Spartan Stores driver is 'Grand Champion' again at Michigan Truck Driving Championship

BYRON TOWNSHIP -- In his 15-year career, truck driver Bob Grant has logged 1.4 million miles -- equal to circling the planet more than 56 times.
The more impressive accomplishment is every mile was accident-free.
"I've had one ticket -- and that was years ago and in a car," the Spartan Stores Inc. driver and Teamster Local 406 member said of his only driving blemish.
Instead, Grant, 39, collects awards for his driving. For the second time in four years, the Caledonia resident collected the "Grand Champion" award in the Michigan Truck Driving Championship.
He took first place in the five-axle truck category and won overall honors against drivers from seven other divisions in the competition last month in Lansing. Drivers, who must be accident-free for a year to enter the Michigan Trucking Association contest, are tested on driving maneuvers and undergo a written examination and a pre-trip inspection.
Ron Metternick, a FedEx National LTL driver from the company's Grand Rapids operation, earned first place in the Tank Truck class at the state competition. Metternick, 49, of Lowell, entered for the first time last year, placing 12th out of 34 drivers.
"My company manager talked me into it, and I thought I would give it a try," Metternick said.
Although experienced driving tankers, Metternick makes his living behind the wheel of a semi-truck delivering freight.
In his 29-year career, Metternick estimates he has covered 2 million miles without an accident.
Grant and Metternick will represent Michigan in the American Trucking Association Driving Nationals in Pittsburgh on Aug. 18-22. There, he will vie against 400 drivers from across the country for the title of "Truck Driving Champion of the Year."
The competition is known as the "Super Bowl of Safety," says Walt Heinritzi, executive director of the 500-member MTA.
"You are dealing with the best from each state," Heinritzi said.
In 2006, Grant finished in the middle of the national competition's pack, which he described as "100 times tougher" than the state version. He is better prepared this time, he believes.
"I have a few more years under my belt," Grant said. "I won't have the rookie jitters."
Grant has qualified for the state championship a half-dozen times since he began working for the Byron Township grocer in 1997.
In September, he will head to the International Food Distributors Association Truck Driving Championship in Orlando, Fla. He placed first in that competition's five-axle class in 2004.
The competitions can be nerve-wracking even for someone with Grant's record, but the rigorous process keeps his driving skills sharp, he believes. And that is helpful as he shares the road with more distracted drivers who are talking or texting on their cell phones.
"It would be great if everyone had to pass a course like this to get their license renewed," Grant said.

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