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This weekend, hundreds of competitors rose from relative obscurity to grab a share of glory in front of enthusiastic, if at times partisan, fans.

The recent $21 million jury verdict against a leading beverage manufacturer whose employee struck a woman pedestrian while driving a company vehicle sent shock waves through the trucking and fleet industries regarding the potential financial consequences of distracted driving.

In 2007, I read a survey revealing that 10% of truck drivers on the nation’s highways admitted to being drug users. As bad as that news was, I realized that, like the old rule of thumb holding that one bug on the kitchen floor means hundreds more are lurking behind the scenes, the full picture was probably far worse.

When I hear the current challenger for the presidency of the United States talk about job creation, I think back to one night in November 2005 when I was on the road and listening to a nationally broadcast radio talk show.

It is an unfortunate reality that truck drivers tend to be among the more unhealthy folks in today’s workforce. Most of this stems from the physical and mental demands associated with the hazardous mix of climbing and straining, sedentary driving and a heavy reliance on fast food and truck-stop snacks.

In preparation for an acquisition or divestiture, carriers must be conscious of the challenges associated with these transactions. Too often, owners and management come to the deal table wishing they had been better prepared.

The lead story of this publication’s June 18 issue discussed the growing problem of driver turnover and how even small truckload fleets, known for their ability to control turnover by maintaining close driver relationships, are now in need of creative retention solutions as their turnover rate has soared to 71%.

The proposed increase in surety requirements would eliminate at least 75% of the transportation broker industry.

In the end, your trucking operation’s success will be predicated, not on what analysts say, pro or con, or what Wall Street does tomorrow or next week but on your own strategies for controlling variable costs, executing the plan and staying firmly on course.

Those in our industry can make whatever excuses they want for not using EOBRs. The bottom line is they haven’t wrapped their minds around how to make money legally. I mean, they might as well be bootlegging whiskey. It’s the same damn thing.