MEMPHIS, TN - One hundred and fourteen drivers representing the FedEx Corp. operating companies will compete in the National Truck Driving Championships (NTDC) in Columbus, Ohio, held Aug. 3-7.

The FedEx drivers come from 45 different states.

Each FedEx driver earned the right to compete in the NTDC by qualifying at state-level truck driving championships. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the NTDC, which is designed to recognize industry leadership in safety and to promote professionalism among truck drivers.

"Every day, the thousands of professional drivers and contractors who comprise the FedEx driving force strive not only to deliver shipments on time but also to ensure that safety continues to be their most important priority," said Frederick W. Smith, CEO of FedEx Corp. "This collective commitment of our driving force to safely share the road with other motorists each day has been validated by the performance of the more than 1,400 FedEx drivers, couriers and contractors who competed in their respective state truck driving championships and the accomplishments of our 114 NTDC competitors in particular."

Here are some facts about the 2010 FedEx NTDC competitors:

-- Collectively, the drivers have 2,305 years of professional driving experience among them.

-- In total, the team has safely driven nearly 132 million miles during their careers -- enough to circle the globe almost 5,300 times.

-- Sixty of the FedEx competitors have driven professionally for 20 years or more.

-- Fifty-five of them have each accumulated at least 1 million miles of safe driving.

-- Eleven of them have won five or more state championships.

At the NTDC, the FedEx drivers will be among nearly 450 competitors who will vie for national titles in nine different classes of vehicles and for the National Grand Champion title. The drivers accumulate points by demonstrating their driving skills and knowledge of the industry through a written exam, pre-trip inspection and field test.

Don Logan, a driver for FedEx Freight based in Topeka, Kan., will be competing at his fourth NTDC. The reigning National Champion in the 3-Axle class, he has accumulated nearly 1.4 million accident-free miles during his 23-year career.

"As a professional truck driver, earning the right to compete at the NTDC is like having the chance to play in the Super Bowl," said Logan. "It's truly an honor to compete at this event and be counted among the safest drivers on the road today."