Neil Kirk will be the first to say you can’t keep a good man down for too long. For the second time in his career, the experienced Penske Logistics semi-truck driver is one of 32 finalists for the American Trucking Associations America’s Road Team, which is a national outreach program consisting of professional truck drivers who share superior driving skills and safety records. Kirk was a bit overwhelmed with the vetting process the first time through two years ago but he is making certain it won’t happen again.

“I've been looking forward to this opportunity for two years,” said Kirk, a truck driver in the New York City metro area, who became a Penske Logistics associate in 2008. “I’m better prepared this time around. Last time, I walked away bruised. I won’t be nervous or intimidated now.”