Hobart Concrete Mixer Truck Driver Wins Competition

August 30, 2024

Written by Kerry Sapet | Published by NW Indiana Business Magazine

The Indiana Ready Mixed Concrete Association named Ricardo Lopez as the 2024 Indiana Mixer Driver Competition winner. Lopez drives for Smith Ready Mix. He has been driving for the Valparaiso-based concrete company for eight years.

The Indiana Mixer Driver Competition is the qualifying event for the annual National Mixer Driver Championship competition. The event includes a 60-question written exam, a truck inspection assessment and a 10-station challenge course.

“There was a lot of good competition here, so you had to be on it,” Lopez said in a press release. “It gives people an opportunity to learn about our industry and concrete. I’m meeting drivers from all over Indiana, and we all get to talk and share stories, which makes this day very cool.”

Jon Sheets, who drives for Greenfield-based Irving Materials Inc., finished in second place. Garret Lyttle of Highland, who drives for Ozinga Ready Mix, finished in third.

The IRMCA Mixer Driver Competition began in 2005. The event recognizes IRMCA member employees. Indiana is a top 15 concrete producing state with more than 8.6 million yards of concrete poured in 2023.

“The IRMCA Mixer Skills Competition is one of our best events and is a day to feature the face of our industry, the Hoosier concrete mixer driver,” said Chad Montgomery, IRMCA executive director. “This year we compiled the 20 best drivers in the state of Indiana, and competition was close.”

IRMCA hosted the 2024 state competition on Aug. 24 at Hamilton Heights High School in Arcadia.

Lopez will compete in the National Mixer Driver Championship held by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. The championship takes place during the NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks 2024 Conference in October in Denver. Over 90 drivers are expected to compete in the event.