Cemex USA’s Allard Tigchelaar took the 18th annual National Mixer Driver Championship, staged last month during the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association ConcreteWorks Conference & Expo. Based at the producer’s Prescott, Ariz. plant, the 36-year industry veteran prevailed among a record field of 111 drivers. His cumulative score reflected stationary and driving challenge, visual vehicle inspection, delivery ticket station and a two-hour written examination performance.
Tigchelaar earned a $6,000 cash prize from the Truck Mixer Manufacturers Bureau, NRMCA affiliate, along with the Mullings Cup. The NRMCA Safety, Environmental and Operations Committee established the trophy earlier this year to honor 50-year association veteran Gary Mullings, who transitioned from executive vice president to consultant duties, and worked the 2024 competition stages with the enthusiasm he has exhibited perennially since the championship’s 2006 premier.
Championship runner up Damion Wynter, based at the Maschmeyer Concrete of Florida Apollo Beach plant, earned a $3,000 prize from the TMMB. He continued a streak that saw him place second in last year’s event and third in the 2021-2022 championships. Rounding out this year’s leaders, third to fifth place, were Garret Lytle of Ozinga, Munster, Ind., $2,000 prize; Mark Nieciecki of Prairie Materials, Schaumburg, Ill., $1,500; and, Bill Cook of Thomas Concrete, Conway, S.C., $1,000.
The National Mixer Driver Championship took place at the Gaylord Rockies Resort, Aurora, Colo. The SEO Committee opened the event to top performers in producer member and state affiliate driver competitions, underscoring the opportunity for concrete delivery professionals to be crowned “Best of the Best.”
