Exhibit 32.2


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


     In connection with the Quarterly Report of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp. (the
"Company")  on Form 10-Q for the period ended June 30,  2003,  as filed with the
Securities  and Exchange  Commission  on the date hereof (the  "Report"),  I, G.
Larry Owens,  Chief Financial  Officer of the Company,  certify,  pursuant to 18
U.S.C.  Section 1350, as adopted  pursuant to Section 906 of the  Sarbanes-Oxley
Act of 2002, that to the best of my knowledge:

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

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


                                    /s/ G. Larry Owens
                                 -------------------------------------
                                 G. Larry Owens
                                 Chief Financial Officer
                                 August 14, 2003

A signed original of this written statement required by Section 906 has been
provided to Smithway Motor Xpress Corp. and will be retained by Smithway Motor
Xpress Corp. and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its
staff upon request.