Nashville, Tennessee — Four high-performing carriers have secured their spots as finalists for Overdrive’s annual Small Fleet Championship, with the final showdown scheduled for next month's National Association of Small Trucking Companies conference. The elite group includes Hell Bent Xpress from Aberdeen, South Dakota, C.W. Express out of Indiana, Paul Rissler Transportation based in California, Missouri, and Brian Brewer Trucking operating in DeGraff, Ohio. Judges faced razor-thin margins when evaluating contenders this year, as every qualifying fleet demonstrated resilience, profitability, and operational excellence despite persistent freight market headwinds.
Competition organizers split the finalists into two distinct brackets covering fleets with three to ten trucks and those running eleven to thirty units. These operations represent the backbone of the independent trucking sector, where owner-operators and small fleet managers must wear multiple hats to survive. From specialized tanker operations to refrigerated produce hauling, the contenders mastered complex industry demands while keeping their businesses profitable through difficult spot market conditions.
Jamie Hagen launched Hell Bent Xpress with a single rig in 2020 and expanded the operation to eleven trucks by focusing heavily on direct shipper relationships to maintain rate control. Meanwhile, Paul and Michelle Rissler run a debt-free operation out of Missouri with six trucks, utilizing ELD-exempt gliders and dedicated hauling for Dutchland Refrigerated Transport to maximize efficiency and bottom-line returns.
What This Means for Drivers
Small fleet success stories offer a clear blueprint for CDL-A drivers and aspiring owner-operators looking to understand how lean operations survive turbulent economic cycles. Fleets that prioritize direct customer contracts and eliminate unnecessary debt tend to weather freight recessions far better than leveraged carriers relying solely on spot boards. For an OTR truck driver or regional driver seeking stability, working for a championship-caliber small fleet often translates to better equipment maintenance, consistent dispatching, and a direct line to company leadership.
Industry Reaction
Industry observers note that the resilience displayed by these small fleets highlights the enduring value of independent trucking companies hiring dedicated talent in competitive regions. While mega-carriers lean heavily on scale and automated dispatch, top-tier small fleets win by cultivating tight-knit partnerships with shippers and maintaining razor-sharp control over overhead expenses. This localized expertise remains vital as regulatory pressures and shifting operational costs continue to challenge commercial motor carriers nationwide.
Key Points
- Hell Bent Xpress expanded from one truck in 2020 to eleven units by prioritizing direct shipper accounts.
- Paul Rissler Transportation operates a debt-free fleet of six trucks utilizing ELD-exempt gliders in Missouri.
- Finalists will compete for division titles and championship championship belts at the NASTC annual conference in Nashville.
- Contenders proved that rigorous cost control and customer retention drive profitability through tough market cycles.
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