Congratulations Luis!
Florida Driver Named “Best of the Best” at NRMCA’s National Mixer Driver Championship
Kissimmee, Florida – October 6, 2019 – Ready mixed concrete mixer truck driver Luis Martinez from Maschmeyer Concrete of Orlando, Florida, earned top honors at this year’s National Ready Mixed Concrete Association’s National Mixer Driver Championship. The event was held at the Gaylord Palms Resort and Convention Center, just outside Orlando, Florida, in conjunction with NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2019. Mr. Martinez also earned the champion’s check of $5,000. Luis has been driving for Maschmeyer Concrete for 5 years and was the runner-up in the 2017 Florida Concrete & Products Association State Safety & Skills Competition.
Now in its 14th year, this year’s national contest “was the largest group of drivers to ever compete,” according to NRMCA’s Executive Vice President of Operations and Compliance, Gary Mullings. Ninety-six drivers, which included state rodeo champions, as well as NRMCA member company champions from around the nation, competed to be crowned the “Best of
the Best”. Mr. Martinez 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 from TMMB, went to Bruce Mitchell, of Chestertown, Indiana. Mr. Mitchell is a veteran driver of more than 16 years and drives for Ozinga Ready Mix Concrete, Inc. Bruce is the reigning Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association Truck Rodeo Champion.
Third place and a check for $1,000 from TMMB, went to Greg Browne of Olympia, Washington. Mr. Browne has been driving for Miles Sand and Gravel Company for 9 years. Mr. Browne is the 2-time and reigning Miles Sand and Gravel, Washington State Rodeo Champion.
The forth place finisher, receiving a TMMB check for $600, is Michael Trierweiler of Santa Rosa, California. Mr. Trierweiler has been driving for CEMEX for the last 6 years. Michael is the reigning 2019 CEMEX Bay Area Safety Rodeo Champion.
The fifth-place finisher, receiving a check for $400 from TMMB is Ronald Lengyen from Silvi Construction Products, who lives in Columbus, New Jersey. Ronald is a veteran driver of more than 34 years. He is 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 scorer of the “Closest to the Egg” station was Russel Walton, Jr. from Howlin Concrete, Owings, Maryland. The top scorer at the “Delivery Ticket” Station was Lee Basil Pierce from Argos USA, Cumming, Georgia. The popular “Bowling Station” returned to the competition for the 7th year. Seven drivers scored a nine: Henry Arrington from CEMEX, Lakeland, Florida; Scott Cato from Hedges Bros. Concrete, Dayton, Ohio; Andre Ferreira, from US Concrete, Martinez, California; Antonio Ortega from CalPortland, Glendale, Arizona; John Poehler from Hawkeye Ready Mix, Columbus Junction, Iowa; DJ Pusey from CEMEX, Naples, Florida; Kelly Rorie from Chandler Concrete, Hillsboro, North Carolina; and, Stuart Wells from Vulcan Materials Company, Dundalk, Maryland. Drivers were also tested to determine who had the fastest reaction time through computerized testing. The title of “Fastest in the Nation” went to Jacob Simpson from Sequatchie Concrete Services, Ringgold, Georgia. At the “Inspection Station”, the top scorers were; Victor Garcia from Maschmeyer Concrete, Orlando, Florida and John Marzalik from VCNA Prairie, Algonquin, Illinois. The highest score on the written exam and title of “Smartest Driver in the Room” went to Bobby Bates from Thomas Concrete, Ball Ground, Georgia. As well, drivers again competed
in the “Chute Hoops” station. An amazing 74 drivers successfully made a basket with a basketball rolling down a moving concrete truck concrete chute. Finally, taking the top spot on the Driving Challenge Course, by outscoring all others was the eventual champion, Luis Martinez from Maschmeyer Concrete.
Created in 1930, NRMCA, a non-profit organization based in Alexandria, VA, represents the producers of ready mixed concrete and the companies that provide materials, equipment and support to the industry. It conducts education, training, promotion, research, engineering, safety, environmental, technological, lobbying and regulatory programs.
