Charlotte, NC — The 2026 Best Fleets to Drive For awards ceremony held at the NASCAR Hall of Fame recently recognized Crawford Trucking and Fortigo Freight Services as the premier carriers in the North American industry. These annual honors distinguish companies that have successfully moved beyond standard recruitment tactics to build internal environments where professional drivers actually want to stay.
Recognition in this sector is rarely about flashy perks; it is about the daily reality of the seat. Crawford Trucking, based out of Des Moines, Iowa, secured the Best Overall Fleet title in the small carrier category for the first time. Meanwhile, Etobicoke, Ontario-based Fortigo Freight Services captured the top spot in the large carrier category, marking a significant milestone after seven years of consecutive appearances on the Top 20 list.
Jane Jazrawy, CEO of CarriersEdge, noted that the winning fleets utilized the program's data-driven feedback loops to refine their internal policies. By analyzing reports and direct input from the cab, these companies adjusted their daily operations to better support their workforce. For a CDL-A driver, this translates into a tangible difference in how dispatch, maintenance, and upper management interact with the people behind the wheel.
What This Means for Drivers
The culture at these companies proves that open-door policies are more than just corporate marketing slogans. Crawford Trucking drivers reported that management is accessible from the shop floor to the owner’s office, a rarity in an era where many trucking companies hiring today rely on automated communication. Fortigo Freight Services earned its status by maintaining high standards of professionalism and consistency across its entire fleet operations. When companies focus on these pillars, they see improved retention and safety scores, which ultimately benefits the bottom line for every OTR truck driver on the roster.
Industry Reaction
Industry analysts emphasize that retention is not a separate goal from safety or operational efficiency. The 2026 winners demonstrated that by prioritizing the driver experience, they could navigate a difficult freight market more effectively than their competitors. As carriers continue to struggle with high turnover rates, the success of Crawford and Fortigo serves as a roadmap for others looking to attract top-tier talent. Companies that ignore these feedback loops often find themselves struggling to fill trucks, while those that listen to their drivers are finding it easier to secure stable, long-term contracts.
Key Points
- Crawford Trucking won the small carrier category for the first time in 2026.
- Fortigo Freight Services secured the top spot in the large carrier category after seven years of Top 20 rankings.
- The awards program uses direct driver feedback to evaluate management accessibility and operational quality.
- Winning fleets outperformed the industry average in safety and driver retention metrics this year.
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