For nearly four decades, Wyoming’s own Kenny Rageth Jr. has been behind the wheel, turning his lifelong love of trucks into a remarkable career. Inspired by his father, who also drove professionally, Rageth got his CDL in 1986 and never looked back. “I bought my own truck in 1987, went over the road in ’88 and loved it,” he recalls. “New places all the time.” In 2003, he transitioned to Clean Harbors Environmental Services to spend more time with his family, but his passion for driving never wavered.
That passion eventually led him to the world of truck driving championships. First encouraged to compete in 2015, Rageth quickly became hooked. “It changed my perspective,” he says. “It was like night, and day compared to driving in the 80s and 90s.” Safety became his guiding principle, not only in competition but in every mile he drives.
This year, Rageth represented Wyoming on the national stage at the 2025 National Truck Driving Championships, where he placed third in his division. “It’s like a big family reunion,” he says of the event. “You see people you haven’t seen in a while.” But the competition is no small feat. With more than 425 top drivers from across the country, the pressure is intense. For Rageth, the written exam was the toughest hurdle, requiring hours of study. Still, his experience carried him through on the driving course, where his ability to visualize each obstacle gave him an edge.
Closer to home, Rageth was crowned Grand Champion at the Wyoming Truck Driving Championships—a recognition he describes as “shocked, floored, the icing on the cake.” Having first won the title in 2019, he says this year’s victory was even more meaningful.
Preparation for these competitions is rigorous. FedEx’s “4C’S” program, a kind of mini-nationals, helps drivers get ready, and Rageth also devotes his own weekends to practice. His focus? Mastering the driving course and studying the rule book inside and out.
Despite the stress of competition, Rageth treasures the memories—both his two third-place national finishes and his 2025 Wyoming Grand Champion title. Through it all, his philosophy remains simple: get plenty of rest, keep work at work, and always put safety first.
Looking ahead, Rageth isn’t slowing down. “I want a first place so bad,” he says. “I want to be a National Champion and take first and also be an Ace.” Beyond trophies, he hopes his journey inspires others. His advice to drivers considering competition is straightforward: “Do it. It will change your perspective.”
More than anything, Rageth wants the public to see professional drivers for who they really are, hardworking men and women who just want to do their jobs safely and return home. “We’re all just a bunch of good guys trying to make a living,” he says. “Be patient—especially in the winter when weather can change every 10 miles—and pay attention.”
From chasing his father’s footsteps to chasing the national title, Kenny Rageth’s story is one of dedication, safety, and pride in the profession he loves.
