Mr. Wynter has been driving for four years, the past two for Maschmeyer Concrete.
The fourth place finisher, receiving a check for $600, is Luis Martinez of Orlando, FL. Mr. Martinez has been driving for Maschmeyer Concrete for the last seven years. He was the reigning 2019 NRMCA National Mixer Driver Championship champion.
The fifth place finisher, receiving a check for $400, is Steve Waclawski from Chaney Enterprises in Annapolis, MD. He is a veteran driver of more than 34 years and a Certified NRMCA Concrete Delivery Professional.
Also honored at the driver awards banquet were drivers who distinguished themselves at various stages of the competition. The top scorers of the Closest to the Egg station were Paul Erbe from Ernst Concrete in Kennesaw, GA; Jason Klotz, also from Ernst Concrete in Bellbrook, OH; Jason Erickson from CPC Materials in Arlington, WA and Richie Bellino from CEMEX in Brooksville, FL.
The top scorers at the Delivery Ticket station were Dave Mangold from CEMEX in Cocoa, FL; Les Brown from Ernst Concrete in Riverside, OH; Willy Caldwell from CalPortland Company in Snoqualmie, WA and Joe Ovel, also from Ernst Concrete in Fairborn, OH.
The popular bowling station returned to the competition for the eight year. Four drivers bowled a strike: Damir Becirbogovic from CalPortland Company in Las Vegas, NV; Dawn Podendorf from BURNCO in Greeley, CO; Andrew Bennett from Springfield Ready Mix in Springfield, MO and Robert Molinar, also from CalPortland Company in Tucson, AZ.
Drivers were also tested to determine who had the fastest reaction time through computerized testing. The top Fastest in the Nation performers were Brandon Newton from Tri City Concrete in Forest City, NC; Charles Ball from Carolina Ready Mix & Builders Supply, LLC in Marshall, NC; Verlin Wagler from Irving Materials in Washington, IN; Heath Burgos from Concrete Supply Company in Charlotte, NC and Luis Martinez from Maschmeyer Concrete in Orlando, FL.
At the Inspection Station, the top scorers were Dave Mangold from CEMEX in Cocoa, FL; Verlin Wagler from Irving Materials, Inc. in Washington, IN; Heath Burgos from Concrete Supply Company in Charlotte, NC; Luis Martinez from Maschmeyer Concrete in Orlando, FL; Cesar Moreno from Maschmeyer Concrete in Daytona, FL; Bobby Bates from Thomas Concrete in Cumming, GA and Damion Wynter from Maschmeyer Concrete in Apollo Beach, FL.
The highest score on the written exam and title of Smartest Driver in the Room went to Bobby Bates from Thomas Concrete in Cumming, GA. Drivers once again competed in the Chute Hoops station. An amazing 56 drivers successfully made a basket with a basketball rolling down a moving concrete truck concrete chute.
Finally, taking the top spots on the Driving Challenge Course were Joey Melton from Thomas Concrete in Anderson, SC; Michael Twehus from Cole County Industries in Jefferson City, MO and Damion Wynter from Maschmeyer Concrete in Apollo Beach, FL.