Overdrive’s 2021 Small Fleet Championship

Ovd Sf 2021Trucking has numerous awards programs that recognize larger fleets and businesses. In 2020, for the first time ever, Overdrive launched a competition to recognize owner-operators who’ve taken the big step of getting their own authority and growing beyond one truck, whether they’re still driving or in full-time management. The topsy-turvy nature of year 2020 set this year’s program start date back by a few months, but the Small Fleet Championship is back – and in a good time for such a recognition program. 

With so many small established trucking businesses capitalizing on growth opportunities since the COVID-19 pandemic’s first wave, it’s high time owners with sound strategies are recognized.

The winner will have demonstrated growth, above-average profit, and adherence to trucking best practices, all pointing to long-term stability and further growth potential.

What’s in it for you?

  •  Bragging rights for one year as the Small Fleet Champ
  •  A title belt befitting a champion
  •  Visibility through features on OverdriveOnline.com, including live discussions 
  •  Coverage beyond Overdrive in sister fleet publication CCJ

In short, the kind of exposure that will get your growing small fleet noticed.

The National Association of Small Trucking Companies is sponsoring this year's Small Fleet Championship program. Finalists receive a year's worth of membership in the association, with access to a myriad of benefits from NASTC's well-known fuel program to drug and alcohol testing services and more. All will be recognized at the association's annual conference, where the winner will be announced in early November. Find more about the association via their website.The National Association of Small Trucking Companies is sponsoring this year's Small Fleet Championship program. Finalists receive a year's worth of membership in the association, with access to a myriad of benefits from NASTC's well-known fuel program to drug and alcohol testing services and more. All will be recognized at the association's annual conference, where the winner will be announced in early November. Find more about the association via their website.How does it work? Overdrive editors will interview the best applicants, review submitted operating criteria, and select three finalists, who will be announced in October. The Small Fleet Champ will be named the following month at the Nashville, Tennessee, annual conference of the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, this year's Small Fleet Champ sponsor. NASTC is dedicated to helping small trucking companies control their costs through managed purchasing, analysis, consultation and advocacy. The organization's ultimate mission is to level the competitive playing field, allowing member companies to grow, prosper and remain a significant force in trucking. 

The application (find it in full below) must be filled out completely. If there are certain figures you don’t have, provide your best estimate. Are you championship material? Enter today! (Entries will be open through September. After this first entry form, be on the lookout for a follow-up email requesting further information of potential semi-finalists.)

Read About Last Year's Winner

James Davis Trucking's collection of custom trucks reflects one of owner James Davis' closely related businesses. Read more about JDT's spinoffs here.
james and orange pete-2020-10-14-09-54

Eligibility - Applicants must meet all these criteria:

  • Operating with motor carrier authority over the last four full calendar years (2017-2020).
  • Operated with 3 or more Class 8 trucks in for-hire freight (owned or leased) for all of 2020.
  • Operated no more than 30 class 8 trucks in for-hire freight (owned or leased) as of Dec. 31, 2020.
  • Was not one of the top three finalists for the 2020 Small Fleet Champ award.

Incentives and Commitment

Each finalist will receive a year's worth of membership from the National Association of Small Trucking Companies, and recognition at NASTC's annual conference in Nashville, Tennessee, November 4-6. The winner will receive 2 years' membership.

Each finalist, to be notified in early October, must commit to make every effort to attend the conference in Nashville for announcement of the winner, and will receive three days' worth of lodging at the conference hotel, as well as a $500 stipend toward travel expenses.  

Each finalist must also commit to take part then in a live online panel discussion addressing small-fleet topics to be held later in November – exact date flexible and TBD.

The winner will be featured in an Overdrive story and in CCJ. Finalists also will be covered in both publications.

The winner also will receive an engraved, oversized championship belt as an award trophy.

Winner agrees and acknowledges that neither Randall-Reilly nor any sponsor has made any representations to winner regarding the tax consequences related to the receipt of any prize. All expenses and costs, including all applicable taxes, associated with the acceptance and/or use of any prize are the sole and exclusive responsibility of the winner.

Entry Form