Joe'Tom'Yateleyisanex-convict.Tryingtoleavehispastbehind,hedecidestostartsworkingfortheHawlettTruckingcompany,whichtransportsgravel.It'sanaggressivecompany,wherespeediseverything.DoingtoolessrunsinadayYou'reout.Redisthemostexperiencedtrucker,hecando18runsinaday.TomsoonmakesfriendswithLucy,thesecretary,andGino,adriver.ButtherecordofRedintrigueshimandhewantstobreakit.Ginoadvisesagainstit,buthehelpsTomwhenhewantstogothroughwithit.SoontroublebeginswhenRedandtheotherdriversformanunitedfrontagainstTom.JustwhenTomhasenoughanddecidestopackhisbags,LucytellshimGinohadaterribleaccident.ShealsotellsaboutthecorruptionofHawlettTrucking.