Deadline looms for TA & Petro Citizen Driver contest

The nomination period for the 2020 Citizen Driver competition ends Aug. 31.

Through the Citizen Driver contest, TravelCenters of America recognizes over-the-road professional truck drivers who evoke public respect for the truck driving profession. TravelCenters of America operates TA & Petro travel centers.

Nominations can be made here.

The online form asks for driver history information and military service highlights and information about the nominee’s citizenship and professionalism, safety record, community involvement, leadership qualities, and healthy lifestyle. Anyone can nominate a driver, but drivers may not nominate themselves.

The Citizen Driver program launched in 2013 to honor hardworking, professional truckers. The award places a premium on being positive role models within their communities.

Two grand prize honorees will be chosen. Grand prize honorees get the TA or Petro of their choice dedicated in their honor, complete with a full unveiling ceremony and celebration for their families and friends. A plaque recounting their stories and service is displayed in each facility.

Grand prize winners also will get $2,500 in cash plus a $2,500 donation to the winner’s charity of choice. The charity must be a valid 501(c)(3) tax exempt organization and must not promote hate activity or violence toward any individuals or groups and must support lawful and honorable purposes.

In addition, grand prize winners will get a $50 TA & Petro gift card, 5,000 UltraONE points and travel expenses to attend the awards ceremony.

Semifinalists will win $25 TA & Petro gift cards. Ten finalists will receive $50 TA & Petro gift cards and 5,000 UltraONE points. Top winners will receive grand prize awards in addition to their semifinalist and finalist awards.

Steen Gronlund, an OOIDA life member from Longmont, Colo., and Kenn and Beth Zelten, a husband-wife team and OOIDA life members from Menominee, Mich., were selected as the 2019 Citizen Driver honorees.

The three-member class of 2019 brought the total number of honorees to 33. Jon Osburn, skipper of OOIDA’s touring tractor-trailer, was named a Citizen Driver in 2016.

Here is a full list of honorees.

TravelCenters of America LLC, Westlake, Ohio, operates TA & Petro Stopping Centers and Minit Mart convenience stores in 43 states and Ontario in Canada.