(FORT SMITH, Ark., July 19, 2006) — ABF Freight System, Inc.^®, is sending 15 professional truck drivers from 10 states to the 69th National Truck Driving Championships, August 15-19, 2006, in New Orleans. Drivers earn the right to compete in the National Championships by winning state driving championships and by maintaining an accident-free driving record for the past year.

"ABF's excellent reputation for safety and security, backed by an unmatched number of industry awards, comes directly from outstanding employees, like these championship drivers," says ABF President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Davidson. "Behind the wheel, on the dock, in the office, or wherever duty calls, ABF employees are committed to adding value to our customers' supply chain by maintaining the highest performance standards."

Known informally as the "Super Bowl of Safety," the annual event is sponsored 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. Competitive divisions include straight truck, three-axle, four-axle, five-axle, tank truck, flatbed, five-axle sleeper, twins and auto transporter. The comprehensive competitions include a written examination, personal interview, pre-trip inspection and a driving skills test.

ABF's state champions, including three repeat winners from 2005 and two Grand Champions, are:

Grand Champions, each of whom scored highest of all drivers in the state championship, are shown in bold. An asterisk (*) denotes repeat winners from 2005 state championships.

Established in 1923, ABF is one of North America's oldest and most reputable motor carriers. Recognized as best-in-class for safety, security, technology and freight-handling standards, ABF has a distinguished record of service. In four of the past five years, ABF has earned either the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award, the Excellence in Security Award, or both from the American Trucking Associations Safety and Loss Prevention Management Council. ABF is the only five-time winner of the ATA President's Trophy for Safety and the only carrier to earn both the Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security Award in the same year. ABF also was recognized by CIO magazine for innovative excellence in information technology, earning the 2005 CIO Enterprise Value Award for the transportation industry as well as a spot on the CIO Top 100 Companies list in both 2005 and 2004.

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 service for expedited or 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