UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
[X]
QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2006
or

[   ]
TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                                       to

Commission File Number: 0-24960



                                                          

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Nevada
 
88-0320154
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation
 
(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
or organization)
   
     
400 Birmingham Hwy.
   
Chattanooga, TN
 
37419
(Address of principal executive offices)
 
(Zip Code)

423-821-1212
(Registrant's telephone number, including area code)

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

 
Yes [ X ]
No [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, or a non-accelerated filer. See definition of "accelerated filer" and "large accelerated filer" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (Check one):

Large accelerated filer [   ]
Accelerated filer [ X ]
Non-accelerated filer [   ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).

 
Yes [   ]
No [ X ]

Indicate the number of shares outstanding of each of the issuer's classes of common stock, as of the latest practicable date (August 2, 2006).
Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,646,690   shares
Class B Common Stock, $.01 par value: 2,350,000 shares

Page 1


TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
   
Page Number
     
Item 1.
Financial Statements
 
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2006 (Unaudited) and December 31, 2005
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Stockholders' Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the six months ended June 30, 2006 (Unaudited)
     
 
Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 (Unaudited)
     
 
Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (Unaudited)
     
Item 2.
Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
     
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
     
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
 

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
   
Page Number
     
Item 1.
Legal Proceedings
     
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
     
Item 4.
Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
     
Item 6.
Exhibits
     

Page 2


PART 1
FINANCIAL INFORMATION
ITEM 1.         FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands, except share data)
 
   
June 30, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
ASSETS
 
(unaudited)
     
Current assets:
         
Cash and cash equivalents
 
$
2,583
 
$
3,618
 
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,938 in 2006 and
  $2,200 in 2005
   
69,678
   
77,969
 
Drivers advances and other receivables
   
6,693
   
3,932
 
Inventory and supplies
   
4,656
   
4,661
 
Prepaid expenses
   
12,585
   
16,199
 
Assets held for sale
   
9,820
   
3,204
 
Deferred income taxes
   
16,763
   
16,158
 
Income taxes receivable
   
6,008
   
7,559
 
Total current assets
   
128,786
   
133,300
 
               
Property and equipment, at cost
   
278,029
   
295,433
 
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization
   
(74,950
)
 
(84,275
)
Net property and equipment
   
203,079
   
211,158
 
Other assets
   
23,825
   
26,803
 
Total assets
 
$
355,690
 
$
371,261
 
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
             
Current liabilities:
             
Securitization facility
 
$
47,781
 
$
47,281
 
Accounts payable
   
7,217
   
8,457
 
Accrued expenses
   
17,613
   
17,088
 
Current portion of insurance and claims accrual
   
16,932
   
18,529
 
Total current liabilities
   
89,543
   
91,355
 
               
Long-term debt
   
24,000
   
33,000
 
Insurance and claims accrual, net of current portion
   
19,941
   
23,272
 
Deferred income taxes
   
33,494
   
33,910
 
Total liabilities
   
166,978
   
181,537
 
               
Commitments and contingent liabilities
   
-
   
-
 
               
Stockholders' equity:
             
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized;
  13,469,090 and 13,447,608 shares issued; 11,650,690 and 11,629,208
  outstanding as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively
   
135
   
134
 
Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized;
  2,350,000 shares issued and outstanding as of June 30, 2006 and
  December 31, 2005
   
24
   
24
 
Additional paid-in-capital
   
91,823
   
91,553
 
Treasury stock at cost; 1,818,400 shares as of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, respectively
   
(21,582
)
 
(21,582
)
Retained earnings
   
118,312
   
119,595
 
Total stockholders' equity
   
188,712
   
189,724
 
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity
 
$
355,690
 
$
371,261
 
 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.


COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
FOR THE THREE AND SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(In thousands, except per share data)

   
Three months ended
June 30,
(unaudited)
 
Six months ended
June 30,
(unaudited)
 
                   
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Revenue:
                 
Freight revenue
 
$
139,344
 
$
138,736
 
$
268,788
 
$
262,306
 
Fuel surcharges
   
30,018
   
18,077
   
52,109
   
32,433
 
Total revenue
 
$
169,362
 
$
156,813
 
$
320,887
 
$
294,739
 
                           
Operating expenses:
                         
Salaries, wages, and related expenses
   
64,421
   
60,967
   
123,063
   
114,913
 
Fuel expense
   
50,301
   
39,905
   
92,217
   
73,395
 
Operations and maintenance
   
8,774
   
8,444
   
17,271
   
15,672
 
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation
   
15,458
   
15,049
   
30,136
   
30,409
 
Operating taxes and licenses
   
3,465
   
3,604
   
6,767
   
6,943
 
Insurance and claims
   
8,187
   
9,603
   
16,414
   
18,437
 
Communications and utilities
   
1,527
   
1,601
   
3,117
   
3,240
 
General supplies and expenses
   
5,740
   
4,314
   
10,044
   
8,464
 
Depreciation and amortization, including net gains on
  disposition of equipment
   
8,536
   
10,284
   
18,555
   
19,948
 
Total operating expenses
   
166,409
   
153,771
   
317,584
   
291,421
 
Operating income
   
2,953
   
3,042
   
3,303
   
3,318
 
Other (income) expenses:
                         
Interest expense
   
1,075
   
1,038
   
2,199
   
1,652
 
Interest income
   
(122
)
 
(57
)
 
(259
)
 
(101
)
Other
   
(22
)
 
(94
)
 
(75
)
 
(330
)
Other expenses, net
   
931
   
887
   
1,865
   
1,221
 
Income before income taxes
   
2,022
   
2,155
   
1,438
   
2,097
 
Income tax expense
   
2,420
   
1,503
   
2,721
   
2,094
 
Net income (loss)
 
$
(398
)
$
652
  $
(1,283
)
$
3
 
 
Net income (loss) per share:
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
    $
(0.03
)
$
0.05
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.00
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
    $
(0.03
)
$
0.05
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.00
 
   
 
                     
Basic weighted average shares outstanding
   
13,997
   
14,100
   
13,991
   
14,375
 
Diluted weighted average shares outstanding
   
13,997
   
14,182
   
13,991
   
14,533
 
                           

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.




COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006
(Unaudited and in thousands)

   
Common Stock
Class             Class
A                     B
 
Additional
Paid-In
Capital
 
Treasury
Stock
 
Retained
Earnings
 
Total
Stockholders'
Equity
 
Comprehensive
Loss
 
                               
Balances at December 31, 2005
 
$
134
 
$
24
 
$
91,553
 
$
(21,582
)
$
119,595
 
$
189,724
       
                                             
Exercise of employee stock
options
   
1
   
-
   
191
   
-
   
-
   
192
       
                                             
Income tax benefit arising from
the exercise of stock options
   
-
   
-
   
17
   
-
   
-
   
17
       
                                             
SFAS No. 123R stock-based
employee compensation cost
               
62
               
62
       
                                             
Net loss
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
-
   
(1,283
)
 
(1,283
)
 
(1,283
)
                                             
Comprehensive loss for six
months ended June 30, 2006
                                     
$
(1,283
)
                                             
Balances at June 30, 2006
 
$
135
 
$
24
 
$
91,823
 
$
(21,582
)
$
118,312
 
$
188,712
       
                                             

  The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.




COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 AND 2005
(In thousands)

   
Six months ended June 30,
(unaudited)
 
           
   
2006
 
2005
 
Cash flows from operating activities:
         
Net income (loss)
 
$
(1,283
)
$
3
 
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by
    operating activities:
             
Provision for losses on accounts receivable
   
292
   
510
 
Depreciation and amortization
   
20,214
   
20,067
 
Deferred income taxes (benefit)
   
(1,021
)
 
(10,850
)
Income tax benefit from exercise of stock options
   
0
   
50
 
Net gain on disposition of property and equipment
   
(1,659
)
 
(119
)
Non-cash stock compensation
   
62
   
0
 
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
             
Receivables and advances
   
8,107
   
8,592
 
Prepaid expenses and other assets
   
3,614
   
(7,994
)
Inventory and supplies
   
5
   
(559
)
Insurance and claims accrual
   
(4,928
)
 
(148
)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses
   
890
   
371
 
Net cash flows provided by operating activities
   
24,293
   
9,924
 
               
Cash flows from investing activities:
             
Acquisition of property and equipment
   
(77,757
)
 
(66,975
)
Proceeds from building sale leaseback
   
29,630
   
0
 
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment
   
31,090
   
28,230
 
Net cash flows used in investing activities
   
(17,037
)
 
(38,745
)
               
Cash flows from financing activities:
             
Exercise of stock options
   
192
   
418
 
Excess income tax benefit arising from the exercise of stock options
   
17
   
0
 
Repurchase of company stock
   
0
   
(11,657
)
Proceeds from issuance of debt
   
36,500
   
78,000
 
Repayments of debt
   
(45,000
)
 
(42,872
)
Deferred costs
   
0
   
8
 
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities
   
(8,291
)
 
23,898
 
               
Net change in cash and cash equivalents
   
(1,035
)
 
(4,923
)
               
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period
   
3,618
   
5,066
 
               
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period
 
$
2,583
 
$
143
 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these consolidated condensed financial statements.


COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(Unaudited)

Note 1.    Basis of Presentation

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Transport, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America, pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission. In the opinion of management, the accompanying financial statements include all adjustments which are necessary for a fair presentation of the results for the interim periods presented, such adjustments being of a normal recurring nature. Certain information and footnote disclosures have been condensed or omitted pursuant to such rules and regulations. The December 31, 2005 consolidated condensed balance sheet was derived from our audited balance sheet for the year then ended. It is suggested that these consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.

Certain prior period financial statement balances have been reclassified to conform to the current period's classification.

Note 2.    Comprehensive Earnings

Comprehensive earnings generally include all changes in equity during a period except those resulting from investments by owners and distributions to owners. Comprehensive earnings for the six month periods ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 equaled net income (loss).

Note 3.    Segment Information

We have one reportable segment under the provisions of Statement of Financial Accounting Standards (“SFAS”) No.131, Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise and Related Information . Each of our four transportation service offerings that meet the quantitative threshold requirements of SFAS No. 131 provides truckload transportation services that have been aggregated since they have similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria of SFAS No. 131. Accordingly, we have not presented separate financial information for each of our service offerings as our consolidated condensed financial statements present our one reportable segment. Our four major transportation service offerings are: (a) expedited long haul service, (b) refrigerated service, (c) dedicated service, and (d) regional solo-driver service. We generate other revenue through a subsidiary that provides freight brokerage services. This operation does not meet the quantitative threshold reporting requirements of SFAS No. 131.

Note 4.   Basic and Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share

We apply the provisions of SFAS No. 128 , Earnings per Share , which requires us to present basic EPS and diluted EPS. Basic EPS excludes dilution and is computed by dividing earnings available to common stockholders by the weighted-average number of common shares outstanding for the period. Diluted EPS reflects the dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue common stock were exercised or converted into common stock or resulted in the issuance of common stock that then shared in the earnings of the Company. The calculation of diluted loss per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006, excludes all unexercised shares, since the effect of any assumed exercise of the related options would be antidilutive. The calculation of diluted earnings per share for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005, excludes approximately 857,946 shares and 226,998 shares respectively, since the effect of assumed exercise of the related options would be antidilutive.

 

 

        The following table sets forth, for the periods indicated, the calculation of net earnings (loss) per share included in our consolidated condensed statements of operations:

 
(in thousands except per share data)
 
Three months ended
June 30,
 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
 
Numerator:
                 
                   
Net earnings (loss)
 
$
(398
)
$
652
 
$
(1,283
)
$
3
 
                           
Denominator:
                         
                           
Denominator for basic earnings per share
- weighted-average shares
   
13,997
   
14,100
   
13,991
   
14,375
 
Effect of dilutive securities:
                         
Employee stock options
   
0
   
82
   
0
   
158
 
Denominator for diluted earnings per share
- adjusted weighted-average shares and
assumed conversions
   
13,997
   
14,182
   
13,991
   
14,533
 
                           
Net income (loss) per share:
                         
Basic earnings (loss) per share:
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.05
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.00
 
Diluted earnings (loss) per share:
 
$
(0.03
)
$
0.05
 
$
(0.09
)
$
0.00
 
 
Note 5.   Share-Based Compensation

Prior to May 23, 2006, we had four stock-based compensation plans. Prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for those plans under the recognition and measurement principles of Accounting Principles Board (“APB”) Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations. No stock-based compensation cost was reflected in net income, as all options granted under those plans had an exercise price equal to the market value of the underlying common stock on the date of grant. On May 23, 2006, upon the recommendation of our Board of Directors, our stockholders approved the Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan. The Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan replaced the Covenant Transport, Inc. 2003 Incentive Stock Plan, Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Plan, Outside Director Stock Option Plan, and 1998 Non-Officer Incentive Stock Plan.

Effective January 1, 2006, we adopted SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payment ("SFAS No. 123R") using a modified version of the prospective transition method. Under this transition method, compensation cost is recognized on or after the required effective date for the portion of outstanding awards for which the requisite service has not yet been rendered, based on the grant-date fair value of those awards calculated under SFAS No. 123R for either recognition or pro forma disclosures. Stock-based employee compensation expense for the three months and six months ended June 30, 2006 was approximately $58,330 and $62,290, respectively, and is included in salaries, wages, and related expenses within the consolidated condensed statements of operations. There was no cumulative effect of initially adopting SFAS No. 123R.

In periods prior to January 1, 2006, we accounted for our stock-based compensation plans under APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees, and related Interpretations, under which no compensation expense has been recognized because all employee and outside director stock options have been granted with the exercise price equal to the fair value of the our Class A common stock on the date of grant. The fair value of options granted was estimated as of the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option pricing model. The fair value of the employee and outside director stock options which would have been expensed in the three months and six months ended June 30, 2005 would have been $1.3 million and $1.7 million, respectively.



Our pro forma net income (loss) and earnings (loss) per share would have been as indicated below had the estimated fair value of all option grants on their grant date been charged to salaries, wages and related expense in accordance with SFAS No. 123R.  
 
 
(in thousands, except per share data)
 
Three months ended June 30, 2005
 
Six months ended June 30, 2005
 
           
Net income, as reported:
 
$
652
 
$
3
 
Deduct: Total stock-based employee compensation
expense determined under fair value based method for
all awards, net of related tax effects
   
(1,349
)
 
(1,744
)
Pro forma net loss
 
$
(697
)
$
(1,741
)
               
Basic and diluted earnings (loss) per share:
             
As reported
 
$
0.05
 
$
0.00
 
Pro forma
 
$
(0.05
)
$
(0.12
)
               

On August 31, 2005, the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors approved the acceleration of the vesting of all outstanding unvested stock options. As a result, the vesting of approximately 170,000 previously unvested stock options granted under our Amended and Restated Incentive Stock Plan and our 2003 Incentive Stock Plan was accelerated and all such options became fully exercisable as of August 31, 2005. This acceleration of vesting did not result in any compensation expense for us during 2005; however, without the acceleration of vesting we would have been required to recognize compensation expense beginning in 2006 in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. Under the fair value method of SFAS No. 123R, we would have recorded $2.2 million, net of tax, for the 12 month period ended December 31, 2005, which represents the pro forma compensation expense as well as the effect of the acceleration of the stock options that would be recorded as compensation expense.

The following tables summarize our stock option activity for the six months ended June 30, 2006:

 
Number of
options
(in thousands)
   
Weighted
average exercise
price
 
Weighted average
remaining
contractual term
   
Aggregate
intrinsic value
(in thousands)
 
                 
Outstanding at beginning of the period
1,454                
 
$
14.33
     
Options granted
5                
 
$
13.80
         
Options exercised
(15)               
 
$
12.38
         
Options forfeited
(15)               
 
$
15.25
         
Options expired
(178)               
 
$
15.50
         
Outstanding at end of period
1,251                
 
$
14.18
 
5.8 years
 
$
$2,312
                   
Exercisable at end of period
1,236                
 
$
14.21
 
5.8 years
 
$
$2,264

The fair value of each option award is estimated on the date of grant using the Black-Scholes option-pricing model, which uses a number of assumptions to determine the fair value of the options on the date of grant. The following weighted-average assumptions were used to determine the fair value of the stock options granted during the three and six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005:






   
Three months ended June 30,
 
Six months ended June 30,
   
2006
 
2005
 
2006
 
2005
Expected volatility
 
37.4% - 39.5%
 
51.9%
 
37.4% - 39.5%
 
50.6% - 51.9%
Risk-free interest rate
 
4.9% - 5.0%
 
3.9%
 
4.9% - 5.0%
 
3.8% - 3.9%
Expected lives (in years)
 
5.0
 
5.0
 
5.0
 
5.0

The expected lives of the options are based on the historical and expected future employee exercise behavior. Expected volatility is based upon the historical volatility of our common stock. The risk-free interest rate is based upon the U.S. Treasury yield curve at the date of grant with maturity dates approximately equal to the expected life at the grant date.

               The following tables summarize our restricted stock award activity for the six months ended June 30, 2006:

   
Number
of stock
awards
 
Weighted
average grant
date fair value
 
Unvested at January 1, 2006
 
0
 
$
 0  
Granted
   
371,985
 
$
12.79
 
Vested
   
0
   
-
 
Forfeited
   
0
   
-
 
Unvested at June 30, 2006
   
371,985
 
$
12.79
 

Included in the above table is 316,665 restricted stock awards that vest only if we achieve an earnings-per-share target of $2.00 by 2010. The underlying performance targets of earnings per share for these restricted stock awards do not begin until the 2007 fiscal year, therefore no compensation expense for these restricted stock awards will be recorded until January 1, 2007.

As of June 30, 2006, we had $0.1 million and $0.7 million in unrecognized compensation expense related to stock options and restricted stock awards, respectively, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted average period of approximately 3 years for stock options and 4 years for restricted stock awards.

Note 6.   Income Taxes

Income tax expense varies from the amount computed by applying the federal corporate income tax rate of 35% to income before income taxes primarily due to state income taxes, net of federal income tax effect, adjusted for permanent differences, the most significant of which is the effect of the per diem pay structure for drivers.

On April 20, 2006, we completed the appeals process with the IRS related to their 2001 and 2002 audits. Related to this settlement with the IRS, we recorded additional income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. We received a favorable resolution in the Closing Agreement received from the IRS which stated that our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary made a valid election under section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and is to be respected as an insurance company.

Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the IRS, completed their audit fieldwork of our 2003 and 2004 tax returns and has proposed the disallowance, with which we have agreed, of approximately $350,000 of costs related to the November 2003 stock offering. During the three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $0.1 million of income tax expense related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits. Additionally, the IRS has proposed to disallow the tax benefits associated with insurance premium payments made to our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary for the 2003 and 2004 years. Due to the favorable resolution of the 2001 and 2002 IRS audit on this issue, we are vigorously defending our position related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits using all administrative and legal processes available. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, was recorded in our consolidated condensed statements of operations related to this uncertain tax position. If we are unsuccessful in defending our position on this deduction, we could owe additional taxes totaling $1.6 million on this matter. We believe that we have properly accrued for this matter on our consolidated condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2006.



Note 7.   Derivative Instruments and Other Comprehensive Income

We account for derivative instruments in accordance with SFAS No. 133, Accounting for Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (as amended, "SFAS No. 133"). SFAS No. 133 requires that all derivative instruments be recorded on the balance sheet at their fair value. Changes in the fair value of derivatives are recorded each period in current earnings or in other comprehensive income, depending on whether a derivative is designated as part of a hedging relationship and, if it is, depending on the type of hedging relationship.

In 2001, we entered into two $10.0 million notional amount cancelable interest rate swap agreements to manage the risk of variability in cash flows associated with floating-rate debt. Due to the counter-parties' imbedded options to cancel, these derivatives did not qualify, and are not designated as hedging instruments under SFAS No. 133. Consequently, these derivatives are marked to fair value through earnings, in other expense in the accompanying statements of operations. At June 30, 2006, the swap agreements had expired and there was no liability thereunder; however, at June 30, 2005 the fair value of these interest-rate swap agreements was a liability of $0.2 million, which is included in accrued expenses on the consolidated condensed balance sheets. The derivative activity, as reported in the consolidated condensed financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005 is summarized in the following table:

 
(in thousands)
 
Six months ended
June 30,
 
   
2006
 
2005
 
           
Net liability for derivatives at January 1
 
$
(13
)
$
(439
)
               
Gain in value of derivative instruments that do not qualify as hedging
     Instruments
   
13
   
273
 
               
Net liability for derivatives at June 30
 
$
-
 
$
(166
)

From time to time, we enter into fuel purchase commitments for a notional amount of diesel fuel at prices which are determined when fuel purchases occur.

Note 8.   Property and Equipment

Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Revenue equipment is generally depreciated over five to ten years with salvage values ranging from 4% to 39%. The salvage value, useful life, and annual depreciation of tractors and trailers are evaluated annually based on the current market environment and on the Company's recent experience with disposition values. Any change could result in greater or lesser annual expense in the future. Included in depreciation in the consolidated condensed statements of operations are net gains on disposal of revenue equipment of $1.5 million and $0.3 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively, and of $1.7 million and $0.1 million for the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively. We also evaluate the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment by analyzing the operating performance and future cash flows for those assets, whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such assets may not be recoverable. We evaluate the need to adjust the carrying value of the underlying assets if the sum of the expected cash flows is less than the carrying value. Impairment can be impacted by our projection of the actual level of future cash flows, the level of actual cash flows and salvage values, the methods of estimation used for determining fair values, and the impact of guaranteed residuals. Any changes in management's judgments could result in greater or lesser annual depreciation expense or additional impairment charges in the future.



In April 2006, we entered into a sale leaseback transaction involving our corporate headquarters, a maintenance facility, a body shop, and approximately forty-six acres of surrounding property in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We received proceeds of approximately $29.6 million from the sale of the property, which we used to pay down borrowings under our Credit Agreement and to purchase revenue equipment. In the transaction, we entered into a twenty-year lease agreement, whereby we will lease back the property at an annual rental rate of approximately $2.5 million, subject to annual rent increases of 1.0%, resulting in annual straight-line rental expense of approximately $2.7 million. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $2.1 million, which will be amortized ratably over the life of the lease and recorded as depreciation expense on our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

Note 9.   Securitization Facility and Long-Term Debt

Our securitization facility and long-term debt consisted of the following at June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005:

(in thousands)
 
June 30, 2006
 
December 31, 2005
 
 
         
Securitization Facility
 
$
47,781
 
$
47,281
 
               
Borrowings under Credit Agreement
 
$
24,000
 
$
33,000
 
Less current maturities
   
-
   
-
 
Long-term debt, less current portion
 
$
24,000
 
$
33,000
 
 
In December 2004, we entered into a Credit Agreement with a group of banks (the “Credit Agreement”). The facility matures in December 2009. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are based on the banks' base rate, which floats daily, or LIBOR, which accrues interest based on one, two, three, or six month LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 0.75% and 1.25% based on cash flow coverage (the applicable margin was 1.0% at June 30, 2006). At June 30, 2006, we had $24.0 million of borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement has a maximum borrowing limit of $150.0 million with an accordion feature which permits an increase up to a maximum borrowing limit of $200.0 million. Borrowings related to revenue equipment are limited to the lesser of 90% of net book value of revenue equipment or the maximum borrowing limit. Letters of credit are limited to an aggregate commitment of $85.0 million. The Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the stock of most of the Company's subsidiaries. A commitment fee, that is adjusted quarterly between 0.15% and 0.25% per annum based on cash flow coverage, is due on the daily unused portion of the Credit Agreement. As of June 30, 2006, we had approximately $55.5 million of available borrowing capacity. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $70.5 million and $73.9   million, respectively.

In December 2000, we entered into an accounts receivable securitization facility (the "Securitization Facility"). On a revolving basis, we sell our interests in our accounts receivable to CVTI Receivables Corp. (“CRC”), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote special purpose subsidiary incorporated in Nevada. CRC sells a percentage ownership in such receivables to an unrelated financial entity. We can receive up to $62.0 million of proceeds, subject to eligible receivables, and pay a service fee recorded as interest expense, based on commercial paper interest rates plus an applicable margin of 0.44% per annum and a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum on the daily unused portion of the Securitization Facility. The net proceeds under the Securitization Facility are required to be shown as a current liability because the term, subject to annual renewals, is 364 days. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had $47.8 million and $47.3 million outstanding, respectively, with weighted average interest rates of 5.4% and 4.4%, respectively. CRC does not meet the requirements for off-balance sheet accounting; therefore, it is reflected in our consolidated condensed financial statements.
 
The Credit Agreement and Securitization Facility contain certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among other things, dividends, tangible net worth, cash flow coverage, acquisitions and dispositions, and total indebtedness. These agreements are cross-defaulted. We were in compliance with the covenants as of June 30, 2006.



Note 10. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

In June 2006, the FASB published Interpretation No. 48, Accounting for Uncertainty in Income Taxes, an interpretation of FASB Statement No. 109 (“FIN 48”). FIN 48 prescribes a recognition threshold and measurement attribute for the financial statement recognition and measurement of a tax position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return. FIN 48 also provides guidance on derecognition, classification, interest and penalties, accounting in interim periods, disclosure and transition. The effective date of this interpretation is January 1, 2007, the first fiscal year beginning after December 15, 2006. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of the adoption of FIN 48 on our consolidated financial statements.

In April 2006, the FASB issued FASB Staff Position (“FSP”) FIN 46(R)-6, Determining the Variability to be Considered in Applying FASB Interpretation No. 46(R) , that will become effective beginning third quarter of 2006. FSP FIN No. 46(R)-6 clarifies that the variability to be considered in applying FASB Interpretation 46(R) shall be based on an analysis of the design of the variable interest entity. We do not believe the adoption of FSP FIN No. 46(R)-6 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In March 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 156, Accounting for Servicing of Financial Assets - an amendment of SFAS No. 140 , that provides guidance on accounting for separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities. In accordance with SFAS No. 156, separately recognized servicing assets and servicing liabilities must be initially recognized at fair value, if practicable. Subsequent to initial recognition, companies may use either the amortization method or the fair value measurement method to account for servicing assets and servicing liabilities within the scope of this Statement. The provisions of SFAS No. 156 are effective as of the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 156 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

In February 2006, the FASB issued SFAS No. 155, Accounting for Certain Hybrid Financial Instruments - an amendment of FASB Statements No. 133 and 140 , to permit fair value remeasurement for any hybrid financial instrument that contains an embedded derivative that otherwise would require bifurcation in accordance with the provisions of SFAS No. 133. The provisions of SFAS No. 155 are effective for all financial instruments acquired or issued after the beginning of the first fiscal year that begins after September 15, 2006. We do not believe the adoption of SFAS No. 155 will have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements.

Effective December 31, 2005, we adopted FASB Interpretation No. 47, Accounting for Conditional Asset Retirement Obligations (“ FIN 47 ”) , which clarifies that the term conditional asset retirement obligation as used in SFAS No. 143, Accounting for Asset Retirement Obligations , refers to a legal obligation to perform an asset retirement activity in which the timing and/or method of settlement are conditioned on a future event that may or may not be within the control of the entity. The obligation to perform the asset retirement activity is unconditional even though uncertainty exists about the timing and/or method of settlement. Accordingly, an entity is required to recognize a liability for the fair value of a conditional asset retirement obligation if the fair value of the liability can be reasonably estimated. Uncertainty about the timing and/or method of settlement of a conditional asset retirement obligation should be factored into the measurement of the liability when sufficient information exists. FIN 47 also clarifies when an entity would have sufficient information to reasonably estimate the fair value of an asset retirement obligation. The adoption of FIN 47 impacted our accounting for the conditional obligation to remove Company decals and other identifying markings from certain tractors and trailers under operating leases at the end of the lease terms. In the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, the impact of the adoption of FIN 47 was approximately $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, of additional expense in our revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expenses.

In May 2005, the FASB issued SFAS No. 154, Accounting Changes and Error Corrections .  SFAS No. 154 replaces APB Opionion No. 20, Accounting Changes , and SFAS Statement No. 3, Reporting Changes in Interim Financial Statements .  SFAS No. 154 changes the accounting for, and reporting of, a change in accounting principle.  SFAS No. 154 requires retrospective application to prior periods’ financial statements of voluntary changes in accounting principle and changes required by new accounting standards when the standard does not include specific transition provisions, unless it is impracticable to do so.   SFAS No. 154 is effective for accounting changes and corrections of errors in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2005.  We   adopted this statement effective January 2006.



In December 2004, the FASB issued SFAS No. 123R, Share-Based Payments , revising SFAS No. 123, Accounting for Stock Based Compensation ; superseding APB Opinion No. 25, Accounting for Stock Issued to Employees and its related implementation guidance; and amending SFAS No. 95, Statement of Cash Flows . SFAS No. 123R requires companies to recognize the grant date fair value of stock options and other equity-based compensation issued to employees in its income statement, generally over the remaining vesting period. In 2005, we accelerated the vesting of substantially all of our outstanding stock options. This allowed us to recognize an expense in 2005 which was significantly less than the compensation expense that would have been recognized beginning in 2006 in accordance with SFAS No. 123R. SFAS No. 123R was effective January 1, 2006. Our adoption of SFAS No. 123R had minimal impact for the three and six month periods ended June 30, 2006 (See Note 5).

Note 11.   Commitments and Contingencies

In the normal course of business, we are party to ordinary, routine litigation, most of which involves claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In the opinion of management, our potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements. Currently, we are involved in the significant personal injury claim described below.

On March 7, 2003, an accident occurred in Wisconsin involving a vehicle and one of our tractors. Two adult occupants of the vehicle were killed in the accident. The only other occupant of the vehicle was a child, who survived with little apparent injury. Suit was filed in the United States District Court in Minnesota by heirs of one of the decedents against us and our driver under the style: Bill Kayachitch and Susan Kayachitch as co-trustees for the heirs and next of kin of Souvorachak Kayachitch, deceased, vs. Julie Robinson and Covenant Transport, Inc . The case was settled on October 10, 2005 at a level below the aggregate coverage limits of our insurance policies and was formally dismissed in February 2006. Representatives of the child may file an additional suit against the Company.

Financial risks which potentially subject us to concentrations of credit risk consist of deposits in banks in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. Our sales are generally made on account without collateral. Repayment terms vary based on certain conditions. We maintain reserves that management believes are adequate to provide for potential credit losses. The majority of our customer base spans the United States. We monitor these risks and believe the risk of incurring material losses is remote.

We use purchase commitments through suppliers to reduce a portion of our cash flow exposure to fuel price fluctuations.




ITEM 2.
MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada holding company, and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. References in this report to "we," "us," "our," the "Company," and similar expressions refer to Covenant Transport, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

This quarterly report contains certain statements that may be considered forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). Such statements may be identified by their use of terms or phrases such as "expects," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "anticipates," "plans," "intends," and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of our management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties, some of which cannot be predicted or quantified, which could cause future events and actual results to differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements. Actual results may differ from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause or contribute to such differences include, but are not limited to those discussed in the section entitled Item 1A. Risk Factors , set forth below. We do not assume, and specifically disclaim, any obligation to update any forward-looking statements contained in this report.

Executive Overview

We are one of the ten largest truckload carriers in the United States measured by revenue according to Transport Topics, a publication of the American Trucking Associations. We focus on targeted markets where we believe our service standards can provide a competitive advantage. Currently, we categorize our business with four major transportation service offerings: Expedited long haul service, Refrigerated service, Dedicated service, and Regional solo-driver service. We are a major carrier for transportation companies such as freight forwarders, less-than-truckload carriers, and third-party logistics providers that require a high level of service to support their businesses, as well as for traditional truckload customers such as manufacturers and retailers. We generate other revenue through a subsidiary that provides freight brokerage services.
 
For the six months ended June 30, 2006, total revenue increased $26.2 million, or 8.9%, to $320.9 million from $294.7 million in the 2005 period. Freight revenue, which excludes revenue from fuel surcharges, increased $6.5 million, or 2.5%, to $268.8 million in the 2006 period from $262.3 million in the 2005 period. We experienced a net loss of $1.3 million, or $0.09 per share, for the first six months of 2006, compared with a slight profit of $3 thousand, or $0.00 per share, for the first six months of 2005.

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, our average freight revenue per tractor per week, our main measure of asset productivity, increased 5.6%, to $3,025 in the first six months of 2006 compared to $2,865 in the same period of 2005. The increase was primarily generated by a 1.0% increase in average freight revenue per loaded mile and a 3.8% increase in average miles per tractor equipment utilization. Weighted average tractors decreased 3.0% to 3,434 in the 2006 period from 3,541 in the 2005 period.

Our after-tax costs remained essentially constant on a per-mile basis with the level in the first quarter of 2006, and increased only 2.2%, or $.03 per mile, compared with the first six months of 2005. The main factors were a $.023 per mile increase in compensation expense, driven primarily by increases in driver pay and office salaries related to the business realignment, and a $.013 per mile increase in our health insurance claim costs, partially offset by a $.011 per mile decrease in our insurance and claims expense.

During 2005, we began the formal realignment of our business into four distinct service offerings: Expedited long haul, Refrigerated, Dedicated, and Regional solo-driver. We manage and operate each service offering separately, each under the authority of a general manager. We have now hired the general managers for each of the service offerings. In addition, within the Regional solo-driver service offering, we have divided the business into several service centers, each under separate management as well. Our freight brokerage operation is also managed and operated as a separate subsidiary.



The realignment has involved significant changes, including selecting and installing new leadership over each service offering, reassigning personnel, allocating tractors and trailers to each service offering, migrating operations to preferred traffic lanes for each service offering, acquainting drivers and customers to new lanes, contacts, and procedures, developing and approving business plans, developing systems to support, measure, and hold accountable each service offering, including budgets, incentive targets, and individual income statements. We also have been addressing driver retention by focusing on driver development and satisfaction as key components of every aspect of our business. Although we have continued to make significant progress, this process will continue at least into 2007.

For the three months ended June 30, 2006, results of the business realignment on each service offering include the following, as compared to the results we had achieved for the three months ended June 30, 2005:

Expedited long haul service. Increased the fleet by approximately 10%, expanded the length of haul to reflect a renewed focus on transcontinental loads, and increased miles per truck. The team operation is also the main training ground for new drivers, and improvements in our training have allowed us to lower turnover in a difficult driver market. Average freight revenue per total mile has remained basically flat with last year, although the length of haul has expanded about 15%.
   
Refrigerated service. Increased our combined Southern Refrigerated Transport (“SRT”) and Covenant Refrigerated fleet by approximately 22%, expanded the length of haul, and increased miles per truck slightly. Average freight revenue per total mile increased 2.4%, while average length of haul has increased about 7%. Within this service offering, SRT continues to generate the best performance of any part of our company, and Covenant Refrigerated should be complimented for taking on more trucks than its business plan called for to cover additional trucks coming out of the regional service offering.
   
Dedicated service. Increased the fleet by approximately 39% and expanded the length of haul, while miles per truck decreased about 15%. Average freight revenue per total mile increased 15.7% even with the longer length of haul. While we believe the reallocation of trucks from the regional business to new dedicated business was prudent, the margins on the new dedicated business have not reached our long-term targets due to the quick expansion of this service offering.
   
Regional solo-driver service. Decreased the fleet by approximately 38%, decreased the length of haul, and increased miles per truck slightly. Average freight revenue per total mile decreased 5.1%. The freight mix within our regional service offering changed substantially. The average truck count for the quarter decreased by almost 600 trucks versus the second quarter of last year, and we expect the truck count to continue to decrease over the remainder of the year, as additional trucks are allocated elsewhere and the overall size of the company’s fleet is reduced. Within the regional service offering, average length of haul decreased about 25% to 552 miles in the second quarter of 2006, as we continue to pursue shorter, more consistent lanes within defined regions. The process of repositioning several hundred tractors around freight centers and driver domiciles has caused an increase in brokered freight and some lane and customer turnover that has temporarily affected the rate structure of this service offering. We understand the reasons for the rate decrease and will be working diligently to correct them within the context of building a successful regional offering.

We also initiated a freight brokerage operation in the first quarter of 2006 and hired a Vice President and General Manager of Brokerage Operations. Freight brokerage is operated as a separate subsidiary, Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc. We expect the brokerage operation to help us continue to serve customers when we lack capacity in a given area or the load does not meet our operating profile. We expect this service to be especially helpful as we continue to realign trucks between service offerings and manage our freight mix toward preferred lanes.

Our business realignment presents numerous challenges and may result in volatile financial performance or periods of unprofitable results. We believe our results were most volatile during the first half of 2006. However, fluctuations in results may be ongoing as major activities within the realignment will continue at least into 2007.

At June 30, 2006, we had $188.7 million in stockholders' equity and $71.8 million in balance sheet debt for a total debt-to-capitalization ratio of 27.6% and a book value of $13.48 per share.



Revenue

We generate substantially all of our revenue by transporting freight for our customers. Generally, we are paid by the mile or by the load for our services. The main factors that affect our revenue are the revenue per mile we receive from our customers, the percentage of miles for which we are compensated, the number of tractors operating, and the number of miles we generate with our equipment. These factors relate to, among other things, the U.S. economy, inventory levels, the level of truck capacity in our markets, specific customer demand, the percentage of team-driven tractors in our fleet, driver availability, and our average length of haul.

We also derive revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention, and other accessorial services. Prior to 2004, we measured freight revenue, before fuel and accessorial surcharges, in addition to total revenue. In 2004, we reclassified accessorial revenue, other than fuel surcharges, into freight revenue, and our historical financial statements have been conformed to this presentation. We continue to measure revenue before fuel surcharges, or “freight revenue,” because we believe that fuel surcharges tend to be a volatile source of revenue. We believe the exclusion of fuel surcharges affords a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period.

We operate tractors driven by a single driver and also tractors assigned to two-person driver teams. Over time the percentage of our revenue generated by driver teams has trended down, although the mix depends on a variety of factors over time. Our single driver tractors generally operate in shorter lengths of haul, generate fewer miles per tractor, and experience more non-revenue miles, but the lower productive miles are expected to be offset by generally higher revenue per loaded mile and the reduced employee expense of compensating only one driver. We expect operating statistics and expenses to shift with the mix of single and team operations.

Expenses and Profitability

The main factors that impact our profitability on the expense side are the variable costs of transporting freight for our customers. These costs include fuel expense, driver-related expenses, such as wages, benefits, training, and recruitment, and independent contractor costs, which we record as purchased transportation. Expenses that have both fixed and variable components include maintenance and tire expense and our total cost of insurance and claims. These expenses generally vary with the miles we travel, but also have a controllable component based on safety, fleet age, efficiency, and other factors. Our main fixed cost is the acquisition and financing of long-term assets, primarily revenue equipment and operating terminals. In addition, we have other mostly fixed costs, such as our non-driver personnel.

Looking forward, our profitability goal is to return to an operating ratio of approximately 90%. We expect this to require successful execution of our business realignment around service offerings, in particular an improvement in our Regional solo-driver service offering, as well as additional improvements in revenue per tractor per week, for all of our service offerings, to overcome expected additional cost increases and to expand our margins. In addition, we expect driver availability to be a pressing issue facing us and the industry for the foreseeable future. We expect competition for quality drivers to remain intense and that driver numbers will be the most substantial limiting factor on capacity growth. We expect many carriers to use future rate increases to increase driver compensation. Because a large percentage of our costs are variable, changes in revenue per mile affect our profitability to a greater extent than changes in miles per tractor. For the foreseeable future, we expect to decrease the size of our revenue equipment fleet of our existing regional service offering, with at least a portion of the equipment being allocated to other service offerings.

Revenue Equipment

We operate approximately 3,509 tractors and 8,453 trailers. Of our tractors, at June 30, 2006, approximately 1,949 were owned, 1,412 were financed under operating leases, and 148 were provided by independent contractors, who own and drive their own tractors. Of our trailers, at June 30, 2006, approximately 1,432 were owned and approximately 7,021 were financed under operating leases. We finance a portion of our tractor fleet and most of our trailer fleet with off-balance sheet operating leases. These leases generally run for a period of three years for tractors and five to seven years for trailers.



In September 2005, we entered into an agreement with a finance company to lease approximately 1,800 model-year 2006 and 2007 dry van trailers under seven-year walk away leases. These trailers will replace approximately 1,200 model-year 1998 and 1999 dry van trailers and approximately 600 model-year 2000 dry van trailers. At June 30, 2006, we had taken delivery and replaced approximately 1,500 of these trailers. We should complete the remainder of these replacements by the end of the year. After the completion of this transaction, our oldest trailers in operation will be 2001 model-year trailers.

For 2006, in line with our overall fleet reduction initiative, our plan to replace approximately 2,100 tractors was reduced to a plan to replace approximately 1,960 tractors, or approximately 56% of our Company-owned tractor fleet. This is still approximately twice the number of tractors we would normally replace and will result in a substantial increase over normal replacement capital expenditures. We are increasing our purchases in 2006 to afford us flexibility to evaluate the cost and performance of tractors equipped with engines that meet 2007 emissions requirements.

Independent contractors (owner-operators) provide a tractor and a driver and are responsible for all operating expenses in exchange for a fixed payment per mile. We do not have the capital outlay of purchasing the tractor. The payments to independent contractors and the financing of equipment under operating leases are recorded in revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation. Expenses associated with owned equipment, such as interest and depreciation, are not incurred, and for independent contractor-tractors, driver compensation, fuel, and other expenses are not incurred. Because obtaining equipment from independent contractors and under operating leases effectively shifts financing expenses from interest to "above the line" operating expenses, we evaluate our efficiency using net margin as well as operating ratio.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The following table sets forth the percentage relationship of certain items to total revenue and freight revenue:

   
Three Months Ended
June 30,
     
Three Months Ended
June 30,
   
2006
 
2005
     
2006
 
2005
Total revenue
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
Freight revenue (1)
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
Operating expenses:
         
Operating expenses:
       
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
 
38.0
 
38.9
 
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
 
46.2
 
43.9
Fuel expense
 
29.7
 
25.4
 
Fuel expense (1)
 
14.6
 
15.7
Operations and maintenance
 
5.2
 
5.4
 
Operations and maintenance
 
6.3
 
6.1
Revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation
 
9.1
 
9.6
 
Revenue equipment rentals and
purchased transportation
 
11.1
 
10.8
Operating taxes and licenses
 
2.1
 
2.3
 
Operating taxes and licenses
 
2.5
 
2.6
Insurance and claims
 
4.8
 
6.1
 
Insurance and claims
 
5.9
 
6.9
Communications and utilities
 
1.0
 
1.0
 
Communications and utilities
 
1.1
 
1.2
General supplies and expenses
 
3.4
 
2.8
 
General supplies and expenses
 
4.1
 
3.1
Depreciation and amortization
 
5.0
 
6.6
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
6.1
 
7.4
Total operating expenses
 
98.3
 
98.1
 
Total operating expenses
 
97.9
 
97.8
Operating income
 
1.8
 
1.9
 
Operating income
 
2.1
 
2.2
Other expense, net
 
0.6
 
0.6
 
Other expense, net
 
.7
 
0.6
Income before income taxes
 
1.2
 
1.4
 
Income before income taxes
 
1.4
 
1.6
Income tax expense
 
1.4
 
1.0
 
Income tax expense
 
1.7
 
1.1
Net income (loss)
 
(0.2%)
 
0.4%
 
Net income (loss)
 
(0.3%)
 
0.5%

(1)
Freight revenue is total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue is shown netted against the fuel expense category ($30.0 million and $18.1 million in the three months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively).



   
Six Months Ended
June 30,
     
Six Months Ended
June 30,
   
2006
 
2005
     
2006
 
2005
Total revenue
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
 
Freight revenue (2)
 
100.0%
 
100.0%
Operating expenses:
         
Operating expenses:
       
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
 
38.4
 
39.0
 
Salaries, wages, and related
expenses
 
45.8
 
43.8
Fuel expense
 
28.7
 
24.9
 
Fuel expense (2)
 
14.9
 
15.6
Operations and maintenance
 
5.4
 
5.3
 
Operations and maintenance
 
6.4
 
6.0
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation
 
9.4
 
10.3
 
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation
 
11.2
 
11.6
Operating taxes and licenses
 
2.1
 
2.4
 
Operating taxes and licenses
 
2.5
 
2.6
Insurance and claims
 
5.1
 
6.3
 
Insurance and claims
 
6.1
 
7.0
Communications and utilities
 
1.0
 
1.1
 
Communications and utilities
 
1.2
 
1.2
General supplies and expenses
 
3.1
 
2.9
 
General supplies and expenses
 
3.7
 
3.2
Depreciation and amortization
 
5.8
 
6.8
 
Depreciation and amortization
 
6.9
 
7.6
Total operating expenses
 
99.0
 
98.9
 
Total operating expenses
 
98.8
 
98.7
Operating income
 
1.0
 
1.1
 
Operating income
 
1.2
 
1.3
Other expense, net
 
0.6
 
0.4
 
Other expense, net
 
0.7
 
0.5
Income before income taxes
 
0.4
 
0.7
 
Income before income taxes
 
0.5
 
0.8
Income tax expense
 
0.8
 
0.7
 
Income tax expense
 
1.0
 
0.8
Net income (loss)
 
(0.4%)
 
0.0%
 
Net income (loss)
 
(0.5%)
 
0.0%

(2)
Freight revenue is total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue is shown netted against the fuel expense category ($52.1 million and $32.4 million in the six months ended June 30, 2006 and 2005, respectively).

COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005

For the quarter ended June 30, 2006, total revenue increased $12.6 million, or 8.0%, to $169.4 million from $156.8 million in the 2005 period. Total revenue includes $30.1 million and $18.1 million of fuel surcharge revenue in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. For comparison purposes in the discussion below, we use freight revenue (total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue) when discussing changes as a percentage of revenue. We believe removing this sometimes volatile source of revenue affords a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period.

Freight revenue remained relatively constant at $139.3 million in the three months ended June 30, 2006, and $138.7 million in the same period of 2005. Average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of productivity, increased 5.0% to $3,109 in the 2006 period from $2,961 in the 2005 period. The increase was primarily generated by a 4.3% increase in average miles per tractor, a reduction in non-revenue miles percentage and a 0.7% increase in our average freight revenue per total mile. We are continuing to constrain the size of our tractor fleet to achieve greater fleet utilization and improved profitability. In general, the changes in freight mix as a result of the realignment expanded the portions of our business with longer lengths of haul, more miles per tractor, and generally lower rate structures, while shrinking the regional service offering, which had the highest rate structure but significantly lower miles per tractor.

Salaries, wages, and related expenses increased $3.4 million, or 5.7%, to $64.4 million in the 2006 period, from $61.0 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, salaries, wages, and related expenses increased to 46.2% in the 2006 period from 43.9% in the 2005 period. The increase was largely attributable to driver pay per mile increases and driver retention bonus programs instituted in the second half of 2005, an increase in the percentage of our fleet comprised of company drivers versus owner-operators, higher health claim costs and additional office salaries related to our business realignment. Driver pay increased $1.1 million to $44.1 million in the 2006 period from $43.0 million in the 2005 period. Our payroll expense for employees, other than over-the-road drivers, as well as our employee benefits, increased $2.3 million to $20.3 million in the 2006 period from $18.0 million in the 2005 period, including a $1.2 million increase in our health insurance claim costs.   We maintain a workers' compensation plan and group medical plan for our employees with a deductible amount of $1.0 million for each workers' compensation claim and a stop loss amount of $275,000 for each medical claim.



Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge revenue of $30.0 million in the 2006 period and $18.1 million in the 2005 period, decreased $1.5 million, or 7.1%, to $20.3 million in the 2006 period, from $21.8 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, net fuel expense decreased to 14.6% in the 2006 period from 15.7% in the 2005 period. Although fuel prices increased sharply during 2006 from already high levels during 2005, our improved fuel surcharge program, better fuel economy due to lower idle times and a lower percentage of non-revenue miles allowed us to improve our net fuel expense. Fuel surcharges amounted to $.29 per total mile in the 2006 period and $0.18 per total mile in the 2005 period. Fuel costs may be affected in the future by price fluctuations, volume purchase commitments, the terms and collectibility of fuel surcharges, the percentage of miles driven by independent contractors, and lower fuel mileage due to government mandated emissions standards that have resulted in less fuel efficient engines.

Operations and maintenance, consisting primarily of vehicle maintenance, repairs, and driver recruitment expenses, increased $.3 million to $8.7 million in the 2006 period from $8.4 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, operations and maintenance increased to 6.3% in the 2006 period from 6.1% in the 2005 period. The increase resulted primarily from higher unloading costs and increased driver recruiting expense due to increased competition for a limited number of qualified drivers.
 
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation increased $.5 million, or 2.7%, to $15.5 million in the 2006 period, from $15.0 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expense increased to 11.1% in the 2006 period from 10.8% in the 2005 period. Tractor and trailer equipment rental and other related expenses increased $0.7 million, to $10.5 million compared with $9.8 million in the same period of 2005. We had financed approximately 1,412 tractors and 7,021 trailers under operating leases at June 30, 2006, compared with 1,088 tractors and 7,925 trailers under operating leases at June 30, 2005. Payments to independent contractors decreased slightly to $5.0 million in the 2006 period from $5.3 million in the 2005 period, mainly due to a decrease in the independent contractor fleet to an average of 148 during the 2006 period versus an average of 197 in the 2005 period.

Operating taxes and licenses decreased $0.1 million to $3.5 million in the 2006 period from $3.6 million in the 2005 periods. As a percentage of freight revenue, operating taxes and licenses remained essentially constant at 2.5% in the 2006 period versus 2.6% in the 2005 period.

Insurance and claims, consisting primarily of premiums and deductible amounts for liability, physical damage, and cargo damage insurance and claims, decreased $1.4 million, or 14.7%, to approximately $8.2 million in the 2006 period from approximately $9.6 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, insurance and claims decreased to 5.9% in the 2005 period from 6.9% in the 2005 period. During the quarter, we reduced our accrual for casualty claims to 8.0 cents per mile from 9.3 cents per mile for the same quarter in 2005 as a result of several quarters of improved safety results that have changed our actuarial estimate.

Our current casualty program expires in February 2007. In general, for casualty claims, we have insurance coverage up to $50.0 million per claim. We are self-insured for personal injury and property damage claims for amounts up to $2.0 million per occurrence, subject to an additional $2.0 million self-insured aggregate amount, which results in total self-insured retention of up to $4.0 million until the $2.0 million aggregate threshold is reached. We are self-insured for cargo loss and damage claims for amounts up to $1.0 million per occurrence. Insurance and claims expense varies based on the frequency and severity of claims, the premium expense, and the level of self-insured retention, the development of claims over time, and other factors. With our significant self-insured retention, insurance and claims expense may fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Communications and utilities expense remained essentially constant at $1.5 million and $1.6 million in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. As a percentage of freight revenue, communications and utilities also remained essentially constant at 1.1% in the 2006 period and 1.2% in the 2005 period.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of headquarters and other terminal facilities expenses, increased $1.4 million to $5.7 million in the 2006 period from $4.3 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, general supplies and expenses increased to 4.1% in the 2006 period from 3.1% in the 2005 period. Of this increase, $0.7 million was for additional building rent paid on our headquarters building and surrounding property in Chattanooga, Tennessee for which we completed a sale leaseback transaction effective April 2006 as described more fully in the following paragraph. The additional increase is partially due to our paying for contract labor related to the business realignment and an increase in our travel expenses related to customer visits.


In April 2006, we entered into a sale leaseback transaction involving our corporate headquarters, a maintenance facility, a body shop, and approximately forty-six acres of surrounding property in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We received proceeds of approximately $29.6 million from the sale of the property, which we used to pay down borrowings under our Credit Agreement and to purchase revenue equipment. In the transaction, we entered into a twenty-year lease agreement, whereby we will lease back the property at an annual rental rate of approximately $2.5 million, subject to annual rent increases of 1.0%, resulting in annual straight-line rental expense of approximately $2.7 million. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $2.1 million, which will be amortized ratably over the life of the lease and recorded as depreciation expense on our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of revenue equipment, decreased $1.8 million, or 17% to $8.5 million in the 2006 period from $10.3 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, depreciation and amortization decreased to 6.1% in the 2006 period from 7.4% in the 2005 period. The decrease primarily related to a net gain on the disposal of tractors and trailers of approximately $1.5 million in the 2006 period compared to a net gain of $0.3 million in the 2005 period. Additionally, a decrease of $0.2 million in depreciation expense for the 2006 period resulted from the April 2006 sale leaseback transaction involving our Chattanooga facility as compared to the 2005 period. Depreciation and amortization expense is net of any gain or loss on the disposal of tractors and trailers.

Amortization expense relates to deferred debt costs incurred and covenants not to compete from five acquisitions. Goodwill amortization ceased beginning January 1, 2002, in accordance with SFAS No. 142, Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets. We evaluate goodwill and certain intangibles for impairment, annually. During the second quarter of 2006, we tested our goodwill totaling $11.5 million for impairment and found no impairment.

The other expense category includes interest expense, interest income, and pre-tax non-cash gains or losses related to the accounting for interest rate derivatives under SFAS No. 133. Other expense, net, remained constant at $0.9 million in the 2006 and the 2005 periods, respectively. In the 2006 period, we did not recognize a pre-tax, non-cash gain compared to a $0.1 million gain in the 2005 period related to the accounting for interest rate derivatives under SFAS No. 133.

Our income tax expense was $2.4 million and $1.5 million in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. The effective tax rate is different from the expected combined tax rate due to permanent differences related to a per diem pay structure implemented in 2001. Due to the nondeductible effect of per diem, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as income fluctuates. On April 20, 2006, we completed the appeals process with the IRS related to their 2001 and 2002 audits. Related to this settlement with the IRS, we recorded additional income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. We received a favorable resolution in the Closing Agreement received from the IRS which stated that our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary made a valid election under section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and is to be respected as an insurance company.

Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the IRS, completed their audit fieldwork of our 2003 and 2004 tax returns and has proposed the disallowance, with which we have agreed, of approximately $350,000 of costs related to the November 2003 stock offering. During the three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $0.1 million of income tax expense related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits. Additionally, the IRS has proposed to disallow the tax benefits associated with insurance premium payments made to our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary for the 2003 and 2004 years. Due to the favorable resolution of the 2001 and 2002 IRS audit on this issue, we are vigorously defending our position related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits using all administrative and legal processes available. For the three months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense of $0.1 million was recorded in our consolidated condensed statements of operations. If we are unsuccessful in defending our position on this deduction, we could owe additional taxes totaling $1.6 million on this matter. We believe that we have properly accrued for this matter on our consolidated condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2006.

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, net income decreased approximately $1.1 million to a net loss of $0.4 million in the 2006 period from net income of $0.7 million in the 2005 period. As a result of the foregoing, our net margin decreased to (0.3%) in the 2006 period from 0.5% in the 2005 period.



COMPARISON OF SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2006 TO SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2005

For the six months ended June 30, 2006, total revenue increased $26.2 million, or 8.9%, to $320.9 million from $294.7 million in the 2005 period. Total revenue includes $52.1 million and $32.4 million of fuel surcharge revenue in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. For comparison purposes in the discussion below, we use freight revenue (total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue) when discussing changes as a percentage of revenue. We believe removing this sometimes volatile source of revenue affords a more consistent basis for comparing the results of operations from period to period.

Freight revenue increased $6.5 million or 2.5% to $268.8 million in the six months ended June 30, 2006 from $262.3 million in the same period of 2005. Average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of asset productivity, increased 5.6% to $3,025 in the 2006 period from $2,865 in the 2005 period. The increase was primarily generated by a 3.8% increase in average miles per tractor, an improvement in non-revenue miles percentage and a 1.7% increase in our average freight revenue per total mile. We are continuing to constrain the size of our tractor fleet to achieve greater fleet utilization and improved profitability. In general, the changes in freight mix as a result of the realignment expanded the portions of our business with longer lengths of haul, more miles per tractor, and generally lower rate structures, while shrinking the regional service offering, which had the highest rate structure but significantly lower miles per tractor.

Salaries, wages, and related expenses increased $8.2 million, or 7.1%, to $123.1 million in the 2006 period, from $114.9 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, salaries, wages, and related expenses increased to 45.8% in the 2006 period, from 43.8% in the 2005 period. The increase was largely attributable to driver pay per mile increases and driver retention bonus programs instituted in the second half of 2005, an increase in the percentage of our fleet comprised of company drivers versus owner-operators, higher health claim costs and additional office salaries related to our business realignment. Driver pay increased $4.3 million to $84.4 million in the 2006 period from $80.1 million in the 2005 period. Our payroll expense for employees, other than over-the-road drivers, as well as our employee benefits, increased $3.8 million to $38.7 million in the 2006 period from $34.9 million in the 2005 period, including a $2.5 million increase in our health insurance claim costs.   We maintain a workers' compensation plan and group medical plan for our employees with a deductible amount of $1.0 million for each workers' compensation claim and a stop loss amount of $275,000 for each medical claim.

Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge revenue of $52.1 million in the 2006 period and $32.4 million in the 2005 period, decreased $.9 million to $40.1 million in the 2006 period from $41.0 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, net fuel expense decreased to 14.9% in the 2006 period from 15.6% in the 2005 period. Although fuel prices increased sharply during 2006 from already high levels during 2005, our improved fuel surcharge program, better fuel economy due to lower idle times and a lower percentage of non-revenue miles allowed us to improve our net fuel expense. Our fuel surcharge program was able to offset all of the higher fuel prices and allowed us better overall recovery of excess fuel costs. Fuel surcharges amounted to $.26 per total mile in the 2006 period and $0.16 per total mile in the 2005 period. Fuel costs may be affected in the future by price fluctuations, volume purchase commitments, the terms and collectibility of fuel surcharges, the percentage of miles driven by independent contractors, and lower fuel mileage due to government mandated emissions standards that have resulted in less fuel efficient engines.

Operations and maintenance, consisting primarily of vehicle maintenance, repairs, and driver recruitment expenses, increased $1.6 million to $17.3 million in the 2006 period from $15.7 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, operations and maintenance increased to 6.4% in the 2006 period from 6.0% in the 2005 period. The increase resulted in part from higher unloading costs, tractor maintenance costs and increased driver recruiting expense due to a tighter supply of drivers in the early part of 2006.
 
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation decreased $0.3 million, or 1.0%, to $30.1 million in the 2006 period, from $30.4 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expense decreased to 11.2% in the 2006 period from 11.6% in the 2005 period. The decrease is due principally to a decrease in the percentage of our total miles that were driven by independent contractors, offset by an increase in revenue equipment rental payments. Payments to independent contractors decreased $1.1 million to $9.7 million in the 2006 period from $10.8 million in the 2005 period, mainly due to a decrease in the independent contractor fleet to an average of 147 during the 2006 period versus an average of 198 in the 2005 period. Tractor and trailer equipment rental and other related expenses increased $0.8 million, to $20.4 million in the 2006 period compared with $19.6 million in the same period of 2005. We had financed approximately 1,412 tractors and 7,021 trailers under operating leases at June 30, 2006, compared with 1,088 tractors and 7,925 trailers under operating leases at June 30, 2005. During the second quarter of 2006, we purchased approximately 75 tractors that were previously leased .



Operating taxes and licenses remained essentially constant at $6.8 million and $6.9 million in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. As a percentage of freight revenue, operating taxes and licenses also remained essentially constant at 2.5% and 2.6% in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively.

Insurance and claims, consisting primarily of premiums and deductible amounts for liability, physical damage, and cargo damage insurance and claims, decreased $2.0 million, or 11.0%, to approximately $16.4 million in the 2006 period from approximately $18.4 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, insurance and claims decreased to 6.1% in the 2006 period from 7.0% in the 2005 period. During the second quarter, we reduced our accrual for casualty claims to 8.0 cents per mile from 9.3 cents per mile last year as a result of several quarters of improved safety results that have changed our actuarial estimate. We also recorded and received an insurance rebate of approximately $1.0 million during the first six months of 2006 resulting from achieving monetary claim targets for our casualty policy in the year ending February 28, 2006.

Our current casualty program expires in February 2007. In general, for casualty claims, we have insurance coverage up to $50.0 million per claim. We are self-insured for personal injury and property damage claims for amounts up to $2.0 million per occurrence, subject to an additional $2.0 million self-insured aggregate amount, which results in total self-insured retention of up to $4.0 million until the $2.0 million aggregate threshold is reached. We are self-insured for cargo loss and damage claims for amounts up to $1.0 million per occurrence. Insurance and claims expense varies based on the frequency and severity of claims, the premium expense, and the level of self-insured retention, the development of claims over time, and other factors. With our significant self-insured retention, insurance and claims expense may fluctuate significantly from period to period.

Communications and utilities expense remained essentially constant at $3.1 million and $3.2 million in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. As a percentage of freight revenue, communications and utilities also remained essentially constant at 1.2% in the 2006 and 2005 periods.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of headquarters and other terminal facilities expenses, increased $1.5 million to $10.0 million in the 2006 period from $8.5 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, general supplies and expenses increased to 3.7% in the 2006 period from 3.2% in the 2005 period. Of this increase, $0.7 million was for additional building rent paid on our headquarters building and surrounding property in Chattanooga, Tennessee for which we completed a sale leaseback transaction effective April 2006 as described more fully in the following paragraph. The additional increase is partially due to our paying for contract labor related to the business realignment, an increase in our travel expenses related to customer visits and increased outside professional fees.

In April 2006, we entered into a sale leaseback transaction involving our corporate headquarters, a maintenance facility, a body shop, and approximately forty-six acres of surrounding property in Chattanooga, Tennessee. We received proceeds of approximately $29.6 million from the sale of the property, which we used to pay down borrowings under our Credit Agreement and to purchase revenue equipment. In the transaction, we entered into a twenty-year lease agreement, whereby we will lease back the property at an annual rental rate of approximately $2.5 million, subject to annual rent increases of 1.0%, resulting in annual straight-line rental expense of approximately $2.7 million. The transaction resulted in a gain of approximately $2.1 million, which will be amortized ratably over the life of the lease and recorded as depreciation expense on our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of revenue equipment, decreased $1.3 million, or 7.0%, to $18.6 million in the 2006 period from $19.9 million in the 2005 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, depreciation and amortization decreased to 6.9% in the 2005 period from 7.6% in the 2005 period. The decrease primarily related to a net gain on the disposal of tractors and trailers of $1.7 million in the 2006 period compared to a net gain of only $0.1 million in the 2005 period. Additionally, a decrease of $0.2 million in depreciation expense for the 2006 period resulted from the April 2006 sale leaseback transaction involving our Chattanooga facility as compared to the 2005 period. Depreciation and amortization expense is net of any gain or loss on the disposal of tractors and trailers.

The other expense category includes interest expense, interest income, and pre-tax non-cash gains or losses related to the accounting for interest rate derivatives under SFAS No. 133. Other expense, net, increased $.7 million, to $1.9 million in the 2006 period from $1.2 million in the 2005 period, primarily due to higher variable interest rates.


Our income tax expense was $2.7 million and $2.1 million in the 2006 and 2005 periods, respectively. The effective tax rate is different from the expected combined tax rate due to permanent differences related to a per diem pay structure implemented in 2001. Due to the nondeductible effect of per diem, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as income fluctuates. On April 20, 2006, we completed the appeals process with the IRS related to their 2001 and 2002 audits. Related to this settlement with the IRS, we recorded additional income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. We received a favorable resolution in the Closing Agreement received from the IRS which stated that our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary made a valid election under section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and is to be respected as an insurance company.

Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the IRS, completed their audit fieldwork of our 2003 and 2004 tax returns and has proposed the disallowance, with which we have agreed, of approximately $350,000 of costs related to the November 2003 stock offering. During the three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $0.1 million of income tax expense related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits. Additionally, the IRS has proposed to disallow the tax benefits associated with insurance premium payments made to our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary for the 2003 and 2004 years. Due to the favorable resolution of the 2001 and 2002 IRS audit on this issue, we are vigorously defending our position related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits using all administrative and legal processes available. For the six months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense of $0.2 million was recorded in our consolidated condensed statements of operations. If we are unsuccessful in defending our position on this deduction, we could owe additional taxes totaling $1.6 million on this matter. We believe that we have properly accrued for this matter on our consolidated condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2006.

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, net income decreased approximately $1.3 million to a net loss of $1.3 million in the 2006 period from breakeven profitability in the 2005 period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Our business requires significant capital investments. In recent years, we have financed our capital requirements with borrowings under our Securitization Facility and a line of credit, cash flows from operations, and long-term operating leases. Our primary sources of liquidity at June 30, 2006, were funds provided by operations, proceeds under the Securitization Facility, borrowings under our Credit Agreement, and operating leases of revenue equipment.

Over the past several years, we have financed a large and increasing percentage of our revenue equipment through operating leases. This has reduced the net value of revenue equipment reflected on our balance sheet, reduced our borrowings and increased our net cash flows compared to purchasing all of our revenue equipment. Certain items could fluctuate depending on whether we finance our revenue equipment through borrowings or through operating leases. We expect capital expenditures, primarily for revenue equipment (net of proceeds from revenue equipment disposals and the April 2006 sale leaseback transaction), to be approximately $55.0 to $60.0 million in 2006, exclusive of acquisitions of companies, assuming all revenue equipment is purchased. We believe our sources of liquidity are adequate to meet our current and projected needs for at least the next twelve months. On a longer term basis, based on anticipated future cash flows, current availability under our Credit Agreement and Securitization Facility, and sources of financing that we expect will be available to us, we do not expect to experience significant liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $24.3 million in the 2006 period and $9.9 million in the 2005 period. In the 2006 period, our primary source of cash flow from operating activities was from receivables. Our cash from operating activities was lower in the 2005 period due to $10.0 million in tax payments and a $10.0 million payment for two years of prepaid insurance premiums.

Net cash used in investing activities was $17.0 million in the 2006 period and $38.7 million in the 2005 period related to the purchase of tractors and trailers, offset in 2006 by the $29.6 million of proceeds from the April 2006 sale leaseback transaction of our Chattanooga facility, which was used for purchasing additional revenue equipment and paying down our outstanding debt on the Credit Facility.



Net cash used in financing activities was $8.3 million in the 2006 period, as we were able to pay down the Credit Facility with the cash generated from the April 2006 sale leaseback transaction of our Chattanooga facility. Net cash provided by financing activities was $23.9 million in the 2005 period. At June 30, 2006, the Company had outstanding debt of $71.8 million, primarily consisting of approximately $24.0 million drawn under the Credit Agreement and $47.8 million from the Securitization Facility. Interest rates on this debt range from 5.4% to 6.2%.

In May 2006, the Board of Directors approved an extension of our previously approved stock repurchase plan for up to 1.3 million Company shares to be purchased in the open market or through negotiated transactions subject to criteria established by the Board. No shares have been purchased under this plan during 2006. At June 30, 2006, there were 1,154,100 shares still available to purchase under the guidance of this plan.

Material Debt Agreements

In December 2004, we entered into a Credit Agreement with a group of banks. The facility matures in December 2009. Borrowings under the Credit Agreement are based on the banks' base rate, which floats daily, or LIBOR, which accrues interest based on one, two, three, or six month LIBOR rates plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly between 0.75% and 1.25% based on cash flow coverage (the applicable margin was 1.0% at June 30, 2006). At June 30, 2006, we had $24.0 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement.

The Credit Agreement has a maximum borrowing limit of $150.0 million with an accordion feature, which permits an increase up to a maximum borrowing limit of $200.0 million. Borrowings related to revenue equipment are limited to the lesser of 90% of net book value of revenue equipment or the maximum borrowing limit. Letters of credit are limited to an aggregate commitment of $85.0 million. The Credit Agreement is secured by a pledge of the stock of most of our subsidiaries. A commitment fee that is adjusted quarterly between 0.15% and 0.25% per annum based on cash flow coverage, is due on the daily unused portion of the Credit Agreement. As of June 30, 2006, we had approximately $55.5 million of available borrowing capacity under the Credit Agreement. At June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $70.5   million and $73.9   million, respectively.

In December 2000, we entered into the Securitization Facility. On a revolving basis, we sell our interests in our accounts receivable to CVTI Receivables Corp. ("CRC"), a wholly-owned bankruptcy-remote special purpose subsidiary incorporated in Nevada. CRC sells a percentage ownership in such receivables to an unrelated financial entity. We can receive up to $62.0 million of proceeds, subject to eligible receivables, and pay a service fee recorded as interest expense, based on commercial paper interest rates plus an applicable margin of 0.44% per annum and a commitment fee of 0.10% per annum on the daily unused portion of the Securitization Facility. The net proceeds under the Securitization Facility are required to be shown as a current liability because the term, subject to annual renewals, is 364 days. As of June 30, 2006 and December 31, 2005, we had $47.8 million and $47.3 million, respectively outstanding, with weighted average interest rates of 5.4% and 4.4%, respectively. CRC does not meet the requirements for off-balance sheet accounting; therefore, it is reflected in our consolidated condensed financial statements.

The Credit Agreement and Securitization Facility contain certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among other things, dividends, tangible net worth, cash flow coverage, acquisitions and dispositions, and total indebtedness. These agreements are cross-defaulted. We were in compliance with these agreements as of June 30, 2006.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Operating leases have been an important source of financing for our revenue equipment, computer equipment, the Company airplane and certain real estate. At June 30, 2006, we had financed approximately 1,412 tractors and 7,021 trailers under operating leases. Vehicles held under operating leases are not carried on our balance sheet, and lease payments in respect of such vehicles are reflected in our income statements in the line item "Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation." Our revenue equipment rental expense was $20.9 million in the 2006 period, compared to $20.2 million in the 2005 period. The total amount of remaining payments under operating leases as of June 30, 2006, was approximately $177.9 million. In connection with various operating leases, we issued residual value guarantees, which provide that if we do not purchase the leased equipment from the lessor at the end of the lease term, we are liable to the lessor for an amount equal to the shortage (if any) between the proceeds from the sale of the equipment and an agreed value. As of June 30, 2006, the maximum amount of the residual value guarantees was approximately $45.6 million. To the extent the expected value at the lease termination date is lower than the residual value guarantee, we would accrue for the difference over the remaining lease term. We believe that proceeds from the sale of equipment under operating leases would exceed the payment obligation on all operating leases.



CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES AND ESTIMATES

The preparation of financial statements in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America requires us to make decisions based upon estimates, assumptions, and factors we consider relevant to the circumstances. Such decisions include the selection of applicable accounting principles and the use of judgment in their application, the results of which impact reported amounts and disclosures. Changes in future economic conditions or other business circumstances may affect the outcomes of our estimates and assumptions. Accordingly, actual results could differ from those anticipated. A summary of the significant accounting policies followed in preparation of the financial statements is contained in Note 1 of the financial statements contained in our annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2005. The following discussion addresses our most critical accounting policies, which are those that are both important to the portrayal of our financial condition and results of operations and that require significant judgment or use of complex estimates.

Our critical accounting policies include the following:

Depreciation of Revenue Equipment - Depreciation is calculated using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets and was approximately $18.5 million on tractors and trailers in the first six months of 2006. Depreciation of revenue equipment is our largest item of depreciation. We generally depreciate new tractors (excluding day cabs) over five years to salvage values of 4% to 33% and new trailers over seven years to salvage values of 17% to 39%. Gains and losses on the disposal of revenue equipment are included in depreciation expense in our statements of operations.

We annually review the reasonableness of our estimates regarding useful lives and salvage values of our revenue equipment and other long-lived assets based upon, among other things, our experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. Changes in our useful life or salvage value estimates, or fluctuations in market values that are not reflected in our estimates, could have a material effect on our results of operations.

Revenue equipment and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever an event occurs that indicates an impairment may exist. Expected future cash flows are used to analyze whether an impairment has occurred. If the sum of expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the long-lived asset, than an impairment loss is recognized. We measure the impairment loss by comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying value. Fair value is determined based on a discounted cash flow analysis or the appraised value of the assets, as appropriate. We have not recognized any impairments of long-lived assets to date.

Accounting for Investments - Effective July 1, 2000, we combined our logistics business with the logistics businesses of five other transportation companies into a company called Transplace, Inc (“Transplace”). Transplace operates a global transportation logistics service. In the transaction, we contributed our logistics customer list, logistics business software and software licenses, certain intellectual property, intangible assets totaling approximately $5.1 million, and $5.0 million in cash for the initial funding of the venture, in exchange for 12.4% ownership. We account for our investment using the cost method of accounting, with the investment included in other assets. We continue to evaluate our cost method investment in Transplace for impairment due to declines considered to be other than temporary. This impairment evaluation includes general economic and company-specific evaluations. If we determine that a decline in the cost value of this investment is other than temporary, then a charge to earnings will be recorded to other (income) expenses in our consolidated condensed statements of operations for all or a portion of the unrealized loss, and a new cost basis in the investment will be established. As of June 30, 2006, no such charge had been recorded. However, we are closely evaluating this investment for impairment as our evaluation of the value of this investment has been steadily declining over the last few fiscal quarters, and based on the projected cash flows of Transplace, such a charge could be forthcoming in upcoming quarterly results. Also, during the first quarter of 2005, the Company loaned Transplace approximately $2.7 million. The 6% interest-bearing note receivable matures January 2007. Based on the borrowing availability of Transplace, we do not believe there is any impairment of this note receivable.



Insurance and Other Claims - The primary claims arising against us consist of cargo liability, personal injury, property damage, workers' compensation, and employee medical expenses. Our insurance program involves self-insurance with high-risk retention levels. Because of our significant self-insured retention amounts, we have significant exposure to fluctuations in the number and severity of claims and to variations between our estimated and actual ultimate payouts. We accrue the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims. Our estimates require judgments concerning the nature and severity of the claim, historical trends, advice from third-party administrators and insurers, the size of any potential damage award based on factors such as the specific facts of individual cases, the jurisdictions involved, the prospect of punitive damages, future medical costs, and inflation estimates of future claims development, and the legal and other costs to settle or defend the claims. We have significant exposure to fluctuations in the number and severity of claims. If there is an increase in the frequency and severity of claims, or we are required to accrue or pay additional amounts if the claims prove to be more severe than originally assessed, or any of the claims would exceed the limits of our insurance coverage, our profitability would be adversely affected.

In addition to estimates within our self-insured retention layers, we also must make judgments concerning our aggregate coverage limits. If any claim occurrence were to exceed our aggregate coverage limits, we would have to accrue for the excess amount. Our critical estimates include evaluating whether a claim may exceed such limits and, if so, by how much. Currently, we are not aware of any such claims. If one or more claims were to exceed our then effective coverage limits, our financial condition and results of operations could be materially and adversely affected.

Lease Accounting and Off-Balance Sheet Transactions - Operating leases have been an important source of financing for our revenue equipment, computer equipment, and Company airplane. In connection with the leases of a majority of the value of the equipment we finance with operating leases, we issued residual value guarantees, which provide that if we do not purchase the leased equipment from the lessor at the end of the lease term, then we are liable to the lessor for an amount equal to the shortage (if any) between the proceeds from the sale of the equipment and an agreed value. As of June 30, 2006, the maximum amount of the residual value guarantees was approximately $45.6 million. To the extent the expected value at the lease termination date is lower than the residual value guarantee, we would accrue for the difference over the remaining lease term. We believe that proceeds from the sale of equipment under operating leases would exceed the payment obligation on all operating leases. The estimated values at lease termination involve management judgments. As leases are entered into, determination as to the classification as an operating or capital lease involves management judgments on residual values and useful lives.

Accounting for Income Taxes - We make important judgments concerning a variety of factors, including the appropriateness of tax strategies, expected future tax consequences based on future Company performance, and to the extent tax strategies are challenged by taxing authorities, our likelihood of success. We utilize certain income tax planning strategies to reduce our overall cost of income taxes. It is possible that certain strategies might be disallowed, resulting in an increased liability for income taxes. Significant management judgments are involved in assessing the likelihood of sustaining the strategies and in determining the likely range of defense and settlement costs, and an ultimate result worse than our expectations could adversely affect our results of operations.

On April 20, 2006, we completed the appeals process with the IRS related to their 2001 and 2002 audits. Related to this settlement with the IRS, we recorded additional income tax expense of approximately $0.5 million for the three months ended June 30, 2006. We received a favorable resolution in the Closing Agreement received from the IRS which stated that our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary made a valid election under section 953(d) of the Internal Revenue Code and is to be respected as an insurance company.

Subsequent to June 30, 2006, the IRS, completed their audit fieldwork of our 2003 and 2004 tax returns and has proposed the disallowance, with which we have agreed, of approximately $350,000 of costs related to the November 2003 stock offering. During the three months ended June 30, 2006, we recorded $0.1 million of income tax expense related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits. Additionally, the IRS has proposed to disallow the tax benefits associated with insurance premium payments made to our wholly-owned captive insurance subsidiary for the 2003 and 2004 years. Due to the favorable resolution of the 2001 and 2002 IRS audit on this issue, we are vigorously defending our position related to this proposed disallowance of tax benefits using all administrative and legal processes available. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2006, income tax expense of $0.1 million and $0.2 million, respectively, was recorded in our consolidated condensed statements of operations related to this uncertain tax position. If we are unsuccessful in defending our position on this deduction, we could owe additional taxes totaling $1.6 million on this matter. We believe that we have properly accrued for this matter on our consolidated condensed balance sheet at June 30, 2006.



Deferred income taxes represent a substantial liability on our consolidated condensed balance sheet and are determined in accordance with SFAS No. 109. Deferred tax assets and liabilities (tax benefits and liabilities expected to be realized in the future) are recognized for the expected future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases, and operating loss and tax credit carry forwards.

The carrying value of our deferred tax assets assumes that we will be able to generate, based on certain estimates and assumptions, sufficient future taxable income in certain tax jurisdictions to utilize these deferred tax benefits. If these estimates and related assumptions change in the future, we may be required to establish a valuation allowance against the carrying value of the deferred tax assets, which would result in additional income tax expense. On a periodic basis we assess the need for adjustment of the valuation allowance. No valuation reserve has been established at June 30, 2006, because, based on forecasted income, we believe that it is more likely than not that the future benefit of the deferred tax assets will be realized. However, there can be no assurance that we will meet our forecasts of future income.

We believe that we have adequately provided for our future tax consequences based upon current facts and circumstances and current tax law. During the first six months of 2006, we made no material changes in our assumptions regarding the determination of income tax liabilities. However, should our tax positions be challenged, different outcomes could result and have a significant impact on the amounts reported through our consolidated condensed statement of operations.

INFLATION, NEW EMISSIONS CONTROL REGULATIONS, AND FUEL COSTS

Most of our operating expenses are inflation-sensitive, with inflation generally producing increased costs of operations. During the past three years, the most significant effects of inflation have been on revenue equipment prices and the compensation paid to the drivers. New emissions control regulations and increases in commodity prices, wages of manufacturing workers, and other items have resulted in higher tractor prices, and there has been an industry-wide increase in wages paid to attract and retain qualified drivers. The cost of fuel also has risen substantially over the past three years. We believe this increase primarily reflects world events rather than underlying inflationary pressure. We attempt to limit the effects of inflation through increases in freight rates, certain cost control efforts, and to limit the effects of fuel prices through fuel surcharges.

The engines used in our tractors are subject to emissions control regulations, which have substantially increased our operating expenses . As of June 30, 2006, our entire tractor fleet has such emissions compliant engines and is experiencing approximately 2% to 4% reduced fuel economy compared with pre-2002 equipment. In 2007, stricter regulations will become effective. Compliance with such regulations is expected to increase the cost of new tractors and could impair equipment productivity, lower fuel mileage, and increase our operating expenses. These adverse effects combined with the uncertainty as to the reliability of the vehicles equipped with the newly designed diesel engines and the residual values that will be realized from the disposition of these vehicles could increase our costs or otherwise adversely affect our business or operations once the regulations become effective.

Fluctuations in the price or availability of fuel, as well as hedging activities, surcharge collection, and the volume and terms of diesel fuel purchase commitments may increase our costs of operation, which could materially and adversely affect our profitability. We impose fuel surcharges on substantially all accounts. These arrangements may not fully protect us from fuel price increases and also may result in us not receiving the full benefit of any fuel price decreases. We currently do not have any fuel hedging contracts in place. If we do hedge, we may be forced to make cash payments under the hedging arrangements. A small portion of our fuel requirements for 2006 are covered by volume purchase commitments. Based on current market conditions, we have decided to limit our hedging and purchase commitments, but we continue to evaluate such measures. The absence of meaningful fuel price protection through these measures could adversely affect our profitability.



SEASONALITY

In the trucking industry, revenue generally decreases as customers reduce shipments during the winter holiday season and as inclement weather impedes operations. At the same time, operating expenses generally increase, with fuel efficiency declining because of engine idling and weather, creating more equipment repairs. For the reasons stated, first quarter net income historically has been lower than net income in each of the other three quarters of the year. Our equipment utilization typically improves substantially between May and October of each year because of the trucking industry's seasonal shortage of equipment on traffic originating in California and because of general increases in shipping demand during those months. The seasonal shortage typically occurs between May and August because California produce carriers' equipment is fully utilized for produce during those months and does not compete for shipments hauled by our dry van operation. During September and October, business increases as a result of increased retail merchandise shipped in anticipation of the holidays.

ITEM 3.         QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK

We experience various market risks, including changes in interest rates and fuel prices. We do not enter into derivatives or other financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes, or when there are no underlying related exposures.

COMMODITY PRICE RISK

From time-to-time we may enter into derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations. In accordance with SFAS 133, we adjust any derivative instruments to fair value through earnings on a monthly basis. As of June 30, 2006, we had no derivative financial instruments to reduce our exposure to fuel price fluctuations.

INTEREST RATE RISK

Our market risk is also affected by changes in interest rates. Historically, we have used a combination of fixed-rate and variable-rate obligations to manage our interest rate exposure. Fixed-rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might fall. Variable-rate obligations expose us to the risk that interest rates might rise. Currently, all of our borrowing is under variable-rate agreements.

Our variable-rate obligations consist of our Credit Agreement and our Securitization Facility. At June 30, 2006, we had variable, base rate borrowings of $24.0 million outstanding under the Credit Agreement and $47.8 million under the Securitization Facility. Assuming variable-rate borrowings under the Credit Agreement and Securitization Facility at June 30 , 2006 levels, a one percentage point increase in interest rates could increase our annual interest expense by approximately $0.7 million.

ITEM 4.         CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rule 13a-15 under the Exchange Act, we have carried out an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this report. This evaluation was carried out under the supervision and with the participation of our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Based upon that evaluation, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our controls and procedures were effective as of the end of the period covered by this report. There were no changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that have materially affected or that are reasonably likely to materially affect our internal control over financial reporting.

Disclosure controls and procedures are controls and other procedures that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed or submitted under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission's rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our Chief Executive Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding disclosures.



We have confidence in our internal controls and procedures. Nevertheless, our management, including our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, does not expect that our disclosure procedures and controls or our internal controls will prevent all errors or intentional fraud. An internal control system, no matter how well-conceived and operated, can provide only reasonable, not absolute, assurance that the objectives of such internal controls are met. Further, the design of an internal control system must reflect the fact that there are resource constraints, and the benefits of controls must be considered relative to their costs. Because of the inherent limitations in all internal control systems, no evaluation of controls can provide absolute assurance that all our control issues and instances of fraud, if any, have been detected.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
   
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
 
From time to time we are a party to ordinary, routine litigation arising in the ordinary course of business, most of which involves claims for personal injury and property damage incurred in connection with the transportation of freight. We maintain insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions.
 
Reference is made in our Form 10-Q for the quarterly period ended March 31, 2006 regarding a lawsuit against us relating to a 2003 vehicular accident.
   
RISK FACTORS
 
While we attempt to identify, manage, and mitigate risks and uncertainties associated with our business, some level of risk and uncertainty will always be present. Our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2005, in the section entitled Item 1A. Risk Factors , describes some of the risks and uncertainties associated with our business. These risks and uncertainties have the potential to materially affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, projected results, and future prospects. We do not believe that there have been any material changes to the risk factors previously disclosed in our 2005 Form 10-K.

SUBMISSION OF MATTERS TO A VOTE OF SECURITY HOLDERS
   
 
The Annual Meeting of Stockholders of Covenant Transport, Inc. was held on May 23, 2006, for the purpose of (a) electing seven directors for one-year terms, and (b) approving the adoption of our 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan. Proxies for the meeting were solicited pursuant to Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act, and there was no solicitation in opposition to the Board’s proposals. Each of the nominees for director as listed in the Definitive Proxy Statement filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on April 17, 2006 (File No. 000-24960) was elected.
 
 
The voting tabulation on the election of directors was as follows:

 
Votes   "FOR"
Votes Withheld
David R. Parker
14,917,914
419,654
Mark A. Scudder
14,583,074
754,494
William T. Alt
14,663,228
674,340
Hugh O. Maclellan, Jr
14,737,622
599,946
Robert E. Bosworth
14,893,771
443,797
Bradley A. Moline
14,394,913
942,655
Niel B. Nielson
14,887,230
450,338
     

              The 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan was approved with 10,509,911 “FOR”; 3,772,744 “AGAINST”; 4,270 abstentions; and 1,050,643 broker non-votes.
 



 
 
EXHIBITS
   
Exhibit
Number
 
Reference
 
Description
3.1
(1)
Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2
(1)
Amended Bylaws dated September 27, 1994
4.1
(1)
Restated Articles of Incorporation
4.2
(1)
Amended Bylaws dated September 27, 1994
10.18
(2)
Purchase and Sale Agreement dated April 3, 2006, between Covenant Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and CT Chattanooga TN, LLC
10.19
(2)
Lease Agreement dated April 3, 2006, between Covenant Transport, Inc., a Tennessee corporation, and CT Chattanooga TN, LLC
10.20
(2)
Lease Guaranty dated April 3, 2006, by Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation, for the benefit of CT Chattanooga TN, LLC
10.21
(3)
Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.22
#
Form of Restricted Stock Award Notice under the Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.23
#
Form of Restricted Stock Special Award Notice under the Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.24
#
Form of Incentive Stock Option Award Notice under the Covenant Transport, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan
10.25
#
Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated March 3, 2006, among Covenant Asset Management, Inc., Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation, Bank of America, N.A., as agent, the lenders signatories thereto, and the guarantors signatories thereto
31.1
#
Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by David R. Parker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
31.2
#
Certification pursuant to Item 601(b)(31) of Regulation S-K, as adopted pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Joey B. Hogan, the Company's Chief Financial Officer
32.1
#
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by David R. Parker, the Company's Chief Executive Officer
32.2
#
Certification pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, by Joey B. Hogan, the Company's Chief Financial Officer
References:
 
(1)
Incorporated by reference to Form S-1, Registration No. 33-82978, effective October 28, 1994.
(2)
Incorporated by reference to the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K filed April 7, 2006, File No. 000-24960.
(3)
Incorporated by reference to Appendix A to the Company’s Definitive Proxy Statement filed April 17, 2006, File No. 000-24960.
#
Filed herewith.



SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
   
   
Date: August 9, 2006
By:
/s/ Joey B. Hogan
   
Joey B. Hogan
   
Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer,
   
in his capacity as such and on behalf of the issuer.

 
Page 32

 



Exhibit 10.22

 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
2006 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN


AWARD NOTICE


 
GRANTEE:
   
 
TYPE OF AWARD:
 
Restricted Stock Award  
 
NUMBER OF SHARES:
   
 
DATE OF GRANT:
   


1.   Grant of Restricted Stock . This Award Notice serves to notify you that Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to you, under the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), a Restricted Stock Award (the “ Award ”), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice and the Plan, of the number of shares set forth above (“ Restricted Shares ”) of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), set forth above. A copy of the Plan is available from the Company’s Chief Financial Officer upon request. You should review the terms of this Award Notice and the Plan carefully.

2.   Restrictions and Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice, the Plan, and Schedule A attached hereto, and provided you remain continuously in the employment or service of the Company or any Subsidiary through the Vesting Date, one or more portions of the Restricted Shares shall vest, as of the Vesting Dates (as defined in Schedule A ) if (and only if) the Performance Goals (as defined in Schedule A ) for the Performance Periods (as defined in Schedule A ) ending on such Vesting Dates have been satisfied and the Committee has certified such satisfaction in accordance with Section 3. Any fractional share resulting from proration shall vest on the last Vesting Date.  

3.   Determination of Vesting . The Committee shall undertake to complete its certification on or prior to March 31 next following each Performance Period. If it shall be impractical for the Committee to complete its certification by such date, the Committee shall do so as soon as reasonably practical thereafter. Based on that review and certification, the Committee shall then instruct the Company as to whether any of the Restricted Shares shall vest. If only a portion of the Restricted Shares are released from the restrictions as set forth above and such action would result in the release of a fractional share of Common Stock, the total number of Restricted Shares that shall vest and be released from the restrictions thereon shall be rounded down to the next lower number of whole shares of Common Stock. Any Restricted Shares that do not vest as a result of the Committee’s review of the Performance Goal results with respect to one or more Vesting Date(s) shall automatically be forfeited without any obligation of the Company to pay any amount to you or to any other person or entity; provided, any Restricted Shares that do not vest as of a particular Vesting Date nevertheless shall be eligible for vesting, and shall vest, if (a) the Company achieves the Performance Goal for a subsequent Performance Period and (b) you are still in the employment or service of the Company or any Subsidiary on the subsequent Vesting Date.  




4.   Effect of Death or Other Termination of Employment . In the event of your death or the termination of your employment or service to the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason prior to the complete vesting of the Restricted Shares, including the review and certification of results by the Committee as provided in Section 3, the unvested portion of the Restricted Shares shall be forfeited as of the date of your death or such termination.

5.   Effect of Change In Control .

(a)   In General . Upon the occurrence of a Change In Control (as defined below), any unvested portion of the Restricted Shares shall immediately vest as of the date of the occurrence of such event.

(b)   “Change In Control” Defined . The term “ Change In Control ” means a change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on December 31, 2004, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that, without limitation, a Change In Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as:

(i)   Any “person” within the meaning of Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act and Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; provided, however, that the following will not constitute a Change In Control: any acquisition by any corporation if, immediately following such acquisition, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the acquiring corporation (or the parent thereof) ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors is beneficially owned by all or substantially all of those persons who, immediately prior to such acquisition, were the beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors;

(ii)   Individuals who constitute the Board on the date of the approval of the Plan (the “ Incumbent Board ”) have ceased for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of the approval of the Plan, whose election or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders was approved by a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened “election contest” relating to the election of directors of the Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act as in effect on January 23, 2000, or “tender offer,” as such term is used in Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), shall be, for purposes of the Plan, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board;


2


(iii)   Upon the consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, other than one with respect to which all or substantially all of those persons who were the beneficial owners, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, of outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors own, immediately after such transaction, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the resulting corporation ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; or

(iv)   Upon the approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation and dissolution of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to a Subsidiary.

(c)   “Permitted Holder” Defined . The term “ Permitted Holder ” means: (i) the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii) David or Jacqueline Parker or their siblings, children, or grandchildren (“ Family Members ”) or a trust, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other such entity, so long as at least eighty percent (80%) of the beneficial interests of the entity are held by Mr. or Mrs. Parker and/or one or more Family Members, where such person(s) or entity acquired their Company stock from Mr. or Mrs. Parker.

6.   Book-Entry Registration . The Restricted Shares initially will be evidenced by book-entry registration only, without the issuance of a certificate representing the Restricted Shares.

7.   Issuance of Shares . Subject to Sections 8 and 13 of this Award Notice, upon the vesting of any Restricted Shares pursuant to this Award Notice, the Company shall issue a certificate representing such vested Restricted Shares as promptly as practicable following the date of vesting. The Restricted Shares may be issued during your lifetime only to you, or after your death to your designated beneficiary, or, in the absence of such beneficiary, to your duly qualified personal representative.

8.   Withholding . You shall pay to the Company or a Subsidiary, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by applicable law to be withheld with respect to the Restricted Shares awarded under this Award Notice. Your right to receive the Restricted Shares under this Award Notice is subject to, and conditioned on, your payment of such withholding amounts.

9.   Nonassignability . The Restricted Shares and the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends thereon, may not, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or encumbered in any way prior to the vesting of such shares, whether by operation of law or otherwise, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. After vesting, the sale or other transfer of the shares of Common Stock shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations under the Exchange Act.


3


10.   Rights as a Stockholder; Limitation on Rights . Unless the Award is cancelled as provided in Section 3 or 4 of this Award Notice, prior to the vesting of the Restricted Shares, you will have all of the other rights of a stockholder with respect to the Restricted Shares so awarded, including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote (in person or by proxy) such shares at any meeting of stockholders of the Company. Neither the Plan, the granting of the Award, nor this Award Notice gives you any right to remain in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary.

11.   Obligation to Maintain Stock Ownership . Your ability to dispose of Restricted Shares after vesting may be limited by stock ownership guidelines adopted by the Company for certain officers and key employees, and the Company is authorized to place a restrictive legend on such shares, issue stop-transfer instructions to the transfer agent, or take such other actions as may be advisable, in the Committee’s sole discretion, to enforce such ownership guidelines. Please determine whether you are subject to the guidelines and how many Restricted Shares may be disposed of prior to attempting to dispose of any shares.

12.   Rights of the Company and Subsidiaries . This Award Notice does not affect the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to take any corporate action whatsoever, including without limitation its right to recapitalize, reorganize, or make other changes in its capital structure or business, merge or consolidate, issue bonds, notes, shares of Common Stock, or other securities, including preferred stock, or options therefor, dissolve or liquidate, or sell or transfer any part of its assets or business.

13.   Restrictions on Issuance of Shares . If at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Restricted Shares upon any securities exchange or quotation system, or under any state or federal law, or the approval of any governmental agency, is necessary or advisable as a condition to the issuance of a certificate representing any vested Restricted Shares, such issuance may not be made in whole or in part unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

14.   Plan Controls; Definitions . The Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and is further subject to all the interpretations, amendments, rules, and regulations that may from time to time be promulgated and adopted by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. Except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 14, in the event of any conflict among the provisions of the Plan and this Award Notice, the provisions of the Plan will be controlling and determinative. The capitalized terms used in this Award Notice and not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Plan; provided, however, that when the defined term "Company" is used in the Plan in Sections 2.1(c), 2.1(d), 2.1(g), 2.1(o), 2.1(r), 2.1(cc), 4.2(h) (second usage), 4.3, 6.1, 6.2, 11.3, 13.2 (second usage), 16.2, and 16.4, the term "Company" shall be interpreted to mean only Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (and not also its Subsidiaries).

15.   Amendment . Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, the Company may only alter, amend, or terminate this Award with your consent.

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16.   Governing Law . This Award Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except as superseded by applicable federal law, without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.

17.   Notices . All notices and other communications to the Company required or permitted under this Award Notice shall be written, and shall be either delivered personally or sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested addressed to the Company’s office at 400 Birmingham Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Each such notice and other communication delivered personally shall be deemed to have been given when delivered. Each such notice and other communication delivered by mail shall be deemed to have been given when it is deposited in the United States mail in the manner specified herein.


* * * * * * * * * *

5



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to be bound by, this Award Notice and the Plan. The undersigned further acknowledges that this Award Notice and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between him or her and the Company regarding the restricted stock granted by this Award Notice and that this Award Notice and the Plan supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

Dated: _______________, 20__

 
Grantee:
   
   
   
   
 
Covenant Transport, Inc.
     
     
 
By:
 
   
 
 
Back to Form 10-Q
 
 
6


Exhibit 10.23

COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.
2006 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN


AWARD NOTICE


 
GRANTEE:
   
 
TYPE OF AWARD:
 
Restricted Stock Award (Special Grant)  
 
NUMBER OF SHARES:
   
 
DATE OF GRANT:
   


1.  Grant of Restricted Stock . This Award Notice serves to notify you that Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the " Company "), hereby grants to you, under the Company's 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the " Plan "), a Restricted Stock Award (the " Award "), on the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice and the Plan, of the number of shares set forth above (" Restricted Shares ") of the Company's Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the " Common Stock "), set forth above. A copy of the Plan is available from the Company's Chief Financial Officer upon request. You should review the terms of this Award Notice and the Plan carefully.

2.   Restrictions and Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice, the Plan, and Schedule A attached hereto, and provided you remain continuously in the employment or service of the Company or any Subsidiary through the Vesting Date, one hundred percent (100%) of the Restricted Shares shall vest, as of the Vesting Date (as defined in Schedule A ) if (and only if) the Performance Goal (as defined in Schedule A ) has been satisfied and the Committee has certified such satisfaction in accordance with Section 3.

3.  Determination of Vesting . The Committee shall undertake to complete its certification on or prior to March 31 next following each Performance Period. If it shall be impractical for the Committee to complete its certification by such date, the Committee shall do so as soon as reasonably practical thereafter. Based on that review and certification, the Committee shall then instruct the Company as to whether the Restricted Shares shall vest.

4.  Effect of Death or Other Termination of Employment . In the event of your death or the termination of your employment or service to the Company or any Subsidiary for any reason prior to the vesting of the Restricted Shares, including the review and certification of results by the Committee as provided in Section 3, the Restricted Shares shall be forfeited as of the date of your death or such termination.




5.  Effect of Change In Control .

(a)   In General . Upon the occurrence of a Change In Control (as defined below), the Restricted Shares shall immediately vest as of the date of the occurrence of such event.

(b)   "Change In Control" Defined . The term " Change In Control " means a change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on December 31, 2004, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that, without limitation, a Change In Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as:

(i)  Any "person" within the meaning of Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act and Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than a Permitted Holder becomes the "beneficial owner," as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; provided, however, that the following will not constitute a Change In Control: any acquisition by any corporation if, immediately following such acquisition, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the acquiring corporation (or the parent thereof) ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors is beneficially owned by all or substantially all of those persons who, immediately prior to such acquisition, were the beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors;

(ii)  Individuals who constitute the Board on the date of the approval of the Plan (the " Incumbent Board ") have ceased for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of the approval of the Plan, whose election or nomination for election by the Company's stockholders was approved by a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened "election contest" relating to the election of directors of the Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act as in effect on January 23, 2000, or "tender offer," as such term is used in Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), shall be, for purposes of the Plan, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board;

(iii)  Upon the consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, other than one with respect to which all or substantially all of those persons who were the beneficial owners, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger, or consolidation, of outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors own, immediately after such transaction, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the resulting corporation ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; or


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(iv)  Upon the approval by the Company's stockholders of a complete liquidation and dissolution of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to a Subsidiary.

(c)   "Permitted Holder" Defined . The term " Permitted Holder " means: (i) the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii) David or Jacqueline Parker or their siblings, children, or grandchildren (" Family Members ") or a trust, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other such entity, so long as at least eighty percent (80%) of the beneficial interests of the entity are held by Mr. or Mrs. Parker and/or one or more Family Members, where such person(s) or entity acquired their Company stock from Mr. or Mrs. Parker.

6.   Book-Entry Registration . The Restricted Shares initially will be evidenced by book-entry registration only, without the issuance of a certificate representing the Restricted Shares.

7.   Issuance of Shares . Subject to Sections 8 and 13 of this Award Notice, upon the vesting of the Restricted Shares pursuant to this Award Notice, the Company shall issue a certificate representing the Restricted Shares as promptly as practicable following the date of vesting. The Restricted Shares may be issued during your lifetime only to you, or after your death to your designated beneficiary, or, in the absence of such beneficiary, to your duly qualified personal representative.

8.  Withholding . You shall pay to the Company or a Subsidiary, or make other arrangements satisfactory to the Company regarding the payment of, any federal, state, or local taxes of any kind required by applicable law to be withheld with respect to the Restricted Shares awarded under this Award Notice. Your right to receive the Restricted Shares under this Award Notice is subject to, and conditioned on, your payment of such withholding amounts.

9.   Nonassignability . The Restricted Shares and the right to vote such shares and to receive dividends thereon, may not, except as otherwise provided in the Plan, be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, or encumbered in any way prior to the vesting of such shares, whether by operation of law or otherwise, except by will or the laws of descent and distribution. After vesting, the sale or other transfer of the shares of Common Stock shall be subject to applicable laws and regulations under the Exchange Act.

10.   Rights as a Stockholder; Limitation on Rights . Unless the Award is cancelled as provided in Section 3 or 4 of this Award Notice, prior to the vesting of the Restricted Shares, you will have all of the other rights of a stockholder with respect to the Restricted Shares so awarded, including, but not limited to, the right to receive such cash dividends, if any, as may be declared on such shares from time to time and the right to vote (in person or by proxy) such shares at any meeting of stockholders of the Company. Neither the Plan, the granting of the Award, nor this Award Notice gives you any right to remain in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary.


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11.  Holding Period; Obligation to Maintain Stock Ownership . With the exception of a Permitted Tax Sale (as defined below), you are required to hold the Restricted Shares for one year following the Vesting Date before any disposition, hedge, or pledge thereof, or other transaction where the economic risk with respect to the Restricted Shares is transferred; provided, you shall be permitted to make a bona fide pledge of Restricted Shares during such one year period where such pledge is with full recourse. The Company is authorized to place a restrictive legend on such shares, issue stop-transfer instructions to the transfer agent, or take such other actions as may be advisable, in the Committee's sole discretion to enforce such holding period. Your ability to dispose of Restricted Shares after such one-year period may be further limited by stock ownership guidelines in effect from time-to-time. A " Permitted Tax Sale " shall mean a sale of that number of Restricted Shares sufficient to pay federal and state taxes on the Restricted Shares that vested at an assumed forty-five percent (45%) tax rate.

12.   Rights of the Company and Subsidiaries . This Award Notice does not affect the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to take any corporate action whatsoever, including without limitation its right to recapitalize, reorganize, or make other changes in its capital structure or business, merge or consolidate, issue bonds, notes, shares of Common Stock, or other securities, including preferred stock, or options therefor, dissolve or liquidate, or sell or transfer any part of its assets or business.

13.   Restrictions on Issuance of Shares . If at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Restricted Shares upon any securities exchange or quotation system, or under any state or federal law, or the approval of any governmental agency, is necessary or advisable as a condition to the issuance of a certificate representing any vested Restricted Shares, such issuance may not be made in whole or in part unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

14.   Plan Controls; Definitions . The Award is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and is further subject to all the interpretations, amendments, rules, and regulations that may from time to time be promulgated and adopted by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. Except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 14, in the event of any conflict among the provisions of the Plan and this Award Notice, the provisions of the Plan will be controlling and determinative. The capitalized terms used in this Award Notice and not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Plan; provided, however, that when the defined term "Company" is used in the Plan in Sections 2.1(c), 2.1(d), 2.1(g), 2.1(o), 2.1(r), 2.1(cc), 4.2(h) (second usage), 4.3, 6.1, 6.2, 11.3, 13.2 (second usage), 16.2, and 16.4, the term "Company" shall be interpreted to mean only Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (and not also its Subsidiaries).

15.   Amendment . Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, the Company may only alter, amend, or terminate this Award with your consent.

16.   Governing Law . This Award Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except as superseded by applicable federal law, without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.

4

 
 
17.    Notices . All notices and other communications to the Company required or permitted under this Award Notice shall be written, and shall be either delivered personally or sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested addressed to the Company's office at 400 Birmingham Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Each such notice and other communication delivered personally shall be deemed to have been given when delivered. Each such notice and other communication delivered by mail shall be deemed to have been given when it is deposited in the United States mail in the manner specified herein.


* * * * * * * * * *

5



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to be bound by, this Award Notice and the Plan. The undersigned further acknowledges that this Award Notice and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between him or her and the Company regarding the restricted stock granted by this Award Notice and that this Award Notice and the Plan supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

Dated: _______________, 20__

 
Grantee:
   
   
   
   
 
Covenant Transport, Inc.
     
     
 
By:
 
   
 

Back to Form 10-Q

 
6



Exhibit 10.24

 
COVENENT TRANSPORT, INC.
2006 OMNIBUS INCENTIVE PLAN


AWARD NOTICE

 
GRANTEE:
   
 
TYPE OF AWARD:
 
 
Incentive Stock Option (See below and refer to the Plan and your Section 10(a) prospectus for limitations)
 
NUMBER OF SHARES:
   
 
EXERCISE PRICE PER SHARE:
   
 
DATE OF GRANT:
   
 
EXPIRATION DATE:
   


1. Grant of Option . This Award Notice serves to notify you that Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (the “ Company ”), hereby grants to you, under the Company’s 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan (the “ Plan ”), an option (the “ Option ”) to purchase, on the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice and the Plan, up to the number of shares set forth above (the “ Option Shares ”) of the Company’s Class A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share (the “ Common Stock ”), at the price per Share set forth above. It is the Company’s intention that the Option qualify as an incentive stock option, as defined in Section 422 of the Code to the extent possible. To the extent the entire Option will not so qualify (for example because the value of the portion of the Option first vesting in any year exceeds the dollar limitation for incentive stock options) then the maximum portion of the Option (each year) shall be deemed an incentive stock option and the remainder shall be deemed a non-qualified stock option. The Plan is incorporated herein by reference and made a part of this Award Notice. A copy of the Plan is available from the Company’s Chief Financial Officer upon request. You should review the terms of this Award Notice and the Plan carefully.

2.   Term . Unless the Option is previously terminated pursuant to the terms of the Plan, the Option will expire at the close of business on the expiration date set forth above (the “ Expiration Date ”).




3.   Vesting . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth in this Award Notice and the Plan, the Option will vest and become exercisable commencing on _______, in accordance with the following schedule:
 
Vesting Date
 
Cumulative Percentage of
Option Shares Vested

 
No vesting shall occur following termination of your employment with the Company or any Subsidiary.

4.   Exercise .

(a)   Method of Exercise . To the extent exercisable under Section 3, the Option may be exercised in whole or in part, provided that the Option may not be exercised for less than one (1) share of Common Stock in any single transaction. The Option shall be exercised by your giving written notice of such exercise to the Company specifying the number of Option Shares that you elect to purchase and the Exercise Price to be paid. Upon determining that compliance with this Award Notice has occurred, including compliance with such reasonable requirements as the Company may impose pursuant to the Plan and payment of the Exercise Price, the Company shall issue to you a certificate for the Option Shares purchased on the earliest practicable date (as determined by the Company) thereafter.

(b)   Payment of Exercise Price . To the extent permissible under the Plan, the Exercise Price may be paid as follows:

(i)   In United States dollars in cash or by check, bank draft, or money order payable to the Company;

(ii)   At the sole discretion of the Committee, through the delivery of shares of Common Stock with an aggregate Fair Market Value at the date of such delivery equal to the Exercise Price;

(iii)    Subject to any and all limitations imposed by the Committee from time to time (which may not be uniform), through a "cashless exercise," whereby you (i) irrevocably instruct a broker or dealer to sell, on your behalf, shares of Common Stock to be issued upon exercise pursuant to this Award Notice and to deliver cash sale proceeds therefrom to the Company in payment of the Exercise Price, and (ii) direct the Company to deliver shares of Common Stock to be issued upon such exercise of this Option directly to such broker or dealer; or

(iv)   Any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject to any and all limitations imposed by the Committee from time to time (which may not be uniform).

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The Committee in its sole discretion shall determine acceptable methods for surrendering Common Stock or options as payment upon exercise of the Option and may impose such limitations and conditions on the use of Common Stock or options to exercise the Option as it deems appropriate. Among other factors, the Committee will consider the restrictions of Rule 16b-3 of the Exchange Act and Section 402 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, and any successor laws, rules, or regulations.

(c)   Withholding . The exercise of the Option is conditioned upon your making arrangements satisfactory to the Company for the payment of the amount of all taxes required by any governmental authority to be withheld and paid over by the Company or any Subsidiary to the governmental authority on account of the exercise. The payment of such withholding taxes to the Company or any Subsidiary may be made by one or any combination of the following methods: (i) in cash or by check, (ii) by the Company withholding such taxes from any other compensation owed to you by the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) pursuant to a cashless exercise program as contemplated in Section 4(b)(iii) above, or (iv) or any other method approved or accepted by the Committee in its sole discretion, subject, in the case of Section 4(c)(iii) and 4(c)(iv), to any and all limitations imposed by the Committee from time to time (which may not be uniform) as contemplated in Section 4(b)(iii) and Section 4(b)(iv) above.

5.   Effect of Death . In the event of your death prior to the complete exercise of the Option, the remaining portion of the Option may be exercised in whole or in part, subject to all of the conditions on exercise imposed by the Plan and this Award Notice, within one (1) year after the date of your death, but only: (a) by the beneficiary designated on your beneficiary designation form filed with the Company, or in the absence of same, by your estate or by or on behalf of the person or persons to whom the Option passes under your will or the laws of descent and distribution, (b) to the extent that the Option was vested and exercisable on the date of your death, and (c) prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date of the Option.

6.   Effect of Disability . In the event of your Disability (as defined below) prior to the complete exercise of the Option, the remaining portion of the Option may be exercised in whole or in part, subject to all of the conditions on exercise imposed by the Plan and this Award Notice, within one (1) year after the date of your Disability, but only: (a) to the extent that the Option was vested and exercisable on the date of your Disability, and (b) prior to the close of business on the Expiration Date of the Option. The term “ Disability ” means you are permanently and totally disabled within the meaning of Section 22(e)(3) of the Code.

7.   Effect of Other Termination .

(a)   With Cause . Upon your termination by the Company or any Subsidiary for Cause (as defined below) prior to the complete exercise of the Option, the remaining portion of the Option, whether or not then exercisable, shall be forfeited as of the date of such termination and shall no longer be exercisable on or after such date of termination.


3


(b)   Without Cause . Upon your termination for a reason other than death, Disability, or Cause (as defined below) prior to the complete exercise of the Option, the remaining portion of the Option may be exercised in whole or in part, subject to all of the conditions on exercise imposed by the Plan and this Award Notice, within three (3) months after the date of such termination, but only: (i) to the extent that the Option was vested and exercisable on the date such termination, and (ii) prior to the Expiration Date of the Option.

(c)   “Cause” Defined . The term “ Cause ” means (i) your willful and continued failure to substantially perform your duties with the Company or a Subsidiary after written warnings identifying the lack of substantial performance are delivered to you to specifically identify the manner in which the Company or Subsidiary believes that you have not substantially performed your duties, (ii) your willful engaging in illegal conduct which is materially and demonstrably injurious to the Company or any Subsidiary, (iii) your commission of a felony, (iv) your material breach of a fiduciary duty owed by you to the Company or any Subsidiary, (v) your intentional, unauthorized disclosure to any person of confidential information or trade secrets of a material nature relating to the business of the Company or any Subsidiary, or (vi) your engaging in any conduct that the Company’s or a Subsidiary’s written rules, regulations, or policies specify as constituting grounds for discharge.

8.   Effect of Change In Control.  

(a)   In General . Upon the occurrence of a Change In Control (as defined below), the unvested portion of the Option shall immediately vest and become exercisable as of the date of the occurrence of such event.

(b)   “Change In Control” Defined . The term “ Change In Control ” means a change in control of the Company of a nature that would be required to be reported in response to Item 5.01 of a Current Report on Form 8-K, as in effect on December 31, 2004, pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Exchange Act; provided that, without limitation, a Change In Control shall be deemed to have occurred at such time as:

(i)   Any “person” within the meaning of Section 14(d)(2) of the Exchange Act and Section 13(d)(3) of the Exchange Act, other than a Permitted Holder becomes the “beneficial owner,” as defined in Rule 13d-3 under the Exchange Act, directly or indirectly, of fifty percent (50%) or more of the combined voting power of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; provided, however, that the following will not constitute a Change In Control: any acquisition by any corporation if, immediately following such acquisition, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the acquiring corporation (or the parent thereof) ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors is beneficially owned by all or substantially all of those persons who, immediately prior to such acquisition, were the beneficial owners of the outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors;


4


(ii)   Individuals who constitute the Board at the date of the adoption of the Plan (the “ Incumbent Board ”) have ceased for any reason to constitute at least a majority thereof, provided that any person becoming a director subsequent to the date of the adoption of the Plan, whose election, or nomination for election by the Company’s stockholders, was approved by a vote of at least three-fourths (3/4) of the directors comprising the Incumbent Board, either by a specific vote or by approval of the proxy statement of the Company in which such person is named as a nominee for director without objection to such nomination (other than an election or nomination of an individual whose initial assumption of office is in connection with an actual or threatened “election contest” relating to the election of directors of the Company, as such terms are used in Rule 14a-11 under the Exchange Act as in effect on January 23, 2000, or “tender offer,” as such term is used in Section 14(d) of the Exchange Act), shall be, for purposes of the Plan, considered as though such person were a member of the Incumbent Board;

(iii)   Upon the consummation by the Company of a reorganization, merger, or consolidation, other than one with respect to which all or substantially all of those persons who were the beneficial owners, immediately prior to such reorganization, merger or consolidation, of outstanding securities of the Company ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors own, immediately after such transaction, more than seventy-five percent (75%) of the outstanding securities of the resulting corporation ordinarily having the right to vote in the election of directors; or

(iv)   Upon the approval by the Company’s stockholders of a complete liquidation and dissolution of the Company or the sale or other disposition of all or substantially all of the assets of the Company other than to a Subsidiary.

(c)   “Permitted Holder” Defined . The term “ Permitted Holder ” means: (i) the Company or a Subsidiary, (ii) any employee benefit plan sponsored by the Company or any Subsidiary, or (iii) David or Jacqueline Parker or their siblings, children, or grandchildren (“ Family Members ”) or a trust, corporation, partnership, limited partnership, limited liability company, or other such entity, so long as at least eighty percent (80%) of the beneficial interests of the entity are held by Mr. or Mrs. Parker and/or one or more Family Members, where such person(s) or entity acquired their Company stock from Mr. or Mrs. Parker.

9.   Notice of Disposition of Shares . You hereby agree that you shall promptly notify the Company of the disposition of any of the Option Shares acquired upon exercise of the Option, including a disposition by sale, exchange, gift, or transfer of legal title, if such disposition occurs within two (2) years from the Date of Grant or within one (1) year from the date that you exercise the Option and acquire such Option Shares.

10.   Nonassignability . The Option may not be alienated, transferred, assigned, or pledged (except by will or the laws of descent and distribution). Except as otherwise provided by Section 5 of this Award Notice, the Option is only exercisable by you during your lifetime.


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11.   Limitation of Rights . You will not have any rights as a stockholder with respect to the Option Shares until you become the holder of record of such shares by exercising the Option. Neither the Plan, the granting of the Option, nor this Award Notice gives you any right to remain in the employment of the Company or any Subsidiary.

12.   Rights of the Company and Subsidiaries . This Award Notice does not affect the right of the Company or any Subsidiary to take any corporate action whatsoever, including without limitation its right to recapitalize, reorganize, or make other changes in its capital structure or business, merge or consolidate, issue bonds, notes, shares of Common Stock, or other securities, including preferred stock, or options therefor, dissolve or liquidate, or sell or transfer any part of its assets or business.

13.   Restrictions on Issuance of Shares . If at any time the Company determines that the listing, registration, or qualification of the Option Shares upon any securities exchange or quotation system, or under any state or federal law, or the approval of any governmental agency, is necessary or advisable as a condition to the exercise of the Option, the Option may not be exercised in whole or in part unless and until such listing, registration, qualification, or approval shall have been effected or obtained free of any conditions not acceptable to the Company.

14.   Plan Controls; Definitions . The Option is subject to all of the provisions of the Plan, which is hereby incorporated by reference, and is further subject to all the interpretations, amendments, rules, and regulations that may from time to time be promulgated and adopted by the Committee pursuant to the Plan. Except as set forth in the last sentence of this Section 14, in the event of any conflict among the provisions of the Plan and this Award Notice, the provisions of the Plan will be controlling and determinative. The capitalized terms used in this Award Notice and not otherwise defined herein are defined in the Plan; provided, however, that when the defined term "Company" is used in the Plan in Sections 2.1(c), 2.1(d), 2.1(g), 2.1(o), 2.1(r), 2.1(cc), 4.2(h) (second usage), 4.3, 6.1, 6.2, 11.3, 13.2 (second usage), 16.2, and 16.4, the term "Company" shall be interpreted to mean only Covenant Transport, Inc., a Nevada corporation (and not also its Subsidiaries).

15.   Amendment . Except as otherwise provided by the Plan, the Company may only alter, amend, or terminate the Option with your consent.

16.   Governing Law . This Award Notice shall be governed by and construed in accordance with the laws of the State of Nevada, except as superseded by applicable federal law, without giving effect to its conflicts of law provisions.

17.   Obligation to Maintain Stock Ownership . Your ability to dispose of common stock may be limited by stock ownership guidelines adopted by the Company for certain officers and key employees, and the Company is authorized to place a restrictive legend on such shares, issue stop-transfer instructions to the transfer agent, or take such other actions as may be advisable, in the Committee’s sole discretion, to enforce such ownership guidelines. Please determine whether you are subject to the guidelines and how many shares of common stock may be disposed of prior to attempting to dispose of any shares.


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18.   Notices . All notices and other communications to the Company required or permitted under this Award Notice shall be written, and shall be either delivered personally or sent by registered or certified first-class mail, postage prepaid and return receipt requested, addressed to the Company’s office at 400 Birmingham Highway, Chattanooga, Tennessee 37419, Attention: Chief Financial Officer. Each such notice and other communication delivered personally shall be deemed to have been given when delivered. Each such notice and other communication delivered by mail shall be deemed to have been given when it is deposited in the United States mail in the manner specified herein.
 
 
* * * * * * * * * *

7



ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

The undersigned acknowledges receipt of, and understands and agrees to be bound by, this Award Notice and the Plan. The undersigned further acknowledges that this Award Notice and the Plan set forth the entire understanding between him or her and the Company regarding the incentive stock options granted by this Award Notice and that this Award Notice and the Plan supersede all prior oral and written agreements on that subject.

Dated: ___________, 20__

 
Grantee:
   
   
   
   
 
Covenant Transport, Inc.
     
     
 
By:
 
 
Name:
 
 
Title:
 
 
Back to Form 10-Q
 
8

 

Exhibit 10.25

 
AMENDMENT NO. 2 TO AMENDED AND RESTATED
CREDIT AGREEMENT

This Amendment No. 2 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (this " Agreement ") dated as of March 3, 2006 is made by and among COVENANT ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., a Nevada corporation (the " Borrower "), COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC., a Nevada corporation and the owner of 100% of the issued and outstanding common stock of the Borrower (the " Parent "), BANK OF AMERICA, N.A., a national banking association organized and existing under the laws of the United States (" Bank of America "), in its capacity as administrative agent for the Lenders (as defined in the Credit Agreement (as defined below)) (in such capacity, the " Agent "), each of the Lenders signatory hereto and each of the Guarantors (as defined in the Credit Agreement) signatory hereto.

W I T N E S S E T H :

WHEREAS , the Borrower, the Parent, the Agent and the Lenders have entered into that certain Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of December 16, 2004, as amended by Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Credit Agreement dated as of July 18, 2005 (as hereby amended and as from time to time hereafter further amended, modified, supplemented, restated, or amended and restated, the " Credit Agreement "; the capitalized terms used in this Agreement not otherwise defined herein shall have the respective meanings given thereto in the Credit Agreement), pursuant to which the Lenders have made available to the Borrower various revolving credit facilities, including a letter of credit facility and a swing line facility; and

WHEREAS , each of the Parent and the Guarantors has entered into a Facility Guaranty pursuant to which it has guaranteed certain or all of the obligations of the Borrower under the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, and the Parent, the Borrower and the Guarantors have entered into various of the Security Instruments to secure their respective obligations and liabilities in respect the Loans and the Loan Documents; and

WHEREAS , the Parent and the Borrower have advised the Agent and the Lenders that they desire to amend certain provisions of the Credit Agreement as set forth below, and the Agent and the Lenders signatory hereto are willing so to effect such amendments contained herein on the terms and conditions contained in this Agreement;

NOW, THEREFORE , in consideration of the premises and further valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties hereto agree as follows:

1.   Amendment to Credit Agreement . Subject to the terms and conditions set forth herein, the Credit Agreement is hereby amended by deleting the definition of "Total Letter of Credit Commitment" in its entirety and inserting the following in its place:

"Total Letter of Credit Commitment" means an amount not to exceed $85,000,000.




2.   Conditions Precedent . This Agreement and the amendments to the Credit Agreement provided in Paragraph 1 shall be effective upon the satisfaction of the following conditions precedent:

(a)   The Agent shall have received each of the following documents or instruments in form and substance reasonably acceptable to the Agent:

(i)   ten (10) original counterparts of this Agreement, duly executed by the Parent, the Borrower, the Agent, each Guarantor, and each Lender; and

(ii)   such other documents, instruments, opinions, certifications, undertakings, further assurances and other matters as the Agent shall reasonably request.

(b)   all fees and expenses payable to the Agent and the Lenders (including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent) accrued to date shall have been paid in full to the extent invoiced prior to or on the effective date of this Agreement, but without prejudice to the later payment of accrued fees and expenses not so invoiced.

3.   Consent of the Parent and the Guarantors . Each of the Parent and the Guarantors has joined in the execution of this Agreement for the purposes of consenting hereto and for the further purpose of confirming its guaranty of the Obligations of the Borrower pursuant to the Facility Guaranty to which the Parent or such Guarantor is party and its obligations under each other Loan Documents to which it is a party. The Parent and each Guarantor hereby consents, acknowledges and agrees to the amendments of the Credit Agreement set forth herein and hereby confirms and ratifies in all respects the Facility Guaranty and each other Loan Document to which the Parent or such Guarantor is a party and the enforceability of such Facility Guaranty and each such other Loan Document against the Parent and such Guarantor in accordance with its terms.

4.   Representations and Warranties . In order to induce the Agent and the Lenders party hereto to enter into this Agreement, each of the Parent and the Borrower represent and warrant to the Agent and such Lenders as follows:

(a)   The representations and warranties made by the Parent and the Borrower in Article VIII of the Credit Agreement (after giving effect to this Agreement) and by each Loan Party in each of the other Loan Documents to which it is a party are true and correct in all material respects on and as of the date hereof, except to the extent that such representations and warran-ties expressly relate to an earlier date;

(b)   Since the date of the most recent financial reports of the Parent delivered pursuant to Section 9.1 of the Credit Agreement, no act, event, condition or circumstance has occurred or arisen which, singly or in the aggregate with one or more other acts, events, occurrences or conditions (whenever occurring or arising), has had or could reasonably be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect;


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(c)   The Persons appearing as Guarantors on the signature pages to this Agreement constitute all Persons who are required to be Guarantors pursuant to the terms of the Credit Agreement and the other Loan Documents, including without limitation all Persons who became Subsidiaries or were otherwise required to become Guarantors after the Closing Date as a result of any merger, acquisition or other reorganization, and each such Person has executed and delivered a Facility Guaranty;

(d)   This Agreement has been duly authorized, executed and delivered by the Parent, the Borrower and the Guarantors party hereto and constitutes a legal, valid and binding obligation of such parties, except as may be limited by general principles of equity or by the effect of any applicable bankruptcy, insolvency, reorganization, moratorium or similar law affecting creditors' rights generally; and

(e)   No Default or Event of Default has occurred and is continuing either immediately prior to or immediately after the effectiveness of this Agreement.

5.   Entire Agreement . This Agreement, together with all the Loan Documents (collectively, the " Relevant Documents "), sets forth the entire understanding and agreement of the parties hereto in relation to the subject matter hereof and supersedes any prior negotiations and agreements among the parties relative to such subject matter. No promise, condition, representation or warranty, express or implied, not herein set forth shall bind any party hereto, and not one of them has relied on any such promise, condition, representation or warranty. Each of the parties hereto acknowledges that, except as otherwise expressly stated in the Relevant Documents, no representations, warranties or commitments, express or implied, have been made by any party to the other. None of the terms or conditions of this Agreement may be changed, modified, waived or canceled orally or otherwise, except as permitted pursuant to Section 13.6 of the Credit Agreement.

6.   Full Force and Effect of Agreement . Except as hereby specifically amended, modified or supplemented, the Credit Agreement and all other Loan Documents are hereby confirmed and ratified in all respects by each party hereto and shall be and remain in full force and effect according to their respective terms.

7.   Counterparts . This Agreement may be executed in any number of counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original as against any party whose signature appears thereon, and all of which shall together constitute one and the same instrument.

8.   Governing Law . This Agreement shall in all respects be governed by, and construed in accordance with, the laws of the state of Tennessee.

9.   Enforceability . Should any one or more of the provisions of this Agreement be determined to be illegal or unenforceable as to one or more of the parties hereto, all other provisions nevertheless shall remain effective and binding on the parties hereto.

10.   References . All references in any of the Loan Documents to the "Credit Agreement" shall mean the Credit Agreement, as amended hereby.

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11.   Successors and Assigns . This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Parent, the Borrower, the Agent and each of the Guarantors and Lenders, and their respective successors, assigns and legal representatives; provided , however, that neither the Parent, the Borrower nor any Guarantor, without the prior consent of the Required Lenders, may assign any rights, powers, duties or obligations hereunder.

12.   Expenses . The Parent and the Borrower agree to pay to the Agent all reasonable out-of-pocket expenses of the Agent (including the fees and expenses of counsel to the Agent) incurred or arising in connection with the negotiation and preparation of this Agreement.

[Signature pages follow.]



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IN WITNESS WHEREOF , the parties hereto have caused this instrument to be made, executed and delivered by their duly authorized officers as of the day and year first above written.

 
BORROWER :
     
 
COVENANT ASSET MANAGEMENT, INC., a
Nevada corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan
 
Name:
Joey Hogan
 
Title:
EVP/CFO
     
     
 
PARENT :
     
 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC., a Nevada corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan
 
Name:
Joey Hogan
 
Title:
EVP/CFO



Signature Page



 
GUARANTORS:
     
 
COVENANT TRANSPORT, INC.,  
a Tennessee corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan
 
Name:
Joey Hogan  
 
Title:
EVP/CFO  
     
     
 
HAROLD IVES TRUCKING CO.,
an Arkansas corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan  
 
Name:
Joey Hogan  
 
Title:
EVP/CFO  
     
 
SOUTHERN REFRIGERATED TRANSPORT,
INC.,
an Arkansas corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan  
 
Name:
Joey Hogan  
 
Title:
EVP/CFO  
     
   
 
COVENANT.COM, INC.,
a Nevada corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan
 
Name:
Joey Hogan  
 
Title:
EVP/CFO  
     
   
 
CIP, INC.,
a Nevada corporation
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Joey Hogan  
 
Name:
Joey Hogan  
 
Title:
EVP/CFO  

Signature Page



 
AGENT :
     
 
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A. , as Agent
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Ronaldo Naval  
 
Name:
Ronaldo Naval
 
Title:
Vice President


Signature Page



 
LENDERS :  
     
 
BANK OF AMERICA, N.A.
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Andrew Bunton
 
Name:
Andrew Bunton
 
Title:
Vice President


Signature Page



 
NATIONAL CITY BANK OF KENTUCKY
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Kevin L. Anderson
 
Name:
Kevin L. Anderson
 
Title:
Senior Vice President



Signature Page



 
BRANCH BANKING AND TRUST COMPANY
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Jim Valvilides
 
Name:
Jim Valvilides  
 
Title:
 


Signature Page



 
FIRST TENNESSEE BANK NATIONAL
ASSOCIATION
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Robert T. Lusk
 
Name:
Robert T. Lusk
 
Title:
Vice President




Signature Page



 
AMSOUTH BANK
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Walter Robinson
 
Name:
Walter Robinson
 
Title:
VP


Signature Page



 
BNP PARIBAS
     
     
 
By:
/s/ Mike Shryock  
 
Name:
Mike Shryock  
 
Title:
Managing Director
     
 
By:
/s/ Aurora L. Abella  
 
Name:
Aurora L. Abella  
 
Title:
Vice President



Signature Page



 
SUNTRUST BANK
     
     
 
By:
/s/ William H. Crawford
 
Name:
William H. Crawford
 
Title:
Director

 
 
Signature Page

 
Back to Form 10-Q


Exhibit 31.1
CERTIFICATION

I, David R. Parker, certify that:

1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Covenant Transport, Inc.;

2.      Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)      Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant's disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)      Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant's most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant's fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant's internal control over financial reporting; and

5.      The registrant's other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant's auditors and the audit committee of the registrant's board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant's ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant's internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 9, 2006
By:
/s/ David R. Parker
   
David R. Parker
   
Chief Executive Officer
 
Back to Form 10-Q


Exhibit 31.2
CERTIFICATION

I, Joey B. Hogan, certify that:

1.      I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Covenant Transport, Inc.;

2.      Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.      Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.      The registrant’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

(a)      Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)      Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)      Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)      Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant’s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant’s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an annual report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.      The registrant’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)      All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b)      Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 9, 2006
By:
/s/ Joey B. Hogan  
   
Joey B. Hogan
   
Chief Financial Officer
 
Back to Form 10-Q


Exhibit 32.1


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Covenant Transport, Inc. (the "Company") on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the "Report"), I, David R. Parker, Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)  
     The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)  
     The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: August 9, 2006
By:
/s/ David R. Parker  
   
David R. Parker
   
Chief Executive Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Covenant Transport, Inc. and will be retained by Covenant Transport, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
Back to Form 10-Q


Exhibit 32.2


CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO
18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,
AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO
SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002


In connection with the Quarterly Report of Covenant Transport, Inc. (the “Company”) on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30, 2006, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), I, Joey B. Hogan, Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certify, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

(1)       The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2)       The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: August 9, 2006
By:
/s/ Joey B. Hogan
   
Joey B. Hogan
   
Chief Financial Officer


A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been provided to Covenant Transport, Inc. and will be retained by Covenant Transport, Inc. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.
 
Back to Form 10-Q