Driving Success: A Fleet Advantage Podcast

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Oct 2026

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Welcome to Driving Success: A Fleet Advantage Podcast! Discover how we serve America’s Top Transportation fleets, ensuring the lowest cost of ownership through specialty financing, fleet data analytics, fleet management services, and life cycle cost management. Join us as we explore industry trends and insights to keep transportation professionals informed and inspired. Let's drive solutions together.

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22 recent

October 8, 20269 min

EP. 22: Inside IAA Transportation 2026 & the Future of Transportation

In this episode of Driving Success, Tracy Derival sits down with Brian Antonellis, SVP, Fleet Operations, to recap his experience at IAA Transportation 2026 in Hannover, Germany. Brian shares his firsthand perspective on the technologies, innovations and industry trends that stood out at this year’s show, including how the global transportation landscape has evolved since Fleet Advantage first attended IAA in 2024. The conversation also explores differences between the European and U.S. transportation markets, emerging technologies organizations should be watching, and the key takeaways that could influence equipment and operational strategies in the years ahead. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:18 Overall Impression of IAA Transportation 2026 02:28 New Innovations & Technology 03:48 Conversations Around Maintenance, Safety & Equipment Lifecycle 05:06 What Operations Leaders Should Pay Attention To 06:24 Major Takeaways on IAA Transportation 2026 07:35 Conclusion 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ Brian Antonellis ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

August 24, 202614 min

EP. 21: CVSA's Brake Safety Week 2026

In Episode 21 of Driving Success, Tracy Derival and Matt Wiedmeyer, Senior Director of Asset Performance & Maintenance at Fleet Advantage, close out the third annual Summer of Safety series with a look at CVSA's Brake Safety Week 2026. They discuss common brake violations and practical inspection and maintenance strategies. The conversation also highlights Fleet Advantage's latest Truck Reliability Usage Safety Tracker (TRUST) Safety Index findings and why proactive, year-round brake maintenance is essential for safety, compliance, and fleet performance. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Matt Wiedmeyer 01:55 Brake Safety Week Goals 03:37 2025 Inspection Results 05:35 Drums and Rotor Components 07:50 TRUST Safety Index Data on Brake Safety 09:52 Advice for Long-Term Safety 12:30 Conclusion 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ Matt Wiedmeyer ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwiedmeyerctp/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

July 24, 202639 min

EP. 20: Update on EPA27 Prebuy and How Recent Changes Affect Truck TCO

In this special crossover episode, Driving Success teams up with FleetOwner's The Fleet Lead, featuring Jeremy Wolfe (Editor, FleetOwner), John Hitch (Editor-in-Chief, Fleet Maintenance), and Fleet Advantage's Brian Antonellis (SVP, Fleet Operations) and Mac Hudson (Senior Offlease Manager). Together, they examine how recent EPA 2027 developments are influencing truck procurement, lifecycle planning, and Total Value of Ownership (TVO), while sharing expert perspectives on how organizations with transportation fleets can prepare for what's next. Chapters: 01:00 Introductions 04:46 Recent Changes with EPA27 Nox Rule 11:29 Rising Costs Effecting Operations 13:57 Organizational Maintenance Challenges 21:44 Economic Obsolesces on Fleet Equipment 27:26 Demands Increasing Since Covid 30:38 Will the Industry See Less Dramatic Changes 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ Brian Antonellis ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/ Mac Hudson ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mac-hudson-ab690b61/ John Hitch ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/john-hitch-86577815/ Jeremy Wolfe ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jeremy-t-wolfe/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

July 10, 20269 min

EP. 19: CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2026

In Episode 19 of Driving Success, Tracy Derival is joined by Nathan Rhoads, CTP, Director of Asset Performance at Fleet Advantage, to discuss CVSA's Operation Safe Driver Week 2026. Together, they explore this year's enforcement priorities, why driver behavior remains one of the greatest opportunities for improving roadway safety, and how organizations with transportation fleets can leverage coaching, telematics, and the latest TRUST Safety Index insights to strengthen safety culture well beyond the campaign week. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Nathan Rhoads & Operation Safe Driver Week 02:43 Behavioral Trends 04:11 Importance of Driver Alertness 05:13 Proactive Coaching for Drivers 06:49 Advice for Long-Term Safety 08:44 Conclusion 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ Nathan Rhoads ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/nathan-rhoads-232915134/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

June 29, 20268 min

EP. 18: National Tire Safety Week 2026

In this episode, Tracy Derival and Wesley Hall, CTP, Senior Director of Asset Performance & Off Lease at Fleet Advantage, kick off this year's Summer of Safety series by recognizing National Tire Safety Week. They discuss why tire health remains one of the most overlooked factors in fleet safety, how proactive inspections and proper maintenance can reduce roadside breakdowns and out-of-service violations, and why organizations with transportation fleets should view tire management as a critical part of their overall lifecycle strategy. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:43 Why Tire Safety Still Matters 02:25 TRUST Safety Index Reveals Tire-Related Violations 03:26 Proactive vs. Reactive Tire Maintenance 04:38 Understanding Tire Categories and Their Impact 05:47 Key Takeaways for Organizations with Transportation Fleets 07:09 Closing 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Fleet Advantage ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/company/fleet-advantage/ Wes Hall ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/wesley-hall-ctp-323367a/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

June 19, 20269 min

EP. 17: 2026 TLDI Reveals the Hidden Cost of Running Older Fleet Equipment

In this episode of Driving Success, Tracy Derival sits down with Joseph Rugare, Senior Fleet and Transaction Analyst at Fleet Advantage, to discuss the latest findings from Fleet Advantage’s Truck Life Cycle Data Index (TLDI) and the growing financial risks of operating older fleet equipment in today’s diesel environment. With diesel prices surpassing $5 per gallon nationally, organizations with transportation fleets are facing rapidly rising fuel, maintenance, and operating costs, especially those running aging Class-8 trucks. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:30 Background on Joseph Rugare 02:12 Cost Difference Between Running Older vs. Newer Fleet Equipment 03:05 Rising Fuel Prices Being a Disadvantage 04:06 Millions in Extra Cost Running Older Equipment 05:15 Risks in Delaying Upgrading Equipment 06:05 Long-Term Strategies for Organizations 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Joseph Rugare ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/joseph-rugare/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

May 19, 20266 min

EP. 16: Heavy-Duty Truck Fleets Use of AI: 2026 Industry Survey Results

In this episode of Driving Success, Tracy Derival sits down with Mac Hudson, CTP, Senior Off-Lease Manager at Fleet Advantage, live from the 2026 NPTC Annual Conference, to discuss the latest “Use of AI in Fleets” survey findings. The conversation explores the rapid rise of generative AI adoption across private fleets, the growing data integration challenges limiting deeper operational returns, and the major untapped opportunities AI presents for organizations with transportation fleets. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 00:46 Mac Hudson’s Background & Role 01:27 Why Generative AI Adoption Has Surged 02:40 Challenges with AI 04:20 Untapped Opportunities for AI in Fleet Operations 05:39 Closing 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Mac Hudson ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/mac-hudson-ab690b61/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ See the full survey results here! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/press-releases/fleet-advantage-survey-finds-generative-ai-has-taken-hold-in-private-fleets-but-data-gaps-are-blocking-deeper-returns Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

January 27, 20269 min

EP. 15: The Pre Buy Is Back: Why Fleets Cannot Afford to Wait on EPA 2027

In this episodeof Driving Success, Tracy Derival and Brian Antonellis, SVP of Fleet Operations at Fleet Advantage, discuss the confirmed EPA 2027 NOx regulations and why the truck pre-buy is officially back. With the EPA holding firm on the 35 mg standard, fleets face shrinking 2026 build availability, rising OEM costs, and increased allocation risk. Brian explains the financial implications, why private fleets are moving early, and the critical steps organizations must take now to control costs and secure equipment ahead of 2027. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction 01:52 The Pre-Buy Coming Back 02:33 Underestimating Build Slots and Pricing 03:30 Financial Implications 04:15 Private Fleets Acting Now 05:55 Important Actions for Fleets to Make 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Brian Antonellis ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

November 18, 202514 min

EP 14: OffLease Reimagined: Modernizing the Lease Surrender Process

In this episode, Tracy Derival sits down with Matt de Aguiar, Chief Operating Officer; Brian Antonellis, SVP, Fleet Operations; and Jackie Dusseau, VP, Data Analytics & Corporate Development, to discuss the launch of OffLease Reimagined, Fleet Advantage’s innovative platform for modernizing truck lease surrenders. The team explores how the software streamlines workflows, leverages real-time data and automation, and delivers measurable savings and operational efficiencies. Tune in to hear how OffLease Reimagined is driving transformation in fleet management and equipment finance, and learn about the award-winning solutions helping fleets save time, reduce costs, and gain transparency across the lease lifecycle. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Fleet Advantage Team 02:14 Introduction to OffLease ReImagined 03:37 Collaboration in Launching OffLease Reimagined 04:48 Operational Gaps in the Lease Surrender Process 05:54 Understanding Customer Needs and Data Integration 07:20 Leveraging Data for Actionable Insights 09:02 Success and Industry Impacts 12:11 Future of OffLease Reimagined 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Matt de Aguiar ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewdeaguiar/ Brian Antonellis ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/brian-a-35713420/ Jackie Dusseau ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/jackie-dusseau-clfp-88667059/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/

August 25, 202510 min

EP 13: CVSA's Brake Safety Week 2025

In this episode, Tracy Derival and Matt Wiedmeyer, CTP, Director of Fleet Operations & Maintenance, discuss CVSA’s Brake Safety Week 2025 with a special focus on drums and rotors. They explore why brake-related violations continue to top the charts for out-of-service orders and what fleets can do to better prepare. This episode delivers timely insights that help drivers and fleet operators stay compliant, avoid costly violations, and prioritize safety on the road. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:42 Brake Safety Week Refresh and Goals 02:24 Common Brake Related Violations 02:56 Tips for Drivers' Pre and Post-Trip Inspections 04:37 CVSA’s 2024 Unannounced Safety Inspection 06:11 New Statistics for Brake Safety Week 08:49 Conclusion of Summer of Safety Series 🤝 Connect with us on LinkedIn! Matt Wiedmeyer ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/matthewwiedmeyerctp/ Tracy Derival ➡ https://www.linkedin.com/in/tracy-derival-451a55126/ Visit our website! ➡ https://www.fleetadvantage.com/