FORT SMITH, Ark., Aug. 4 /EMWNews/ -- ABF Freight System,

Inc.(R), is sending 19 championship drivers from 10 states to the 71th

National Truck Driving Championships, August 19-23, 2008, in Houston,

Texas. Professional 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.



    Among the competitors representing ABF are seven repeat winners from

2007, including five former national champion drivers and four 2008 state

driving grand champions. The former national champion drivers are:






    John Hazlett*       Pennsylvania   Three Axle      1994, 2000 and 2007

                                                        National Champion

    Kevin Scott Harris* New York       Five Axle       2007 National Champion

    Anthony Spero*      Connecticut    Tanker          2006 National Champion

    Joe Obregon         Georgia        Four Axle       2001 National Champion

    Rosey Jarzenski#    Ohio           Straight Truck  1995 National Champion





    Joining the former national champions representing ABF are:



    Garry Holliman#     Arkansas       Three Axle

    Richard Camarda#    California     Five Axle

    Tim McElwaney       Georgia        Straight Truck

    Clinton Rast*       Nebraska       Twins

    Gerald Benavidez    New Mexico     Tanker

    Charlie Estrada     New Mexico     Three axle

    Ralph Garcia*       New Mexico     Flatbed

    Bill Sanchez        New Mexico     Four-axle

    Kirk Weis           New Mexico     Straight Truck

    Lee Mengel          Pennsylvania   Flatbed

    Larry Burney*       Wyoming        Flatbed

    A.J. Kelly          Wyoming        Twins

    Gary Mason*#        Wyoming        Three Axle

    Andrew Walston      Wyoming        Four Axle

    A pound sign (#) denotes state grand champions. An asterisk (*) denotes

repeat winners from 2007.



    "Continuous pursuit of excellence, as seen in the accomplishments of

these drivers, is part of ABF's corporate culture," said Jim McFarlin, ABF

safety and security director. "This year, we are particularly proud to send

five former national champion drivers to represent ABF in this prestigious

event. The commitment and leadership of such outstanding employees help ABF

bring unmatched supply-chain solutions to our customers."



    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 or auto transporter. The comprehensive

competitions include written examinations, personal interviews, pre-trip

inspections and demonstrations of braking, parking, backing and maneuvering

skills.



    Established in 1923, ABF(R) is best-in-class for safety, security,

technology and freight-handling. InformationWeek, CIO, InfoWorld, and BtoB

magazines have cited ABF's strategic use of information technology as

exemplary. ABF is a five-time winner of the American Trucking Associations

President's Trophy for Safety and the only four-time winner of the

Excellence in Security Award. ABF is the only carrier to earn both the

Excellence in Claims/Loss Prevention Award and the Excellence in Security

Award in the same year, which ABF accomplished twice.



    ABF provides guaranteed service for expedited or time-definite

shipments via its TimeKeeper(R) service. Regional shipments are handled via

the carrier's RPM(R) Network, providing next-day and second-day shipping.

The ABF system stretches throughout North America, with local service

centers serving all 50 states, Canada, Mexico, Guam and Puerto Rico.

Globally, the carrier serves 250 ports in more than 130 countries.




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



    Contact:   Mr. Danny Loe, director of marketing & public relations

               Telephone: (479) 785-8803



    Websites:  http://www.abf.com

               http://www.TimeKeeper.com

               http://www.FreightValue.com

               http://www.upack.com