Ozinga Driver from Highland Wins 3rd in National Competition

November 7, 2024

Written by Heather Pfundstein | Published by NW Indiana Business Magazine

Garret Lytle, a concrete mixer truck driver for Ozinga, earned third place in the National Mixer Driver Championship in October.

“Garret studied and worked very hard, and it paid off,” said Joe Sanders, Ozinga executive vice president of Indiana, in a press release. “Thank you, Garret, for a stellar effort and for representing everyone at Ozinga.”

Lytle was among 111 drivers who competed in the national event at the Gaylord Rockies Resort in Colorado between Oct. 11 and 13. He earned $2,000 for his efforts.

“The competition was a great environment in Colorado, filled with great people,” Lytle said. “I am glad I could represent Ozinga among so many great drivers across the nation.”

A record number of drivers competed in the 18th event this year. Allard Tigchelaar, with CEMEX in Arizona took first prize, while Damion Wynter, with Maschmeyer Concrete in Florida earned second. Schaumburg, Illinois, driver Mark Nieciecki with Prairie Materials – Votorantim Cimentos, won fourth.

“Garret was one of several Hoosiers represented at this year’s competition, and it is outstanding to see him get rewarded for his craft,” said Chad Montgomery, Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association executive director. “A third-place finish is an amazing accomplishment, and we strive for more Indiana drivers to get involved with honing their skills.”

Lytle, who is a graduate of Illiana Christian High School in Dyer, has been with Ozinga for three of his six years of driving. He is based in the Gary plant. Lytle, of Highland, also finished third in the 2024 Indiana Mixer Driver Competition.

The national competition includes a driving course, ability challenges, a written exam and a truck inspection. Lytle won second on the driving challenge.

Indiana has about 1,000 concrete mixer truck drivers who poured 8.6 million cubic yards of concrete last year. About $45 billion in ready mixed concrete is produced in the U.S. each year, according to the national organization.