(FORT SMITH, Arkansas, August 15, 2003) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, announces that 18 of its professional truck drivers have earned the right to compete in the 66th National Truck Driving Championships August 19–23, 2003 in Columbus, Ohio. The American Trucking Associations (ATA) sponsors the yearly safe-driving event in which approximately 350 winners from across the nation will compete.

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 or 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 motor carrier 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 extraordinary drivers exemplify the spirit and dedication of our ABF team. Their knowledge and experience make them natural leaders within ABF and the industry,” remarked ABF President and CEO Bob Davidson. “With their safety-first attitudes and keen attention to detail, it is clear to see why ABF is the safest carrier in North America. We are proud to have each of these winners on our ABF team. I congratulate them on their impressive achievements.”

ABF’s champions, including eight repeat winners from 2002 and three Grand Champions, representing the states of Arkansas, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Wisconsin and Wyoming, are as follows:

Richard Alford, Kentucky, 3-axle
Richard Bachman, Pennsylvania, flatbed
*Larry Burney, Wyoming, flatbed
Don Boileau, Massachusetts, straight
Michael Contreras, New Mexico, 5-axle
*Charlie Estrada, New Mexico, 4-axle
Ralph Garcia, New Mexico, flatbed
Joseph Gonzales, Wyoming, straight
Dan Hiser, Arkansas, straight
*A.J. Kelly, Wyoming, twin
Thomas Martin, II, Wyoming, 3-axle
*John McGinley, New Jersey, twin
*John Mullins, Arkansas, 3-axle
Robert Redding, Oklahoma, straight
Bill Sanchez, New Mexico, twin
*Donnie Tafoya, New Mexico, sleeper
*Robert Vollmar, New Jersey, 3-axle
*Larry Wetzel, Wisconsin, 3-axle

Names shown in bold indicate Grand Champions. Names marked with * indicate repeat winners from 2002.

ABF’s safety, security and freight-handling performance has been consistently recognized as best-in-class. Over the past two decades, ABF^® has received the ATA’s prestigious President’s Trophy for safety 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 LTL motor carrier both in claims/loss prevention and in security, the first such dual award of its kind. In 2002, ABF was again selected by the ATA as the top LTL motor carrier in claims/loss prevention.

ABF Freight System is one of North America’s largest and most experienced motor carriers, with 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. Via its TimeKeeper^® service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments. The company’s Web site, www.abf.com, is ranked among the best 50 of all sites by CIO magazine and the top 10 Web sites by BtoB magazine. ABF has been in continuous service since 1923 and is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (Nasdaq: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Chris Baltz, director of marketing & public relations — ABF Freight System, Inc. — Telephone: (479) 785-8803.