Goodyear Names Wisconsin Trucker as TRALA Driver of the Year

TUCSON, Ariz., April 11 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- A Wisconsin truck driver and his 1.5 million-plus accident-free miles earned 2005 Driver of the Year honors from the Truck Renting and Leasing Association.

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Award sponsor Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company presented Orville Pat Rule, of Dodgeville, Wis., and a 15-year driver for ICON Transportation Co., with the top award and a cash prize.

Rule actually has logged 4,435,312 miles without a single preventable accident. Since 1957, Rule has hauled livestock, milk, tobacco, auto parts, compact discs and videos. In January, ICON Transportation, of Remington, Ind., recognized the driver with "Pat Rule Day" at the company.

Al Cohn, manager of strategic initiatives, made the presentation, and said, "Rule represents the best of trucking. His safety record showcases his ability to watch out for fellow drivers on America's highways and his dedication to do whatever it takes to serve ICON customers."

The TRALA program recognizes men and women who achieve the highest level of excellence in professional truck driving and demonstrate the vehicle renting and leasing industry's continuing commitment to highway safety, the association said.

Now in its 18th year, the Driver of the Year - as well as runners-up - were announced by Goodyear's Cohn during TRALA's annual conference.

A week ago, the company announced that a Texas truck driver had won the popular Goodyear North American Highway Hero program, which recognizes and honors U.S. and Canadian professional truck drivers who exhibit selflessness and courage in helping others.

In both cases, the awards are an avenue to promote a positive image of truck drivers, Goodyear said.

TRALA's Driver of the Year runners-up include: - Perry Chappell, of Unifi Inc., Winston-Salem, N.C. - Terry Hemby, of Penske Logistics, Nashville - Peter McConnen, of Penske Logistics, Stockton, Calif. - Ronald McMillion, of Cargo Transporters, Claremont, N.C. - Larry Rosengarten, of Clopay Transportation Co., Russia, Ohio - Jerome Stalder, of Clopay Transportation Co., Russia, Ohio - Michael Stowell, of Monroe Muffler-Brake, Rochester, N.Y. - Steve Simon, of Penske Logistics, Rancho Cucamonga, Calif. - James Wilborn, of Penske Logistics, Kansas City, Mo. - Gary Wilson, of Hills Pet Nutrition, Mechanicsville, Va.

Goodyear commercial tire systems offer complete products and services to the trucking industry, including a full range of original equipment and replacement tires. In addition, the company's cradle-to-grave tire and service network includes retreading, tire management tools and business solutions for tomorrow's trucking fleets.

For more on Goodyear commercial tires, go to http://www.goodyear.com/truck/ .