When 428 of the trucking industry's top professional drivers compete in Orlando this week, seven Delawareans will be contenders.

The national competition, run by the American Trucking Association, marks the 80th year drivers showcase their precision and safety skills.

The Delawareans in the race include Louis A. Lockard Jr., Roy Miller and Wesley B. Reynolds of FedEx , John F. Timmons III of Mountaire Farms, and Robert Benton, Phyllip Brunhammer and John G. Ruark of Walmart Transportation.

The competition features drivers from 97 companies and all 50 states. It concludes on Saturday with the announcement of the National Truck Driving Championships Bendix Grand Champion and the winners of each vehicle class, plus awards for the top performing state delegation, rookie of the year and other honors.