COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC. - FORM 10-Q

Attached files

file	filename
EX-32.1 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION (DAVID R. PARKER) - COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.	exhibit321.htm
EX-32.2 - SECTION 906 CERTIFICATION (RICHARD B. CRIBBS) - COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.	exhibit322.htm
EX-31.1 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION (DAVID R. PARKER) - COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.	exhibit311.htm
EX-31.2 - SECTION 302 CERTIFICATION (RICHARD B. CRIBBS) - COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC.	exhibit312.htm

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 September 30, 2009

[ ]	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 TRANSPORTATION GROUP, 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 has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).

Yes [ ]

No [ ]

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See the definitions of "large accelerated filer," "accelerated filer," and "smaller reporting company" in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large accelerated filer [ ]		Accelerated filer [ ]
Non-accelerated filer [X] (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)		Smaller reporting company [ ]

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 (November 9, 2009).

Class A Common Stock, $.01 par value: 11,840,568 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 September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 (unaudited)	3

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	4

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Equity and Comprehensive Loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 (unaudited)	5

	Consolidated Condensed Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 (unaudited)	6

	Notes to Consolidated Condensed Financial Statements (unaudited)	7

Item 2.	Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	17

Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	33

Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	34

PART II OTHER INFORMATION
		Page Number

Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	35

Item 1A.	Risk Factors	35

Item 6.	Exhibits	37

Page 2

PART I

FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED BALANCE SHEETS (In thousands, except share data)
ASSETS	September 30, 2009 (unaudited)			December 31,2008
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	7,132		$	6,300
Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $1,434 in 2009 and $1,484 in 2008		63,719			72,635
Drivers' advances and other receivables, net of allowance of $2,897 in 2009 and $2,794 in 2008		3,631			4,818
Inventory and supplies		3,849			3,894
Prepaid expenses		7,742			8,921
Assets held for sale		9,946			21,292
Deferred income taxes		406			7,129
Income taxes receivable		-			717
Total current assets		96,425			125,706

Property and equipment, at cost		389,213			352,857
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization		(122,905	)		(116,839	)
Net property and equipment		266,308			236,018

Goodwill		11,539			11,539
Other assets, net		8,461			20,413
Total assets	$	382,733		$	393,676

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Checks outstanding in excess of bank balances	$	1,522		$	85
Current maturities of acquisition obligation		-			250
Current maturities of long-term debt		73,227			59,083
Current portion of capital lease obligations		763			-
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		38,430			33,214
Current portion of insurance and claims accrual		12,164			16,811
Total current liabilities		126,106			109,443

Long-term debt		112,301			107,956
Long-term portion of capital lease obligations		8,386			-
Insurance and claims accrual, net of current portion		11,002			15,869
Deferred income taxes		26,150			39,669
Other long-term liabilities		1,831			1,919
Total liabilities		285,776			274,856
Commitment and contingent liabilities		-			-
Stockholders' equity:
Class A common stock, $.01 par value; 20,000,000 shares authorized; 13,469,090 shares issued; and 11,830,103 and 11,699,182 shares outstanding as of September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008, respectively		136			135
Class B common stock, $.01 par value; 5,000,000 shares authorized; 2,350,000 shares issued and outstanding		24			24
Additional paid-in-capital		90,666			91,912
Treasury stock at cost; 1,638,987 shares as of September 30, 2009 and 1,769,908 as of December 31, 2008		(19,452	)		(21,007	)
Accumulated other comprehensive income		116			-
Retained earnings		25,467			47,756
Total stockholders' equity		96,957			118,820
Total liabilities and stockholders' equity	$	382,733		$	393,676

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

Page 3

COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

FOR THE THREE AND NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands, except per share data)

	Three months ended September 30, (unaudited)						Nine months ended September 30, (unaudited)

	2009			2008			2009			2008

Revenue:
Freight revenue	$	133,332		$	162,901		$	384,708		$	471,947
Fuel surcharge revenue		19,716			49,644			46,199			130,997
Total revenue	$	153,048		$	212,545		$	430,907		$	602,944

Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages, and related expenses		53,425			65,830			161,802			199,446
Fuel expense		38,792			74,902			102,086			217,092
Operations and maintenance		9,052			11,636			26,852			33,481
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation		19,741			24,925			56,634			68,543
Operating taxes and licenses		2,559			3,273			8,605			10,024
Insurance and claims		8,050			11,970			22,888			25,921
Communications and utilities		1,352			1,657			4,456			5,074
General supplies and expenses		5,853			6,409			17,313			18,461
Depreciation and amortization, including gains and losses on disposition of equipment and impairment of assets		12,395			12,663			34,223			35,472
Total operating expenses		151,219			213,265			434,859			613,514
Operating income /(loss)		1,829			(720	)		(3,952	)		(10,570	)
Other (income) expenses:
Interest expense		3,593			2,914			9,784			7,395
Interest income		(42	)		(218	)		(140	)		(372	)
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-			726			-			726
Other income, net		(54	)		(56	)		(132	)		(120	)
Impairment of Transplace investment and note receivable		11,596			-			11,596			-
Other expenses, net		15,093			3,366			21,108			7,629
Loss before income taxes		(13,264	)		(4,086	)		(25,060	)		(18,199	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		336			(670	)		(2,771	)		(4,613	)
Net loss	$	(13,600	)	$	(3,416	)	$	(22,289	)	$	(13,586	)

Loss per share:
Basic and diluted loss per share:	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(1.58	)	$	(0.97	)

Basic and diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		14,177			14,049			14,102			14,035

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

Page 4

COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY

AND COMPREHENSIVE LOSS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009

(Unaudited and in thousands)

	Common Stock				Additional Paid-In			Treasury			Accumulated Other Comprehensive		Retained			Total Stockholders'
	Class A		Class B		Capital			Stock			Income		Earnings			Equity

Balances at December 31, 2008	$	135	$	24	$	91,912		$	(21,007	)	$	-	$	47,756		$	118,820

Net loss														(22,289	)		(22,289	)

Other comprehensive income:

Unrealized gain on effective portion of fuel hedge												116					116

Comprehensive loss												116		(22,289	)		(22,173	)


Issuance of restricted stock to non-employee directors from treasury stock						(375	)		475								100

Stock-based employee compensation cost						324											324

Issuance of restricted stock to employees from treasury stock, net of shares repurchased to satisfy minimum statutory withholding requirements		1				(1,195	)		1,080								(114	)


Balances at September 30, 2009	$	136	$	24	$	90,666		$	(19,452	)	$	116	$	25,467		$	96,957

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

Page 5

COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONSOLIDATED CONDENSED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

FOR THE NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 AND 2008

(In thousands)

	Nine months ended September 30, (unaudited)

	2009			2008

Cash flows from operating activities:
Net loss	$	(22,289	)	$	(13,586	)
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by operating activities:
Provision for losses on accounts receivable		927			660
Loss on early extinguishment of debt		-			726
Depreciation and amortization; including impairment of assets		34,273			35,122
Gain on ineffective portion of fuel hedge		(4	)		-
Amortization of deferred financing fees		628			247
Impairment of Transplace investment and note receivable		11,596			-
Deferred income taxes expense (benefit)		(6,796	)		5,358
Stock based compensation expense		424			20
(Gain) loss on disposition of property and equipment		(50	)		350
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Receivables and advances		9,932			(22,673	)
Prepaid expenses and other assets		930			(4,243	)
Inventory and supplies		45			(141	)
Insurance and claims accrual		(9,514	)		(1,802	)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		5,504			8,338
Net cash flows provided by operating activities		25,606			8,376

Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(75,908	)		(43,579	)
Proceeds from disposition of property and equipment		32,256			20,498
Payment of acquisition obligation		(250	)		(250	)
Net cash flows used in investing activities		(43,902	)		(23,331	)

Cash flows from financing activities:
Change in checks outstanding in excess of bank balances		1,437			(1,429	)
Repurchase of company stock		(114	)		-
Proceeds from issuance of notes payable		67,193			150,633
Repayments of notes payable		(47,050	)		(12,866	)
Repayments of capital lease obligation		(121	)		-
Repayments under revolving credit facility, net		(1,654	)		(70,169	)
Repayments of securitization facility, net		-			(47,964	)
Debt refinancing costs		(563	)		(1,584	)
Net cash provided by financing activities		19,128			16,621

Net change in cash and cash equivalents		832			1,666

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		6,300			4,500

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	7,132		$	6,166

Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing activities:

Equipment purchased under capital leases	$	9,269			-

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

Page 6

COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, 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 Transportation Group, 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 Transportation Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America for interim financial information and with the instructions to Form 10-Q and Article 10 of Regulation S-X promulgated under the Securities Act of 1933. In preparing financial statements, it is necessary for management to make assumptions and estimates affecting the amounts reported in the consolidated condensed financial statements and related notes. These estimates and assumptions are developed based upon all information available. Actual results could differ from estimated amounts. 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, 2008 consolidated condensed balance sheet was derived from the Company's audited balance sheet as of that date. These consolidated financial statements and notes thereto should be read in conjunction with the consolidated condensed financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company's Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008. Results of operations in interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for a full year.

The Company has evaluated certain events and transactions occurring after September 30, 2009 and through November 12, 2009, the date of our Form 10-Q filing, and determined that none met the definition of a subsequent event for purposes of recognition or disclosure in our condensed consolidated financial statements for the period ended September 30, 2009.

Note 2. Fair Value Measurement and Fair Value of Financial Instruments

Fair value is defined as an exit price, representing the amount that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants. Accordingly, fair value is a market-based measurement that is determined based on assumptions that market participants would use in pricing an asset or liability. A three-tier fair value hierarchy is used to prioritize the inputs in measuring fair value as follows:

·	Level 1. Observable inputs such as quoted prices in active markets;
·	Level 2. Inputs, other than the quoted prices in active markets, that are observable either directly or indirectly; and
·	Level 3. Unobservable inputs in which there is little or no market data, which require the reporting entity to develop its own assumptions.

Assets and Liabilities Measured at Fair Value on a Recurring Basis

(in thousands)		September 30, 2009				Quoted Prices in Active Markets (Level 1)				Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)				Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Hedge derivative asset		$	120				—			$	120				—

Page 7

The Company's financial instruments consist primarily of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, commodity contracts, accounts payable, and debt. The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, accounts receivable, accounts payable and current debt approximates their fair value because of the short-term maturity of these instruments. Interest rates that are currently available to the Company for issuance of long-term debt with similar terms and remaining maturities are used to estimate the fair value of the Company's long-term debt, which primarily consists of revenue equipment installment notes. Borrowings under the Company's revolving credit facility approximate fair value due to the variable interest rate on the facility. Additionally, commodity contracts, which are accounted for as hedge derivatives, as discussed in Note 7, are valued based on the forward rate of the specific indices upon which the contract is being settled and adjusted for counterparty credit risk using available market information and valuation methodologies.

Note 3. Segment Information

We have two reportable segments: Asset-Based Truckload Services ("Truckload") and our Brokerage Services, also known as Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc. ("Solutions"). Until the first quarter of 2009, Solutions was not reported as a reportable segment; however, at that time management determined that Solutions could exceed 10% of consolidated revenues quantitative during 2009 and that given the distinct differences in the nature of the brokerage business and the asset-based business, that reporting separately provides clarity in the users of the financial statements.

The Truckload segment consists of three operating fleets that are aggregated because they have similar economic characteristics and meet the other aggregation criteria. The three operating fleets that comprise our Truckload segment are as follows: (i) Covenant Transport, Inc. which provides expedited long haul, dedicated, and regional solo-driver service; (ii) Southern Refrigerated Transportation, Inc., or SRT, which provides primarily long-haul and regional temperature-controlled service; and (iii) Star Transportation, Inc., which provides regional solo-driver service.

The Solutions segment provides freight brokerage service directly and through freight brokerage agents, who are paid a commission for the freight they provide. The brokerage operation has helped us continue to serve customers when we lacked capacity in a given area or when the load has not met the operating profile of one of our asset-based subsidiaries.

"Unallocated Corporate Overhead" includes expenses that are incidental to our activities and are not attributable directly to one of the operating segments. We do not prepare separate balance sheets by segment and, as a result, assets are not separately identifiable by segment. We have intersegment sales and expense transactions; however, the way that we account for them does not require the elimination of revenues or expenses between our segments in the tables below.

The following tables summarize our segment information:

	Three months ended						Nine months ended
(in thousands)	September 30,						September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Revenues:

Asset-Based Truckload Services	$	140,694		$	195,872		$	396,110		$	562,810
Brokerage Services		12,354			16,673			34,797			40,134

Total	$	153,048		$	212,545		$	430,907		$	602,944
Operating Income (Loss):

Asset-Based Truckload Services	$	5,125		$	4,268		$	7,287		$	1,195
Brokerage Services		(519	)		459			(266	)		568
Unallocated Corporate Overhead		(2,777	)		(5,447	)		(10,973	)		(12,333	)

Total	$	1,829		$	(720	)	$	(3,952	)	$	(10,570	)

Page 8

Note 4. Basic and Diluted Loss per Share

Basic loss per share 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 loss per share 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 and nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, excludes all unexercised options and unvested shares, since the effect of any assumed exercise of the related awards would be anti-dilutive.

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

(in thousands except per share data)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Numerator:
Net loss	$	(13,600	)	$	(3,416	)	$	(22,289	)	$	(13,586	)
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per share – weighted-average shares		14,177			14,049			14,102			14,035
Effect of dilutive securities:
Equivalent shares issuable upon conversion of unvested restricted stock		-			-			-			-
Equivalent shares issuable upon conversion of unvested employee stock options		-			-			-			-
Denominator for diluted earnings per share – adjusted weighted-average shares and assumed conversions		14,177			14,049			14,102			14,035
Net loss per share:
Basic and diluted loss per share:	$	(0.96	)	$	(0.24	)	$	(1.58	)	$	(0.97	)

Note 5. Share-Based Compensation

On May 5, 2009, at the annual meeting, the Company's stockholders approved an amendment to the Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. 2006 Omnibus Incentive Plan ("2006 Plan"), which among other things, (i) provides that the maximum aggregate number of shares of Class A common stock available for the grant of awards under the 2006 Plan from and after such annual meeting date shall not exceed 700,000, and (ii) limits the shares of Class A common stock that shall be available for issuance or reissuance under the 2006 Plan from and after such annual meeting date to the additional 700,000 shares reserved, plus any expirations, forfeitures, cancellations, or certain other terminations of such shares.

The 2006 Plan permits annual awards of shares of the Company's Class A common stock to executives, other key employees, non-employee directors and eligible participants under various types of options, restricted stock awards, or other equity instruments. The number of shares available for issuance under the 2006 Plan is 700,000 shares unless adjustment is determined necessary by the Committee as the result of a dividend or other distribution, recapitalization, stock split, reverse stock split, reorganization, merger, consolidation, split-up, spin-off, combination, repurchase or exchange of Class A common stock, or other corporate transaction in order to prevent dilution or enlargement of benefits or potential benefits intended to be made available. At September 30, 2009, 554,100 of these 700,000 shares were available for award under the 2006 Plan. No participant in the 2006 Plan may receive awards of any type of equity instruments in any calendar-year that relates to more than 250,000 shares of the Company's Class A common stock. No awards may be made under the 2006 Plan after May 23, 2016. To the extent available, the Company has issued treasury stock to satisfy all share-based incentive plans.

Included in salaries, wages, and related expenses within the consolidated condensed statements of operations is stock-based compensation expense for the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008 of approximately $0.1 million and for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 of approximately $0.4 million with minimal expense recorded in the 2008 period as the result of reversing $0.2 million of expense when it was determined that certain awards that contained performance conditions were not probable to vest.

Page 9

The 2006 Plan allows participants to pay the Company for the federal and state minimum statutory tax withholding requirements related to awards that vest or allows the participant to deliver to the Company, shares of common stock having a fair market value equal to the minimum amount of such required withholding taxes. To satisfy withholding requirements for shares that vested in the third quarter, certain participants elected to deliver to the Company 20,982 shares which were withheld at a per share price of $5.50, totaling approximately $0.1 million, based on the closing price of our common stock on the date of exercise, in lieu of the federal and state minimum statutory tax withholding requirements. We remitted approximately $0.1 million to the proper taxing authorities in satisfaction of the employees' minimum statutory withholding requirements. The tax withholding amounts paid by the Company have been accounted for as a repurchase of shares in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of stockholders' equity. However, these deemed share repurchases are not included as part of the Company's stock repurchase program, noting such program expired on June 30, 2009.

The following tables summarize our stock option activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

	Number of Options (in thousands)		Weighted Average Exercise Price		Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term
Outstanding at beginning of the period		1,096	$	13.43	50 months

Options granted		-		-
Options exercised		-		-
Options forfeited		12	$	9.58
Options expired		100	$	14.62
Outstanding at end of period		984	$	13.36	47 months

Exercisable at end of period		824	$	14.10	38 months

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. No options were granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2009 or 2008.

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 the Company's 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 Company issues several types of share-based compensation, including awards that vest based on service, market and performance conditions or a combination of the conditions. Performance-based awards vest contingent upon meeting certain earnings-per-share targets selected by the Compensation Committee. Market-based awards vest contingent upon meeting certain stock price targets selected by the Compensation Committee. Determining the appropriate amount to expense is based on likelihood of achievement of the stated targets and requires judgment, including forecasting future financial results and market performance. The estimates are revised periodically based on the probability of achieving the required performance targets and adjustments are made as appropriate.

The following tables summarize the Company's restricted stock award activity for the nine months ended September 30, 2009:

	Number of Stock Awards (in thousands)			Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Unvested at January 1, 2009		766		$	9.14
Granted		315		$	2.96
Vested		(152	)	$	3.24
Forfeited		(157	)	$	9.55
Unvested at September 30, 2009		772		$	7.69

Page 10

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. The significant variation in the relationship of income tax expense to the loss before income taxes for the period ended September 30, 2009 is attributable to a valuation allowance totaling $4.1 million related to the deferred tax asset resulting from the impairment discussed in Note 10.

As of September 30, 2009, the Company had a $3.2 million liability recorded for unrecognized tax benefits, including interest and penalties of $1.1 million, of which a minimal amount was recognized in the nine months ended September 30, 2009. The Company recognizes interest and penalties accrued related to unrecognized tax benefits in tax expense.

If recognized, $2.1 million of unrecognized tax benefits would impact the Company's effective tax rate as of September 30, 2009. Any prospective adjustments to the Company's reserves for income taxes will be recorded as an increase or decrease to its provision for income taxes and would impact our effective tax rate. In addition, the Company accrues interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in its provision for income taxes.

The Company's 2005 through 2008 tax years remain subject to examination by the IRS for U.S. federal tax purposes, the Company's only major taxing jurisdiction. In the normal course of business, the Company is also subject to audits by state and local tax authorities. While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes that its reserves reflect the more likely than not outcome of known tax contingencies. The Company adjusts these reserves, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular issue would usually require the use of cash. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to the Company's annual tax rate in the year of resolution. The Company does not expect any significant increases or decreases for uncertain income tax positions during the next twelve months.

The carrying value of the Company's deferred tax assets assumes that it 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, it 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, the Company assesses the need for adjustment of the valuation allowance. Based on forecasted taxable income and tax planning strategies available to the Company, no valuation allowance has been established at September 30, 2009, except as previously noted related to the deferred tax asset associated with the Company's capital loss generated by the impairment of its investment in Transplace because the Company believes that it is more likely than not that the future benefit of the deferred tax assets related to Transplace will not be realized.

Note 7. Derivative Instruments

The Company engages in activities that expose it to market risks, including the effects of changes in interest rates and fuel prices. Financial exposures are evaluated as an integral part of the Company's risk management program, which seeks, from time to time, to reduce potentially adverse effects that the volatility of the interest rate and fuel markets may have on operating results. In an effort to seek to reduce the variability of the ultimate cash flows associated with fluctuations in diesel fuel prices, we periodically enter into various derivative instruments, including forward futures swap contracts. The Company does not engage in speculative transactions, nor does it hold or issue financial instruments for trading purposes. Additionally, from time to time, the Company enters into fuel purchase commitments for a notional amount of diesel fuel at prices which are determined when fuel purchases occur.

The Company did not enter into any derivatives until the third quarter of 2009; however, in September 2009 we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons or approximately 4% percent of our projected January through December 2010 fuel requirements. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil, noting the retrospective and prospective regression analyses provided that changes in the prices of diesel fuel and heating oil were deemed to be highly effective based on the relevant authoritative guidance.

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We perform, at least quarterly, both a prospective and retrospective assessment of the effectiveness of our hedge contracts, including assessing the possibility of counterparty default. If we determine that a derivative is no longer expected to be highly effective, we discontinue hedge accounting prospectively and recognize subsequent changes in the fair value of the hedge in earnings. As a result of our effectiveness assessment at September 30, 2009, we believe our hedge contracts will continue to be highly effective in offsetting changes in cash flow attributable to the hedged risk.

We recognize all derivative instruments at fair value on our consolidated condensed balance sheet. All of the Company's derivative instruments are designated as cash flow hedges, thus the effective portion of the gain or loss on the derivative is reported as a component of accumulated other comprehensive income and will be reclassified into earnings in the same period during which the hedged transaction affects earnings. The effective portion of the derivative represents the change in fair value of the hedge that offsets the change in fair value of the hedged item. To the extent the change in the fair value of the hedge does not perfectly offset the change in the fair value of the hedged item, the ineffective portion of the hedge is immediately recognized in other income on our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

As of and for the periods ended September 30, 2009, the derivatives had a fair value of approximately $0.1 million, noting approximately 93% of the related change in fair value was deemed effective and thus is included in accumulated other comprehensive income, while the remainder of the change is included in other expense, net in the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements. No amounts were reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings given the futures swap contracts are forward starting in 2010 and as such there have been no transactions involving purchases of the related diesel fuel being hedged.

Based on fair values as of September 30, 2009, we expect to reclassify $0.1 million of gains on derivative instruments from accumulated other comprehensive income to earnings during the next twelve months due to the actual diesel fuel purchases and the payment of variable interest associated with floating rate debt. However, the amounts actually realized will be dependent on the fair values as of the date of settlement.

Outstanding financial derivative instruments expose us to credit loss in the event of nonperformance by the counterparties to the agreements. However, we do not expect any of the counterparties to fail to meet their obligations. Our credit exposure related to these financial instruments is represented by the fair value of contracts reported as assets. To manage credit risk, we review each counterparty's audited financial statements, credit ratings and obtain references.

Note 8. Property and Equipment

Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Depreciation of revenue equipment is the Company's largest item of depreciation. The Company generally depreciates new tractors (excluding day cabs) over five years to salvage values of 5% to 31% and new trailers over seven to ten years to salvage values of 26% to 43%. The Company annually reviews the reasonableness of its estimates regarding useful lives and salvage values of its revenue equipment and other long-lived assets based upon, among other things, its experience with similar assets, conditions in the used revenue equipment market, and prevailing industry practice. Changes in the useful life or salvage value estimates, or fluctuations in market values that are not reflected in the Company's estimates, could have a material effect on its results of operations. Gains and losses on the disposal of revenue equipment are included in depreciation expense in the consolidated condensed statements of operations.

The Company leases certain revenue equipment under capital leases with terms of 60 months. At September 30, 2009, property and equipment included capitalized leases, which had capitalized costs and related net book value of $9.3 million as there was no related accumulated amortization. Amortization of leased assets will be included in depreciation and amortization expense once the units are in service.

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Note 9. Debt

Current and long-term debt consisted of the following at September 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008:

(in thousands)	September 30, 2009				December 31, 2008
	Current		Long-Term		Current		Long-Term
Borrowings under Credit Facility	$	-	$	2,153	$	-	$	3,807
Revenue equipment installment notes with finance companies; weighted average interest rate of 6.37% and 5.65% at September 30, 2009, and December 31, 2008, respectively, due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from October 2009 to June 2012, secured by related revenue equipment		72,862		107,391		58,718		101,118
Real estate note; interest rate of 4.0%, secured by related real-estate		365		2,757		365		3,031
Total debt		73,227		112,301		59,083		107,956

Capital lease obligations, secured by related revenue equipment		763		8,386		-		-

Total debt and capital lease obligations	$	73,990	$	120,687	$	59,083	$	107,956

In September 2008, the Company entered into a Third Amended and Restated Credit Facility with Bank of America, N.A., as agent (the "Agent"), JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. ("JPM"), and Textron Financial Corporation ("Textron"); collectively with the Agent, and JPM, the ("Lenders") that matures September 2011 (the "Credit Facility").

The Credit Facility is structured as an $85.0 million revolving credit facility, with an accordion feature that, so long as no event of default exists, allows the Company to request an increase in the revolving credit facility of up to $50.0 million. The Credit Facility includes, within its $85.0 million revolving credit facility, a letter of credit sub facility in an aggregate amount of $85.0 million and a swing line sub facility in an aggregate amount equal to the greater of $10.0 million or 10% of the Lenders' aggregate commitments under the Credit Facility from time to time.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as either "base rate loans" or "LIBOR loans". Base rate loans accrued interest at a base rate equal to the Agent's prime rate plus an applicable margin that adjusted quarterly based on average pricing availability. LIBOR loans accrued interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin that adjusted quarterly based on average pricing availability. The unused line fee is adjusted quarterly based on the average daily amount by which the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility exceed the outstanding principal amount of revolver loans and the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility. The obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets, with the notable exclusion of any real estate or revenue equipment pledged under other financing agreements, including revenue equipment installment notes and capital leases.

On March 27, 2009, the Company obtained an amendment to its Credit Facility, which, among other things, (i) retroactively to January 1, 2009 amended the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant for January and February 2009 to the actual levels achieved, which cured our default of that covenant for January 2009, (ii) restarted the look back requirements of the fixed charge coverage ratio covenant beginning on March 1, 2009, (iii) increased the EBITDAR portion of the fixed charge coverage ratio definition by $3.0 million for all periods between March 1 to December 31, 2009, (iv) increased the base rate applicable to base rate loans to the greater of the prime rate, the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, or LIBOR plus 1.0%, (v) sets a LIBOR floor of 1.5%, (vi) increased the applicable margin for base rate loans to a range between 2.5% and 3.25% and for LIBOR loans to a range between 3.5% and 4.25%, with 3.0% (for base rate loans) and 4.0% (for LIBOR loans) to be used as the applicable margin through September 2009, (vii) increased the Company's letter of credit facility fee by an amount corresponding to the increase in the applicable margin, (viii) increased the unused line fee to a range between 0.5% and 0.75%, and (ix) increased the maximum number of field examinations per year from three to four. In exchange for these amendments, the Company agreed to the increases in interest rates and fees described above and paid fees of approximately $0.5 million.

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Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base limited to the lesser of (A) $85.0 million, minus the sum of the stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit; or (B) the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible revenue equipment, (b) 95% of the net book value of eligible revenue equipment, or (c) 35% of the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility, plus (iii) the lesser of (a) $25.0 million or (b) 65% of the appraised fair market value of eligible real estate. The borrowing base is limited by a $15.0 million availability block, plus any other reserves as the Agent may establish in its judgment. The Company had approximately $2.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2009, undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $45.7 million, available borrowing capacity of $29.5 million and the weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 6.25%.

The Credit Facility includes usual and customary events of default for a facility of this nature and provides that, upon the occurrence and continuation of an event of default, payment of all amounts payable under the Credit Facility may be accelerated, and the Lenders' commitments may be terminated. The Credit Facility contains certain restrictions and covenants relating to, among other things, dividends, liens, acquisitions and dispositions outside of the ordinary course of business, and affiliate transactions. The Credit Facility, as amended, contains a single financial covenant, which requires the Company to maintain a consolidated fixed charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. The financial covenant became effective October 31, 2008 and the Company was in compliance at September 30, 2009.

Pricing for the revenue equipment installment notes are quoted by the respective financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers at the funding of each group of equipment and consists of fixed annual rates for new equipment under retail installment contracts. Approximately $180.2 million was reflected on these installment notes at September 30, 2009. The notes included in the funding are due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from October 2009 to June 2012. The notes contain certain requirements regarding payment, insurance of collateral, and other matters, but do not have any financial or other material covenants or events of default. Additional borrowings from the financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers are available to fund new tractors expected to be delivered in 2009 and 2010.

Note 10. Impairment of Transplace Investment and Note Receivable

We own approximately 12.4% of Transplace, Inc. ("Transplace"), a global transportation logistics service. In the formation transaction for Transplace, we contributed our logistics customer list, logistics business software and software licenses, certain intellectual property, intangible assets, and $5.0 million in cash, in exchange for our ownership. We account for this investment, which totaled approximately $10.7 million, using the cost method of accounting, noting it was historically included in other assets in the consolidated condensed balance sheet. Also, during the first quarter of 2005, we loaned Transplace approximately $2.6 million. The 6% interest-bearing note receivable matures August 2011, an extension of the original January 2007 maturity date. All accrued interest through December 31, 2008 was repaid in 2009, thus the amounts outstanding include the original principal plus approximately $0.1 million of interest that has accrued in 2009, noting the related balance is recorded in other receivables in the consolidated condensed balance sheet.

Based on the occurrence of an impairment indicator, as defined by Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") Accounting Standards Codification 325, we determined in October 2009 that the value of our equity investment had become completely impaired in the third quarter of 2009, and the value of the note receivable had become impaired by approximately $0.9 million. As a result, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.6 million during the third quarter. Effectively, there was no tax benefit recorded in connection with the unrealized investment impairment charge. Under our credit agreement, the impairment charge is added back as a non-cash loss in the computation of the Company's fixed charge coverage ratio; and therefore does not unfavorably impact our single financial covenant.

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Note 11. Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Codification - In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Fair Value Measurement of Liabilities - In August 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which provides clarification regarding the required techniques for the fair value measurement of liabilities. This update applies to all entities that measure liabilities at fair value, and is effective for the first interim or annual reporting period beginning after its issuance in August 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated condensed financial statements.

Transfers of Financial Assets - In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires entities to provide more information regarding sales of securitized financial assets and similar transactions, particularly if the seller retains some risk with respect to the assets. This authoritative guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated condensed financial statements.

Variable Interest Entities - In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance designed to improve financial reporting by companies involved with variable interest entities and to provide more relevant and reliable information to users of financial statements. This authoritative guidance is effective for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2009. The Company does not expect the adoption of this guidance to have a material effect on its consolidated condensed financial statements.

Subsequent Events - In May 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that established general standards of accounting for and disclosures of events that occur after the balance sheet date but before financial statements are issued or are available to be issued. It requires the disclosure of the date through which an entity has evaluated subsequent events and the basis for that date. This authoritative guidance was effective for interim or annual financial periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Interim Disclosures about Fair Value of Financial Instruments - In April 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance to require disclosures about fair values of financial instruments for interim reporting periods as well as in annual financial statements. The guidance also amends previous guidance to require those disclosures in summarized financial information at interim reporting periods. This guidance was effective for interim reporting periods ending after June 15, 2009. The adoption of this guidance did not affect the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Disclosures about Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - In March 2008, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which amends and expands the previous disclosure requirements, to provide an enhanced understanding of an entity's use of derivative instruments, how they are accounted for, and their effect on the entity's financial position, financial performance and cash flows. The Company adopted the guidance as of the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year and its adoption did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Business Combinations - In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that establishes requirements for (i) recognizing and measuring in an acquiring company's financial statements the identifiable assets acquired, the liabilities assumed, and any noncontrolling interest in the acquiree; (ii) recognizing and measuring the goodwill acquired in the business combination or a gain from a bargain purchase; and (iii) determining what information to disclose to enable users of the financial statements to evaluate the nature and financial effects of the business combination. The provisions of the guidance are effective for business combinations for which the acquisition date is on or after the beginning of the first annual reporting period beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the guidance as of the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year and its adoption did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

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Noncontrolling Interests in Consolidated Financial Statements - In December 2007, the FASB issued authoritative guidance that modified accounting and reporting standards for the noncontrolling interest in a subsidiary and for the deconsolidation of a subsidiary. The provisions of the guidance are effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning on or after December 15, 2008. The Company adopted the guidance as of the beginning of the 2009 fiscal year and its adoption did not have a material impact to the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Fair Value Measurements - In September 2006, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which provides guidance on how to measure assets and liabilities at fair value. The guidance applies whenever another US GAAP standard requires (or permits) assets or liabilities to be measured at fair value but does not expand the use of fair value to any new circumstances. This standard also requires additional disclosures in both annual and quarterly reports. Portions of the guidance were effective for financial statements issued for fiscal years beginning after November 15, 2007, and the Company began applying those provisions effective January 1, 2008. The adoption of the guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

In February 2008, the FASB amended the scope of the original guidance to exclude accounting for leases, and other accounting standards that address fair value measurements for purposes of lease classification or measurement. The scope exception does not apply to assets acquired and liabilities assumed in a business combination that are required to be measured at fair value. Also, in February 2008, the FASB delayed the effective date of the aforementioned fair value guidance one year for all nonfinancial assets and nonfinancial liabilities, except those recognized at fair value in the financial statements on a recurring basis. The Company adopted the remaining provisions as of January 1, 2009. The adoption the guidance did not have a significant impact on the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

Note 12. Commitments and Contingencies

From time to time, the Company is 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. The Company maintains insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, the Company's potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.

Financial risks which potentially subject the Company to concentrations of credit risk consist of deposits in banks in excess of the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation limits. The Company's sales are generally made on account without collateral. Repayment terms vary based on certain conditions. The Company maintains reserves which it believes are adequate to provide for potential credit losses. The majority of its customer base spans the United States. The Company monitors these risks and believes the risk of incurring material losses is remote.

The Company uses purchase commitments through suppliers to reduce a portion of its cash flow exposure to fuel price fluctuations.

Note 13. Reclassifications

Certain reclassifications have been made to the prior years' consolidated financial statements to conform to the 2009 presentation. The reclassifications did not affect shareholders' equity or net loss reported.

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ITEM 2.

MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF

FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

The consolidated condensed financial statements include the accounts of Covenant Transportation Group, 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 Transportation Group, Inc. and its wholly-owned subsidiaries. All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Except for certain historical information contained herein, this report contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the "Exchange Act"), and Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended that involve risks, assumptions, and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are statements that could be deemed forward-looking statements, including without limitation: any projections of earnings, revenues, or other financial items; any statement of plans, strategies, and objectives of management for future operations; any statements concerning proposed new services or developments; any statements regarding future economic conditions or performance; and any statements of belief and any statement of assumptions underlying any of the foregoing. Such statements may be identified by the use of terms or phrases such as "expects," "estimates," "projects," "believes," "anticipates," "intends," and "likely," and similar terms and phrases. Forward-looking statements 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. Readers should review and consider the factors that could cause or contribute to such differences including, but not limited to, those discussed in the section entitled "Item 1A. Risk Factors," set forth in our form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2008, as supplemented in Part II below.

All such forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this Form 10-Q. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such forward-looking statements. The Company expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Company's expectations with regard thereto or any change in the events, conditions, or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Executive Overview

We are the eleventh largest truckload carrier in the United States measured by fiscal 2008 revenue, based on industry information provided by Transport Topics, a publication of the American Trucking Associations, Inc. We focus on targeted markets where we believe our service standards can provide a competitive advantage. 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, retailers, and food and beverage shippers. We also generate revenue through a subsidiary that provides freight brokerage services.

The lackluster freight environment negatively impacted every subsidiary's freight revenues during the quarter. Weighted average tractors decreased 9.4% to 3,099 in the 2009 period from 3,421 in the 2008 period. Our non-asset based freight brokerage revenue declined year-over-year because of closure of a large company store in October 2008.

Our consolidated operating freight revenues decreased to $133.3 million for the third quarter of 2009, an 18.2% decrease from $162.9 million in the third quarter of 2008. Similarly, consolidated operating freight revenues decreased to $384.7 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009, an 18.5% decrease from $471.9 million for the same period in 2008. Lower fuel prices resulted in fuel surcharge revenues of $19.7 million during the third quarter of 2009, compared with $49.6 million for the third quarter of 2008. Fuel surcharge revenues also decreased for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 to $46.2 million, compared with $131.0 million for the same period in 2008.

Freight revenue, which for these purposes excludes fuel surcharges, decreased 18.2% in the third quarter of 2009 from the third quarter of 2008, while the decrease of freight revenue for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 from the same period in 2008 was 18.5%. The decreased level of freight revenue was primarily attributable to the reduction in loads and continued severe pressure on freight rates as a result of the economic recession. We measure freight revenue because management believes that fuel surcharges tend to be a volatile source of revenue and the removal of such surcharges affords a more consistent basis for comparing results of operations from period to period.

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In anticipation of lower freight volumes, we proactively reduced our average tractor fleet prior to the third quarter of 2009. With the assistance of the fleet reduction, we did experience a 0.8% increase in average miles per tractor in the third quarter of 2009 versus the 2008 quarter. However, freight rates, measured by average freight revenue per total mile, decreased by 9.4% compared with the third quarter of 2008. As a result, average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of asset productivity, decreased 8.6%, to $2,971 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, from $3,252 for the same period of 2008, and 8.9%, to $2,886 in the first nine months of 2009, from $3,168 in the same period of 2008.

Additional items of note included the following:

●		Operating income of $1.8 million and an operating ratio of 98.6%, compared with an operating loss of $0.7 million and an operating ratio of 100.4% in the third quarter of 2008;

●		Non-cash impairment charge of $11.6 million (with no tax benefit) relating to the write-off of our investment in and write-down of our note receivable from Transplace, Inc.;

●		Operating expenses in our asset-based operations declined 17 cents per mile, or 11.8%, compared with the third quarter of 2008 and 4 cents per mile or 3%, compared with the second quarter of 2009; and

●		Net loss of $13.6 million, or ($0.96) per basic and diluted share (including the impairment charge), compared with a net loss of $3.4 million, or ($0.24) per basic and diluted share in the third quarter of 2008.

Segment Revenue

We operate two distinct, but complementary, business segments. Our asset-based truckload services segment consists of Covenant Transport, Inc., SRT, and Star Transportation. This segment generates the majority 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, competition, the percentage of team-driven tractors in our fleet, driver availability, and our average length of haul.

Our asset-based truckload services also derive revenue from fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention, and other accessorial services. We 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. 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.

In our brokerage operations, also known as Covenant Transport Solutions, Inc., we derive revenue from arranging loads for other carriers. We provide freight brokerage services directly and through freight brokerage agents, who are paid a commission for the freight brokerage service they provide. The brokerage segment has helped us continue to serve customers when we lacked capacity in a given area or when the load has not met the operating profile of one of our asset-based subsidiaries.

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RESULTS OF SEGMENT OPERATIONS

Comparison of Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2009 to Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2008

The following tables summarize our segment information:

(in thousands except per share data)	Three months ended September 30,						Nine months ended September 30,
	2009			2008			2009			2008
Revenues:

Asset-Based Truckload Services	$	140,694		$	195,872		$	396,110		$	562,810
Brokerage Services		12,354			16,673			34,797			40,134

Total	$	153,048		$	212,545		$	430,907		$	602,944
Operating Income (Loss):

Asset-Based Truckload Services	$	5,125		$	4,268		$	7,287		$	1,195
Brokerage Services		(519	)		459			(266	)		568
Unallocated Corporate Overhead		(2,777	)		(5,447	)		(10,973	)		(12,333	)

Total	$	1,829		$	(720	)	$	(3,952	)	$	(10,570	)

Our asset-based truckload services segment revenue decreased 28.2%, to $140.7 million during the third quarter 2009, compared with $195.9 million in 2008. Similarly, this segment's revenue decreased 29.6%, to $396.1 million for the nine month period ended September 30, 2009, compared to $562.8 million for the comparable period in 2008. Lower fuel prices resulted in fuel surcharge revenue of $19.7 million in the third quarter of 2009 versus $49.6 million in the 2008 quarter and $46.2 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, versus $131.0 million in the 2008 period. The decrease in revenue is related to a decrease in rates, total miles and a decrease in fleet size related to the weakened economy in 2009. Excluding unallocated corporate overhead, operating income for the segment was $5.1 million for the third quarter of 2009, compared to operating income of $4.3 million for the same period of 2008, and operating income of $7.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to operating income of $1.2 million for the same 2008 period primarily due to lower net fuel expenses and cost savings initiatives.

Our brokerage segment revenue decreased 25.9%, to $12.4 million for the third quarter of 2009, from $16.7 million for the same period of 2008. Brokerage revenue decreased 13.3% to $34.8 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2009 compared to $40.1 million for the same period in the prior year. The decreases were primarily attributable to a reduction in the portion of revenue attributable to fuel surcharges and less volume due to the closure of a large company store in October 2008. Excluding unallocated corporate overhead, operating loss for our brokerage segment was $0.5 million and $0.3 million for the three and nine month periods ended September 30, 2009, respectively, compared to an operating income of $0.5 and $0.6 million for the comparable 2008 periods. The decreases are a result of an increase in bad debt expense of $0.3 from the comparable 2008 periods, an increase in purchased transportation expense per revenue dollar, lower load volumes and a reduction in fuel surcharge revenue.

Expenses and Profitability

The main factors that impact our profitability on the expense side are the variable costs of transporting freight for our customers. The variable costs include fuel expense, driver-related expenses, such as wages, benefits, training, and recruitment, and independent contractor and third party carrier 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 certain non-driver personnel expenses.

Our main measure of profitability is operating ratio, which we define as operating expenses, net of fuel surcharge revenue, divided by total revenue, less fuel surcharge revenue.

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Revenue Equipment

At September 30, 2009, we operated 3,114 tractors and 8,127 trailers. Of such tractors, 2,689 were owned, 347 were financed under operating leases, and 78 were provided by independent contractors, who provide and drive their own tractors. Of such trailers, 2,038 were owned, 5,889 were financed under operating leases and 200 were financed under capital 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. At September 30, 2009, our fleet had an average tractor age of 1.96 years and an average trailer age of 4.79 years.

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 or leasing 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 contractors, 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

COMPARISON OF THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 TO THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

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

	Three months ended September 30,							Three months ended September 30,
	2009			2008				2009			2008
Total revenue		100.0	%		100.0	%	Freight revenue (1)		100.0	%		100.0	%
Operating expenses:							Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages, and related expenses		34.9			31.0		Salaries, wages, and related expenses		40.1			40.4
Fuel expense		25.3			35.2		Fuel expense (1)		14.3			15.5
Operations and maintenance		5.9			5.5		Operations and maintenance		6.8			7.1
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation		12.9			11.7		Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation		14.8			15.3
Operating taxes and licenses		1.7			1.5		Operating taxes and licenses		1.9			2.0
Insurance and claims		5.3			5.6		Insurance and claims		6.0			7.3
Communications and utilities		0.9			0.8		Communications and utilities		1.0			1.0
General supplies and expenses		3.8			3.0		General supplies and expenses		4.4			4.0
Depreciation and amortization		8.1			6.0		Depreciation and amortization		9.3			7.8
Total operating expenses		98.8			100.3		Total operating expenses		98.6			100.4
Operating income (loss)		1.2			(0.3	)	Operating income (loss)		1.4			(0.4	)
Other expense, net		9.9			1.6		Other expense, net		11.3			2.1
Loss before income taxes		(8.7	)		(1.9	)	Loss before income taxes		(9.9	)		(2.5	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		0.2			(0.3	)	Income tax expense (benefit)		0.3			(0.4	)
Net loss		(8.9	%)		(1.6	%)	Net loss		(10.2	%)		(2.1	%)

(1)

Freight revenue is total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue is shown netted against the fuel expense category ($19.7 million and $49.6 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively).

For the quarter ended September 30, 2009, total revenue decreased $59.5 million, or 28.0%, to $153.0 million from $212.5 million in the 2008 period. Total revenue includes $19.7 million and $49.6 million of fuel surcharge revenue in the 2009 and 2008 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.

Page 20

Freight revenue decreased $29.6 million, or 18.2%, to $133.3 million in the three months ended September 30, 2009, from $162.9 million in the same period of 2008. The decreased level of freight revenue for the quarter was primarily attributable to the reduction in loads and continued severe pressure on freight rates as a result of the economic recession. In anticipation of lower freight volumes, we proactively decreased our weighted average tractors by 9.4% in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period. With the assistance of the fleet reduction, we did experience a 0.8% increase in average miles per tractor versus the 2008 quarter. However, freight rates, measured by average freight revenue per total mile, decreased by 9.4% compared with the third quarter of 2008. As a result, average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of asset productivity, decreased 8.6%, to $2,971 for the quarter ended September 30, 2009, from $3,252 for the same period of 2008.

Salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased $12.4 million, or 18.8%, to $53.4 million in the 2009 period, from $65.8 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased slightly to 40.1% in the 2009 period, from 40.4% in the 2008 period. Driver pay decreased $9.4 million to $37.1 million in the 2009 period, from $46.5 million in the 2008 period. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower driver wages as a result of the decrease in approximately 9.3 million company miles during the period and a decrease in driver pay per mile. Our payroll expense for employees, other than over-the-road drivers, decreased $2.4 million to $9.7 million from $12.2 million primarily due to staff reductions. Additionally, workers' compensation costs were $0.8 million higher in the 2009 period than the 2008 period primarily as a result of a benefit in the 2008 quarter related to several large claims settling for less than originally estimated.

Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge revenue of $19.7 million in the 2009 period and $49.6 million in the 2008 period, decreased $6.2 million, or 24.5%, to $19.1 million in the 2009 period, from $25.3 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, net fuel expense decreased to 14.3% in the 2009 period from 15.5% in the 2008 period.

The Company receives a fuel surcharge on its loaded miles from most shippers; however, this does not cover the entire increase in fuel prices for several reasons, including the following: surcharges cover only loaded miles we operated during the quarter; surcharges do not cover miles driven out-of-route by our drivers; and surcharges typically do not cover refrigeration unit fuel usage or fuel burned by tractors while idling. Moreover, most of our business during the third quarter relating to shipments obtained from freight brokers did not carry a fuel surcharge. Finally, fuel surcharges vary in the percentage of reimbursement offered, and not all surcharges fully compensate for fuel price increases even on loaded miles.

The rate of fuel price increases also can have an impact on results. Most fuel surcharges are based on the average fuel price as published by the U.S. Department of Energy ("DOE") for the week prior to the shipment. In times of rapidly escalating fuel prices, the lag time causes under-recovery. Lag time was not a significant factor during the third quarter of 2009. As of September 30, 2009, we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons or approximately 4% percent of our projected January through December 2010 fuel requirements. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil. We currently have no derivatives in place for fuel price fluctuations occurring in the remainder of 2009.

During the third quarter of 2009, the DOE's national average cost of diesel fuel decreased $1.72 per gallon compared with the third quarter of 2008. On a gross basis, the Company's fuel expense decreased $36.1 million, or 48.2%, versus the third quarter of 2008, while miles operated by Company-owned trucks decreased approximately 8.7%. Accordingly, the Company's net cost of fuel decreased by $6.2 million, or approximately $0.04 per company-owned truck mile. In addition to lower diesel fuel prices, multiple operating improvements that improved fuel efficiency contributed to these decreases.

Operations and maintenance, consisting primarily of vehicle maintenance, repairs, and driver recruitment expenses, decreased $2.4 million to $9.1 million in the 2009 period from $11.6 million in the 2008 period. The decrease resulted from decreased tractor maintenance costs, as a result of fewer tractors and less miles. Additionally, tire expense decreased as a result of our tire replacement cycle whereby the expense in the 2008 period was $0.9 million more than the 2009 period. Additionally, expenses related to tolls and unloading are less in the 2009 period than the 2008 period, due to the reduction in miles, and driver recruitment expenses are less as a result of the decreased demand for drivers. As a percentage of freight revenue, operations and maintenance decreased to 6.8% in the 2009 period from 7.1% in the 2008 period.

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Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation decreased $5.2 million, or 20.8%, to $19.7 million in the 2009 period, from $24.9 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expense decreased to 14.8% in the 2009 period from 15.3% in the 2008 period. Payments to third-party transportation providers primarily from Covenant Transport Solutions, our brokerage subsidiary, were $11.0 million in the 2009 period, compared to $14.0 million in the 2008 period, mainly due to decreased loads and lower fuel costs passed on to those providers. Tractor and trailer equipment rental and other related expenses decreased to $6.0 million in 2009 from $7.7 million in 2008. We had 347 tractors and 5,889 trailers financed under operating leases at September 30, 2009, compared with 647 tractors and 6,000 trailers financed under operating leases at September 30, 2008. Payments to independent contractors decreased $0.6 million, or 18.7%, to $2.7 million in the 2009 period from $3.3 million in the 2008 period, mainly due to a decrease in the size of the independent contractor fleet and the reduction in fuel costs which is a component of the related expense. This expense category will fluctuate with the number of loads hauled by independent contractors and handled by our brokerage segment and the percentage of our fleet financed with operating leases, as well as the amount of fuel surcharge revenue passed through to the independent contractors and third-party carriers.

Operating taxes and licenses decreased $0.7 million, or 21.8%, to $2.6 million in the 2009 period from $3.3 million in the 2008 period as a result of fewer licensed tractors. As a percentage of freight revenue, operating taxes and licenses essentially held constant at 1.9% in the 2009 period and 2.0% in the 2008 period.

Insurance and claims, consisting primarily of premiums and deductible amounts for liability, physical damage, and cargo damage insurance and claims, decreased $3.9 million, or 32.7%, to approximately $8.1 million in the 2009 period from approximately $12.0 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, insurance and claims expense decreased to 6.0% in the 2009 period from 7.3% in the 2008 period. These decreases were the result of the lowest quarterly number of DOT reportable accidents per million miles since the Company started tracking the statistics in 2001 and also reduced severity.

In general for casualty claims, we currently have insurance coverage up to $50.0 million per claim. We renewed our casualty program as of April 1, 2009. We are generally self-insured on an occurrence/per claim basis for personal injury and property damage claims for amounts up to the first $4.0 million, workers' compensation up to the first $1.25 million and cargo up to the first $1.0 million. Insurance and claims expense varies based on the frequency and severity of claims, the premium expense, 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, and any increase in frequency or severity of claims could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Communications and utilities expense decreased to $1.4 million in the 2009 period from $1.7 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, communications and utilities expense remained constant at 1.0% in the 2009 and 2008 periods.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of headquarters and other terminal facilities expenses, decreased $0.5 million to $5.9 million in the 2009 period from $6.4 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, general supplies and expenses increased to 4.4% in the 2009 period from 4.0% in the 2008 period. The increase was primarily due to certain of these costs being fixed in nature, which were less efficiently spread over a reduced revenue base when comparing the 2009 period to the 2008 period.

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of revenue equipment, decreased $0.3 million, or 2.1%, to $12.4 million in the 2009 period from $12.7 million in the 2008 period primarily related to the sale of excess equipment and terminals. During the third quarter of 2008, we recorded a $1.2 million asset impairment charge to write down the carrying values of idle tractors and trailers held for sale due to the soft market for used equipment. However, this was partially offset by incurring a loss on sale of equipment of $0.3 million in the third quarter of 2008 as compared with sales of property and equipment generating minimal gains in the third quarter of 2009. As a percentage of freight revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 9.3% in the 2009 period from 7.8% in the 2008 period, primarily because new tractor prices have increased and these fixed costs were less efficiently spread over a reduced revenue base when comparing the 2009 period to the 2008 period.

The other expense category includes interest expense, interest income, and other miscellaneous non-operating items. Other expense, net, increased $11.7 million, to $15.1 million in the 2009 period from $3.4 million in the 2008 period. The change is primarily attributable to the Transplace impairment, which provided for $11.6 million of the increase.

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Our income tax expense was approximately $0.3 million for the 2009 period versus the $0.7 income tax benefit for the 2008 period. The effective tax rate is different from the expected combined tax rate due to permanent differences related to a per diem pay structure for drivers. Due to the partial nondeductible effect of the per diem payments, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as income fluctuates.

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, we experienced a net loss of $13.6 million and $3.4 million in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively. As a result of the foregoing, our net loss as a percentage of freight revenue was (10.2%) in the 2009 period compared to (2.1%) in the 2008 period.

COMPARISON OF NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2009 TO NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2008

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

	Nine months ended September 30,							Nine months ended September 30,
	2009			2008				2009			2008
Total revenue		100.0	%		100.0	%	Freight revenue (1)		100.0	%		100.0	%
Operating expenses:							Operating expenses:
Salaries, wages, and related expenses		37.5			33.1		Salaries, wages, and related expenses		42.1			42.3
Fuel expense		23.7			36.0		Fuel expense (1)		14.5			18.2
Operations and maintenance		6.2			5.6		Operations and maintenance		7.0			7.1
Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation		13.1			11.4		Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation		14.7			14.5
Operating taxes and licenses		2.0			1.7		Operating taxes and licenses		2.2			2.1
Insurance and claims		5.3			4.3		Insurance and claims		5.9			5.5
Communications and utilities		1.0			0.8		Communications and utilities		1.2			1.1
General supplies and expenses		4.0			3.0		General supplies and expenses		4.5			3.9
Depreciation and amortization		8.1			5.9		Depreciation and amortization		8.9			7.5
Total operating expenses		100.9			101.8		Total operating expenses		101.0			102.2
Operating income (loss)		(0.9	)		(1.8	)	Operating income (loss)		(1.0	)		(2.2	)
Other expense, net		4.9			1.3		Other expense, net		5.5			1.7
Loss before income taxes		(5.8	)		(3.1	)	Loss before income taxes		(6.5	)		(3.9	)
Income tax expense (benefit)		(0.6	)		(0.8	)	Income tax expense (benefit)		(0.7	)		(1.0	)
Net loss		(5.2	%)		(2.3	%)	Net loss		(5.8	%)		(2.9	%)

(1)

Freight revenue is total revenue less fuel surcharge revenue. Fuel surcharge revenue is shown netted against the fuel expense category ($46.2 million and $131.0 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009 and 2008, respectively).

For the nine months ended September 30, 2009, total revenue decreased $172.0 million, or 28.5%, to $430.9 million from $602.9 million in the 2008 period. Total revenue includes $46.2 million and $131.0 million of fuel surcharge revenue in the 2009 and 2008 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 decreased $87.2 million, or 18.5%, to $384.7 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2009, from $471.9 million in the same period of 2008. The decreased level of freight revenue was primarily attributable to weak freight demand, excess tractor and trailer capacity in the truckload industry, and significant rate pressure from customers and freight brokers. In anticipation of lower freight volumes, we proactively decreased our weighted average tractors by 10.5% in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period. With the assistance of the fleet reduction, we did experience a 2.3% increase in average miles per tractor versus the 2008 period. However, freight rates, measured by average freight revenue per total mile, for the nine month period ending September 30, 2009 decreased by 7.1% compared with the 2008 period. As a result, average freight revenue per tractor per week, our primary measure of asset productivity, decreased 8.9%, to $2,886 in the first nine months of 2009, from $3,168 in the same period of 2008.

Page 23

Salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased $37.6 million, or 18.9%, to $161.8 million in the 2009 period, from $199.4 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, salaries, wages, and related expenses decreased to 42.1% in the 2009 period, from 42.3% in the 2008 period. Driver pay decreased $28.8 million to $109.7 million in the 2009 period, from $138.4 million in the 2008 period primarily attributable to a 37.8 million reduction in truck miles and a decrease in driver pay per mile. Our payroll expense for employees, other than over-the-road drivers, decreased $4.6 million in the 2009 quarter to $29.6 million from $34.2 primarily in the 2008 period due to staff reductions. Additionally, workers' compensation and group health costs was $0.2 million and $0.8 million lower in the 2009 period than the 2008 period primarily as a result of reduced miles and head count.

Fuel expense, net of fuel surcharge revenue of $46.2 million in the 2009 period and $131.0 million in the 2008 period, decreased $30.2 million, or 35.1%, to $55.9 million in the 2009 period, from $86.1 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, net fuel expense decreased to 14.5% in the 2009 period from 18.2% in the 2008 period. In addition to lower diesel fuel prices, a reduction of 37.8 million Company truck miles and multiple operating improvements that improved fuel efficiency contributed to these decreases.

Operations and maintenance, consisting primarily of vehicle maintenance, repairs, and driver recruitment expenses, decreased $6.6 million to $26.9 million in the 2009 period from $33.5 million in the 2008 period. The decrease resulted from decreased tractor maintenance costs, as a result of fewer tractors and less miles. Additionally, tire expense decreased as a result of our tire replacement cycle whereby the tire expense in the 2008 period was $2.1 million more than the 2009 period. Additionally, expenses related to tolls and unloading are less in the 2009 period than the 2008 period, due to the reduction in miles, and driver recruitment expenses were less as a result of the decreased demand for drivers. As a percentage of freight revenue, operations and maintenance remained essentially constant at 7.0% in the 2009 period from 7.1% in the 2008 period.

Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation decreased $11.9 million, or 17.4%, to $56.6 million in the 2009 period, from $68.5 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation expense increased slightly to 14.7% in the 2009 period from 14.5% in the 2008 period. Payments to third-party transportation providers primarily from Covenant Transport Solutions, our brokerage subsidiary, were $29.9 million in the 2009 period, compared to $33.2 million in the 2008 period, mainly due to decreased loads and lower fuel costs passed on to these providers. Tractor and trailer equipment rental and other related expenses decreased $4.3 million, to $19.6 million compared with $23.9 million in the same period of 2008. We had 347 tractors and 5,889 trailers financed under operating leases at September 30, 2009, compared with 647 tractors and 6,000 trailers financed under operating leases at September 30, 2008. Payments to independent contractors decreased $4.3 million, or 37.8%, to $7.1 million in the 2009 period from $11.4 million in the 2008 period, mainly due to a decrease in the size of the independent contractor fleet and the reduction in fuel costs which is a component of the related expense.

Operating taxes and licenses decreased $1.4 million, or 14.2%, to $8.6 million in the 2009 period from $10.0 million in the 2008 period, as a result of fewer licensed tractors. As a percentage of freight revenue, operating taxes and licenses increased slightly to 2.2% in the 2009 period from 2.1% in the 2008 period.

Insurance and claims, consisting primarily of premiums and deductible amounts for liability, physical damage, and cargo damage insurance and claims, decreased $3.0 million, or 11.7%, to approximately $22.9 million in the 2009 period from approximately $25.9 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, insurance and claims increased to 5.9% in the 2009 period from 5.5% in the 2008 period. The increase is a result of increased severity of certain claims earlier in the period partially offset by claims that settled for less than amounts previously reserved and improved claims history later in the period. With our significant self-insured retention, insurance and claims expense may fluctuate significantly from period to period, and any increase in frequency or severity of claims could adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.

Communications and utilities expense decreased to $4.5 million in the 2009 period from $5.1 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, communications and utilities remained relatively consistent at 1.2% and 1.1% in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively.

General supplies and expenses, consisting primarily of headquarters and other terminal facilities expenses, decreased $1.2 million to $17.3 million in the 2009 period from $18.5 million in the 2008 period. As a percentage of freight revenue, general supplies and expenses increased to 4.5% in the 2009 from 3.9% in the 2008 period. The increase was primarily due to certain of these costs being fixed in nature, which were less efficiently spread over a reduced revenue base when comparing the 2009 period to the 2008 period.

Page 24

Depreciation and amortization, consisting primarily of depreciation of revenue equipment, decreased $1.3 million, or 3.5%, to $34.2 million in the 2009 period from $35.5 million in the 2008 period, primarily related to the sale of excess equipment and terminals. During the first nine months of 2009 and 2008, we recorded a net gain of $0.05 million and net loss of $0.4 million on sale of equipment, respectively. As a percentage of freight revenue, depreciation and amortization increased to 8.9% in the 2009 period from 7.5% in the 2008 period, primarily because new tractor prices have increased and these fixed costs were less efficiently spread over a reduced revenue base when comparing the 2009 period to the 2008 period.

The other expense category includes interest expense, interest income, and other miscellaneous non-operating items. Other expense, net, increased $13.5 million, to $21.1 million in the 2009 period from $7.6 million in the 2008 period. The increase is primarily attributable to the Transplace impairment, which provided for $11.6 million of the increase. The remainder of the increase is a result of higher interest costs in the 2009 period compared to the 2008 period, resulting from a period over period increase in debt and to the increase in our average interest rate on the Credit Facility, as amended, compared to the average interest rates in the 2008 period.

Our income tax benefit was $2.8 million for the 2009 period compared to $4.6 million for the 2008 period. The effective tax rate is different from the expected combined tax rate due to permanent differences related to a per diem pay structure for drivers. Due to the partial nondeductible effect of the per diem payments, our tax rate will fluctuate in future periods as income fluctuates.

Primarily as a result of the factors described above, we experienced net losses of $22.3 million and $13.6 million in the 2009 and 2008 periods, respectively. As a result of the foregoing, our net loss as a percentage of freight revenue increased to (5.8%) in the 2009 period from (2.9%) in the 2008 period.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Recently, we have financed our capital requirements with borrowings under our Credit Facility, cash flows from operations, long-term operating leases, capital leases, and secured installment notes with finance companies. Our primary sources of liquidity at September 30, 2009, were funds provided by operations, proceeds from the sale of used revenue equipment, borrowings under our Credit Facility, borrowings from secured installment notes, capital leases (each as defined in Note 9 to our consolidated condensed financial statements contained herein), and operating leases of revenue equipment. We had a working capital (total current assets less total current liabilities) deficit of $29.7 million at September 30, 2009 and a working capital surplus of $16.3 million at December 31, 2008. Our working capital balance varies due to factors such as the timing of scheduled debt payments and changes in cash and cash equivalent balances. In particular, our current liabilities are increased by the current portion of long-term debt instruments used to finance certain of our revenue equipment, while such revenue equipment is considered a long-term asset and not included in current assets. Based on our expected financial condition, results of operation, and net cash flows during the next twelve months, which contemplate an improvement compared with the past twelve months, we believe our working capital and sources of liquidity will be adequate to meet our current and projected needs for at least the next twelve months. On a longer-term basis, based on anticipated financial condition, results of operations, and cash flows, continued availability under our Credit Facility, secured installment notes, and other sources of financing that we expect will be available to us, we do not expect to experience material liquidity constraints in the foreseeable future.

Cash Flows

Net cash provided by operating activities was $25.6 million in the 2009 period compared to $8.4 million in the 2008 period. Our cash from operating activities was higher in 2009, primarily due to the reduction in receivables as a result of the dramatic decrease in fuel surcharges period over period, which resulted in an approximate $32.6 million increase in cash from operating activities in the 2009 period when compared to the 2008 period. This improvement was offset partially by less efficient payment of payables, accrued liabilities, and payments for insurance and claims accruals, which reduced cash flow from operating activities by $2.8 million in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period.

Net cash used in investing activities was $43.9 million in the 2009 period compared to $23.3 million in the 2008 period. The increase in net cash used in investing activities was primarily the result of an increase in our acquisition of revenue equipment. Our annual tractor fleet plan for 2009 now includes the purchase of approximately 950 tractors and disposal of approximately 1,250 tractors, for expected full-year net capital expenditures of approximately $50 million to $60 million. In this depressed freight economy, we are continuously evaluating our tractor replacement cycle and new tractor purchase requirements. With an average fleet age of only 24 months, we have significant flexibility to manage our fleet. We have the ability to cancel tractor orders within specified notice periods, although any cancellations would affect the availability of trade slots to dispose of used tractors, which could affect expected proceeds of disposition.

Page 25

Net cash provided by financing activities was $19.1 million in the 2009 period compared to $16.6 million in the 2008 period. For the 2009 period, net borrowings were $18.4 million compared to $19.6 million for the period ended 2008. The primary contributors to the differences in our net cash provided by financing activities and net borrowings in the 2009 period as compared to the 2008 period were the purchase of additional tractors in 2009 based on the 2009 trade cycle, which was offset, to an extent, by fluctuations in checks outstanding in excess of bank balances resulting from the timing of certain payments and lower debt refinancing costs.

We had a 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 were purchased under this plan during 2009, which expired on June 30, 2009. However, as discussed in Note 5 in the consolidated condensed financial statements, we remitted approximately $0.1 million to the proper taxing authorities in satisfaction of the employees' minimum statutory withholding requirements related to employees' vesting in restricted share grants. The tax withholding amounts paid by the Company have been accounted for as a repurchase of shares. Our Credit Facility now prohibits the repurchase of any shares, without obtaining approval from the lenders.

Material Debt Agreements

Borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as either "base rate loans" or "LIBOR loans". Base rate loans accrue interest at a base rate equal to the Agent's prime rate plus an applicable margin that adjusted quarterly based on average pricing availability. LIBOR loans accrue interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin that is adjusted quarterly based on average pricing availability. The unused line fee is adjusted quarterly based on the average daily amount by which the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility exceed the outstanding principal amount of revolver loans and the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility. The obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets, with the notable exclusion of any real estate or revenue equipment pledged under other financing agreements, including revenue equipment installment notes and capital leases.

Borrowings under the Credit Facility are subject to a borrowing base limited to the lesser of (A) $85.0 million, minus the sum of the stated amount of all outstanding letters of credit; or (B) the sum of (i) 85% of eligible accounts receivable, plus (ii) the lesser of (a) 85% of the appraised net orderly liquidation value of eligible revenue equipment, (b) 95% of the net book value of eligible revenue equipment, or (c) 35% of the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility, plus (iii) the lesser of (a) $25.0 million or (b) 65% of the appraised fair market value of eligible real estate. The borrowing base is limited by a $15.0 million availability block, plus any other reserves as the Agent may establish in its judgment. The Company had approximately $2.2 million in borrowings outstanding under the Credit Facility as of September 30, 2009, undrawn letters of credit outstanding of approximately $45.7 million, available borrowing capacity of $25.9 million and the weighted average interest rate on outstanding borrowings was 6.25%.

Page 26

Pricing for the revenue equipment installment notes are quoted by the respective financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers at the funding of each group of equipment acquired and include fixed annual rates for new equipment under retail installment contracts. Approximately $180.2 million was reflected on our balance sheet for these installment notes at September 30, 2009. The notes included in the funding are due in monthly installments with final maturities at various dates ranging from October 2009 to June 2012. The notes contain certain requirements regarding payment, insurance of collateral, and other matters, but do not have any financial or other material covenants or events of default. Additional borrowings from the financial captives of our primary revenue equipment suppliers are available to fund new tractors expected to be delivered in 2009 and 2010.

OFF-BALANCE SHEET ARRANGEMENTS

Operating leases have been an important source of financing for our revenue equipment, computer equipment, and certain real estate. At September 30, 2009, we had financed 347 tractors and 5,889 trailers under operating leases. Vehicles held under operating leases are not carried on our consolidated condensed balance sheets, and lease payments, in respect of such vehicles, are reflected in our consolidated condensed statements of operations in the line item "Revenue equipment rentals and purchased transportation." Our revenue equipment rental expense in the third quarter decreased to $6.0 million in 2009 from $7.7 million in 2008. Our revenue equipment rental expense was $19.6 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2009 compared to $23.9 million in the nine month period ended September 30, 2008. The total amount of remaining payments under operating leases as of September 30, 2009 was approximately $84.0 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 September 30, 2009, the maximum amount of the residual value guarantees under the operating leases was approximately $23.1 million. The present value of these future lease payments and their residual value guarantees was approximately $80.9 million at September 30, 2009. To the extent the expected value at the lease termination date on our operating leases 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 substantially all operating leases.

Capital lease obligations are utilized to finance a portion of our revenue equipment and are entered into with certain finance companies who are not parties to our Credit Facility. The leases terminate in September 2014 and contain guarantees of the residual value of the related equipment by the Company. These lease agreements require us to pay personal property taxes, maintenance, and operating expenses. We finance a portion of our tractor fleet and most of our trailer fleet with off-balance sheet operating leases and 200 trailers were financed under capital leases as of September 30, 2009.

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 as 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 11, "Recent Accounting Pronouncements," of the consolidated condensed financial statements attached hereto. 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.

Revenue Recognition

Revenue, drivers' wages, and other direct operating expenses generated by our Truckload reportable segment are recognized on the date shipments are delivered to the customer. Revenue includes transportation revenue, fuel surcharges, loading and unloading activities, equipment detention, and other accessorial services.

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Revenue generated by our Solutions reportable segment is recognized upon completion of the services provided. Revenue is recorded on a gross basis, without deducting third party purchased transportation costs, as we act as a principal with substantial risks as primary obligor, except for transactions whereby equipment from our Truckload segment perform the related services, which we record on a net basis in accordance with the related authoritative guidance.

Depreciation of Revenue Equipment

Depreciation is determined using the straight-line method over the estimated useful lives of the assets. 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 5% to 31% and new trailers over seven to ten years to salvage values of 26% to 43%. 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. Gains and losses on the disposal of revenue equipment are included in depreciation expense in our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, revenue equipment and other long-lived assets are tested for impairment whenever an event occurs that indicates impairment may exist. Expected future cash flows are used to analyze whether impairment has occurred. If the sum of expected undiscounted cash flows is less than the carrying value of the long-lived asset, then 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. No related impairments were recorded in the first six months of 2008. However, in the fourth quarter of 2008, due to the softening of the market for used equipment, we recorded a $9.4 million asset impairment charge to write-down the carrying values of tractors and trailers in-use and expected to be traded or sold in 2009 or 2010. Our evaluation of the future cash flows compared to the carrying value of the related equipment in 2009 has not resulted in any additional impairment charges.

Although a portion of our tractors are protected by non-binding indicative trade-in values or binding trade-back agreements with the manufacturers, we continue to have some tractors and substantially all of our trailers subject to fluctuations in market prices for used revenue equipment. Moreover, our trade-back agreements are contingent upon reaching acceptable terms for the purchase of new equipment. Further declines in the price of used revenue equipment or failure to reach agreement for the purchase of new tractors with the manufacturers issuing trade-back agreements could result in impairment of, or losses on the sale of, revenue equipment.

Assets Held For Sale

Assets held for sale include property and revenue equipment no longer utilized in continuing operations which are available and held for sale. Assets held for sale are no longer subject to depreciation, and are recorded at the lower of depreciated book value plus the related costs to sell or fair market value less selling costs. We periodically review the carrying value of these assets for possible impairment. We expect to sell the majority of these assets within twelve months. No related impairments were recorded in the first six months of 2008. However, during the last six months of 2008, due to the softening of the market for used revenue equipment, we recorded a $6.4 million asset impairment charge ($1.2 million was recorded in the third quarter and $5.2 million was recorded in the fourth quarter) to write down the carrying values of tractors and trailers held for sale expected to be traded or sold in 2009. There have been no indicators triggering an evaluation for impairment during the 2009 period, as evidenced by our minimal gains and losses on the disposal of revenue equipment.

Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets

Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, we classify intangible assets into two categories: (i) intangible assets with definite lives subject to amortization and (ii) goodwill. We test intangible assets with definite lives for impairment if conditions exist that indicate the carrying value may not be recoverable. Such conditions may include an economic downturn in a geographic market or a change in the assessment of future operations. We record an impairment charge when the carrying value of the definite lived intangible asset is not recoverable by the cash flows generated from the use of the asset.

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We test goodwill for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events or circumstances indicate that such intangible assets or goodwill might be impaired. We perform our impairment tests of goodwill at the reporting unit level. The Company's reporting units are defined as its subsidiaries because each is a legal entity that is managed separately. Such impairment tests for goodwill include comparing the fair value of the respective reporting unit with its carrying value, including goodwill. We use a variety of methodologies in conducting these impairment tests, including discounted cash flow analyses and market analyses.

Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, we conducted our 2009 annual impairment test for goodwill in the second quarter and did not identify any impairment. Further, management's analyses have provided no impairment of definite lived intangible assets. There were no impairments recorded in the first nine months of 2008; however, in light of changes in market conditions and the related declining market outlook for the Star Transportation operating subsidiary noted in the fourth quarter of 2008, we engaged an independent third party to assist us in the completion of valuations used in the impairment testing process. The completion of this work concluded that the goodwill previously recorded for the Star acquisition was fully impaired and resulted in a $24.7 million, non-cash goodwill impairment charge, recorded in the fourth quarter of 2008. There was no tax benefit associated with this nondeductible charge.

We determine the useful lives of our identifiable intangible assets after considering the specific facts and circumstances related to each intangible asset. Factors we consider when determining useful lives include the contractual term of any agreement, the history of the asset, the Company's long-term strategy for the use of the asset, any laws or other local regulations which could impact the useful life of the asset, and other economic factors, including competition and specific market conditions. Intangible assets that are deemed to have definite lives are amortized, generally on a straight-line basis, over their useful lives, ranging from 4 to 20 years.

Accounting for Transplace

Insurance and Other Claims

The primary claims arising against the Company consist of cargo, liability, personal injury, property damage, workers' compensation, and employee medical expenses. The Company's insurance program involves self-insurance with high risk retention levels. Because of the Company's significant self-insured retention amounts, it has exposure to fluctuations in the number and severity of claims and to variations between its estimated and actual ultimate payouts. The Company accrues the estimated cost of the uninsured portion of pending claims. Its 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. The Company has significant exposure to fluctuations in the number and severity of claims. If there is an increase in the frequency and severity of claims, or the Company is 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 its insurance coverage, its profitability would be adversely affected.

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

Lease Accounting and Off-Balance Sheet Transactions

The Company issues residual value guarantees in connection with the operating leases it enters into for its revenue equipment. These leases provide that if the Company does not purchase the leased equipment from the lessor at the end of the lease term, then it is 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. To the extent the expected value at the lease termination date is lower than the residual value guarantee; the Company would accrue for the difference over the remaining lease term. The Company believes that proceeds from the sale of equipment under operating leases would exceed the payment obligation on substantially 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.

Deferred income taxes represent a substantial liability on our consolidated balance sheets and are determined in accordance with applicable accounting standards. 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.

While it is often difficult to predict the final outcome or the timing of resolution of any particular tax matter, the Company believes that its reserves reflect the probable outcome of known tax contingencies. The Company adjusts these reserves, as well as the related interest, in light of changing facts and circumstances. Settlement of any particular issue would usually require the use of cash. Favorable resolution would be recognized as a reduction to the Company's annual tax rate in the year of resolution.

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Performance-Based Employee Stock Compensation

Pursuant to applicable accounting standards, we estimate compensation expense that is recognized in our consolidated condensed statements of operations for the fair value of employee stock-based compensation related to grants of performance-based stock options and restricted stock awards. This estimate requires various subjective assumptions, including probability of meeting the underlying performance-based earnings per share targets, achieving certain market conditions based on the price of our Class A common stock and estimating forfeitures for service based awards. If any of these assumptions change significantly, stock-based compensation expense may differ materially in the future from the expense recorded in the current period.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements

Accounting Standards Codification - In June 2009, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which establishes the FASB Accounting Standards Codification as the single source of authoritative U.S. generally accepted accounting principles recognized by the FASB to be applied by nongovernmental entities. The FASB Accounting Standards Codification is effective for interim and annual periods ending after September 15, 2009. The adoption of the FASB Accounting Standards Codification during the three months ended September 30, 2009, did not have a material effect on the Company's consolidated condensed financial statements.

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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 fuel prices. New emissions control regulations and increases in commodity prices, wages of manufacturing workers, and other items have resulted in higher tractor prices. The cost of fuel also has risen substantially over the past three years. We attempt to limit the effects of inflation through increases in freight rates, certain cost control efforts, and limiting 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 since additional and more stringent regulation began in 2002. As of September 30, 2009, 60% of our tractor fleet has engines compliant with stricter regulations regarding emissions that became effective in 2007. 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 as the regulations impact our business through new tractor purchases.

Fluctuations in the price or availability of fuel, as well as hedging activities, surcharge collection, the percentage of freight we obtain through brokers, 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. If we do hedge, we may be forced to make cash payments under the hedging arrangements. A small portion of our fuel requirements for 2009 were covered by volume purchase commitments. The Company did not enter into any derivatives until the third quarter of 2009. As of September 30, 2009, we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons or approximately 4% percent of our projected January through December 2010 fuel requirements. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil. We currently have no derivatives in place for fuel price fluctuations occurring in the remainder of 2009. 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.

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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 results have historically has been lower than results in each of the other three quarters of the year excluding charges. 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 generally 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

The Company is subject to risks associated with the availability and price of fuel, which are subject to political, economic and market factors that are outside of the Company's control. We may also be adversely affected by the timing and degree of fluctuations in fuel prices. The Company's fuel-surcharge program mitigates the effect of rising fuel prices but does not always result in fully recovering the increase in its cost of fuel. In part, this is due to fuel costs that cannot be billed to customers, including costs such as those incurred in connection with empty and out-of-route miles or when engines are being idled during cold or warm weather and due to fluctuations in the price of fuel between the fuel surcharge's benchmark index reset.

The Company did not enter into any derivatives until the third quarter of 2009; however, in September 2009 we entered into forward futures swap contracts, which pertain to 2.5 million gallons or approximately 4% percent of our projected January through December 2010 fuel requirements. Under these contracts, we pay a fixed rate per gallon of heating oil and receive the monthly average price of New York heating oil. We currently have no derivatives in place for fuel price fluctuations occurring in the remainder of 2009. Given that the value of the forward futures swap contracts are not significant, a one dollar change in the related price of heating oil or diesel would not have a material impact on the Company's results of operations.

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.

Our variable rate obligations consist of our Credit Facility. Borrowings under the Credit Facility are classified as either "base rate loans" or "LIBOR loans". Base rate loans accrue interest at a base rate equal to the Agent's prime rate plus an applicable margin that adjusts quarterly based on average pricing availability. LIBOR loans accrue interest at LIBOR plus an applicable margin that adjusts quarterly based on average pricing availability. The unused line fee is adjusts quarterly based on the average daily amount by which the Lenders' aggregate revolving commitments under the Credit Facility exceed the outstanding principal amount of revolver loans and the aggregate undrawn amount of all outstanding letters of credit issued under the Credit Facility. The obligations under the Credit Facility are guaranteed by Covenant Transportation Group, Inc. and secured by a pledge of substantially all of the Company's assets, with the notable exclusion of any real estate or revenue equipment financed with purchase money debt, including, without limitation, tractors financed through revenue equipment installment notes provided by the captive financial subsidiaries of our primary revenue equipment suppliers.

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ITEM 4. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES

As required by Rule 13a-15 and 15d-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 SEC'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.

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PART II OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.	LEGAL PROCEEDINGS From time to time, the Company is 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. The Company maintains insurance to cover liabilities arising from the transportation of freight for amounts in excess of certain self-insured retentions. In management's opinion, the Company's potential exposure under pending legal proceedings is adequately provided for in the accompanying consolidated condensed financial statements.

ITEM 1A.	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, 2008, 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. In addition to the risk factors set forth in our Form 10-K, we believe that the following additional issues, uncertainties, and risks, should be considered in evaluating our business and growth outlook: We depend on the proper functioning and availability of our information systems and a system failure or inability to effectively upgrade our information systems could cause a significant disruption to our business and have a materially adverse effect on our results of operation. We depend on the proper functioning and availability of our information systems, including financial reporting and operating systems, in operating our business. Our operating system is critical to understanding customer demands, accepting and planning loads, dispatching equipment and drivers, and billing and collecting for our services. Our financial reporting system is critical to producing accurate and timely financial statements and analyzing business information to help us manage effectively. We have begun a multi-year project to upgrade the hardware and software of our information systems. If any of our critical information systems fail or become otherwise unavailable, whether as a result of the upgrade project or otherwise, we would have to perform the functions manually, which could temporarily impact our ability to manage our fleet efficiently, to respond to customers' requests effectively, to maintain billing and other records reliably, and to bill for services and prepare financial statements accurately or in a timely manner. Our business interruption insurance may be inadequate to protect us in the event of an unforeseeable and extreme catastrophe. Any system failure, delays or complications in the upgrade, security breach, or other system failure could interrupt or delay our operations, damage our reputation, cause us to lose customers, or impact our ability to manage our operations and report our financial performance, any of which could have a materially adverse effect on our business.

	We have written-off our minority investment in Transplace and a substantial portion of a related note receivable, and we could be subject to a further write-down or write-off of our note receivable from Transplace. We own approximately 12.4% of Transplace, a global transportation logistics service. In the formation transaction for Transplace, we contributed our logistics customer list, logistics business software and software licenses, certain intellectual property, intangible assets, and cash, in exchange for our ownership. We account for this investment, which totaled approximately $10.7 million, using the cost method of accounting, noting it was historically included in other assets in our consolidated condensed balance sheets. Also, during the first quarter of 2005, we loaned Transplace approximately $2.6 million in the form of a note receivable.

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Based on the occurrence of an impairment indicator, as defined by FASB Accounting Standards Codification 325, we determined that the value of our equity investment in Transplace had become completely impaired in the third quarter of 2009, and the value of the note receivable had become impaired by approximately $0.9 million. As a result, we recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $11.6 million during the third quarter of 2009 on our Transplace investment and note receivable and will carry forward a note receivable of $1.9 million. We will continue to evaluate our note receivable with Transplace for impairment. This impairment evaluation includes general economic and Transplace-specific evaluations. If we determine that an additional decline in the value of this note receivable has occurred, we may be forced to further write down or write-off our note receivable from Transplace and a charge to earnings would be recorded to other (income) expenses in our consolidated condensed statements of operations.

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ITEM 6.	EXHIBITS

Exhibit Number	Reference	Description
3.1	(1)	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
3.2	(1)	Amended and Restated Bylaws dated December 6, 2007
4.1	(1)	Amended and Restated Articles of Incorporation
4.2	(1)	Amended and Restated Bylaws dated December 6, 2007
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 Richard B. Cribbs, 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 Richard B. Cribbs, the Company's Chief Financial Officer

References:
(1)	Incorporated by reference to Form 10-K, filed March 17, 2008 (SEC Commission File No. 000-24960).
#	Filed herewith.

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SIGNATURE

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

	COVENANT TRANSPORTATION GROUP, INC.


Date: November 12, 2009	By:	/s/ Richard B. Cribbs
		Richard B. Cribbs
		Chief Financial Officer
		in his capacity as such and on behalf of the issuer.

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Attached files

COVENANT LOGISTICS GROUP, INC. Reports

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