(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, August 13, 2002) — ABF Freight System Inc.^® announces that 20 of its professional truck drivers have earned the right to compete in the 65^th National Truck Driving Championships August 13–17, 2002 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the yearly safe-driving event which is expected to draw more than 2000 spectators.

Drivers qualify for the national truck driving championships by winning a state championship in the categories of straight truck, 3-axle, 4-axle, 5-axle, tank truck, flatbed, 5-axle sleeper, twins and auto transporter. To qualify for state competitions, drivers must be accident-free for one year or more prior to the competition.

During the championship, drivers demonstrate driving skills and knowledge of the trucking industry with written tests and personal interviews. Driving skills are displayed during the field test with braking, parking, backing and maneuvering through a specific course.

“These drivers exemplify ABF’s deep commitment to safety and serving our customers,” commented David Stubblefield, ABF President and CEO. “Through their attention to detail they have become masters of their profession and role models within ABF and our industry. We are very proud that they are part of the ABF team.”

ABF’s champions representing the states of Arkansas, California, Idaho, Kentucky, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Ohio, Wisconsin and Wyoming are as follows:

Chris Blandford, Kentucky, 3-axle Bert Brown, Idaho, 3-axle Larry Burney, Wyoming, flatbed Tim Cady, New York, 3-axle Gerry Crutcher, Kentucky, 5-axle Bill Ellis, California, 4-axle Charlie Estada, New Mexico, flatbed David Hagen, Kentucky, flatbed Rosey Jarzenski, Ohio, flatbed Edward Jimenez, California, 3-axle

A.J. Kelly, Wyoming, twins Steve Limas, New Mexico, 5-axle Gary Mason, Wyoming, 5-axle John McGinley, New Jersey, twins James Morgan, New Mexico, tank truck John Mullins, Arkansas, 3-axle Leroy Rice, Kentucky, 4-axle Allen Sheppard, Kentucky, straight truck Donnie Tafoya, New Mexico, straight truck Larry Wetzel, Wisconsin, 3-axle

ABF^® is one of North America’s largest and most experienced motor carriers and its safety initiatives have been consistently recognized as best-in-class. Over the past two decades, ABF has received the ATA’s prestigious President’s Trophy in virtually every year that it has been eligible. In each of the last 30 years, ABF’s safety ranking has been first, second or third within its trucking category. In 2001, the ATA selected ABF as the top motor carrier both in claims/loss prevention and in security, the first such dual award of its kind.

ABF Freight System Inc. offers direct service to all 50 states, nine Canadian provinces and Puerto Rico. In addition to its broad service to Mexico, the carrier offers service to 250 ports in more than 130 countries worldwide. ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments via its TimeKeeper^® service. The company’s Web site, www.abf.com, is ranked among the best 50 of all sites by CIO magazine. The carrier has been in continuous service since 1923 and is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ/NMS — “ABFS”).

Contact: Mr. Chris Baltz, Director of Marketing & Public Relations-ABF Freight System, Inc.—Telephone: (479) 785-8803