Kenworth Donates T680 as Grand Prize for 11th Annual Transition Trucking Award Honoring Veteran Drivers
Kenworth, Fastport, and Hiring Our Heroes are partnering for the 11th year to award a T680 truck to the top rookie military veteran driver in the trucking industry.
- 11
- March 28, 2026
What Happened
Kenworth, Fastport, and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation's Hiring Our Heroes initiative are partnering for the 11th consecutive year to find America's top rookie military veteran driver. The grand prize is a Kenworth T680 equipped with a 76-inch sleeper, PACCAR Powertrain, and advanced driver assistance systems. The truck will be on display at the Mid-America Trucking Show from March 26-28 at the Fastport booth.
Nominations open
Final deadline to submit applications
Semi-finalists announced
Public voting on finalists
Winner announced and receives Kenworth T680
- Legal resident of continental U.S. and a military veteran or current/former member of National Guard or Reserves.
- Graduated from a PTDI-certified, NAPFTDS, or CVTA member driver training school with a valid CDL.
- Employed by a for-hire carrier or private fleet that pledged to hire veterans, hired as a CDL driver after January 1, 2025.
“The trucking industry continues to demonstrate its commitment to those who have served by recognizing the leadership, discipline, and focus veterans bring to the workforce.”
Why this matters
The program helps veterans transition to civilian careers in trucking, recognizing their skills and offering a valuable prize, while highlighting the industry's commitment to hiring veterans.
Terms in This Story
- CDL
- Commercial Driver's License, a license required to operate large trucks and buses.
- PACCAR
- A global truck manufacturer that owns Kenworth and Peterbilt.
- Sleeper cab
- A truck cabin with a sleeping compartment for long-haul drivers.
- Hiring Our Heroes
- A U.S. Chamber of Commerce program that helps veterans find civilian employment.
Summarised from the linked release; details can be imperfect — always verify against the original source.