Elite 11 named for 2026 Transition Trucking award

Kenworth, Fastport and Hiring Our Heroes announced 11 semi-finalists for the 2026 Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence award on Aug. 5, honoring veterans who built careers in professional trucking. The winner will be announced Dec. 14 at West Point, with public voting opening Nov. 1.

Why it matters: - The program spotlights veterans who are moving from military service into high-demand trucking careers. - The 2026 award marks the 11th year of the Transition Trucking: Driving for Excellence program. - The winner receives a Kenworth T680, making the award a high-profile showcase for veteran hiring and training pipelines. - Registered Apprenticeship continues to serve as a major entry point for veterans entering trucking.

What happened: - Kenworth, Fastport and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s Hiring Our Heroes initiative announced 11 semi-finalists for the 2026 “Elite 11” Transition Trucking award on Aug. 5, 2026. - The semi-finalists were drawn from nominations submitted by carriers, training schools, a private fleet and individuals nationwide. - The class represents four branches of the U.S. Armed Forces. - Semi-finalists will be honored Sept. 22-23 at a recognition dinner at the National Veterans Memorial and Museum in Columbus, Ohio, followed by a tour of the Kenworth Chillicothe manufacturing plant. - Finalists will be announced after that event.

The details: - Kenworth will provide the grand prize for the 11th straight year. - The winning driver will receive a T680 with a 76-inch sleeper and the PACCAR Powertrain. - The powertrain includes the PACCAR MX-13 engine, PACCAR TX-12 automated transmission and PACCAR DX-40 tandem rear axles. - The truck includes Kenworth’s DigitalVision Mirrors, Bendix Fusion Adaptive Cruise Control Stop and Auto Go, and Lane Keeping Assist with Torque Assisted Steering. - The sleeper includes a Diamond VIT interior in charcoal, leather driver and passenger seats with titanium accents, and heated and cooled seating. - The truck also includes a factory-installed refrigerator, rotating worktable and storage for everyday road conveniences. - Sixty percent of the nominations came from drivers completing or having completed a U.S. Department of Labor Registered Apprenticeship program. - Five of the Elite 11 are current apprentices. - Public voting opens Nov. 1 and runs through Veterans Day, Nov. 11. - Voting is a factor in the Selection Committee’s final deliberations. - The Elite 11 and overall winner will receive prize packs from Road Dog Care Co., OOIDA, Circle K Pro and Truck Parking Club. - The 2026 winner will be announced Dec. 14 at the Veteran Ready Summit at the United States Military Academy at West Point. - More information is available on the Transition Trucking website.

Between the lines: - The nominee list shows a pipeline built around military experience, industry training and apprenticeship programs. - The concentration of apprentices suggests employers and training partners are using formal on-ramps to move veterans into trucking faster. - Kenworth’s recurring truck prize keeps the award tied closely to the industry’s equipment and recruiting priorities. - The program also functions as a recruiting message to transitioning service members who may not be familiar with trucking as a career path.

What's next: - The Elite 11 will be recognized in late September in Columbus, Ohio. - Public voting will help shape the finalist pool in November. - The selection committee will name the winner in mid-December at West Point.

The bottom line: - Transition Trucking keeps tying veteran employment, apprenticeship and trucking industry recruitment into one national competition.