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Winners repeat at District 6 truck roadeo

What do mailboxes, basketballs, and tennis balls on orange cones have to do with good driving? They were elements of the obstacle courses maneuvered by ITD drivers at the District 6 Truck Roadeo on May 17.

A total of 27 drivers who hold current CDLs competed at the Idaho Falls maintenance facility in the annual event to see who goes on to the state Roadeo in June, this year in Orofino. Most of the drivers are maintenance workers, but the field also included mechanics, drafters and the entire sign crew.

Drivers completed a truck and a loader course, running each one twice. In addition, they took a written test and conducted a truck inspection, looking for 10 pre-arranged problems.

When the engines had cooled, and the scores were tallied, Craig Stewart from the Arco maintenance facility had outscored the competition to take first place. He has been among the top three winners for many years.

In second place was defending champion Alan Rainsdon, Dubois; Corey Finn from the sign crew placed third.

Don Gilstrip of the Idaho Falls maintenance facility was the top foreman.

The alternate is Jeremy Johnson from Mackay. He will step up if any of the three winners cannot attend the state meet.

Others finishing in the top 10 were Rick Carpenter from Irwin; Troy Stone from Dubois; Dan Hawkins from Arco, Ed Osteraas from the Rigby shop and Ron Atchley from Ashton.

The statewide truck roadeo will be June 12-14 in Orofino. State winners qualify for nationals in Colorado in September.