At the 2026 Stars of Safety Event, USA Truck proudly recognized our safest and top-performing professional drivers for their dedication, achievements, and commitment to excellence. The evening also honored Million Mile milestones, annual award recipients, and the inaugural Mike Barnes Memorial Scholarship recipient.
On Friday, April 10, we honored our BEST and SAFEST professional drivers and their accomplishments at the 2026 Stars of Safety Event, which was held at the Choctaw Casino and Resort in Pocola, Oklahoma.
Click HERE to view the 2026 Stars of Safety photo gallery and recap video.
The Stars of Safety event allows us the opportunity to honor this special group of men and women for their hard work and commitment in tackling one of our economy’s most demanding and important jobs. Our drivers demonstrate exactly who they are by working tirelessly to deliver essential items and keep the country moving forward.
During the event, we remembered our fallen drivers, honored new Million Mile Club inductees and milestone recipients, gave out our Driver and Trainer of the Year awards, and presented the Driver ACE Award. There were also special presentations for the inaugural Mike Barnes Memorial Scholarship and for our CEO George Henry to close out the event.
Driver ACE Award Recipient
• Donny Keys
Drivers of the Year
• IC Driver of the Year: Reginald Hargett
• Dedicated Driver of the Year: Michael McDermet
• Truckload Driver of the Year: Robert Bowerman Jr.
Trainer of the Year
• Adrian Holland
Fuel-Efficient Drivers of the Year
• Truckload Fuel-Efficient Driver of the Year: Richard Damico
• Dedicated Fuel-Efficient Driver of the Year: David Hauser
Million Mile Club – New Inductees
• Eric Farnam
• Thomas Knox
• Jeffrey Leitzke
• Michael Nieschalk & Melanie Watson
• Mathew Stover
Million Mile Club – New Milestones
• Dennis Bell (3.5 Million Safe Miles)
• Lorris Rutledge (3.5 Million Safe Miles)
• Winford Culbertson (2 Million Safe Miles)
• Mark Hudson (2 Million Safe Miles)
Mike Barnes Memorial Scholarship Recipient
• Garrett Potthast