(FORT SMITH, Ark., August 5, 2005) — The 68th National Truck Driving Championships August 16-20 in Tampa, Fla., will include 16 professional truck drivers from ABF Freight System, Inc.^® Known informally as the “Super Bowl of Safety,” the event is sponsored annually by the Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council of the American Trucking Associations to promote driving safety among the nation’s three million professional truck drivers.

“These 16 drivers are part of a team dedicated to safe driving, committed to quality and error-free service and devoted to upholding the highest standards of professionalism,” says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. “Their productive, conscientious work brings unmatched value-added logistics solutions to ABF customers. The great reputation ABF enjoys as a trusted supply-chain partner is a reflection of the drive and dedication of these outstanding employees.”

Drivers earn the right to compete in the National Championships by maintaining an accident-free driving record for the past year and by winning state driving championships. Competitive divisions include straight truck, three-axle, four-axle, five-axle, tank truck, flatbed, five-axle sleeper, twins or auto transporter. The comprehensive competitions include written examinations, personal interviews, pre-trip inspection test and a driving test of braking, parking, backing and maneuvering skills.

ABF’s state champions, including five repeat winners from 2004 and two Grand Champions, are:

Don Boileau	Massachusetts	Twins
Tim Cady	New York	Three-axle
Michael Contreras	New Mexico	Five-axle
Gerry Crutcher	Kentucky	Five-axle
Ralph Garcia*	New Mexico	Sleeper
Paul Gattin	Arkansas	Three-axle
John Hazlett	Pennsylvania	Tank
Rosey Jarzenski*	Ohio	Tank
Art Lucas	New York	Four-axle
Tom Martin*	Wyoming	Twins
Nate McCarty	Wyoming	Straight Truck
Shanon Reed	California	Twins
Bennie Saiz*	New Mexico	Straight Truck
Tony Spero*	Connecticut	Tank
Robert Winscot	Nebraska	Twins
Tony Wise	California	Flatbed

Grand Champions, each of whom scored highest of all drivers in the state championship, are shown in bold. An asterisk (*) denotes repeat winners from 2004 state championships.

Established in 1923, ABF^® is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. It continues to be recognized as a benchmark for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards. Last year, the ATA awarded ABF the Excellence in Security Award, the 28th time the organization has recognized ABF since 1971. ABF's emphasis on quality and value was cited by Logistics Management magazine, which awarded the carrier a 2004 Quest for Quality Award. In addition, ABF was twice recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry and a spot on the 2004 CIO Top 100 Agile Companies list.

ABF operates an extensive network of customer service centers and distribution facilities strategically located throughout North America. Through this network, ABF provides comprehensive shipping services to all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico. Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries. ABF is certified as an Automated Commercial Environment (ACE) carrier by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, as well as a Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) and Free and Secure Trade (FAST) carrier to and from Canada. Via its TimeKeeper^® service, ABF provides guaranteed expedited service for time-critical and time-definite shipments.

ABF is the largest subsidiary of Arkansas Best Corporation (NASDAQ: ABFS).

Contact: Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations
Telephone: (479) 785-8803