Overdrive's 2023 Small Fleet Championship

Small Fleet Champ Logo 2023 Ovd 01Trucking has numerous awards programs that recognize larger fleets and businesses. In 2020, 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. Since that topsy-turvy year, with freight markets are on wild rides adjusting the COVID-19 pandemic disruption, innovative small fleet owners grew their businesses in numerous different ways, outstripping their large-fleet counterparts on that front in some instances, then fighting hard to maintain during the cost inflation of the last year and more.

Put simply, now is the time to build on the recognition delivered to deserving owners in 2022 -- the Small Fleet Championship is back for 2023. 

The winners 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 the contenders?

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

In short, the kind of exposure that will get your growing business 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 much more. All will be recognized at the association's annual conference, where the winner will be announced in 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 much more. All will be recognized at the association's annual conference, where the winner will be announced in 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 finalists in two categories. The Small Fleet Champs will be named in early November 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 initial 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 June. 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 Winners

John McGee, CAP Trucking emerge victorious as Small Fleet Champs
2023 Small Fleet Champ finalists

Eligibility - Applicants must meet all these criteria:

  • Operating with motor carrier authority over the last four full calendar years (2019-2022).
  • Operated with 3 or more Class 8 trucks in for-hire freight (owned or leased) for all of 2022.
  • Operated no more than 30 Class 8 trucks in for-hire freight (owned or leased) as of Dec. 31, 2022.
  • Was not one of the top three finalists for the 2022 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 2-4. The winners will receive two years' membership.

Each finalist, to be notified in early September, 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.  

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

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

Winners agree and acknowledge 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