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Despite a challenging economic climate, a record number of drivers will participate in the National Truck Driving Championships this week.

A proposed U.S. Environmental Protection Agency rule designed to expand biofuel use actually has brought the biodiesel market “to a grinding halt,” because it does not allow most blends of soy oil, according to the National Biodiesel Board.

Canadian firm Contrans Income Fund said that its second-quarter profit was C$6.2 million, or 20 cents per unit, down from C$10.2 million, or 35 cents, a year ago.

As the recession deepens, there is growing awareness in the transportation industry of the role dispatchers play in keeping third-party logistics firms and freight brokerages competitive, particularly in the areas where dispatch and customer service collide.

The 2009 Transport Topics 100 for-hire and private listings are available online. The listings, available to download free, show the top 100 U.S. and Canadian carriers in each category.

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. lost $17.9 million during the second quarter — an improvement of more than $10 million from the year’s first three months, when it lost $28.3 million — and announced the completion of a deal with a private equity firm that will give it $35 million in new capital.

Trailer manufacturer Wabash National Corp. lost $17.9 million, or 59 cents a share, in the second quarter, compared with a loss of $3.2 million, or 11 cents, a year ago.

Logistics firm Expeditors International of Washington said Tuesday its second-quarter net income fell 24% to $54.1 million, or 25 cents a share, from $71.3 million, or 32 cents, a year ago.

Trailer maker Wabash National Corp. said it has completed a $35 million investment in the company by a private equity firm.