SMITHWAY FOUNDER DIES


FORT DODGE, IOWA, March 3/PR Newswire-First  Call/--Smithway  Motor Xpress Corp.
(NASDAQ -  SMALL:SMXC)  announced  with  sadness  today the death of  William G.
Smith, the Company's long-time President,  Chairman and Chief Executive Officer.
As previously announced, Mr. Smith had been undergoing treatment for leukemia.

Mr. Smith had been  employed by the Company  since 1958 and had been a member of
the Company's Board of Directors since 1972. Under Mr. Smith's  leadership,  the
Company became one of the region's largest  employers.  Mr. Smith was very proud
of the Company's employees and valued his relationship with them.

Mr.  Smith was deeply  touched by the many  expressions  of concern and sympathy
expressed by current and former employees,  as well as many friends and industry
contacts, during his illness.

Mr. Smith was very active in the transportation  industry,  including his tenure
as President of the Iowa Motor Truck Association.  He was widely recognized as a
key industry figure.

Mr. Smith will be remembered for his character,  vision and  leadership.  He was
universally respected as a decent, caring man of great integrity.

Funeral services are pending with arrangements being made with Gunderson Funeral
Home & Cremation Services, Fort Dodge, Iowa.

Smithway is a  truckload  carrier  that hauls  diversified  freight  nationwide,
concentrating  primarily on the flatbed  segment of the  truckload  market.  Its
Class A Common  Stock is traded on the Nasdaq  National  Market under the symbol
"SMXC."

/SOURCE:   Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.
           (NASDAQ - SMALL: SMXC)

/CONTACT:  Press, G. Larry Owens, Executive Vice President, Chief Administrative
           Officer, and Chief Financial Officer of Smithway Motor Xpress Corp.
           (NASDAQ - SMALL:  SMXC)
           1-515-576-7418

/CO:       Smithway Motor Xpress Corp. (NASDAQ - SMALL:  SMXC)