EXHIBIT 99.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the filing of the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the
quarter ended September 30, 2002, (the "Report") by Arkansas Best Corporation
("Registrant"), each of the undersigned hereby certifies that:

         1.       The Report fully complies with the requirements of section
                  13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as
                  amended, and

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



                               ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
                                         (Registrant)

Date: November 1, 2002         /s/ Robert A. Young III
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               Robert A. Young III
                               President & Chief Executive Officer



                               ARKANSAS BEST CORPORATION
                                         (Registrant)

Date: November 1, 2002         /s/ David E. Loeffler
                               -------------------------------------------------
                               David E. Loeffler
                               Vice President-Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer
                               and Principal Accounting Officer




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