On this edition of DAT Guy, Road Gang Radio’s in-depth market segment, hosts welcome Dean Croke, Principal Market Analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics, to break down the latest freight and transportation trends.

Main Themes:

Will freight recovery finally arrive in Q2 2026?

Record July imports—but a freight crash may be around the corner.

Truckload demand weakens despite year-over-year gains in certain sectors.

Drayage carriers and logistics providers face mounting pressure as imports normalize.

Trucking bankruptcies are stacking up, echoing the wave of closures seen in 2019.

With historic highs at the ports, tariff shifts, and financial strain across the industry, Dean explains what it all means for truckload, intermodal, and carrier survival heading into 2026.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the data behind the freight market—and what’s next for carriers, brokers, and shippers.

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In this episode of Road Gang Radio, Jimmy Mac welcomes Dean Croke, Principal Market Analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics, for another in-depth installment of “DAT Guy.”

This week, Dean tackles the hot-button issue of English Language Proficiency (ELP) enforcement—what it really means, what the data says, and why its actual impact is negligible despite the noise. He also dives into the persistent problem of truckload overcapacity, soft spot rates, and what the ACT Research Index reveals about the future of supply-demand balance in the freight market.

Dean Croke—former owner-operator, 2-million-mile road warrior, and current Principal Market Analyst at DAT Freight & Analytics—joins Jimmy Mac on Road Gang Radio for a data-packed look at the state of freight. With produce season officially wrapping and reefer rates starting their seasonal slide, Dean breaks down what the numbers are telling us, where the pain points are (looking at you, California lettuce), and how Midwest markets are hinting at what’s to come. From “The Grumpy Pete” show truck to serious spot market strategy, Dean delivers insights every driver can use to navigate the dog days of summer.

Instagram: @thegrumpypete

Facebook: Dean Croke

TikTok: @thegrumpypete