Episode Details

Our NTDC Podcast closes out our series of conversations with the 2025 Vehicle Class National Champions by sharing the inspiring story of Merle Ashbaugh. In winning the Sleeper Class Division at NTDC 2025, Merle not only earned his first National title, but he also wrote his name into the history books at DHL – becoming the carrier’s first-ever National Champion.

As you’ll hear in this episode of the podcast, it was quite poetic that Merle became the first to claim a first-place trophy at NTDC for DHL. Having enjoyed his experience in state TDCs and having qualified for the Nationals in 2017 at his previous company, Merle asked DHL about getting involved in the NTDC program at the state level shortly after joining the company. About a year later, Merle won his vehicle class at the Ohio TDC and went to Columbus for NTDC 2023.

Merle’s success at the state level created momentum, inspiring other drivers at DHL to get involved at the state level. Merle’s lone state and national participation in 2023 opened the door, showing what is possible. By 2025, DHL had 47 drivers enter State TDCs across the country. In addition to Merle qualifying in the Sleeper Class, DHL Team members Wally Mejia, 3-axle, and Ron Zoz, a finalist in 5-axle, were a part of NTDC 2025.

SAFETY DRIVE 2026 VOLUNTEER SIGN-UP: As we noted in the episode, Merle will be one of the 250 professional drivers participating in the 15th Annual Safety Drive For A Cure 2026, the benefit for the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation that is coming up on March 14th in Atlanta. The Safety Drive organizers are still looking for volunteers to help onsite March 13-14. You can sign up to become a volunteer by clicking 

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