Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.41

           THIRD AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT
           ---------------------------------------------------------

     THIS THIRD AMENDMENT TO INVESTMENT AND PARTICIPATION AGREEMENT (this "Third
Amendment") is dated as of June 13, 2000, among U.S. XPRESS ENTERPRISES, INC., a
Nevada corporation (the "Company") and WACHOVIA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC.
(formerly known as Wachovia Capital Markets, Inc.), as Lessor (the "Lessor");

                              W I T N E S S E T H:
                              - - - - - - - - - -

     WHEREAS, the Company and the Lessor executed and delivered that certain
Investment and Participation Agreement, dated as of March 20, 1998, as amended
by First Amendment to Investment and Participation Agreement dated as of
November 12, 1999 and Second Amendment to Investment and Participation Agreement
dated as of March 30, 2000 (as so amended, the "Investment Agreement");

     WHEREAS, the Company has requested and the Lessor has agreed to an
amendment to the Investment Agreement to change the Scheduled Lease Termination
Date, subject to the terms and conditions hereof;

     NOW, THEREFORE, for and in consideration of the above premises and other
good and valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which hereby is
acknowledged by the parties hereto, the Company and the Lessor hereby covenant
and agree as follows:

     1.   Definitions. Unless otherwise specifically defined herein, each term
          -----------
used herein which is defined in Schedule 1.02 to the Investment Agreement shall
have the meaning assigned to such term in Schedule 1.02 to the Investment
Agreement. Each reference to "hereof", "hereunder", "herein" and "hereby" and
each other similar reference and each reference to "this Agreement" and each
other similar reference contained in the Investment Agreement shall from and
after the date hereof refer to the Investment Agreement as amended hereby.

     2.   Amendment to Schedule 1.02. Schedule 1.02 to the Investment Agreement
          --------------------------
hereby is amended by deleting the definition of "Scheduled Lease Termination
Date" and substituting the following therefor:

            Scheduled Lease Termination Date": the later of: (i) May 26, 2005;
            --------------------------------
     or (ii) such later date to which it may be extended subject and pursuant to
     the provisions of Section 2(b) of the Lease.

     3.   Restatement of Representations and Warranties. The Company hereby
          ---------------------------------------------
restates and renews each and every representation and warranty heretofore made
by it in the Investment
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Agreement and the other Loan Documents as fully as if made on the date hereof
and with specific reference to this Third Amendment and all other loan documents
executed and/or delivered in connection herewith.

     4.   Effect of Amendment. Except as set forth expressly hereinabove, all
          -------------------
terms of the Investment Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall be and
remain in full force and effect, and shall constitute the legal, valid, binding
and enforceable obligations of the Company. The amendments contained herein
shall be deemed to have prospective application only, unless otherwise
specifically stated herein.

     5.   Ratification. The Company hereby restates, ratifies and reaffirms each
          ------------
and every term, covenant and condition set forth in the Investment Agreement and
the other Operative Documents effective as of the date hereof.

     6.   Counterparts. This Third Amendment may be executed in any number of
          ------------
counterparts and by different parties hereto in separate counterparts, each of
which when so executed and delivered shall be deemed to be an original and all
of which counterparts, taken together, shall constitute but one and the same
instrument.

     7.   Section References. Section titles and references used in this Third
          ------------------
Amendment shall be without substantive meaning or content of any kind whatsoever
and are not a part of the agreements among the parties hereto evidenced hereby.

     8.   No Default. To induce the Lessor to enter into this Third Amendment
          ----------
and to continue to make advances pursuant to the Investment Agreement, the
Company hereby acknowledges and agrees that, as of the date hereof, and after
giving effect to the terms hereof, there exists (i) no Default or Event of
Default and (ii) no right of offset, defense, counterclaim, claim or objection
in favor of the Company arising out of or with respect to any of the Rent or
other obligations of the Company owed to the Lessor under the Investment
Agreement, the Lease or the other Operative Documents.

     9.   Further Assurances. The Company agrees to take such further actions as
          ------------------
the Lessor shall reasonably request in connection herewith to evidence the
amendments herein contained to the Company.

     10.  Governing Law. This Third Amendment shall be governed by and construed
          -------------
and interpreted in accordance with, the laws of the State of New York.

     11.  Conditions Precedent. This Third Amendment shall become effective only
          --------------------
upon execution and delivery (i) of this Third Amendment by each of the parties
hereto, and (ii) of the Consent and Reaffirmation of Guarantors and Third
Amendment to Guaranty at the end hereof by each of the Guarantors and the
Lessor.

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          IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company and the Lessor have caused this Third
Amendment to be duly executed, under seal, by its duly authorized officer as of
the day and year first above written.

                                 U.S. XPRESS ENTERPRISES, INC., (SEAL)
                                 as Company

                                 By: /s/
                                     ---------------------------
                                      Title:

                                 WACHOVIA CAPITAL INVESTMENTS, INC. (SEAL)
                                 (formerly known as Wachovia Capital
                                 Markets, Inc.)

                                 By: /s/
                                     ---------------------------
                                      Title:

                                       3
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                    CONSENT AND REAFFIRMATION OF GUARANTORS
                  AND THIRD AMENDMENT TO SUBSIDIARY GUARANTY

     Each of the undersigned Subsidiary Guarantors (i) acknowledges receipt of
the foregoing Third Amendment to Investment Agreement (the "Third Amendment"),
(ii) consents to the execution and delivery of the Third Amendment by the
parties thereto and (iii) reaffirms all of its obligations and covenants under
the Subsidiary Guaranty dated as of March 20, 1998 executed by it, and agrees
that none of such obligations and covenants shall be affected by the execution
and delivery of the Third Amendment.

          This Consent and Reaffirmation and Third Amendment to Subsidiary
Guaranty may be executed in any number of counterparts and by different parties
hereto in separate counterparts, each of which when so executed and delivered
shall be deemed to be an original and all of which counterparts, taken together,
shall constitute but one and the same instrument.

                               U.S. XPRESS, INC.
                               CSI/CROWN, INC.
                               JTI, INC.
                               XPRESS AIR, INC.
                               U.S. XPRESS LEASING, INC.

                               By: /s/
                                  ---------------------------------
                                     Title:

                                       4<PAGE>

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.42

                USXE EMPLOYMENT AGREEMENT WITH CORT J. DONDERO

     This Agreement dated as of the 13th day of June, 2000, by and between U. S.
Xpress Enterprises, Inc., a Nevada corporation having its principal place of
business in Chattanooga, Tennessee ("USXE") and Cort J. Dondero ("Dondero").

     WHEREAS, USXE desires to employ Dondero as its Executive Vice
President/Chief Operating Officer, and, whereas, Dondero desires to accept such
employment;

     NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the premises, and the promises and
obligations herein set forth, the receipt and legal sufficiency of such
consideration being hereby acknowledged, USXE and Dondero agree as follows:

     1.   Employment. USXE offers employment to Dondero and Dondero accepts
          ----------
employment by USXE upon the terms and conditions hereinafter set forth.

     2.   Term. The term of this Agreement shall be from July 1, 2000, through
          ----
June 30, 2005 (the "Expiration Date") and shall automatically renew on a
year-to-year basis thereafter unless either party gives to the other
notification of non-renewal at least 90 days in advance of any such annual
renewal, subject always, however, to earlier termination as herein provided.

     3.   Duties. Dondero shall be the Executive Vice President/Chief
          ------
Operating Officer of USXE and shall perform

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duties customarily incident to such offices and such other duties as may from
time to time be assigned to him by the Board of Directors or Executive Officers
of USXE. During the time of Dondero's employment with USXE, Dondero shall work
solely for USXE and shall devote his full business time and attention to his
work for USXE.

     4.   Compensation. For all services rendered by Dondero to USXE, USXE
          ------------
shall compensate Dondero as follows:

     (a)  Salary. USXE shall pay to Dondero a salary of $325,000.00 per year
          ------
payable in equal semi-monthly installments (the "Salary"). Dondero's salary
shall be reviewed annually in the same manner as other executive employees of
USXE.

     (b)  Performance Bonus. At annual or approximately annual intervals after
          -----------------
the end of each fiscal year of USXE during Dondero's employment under this
Agreement, Dondero shall receive a merit bonus of $100,000.00 for every one
whole point increase in return on sales, exclusive of fuel costs, from the base
period of January 1 through June 30, 2000. Provided, however, that for the
fiscal year of USXE ending on December 31, 2000, Dondero shall be guaranteed a
bonus of $50,000.00 regardless of the amount of such increase.

     (c)  Insurance/Benefits. Dondero shall receive the sum of $6,121 per year
          ------------------
to purchase life and disability insurance and

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shall be entitled to participate, subject to eligibility, in the group health
insurance plan and other benefit plans normally provided by USXE to its
employees. Provided, however, that nothing herein shall be construed to require
USXE to establish any such plan or plans or, having established any of them, to
continue any such plan or plans.

     (d)  Stock Option/Stock Grants. USXE shall grant to Dondero the right and
          -------------------------
option to purchase from USXE 100,000 shares of USXE's common stock as an
incentive stock option under USXE's 1993 Incentive Stock Plan pursuant to the
terms of a Stock Option Agreement between USXE and Dondero, a copy of which is
hereto attached as Exhibit A. Additionally, USXE shall grant to Dondero 50,000
shares of USXE's common stock as shares of restricted stock under USXE's 1993
Incentive Stock Plan pursuant to a Stock Rights and Restrictions Agreement
between USXE and Dondero, a copy of which is hereto attached as Exhibit B.

     (e)  Automobile Allowance. USXE will pay Dondero an automobile allowance of
          --------------------
$12,000.00 per year.

     (f)  Moving Expenses. USXE will pay or reimburse Dondero for all customary
          ---------------
and reasonable closing costs incurred by Dondero in connection with the sale of
Dondero's primary residence in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL 32082. Additionally, USXE
will pay or reimburse

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Dondero for the costs of temporary housing for Dondero in Chattanooga, TN for a
period of nine (9) months or until a new home is purchased or leased by Dondero
in Chattanooga, TN whichever shall first occur. Such payment or reimbursement
shall not exceed $2,635.00 per month.

     (g)  Club Dues. USXE shall reimburse to Dondero his membership dues at the
          ---------
Sawgrass Country Club not to exceed $3,600 per year.

     (h)  Vacation. Dondero shall be entitled to vacations pursuant to USXE's
          --------
vacation policy for executive employees.

     5.   Termination By Dondero. Dondero may terminate his employment with USXE
          ----------------------
at any time upon giving to USXE ninety days advance notice of such termination.
Upon such termination USXE shall have no further obligation to Dondero under
this Agreement.

     6.   Termination By USXE. USXE may terminate Dondero's employment with USXE
          -------------------
at any time with cause or without cause.

     If Dondero's employment with USXE is terminated by USXE without cause prior
to the expiration of this Agreement:

     USXE will pay to Dondero 100% of his Salary for a period of twelve (12)
months following the termination of his employment with USXE.

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     If Dondero's employment with USXE is terminated by USXE with cause, USXE
shall have no further obligation to Dondero under this Agreement. For the
purposes of this Agreement, termination "with cause" shall mean termination
based on Dondero's "material breach" of this Agreement. For purposes of this
Agreement, a "material breach" shall include any one or more of the following:
(1) the consistent failure, refusal or neglect, otherwise than by reason of
illness, incapacity or death, of Dondero to render services when and as required
under this Agreement; (2) the consistent inability or refusal of Dondero to
achieve the reasonable goals established by the Board of Directors or senior
executive officers for Dondero as an officer of USXE; (3) theft by Dondero of
property of USXE or any of its affiliates or the commission of an act or acts by
Dondero constituting common law fraud against USXE or any of its affiliates; (4)
the material violation of Dondero's fiduciary obligations as imposed by
applicable law on officers of USXE; or (5) the imparting of any confidential
information of USXE or any of its affiliates by Dondero in violation of any
covenant or provision of this Agreement.

     7.   Change in Control. In the event of a "Change in Control" of USXE as
          -----------------
defined in section 16 of the USXE 1993 Incentive Stock Plan, and, if Dondero's
employment is terminated

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for any reason thereafter by USXE prior to the expiration of this Agreement,
USXE will pay Dondero 100% of his salary for a period of 12 months following the
termination of his employment with USXE.

     8.   Binding Effect. The rights and obligations of USXE shall enure to the
          --------------
benefit of, and shall be binding upon USXE and its successors and assigns. It is
expressly acknowledged by the parties hereto that nothing contained herein shall
be construed as conferring upon Dondero any right to assign or delegate his
obligations or rights hereunder to any third party, the nature of this Agreement
being an Employment Agreement for personal services.

     9.   Non-Competition. Dondero covenants and agrees that, during the period
          ---------------
of his employment by USXE and for a period of twelve (12) months thereafter, he
will not, without the prior written consent of USXE, directly or indirectly, as
an employee, employer, consultant, agent, principal, partner, shareholder,
corporate officer, director, or through any other kind of ownership (other than
ownership of securities of publicly held corporations of which Dondero owns less
than 5% of any class of outstanding securities) or any other representative or
individual capacity, engage in or render any services to any

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business in competition with the business then being conducted by USXE, or any
wholly owned subsidiary thereof.

     10.  Governing Law. The parties acknowledge and agree that this Agreement
          -------------
shall be governed by and construed and enforced in accordance with the laws of
the State of Tennessee, excluding the body of law dealing with conflicts of law.
Any legal action or proceeding with respect to this Agreement may be brought
only in the Courts of the State of Tennessee in Hamilton County or of the United
States for the district encompassing Hamilton County, and, by execution and
delivery of this document, Dondero hereby irrevocably accepts, generally and
unconditionally, the jurisdiction of such Courts.

     11.  Entire Agreement. This instrument and the documents specifically
          ----------------
referenced herein contain the entire agreement of the parties with respect to
the subject matter hereof, and all previous agreements and discussions relating
to the same or similar subject matter are merged herein.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Agreement effective as
of the date first above written.

                                            U. S. XPRESS ENTERPRISES, INC.

                                            By: /s/ Patrick E. Quinn
                                              --------------------------------
                                                Patrick E. Quinn

                                            Its: President

                                               /s/ Cort J. Dondero
                                            ----------------------------------
                                            CORT J. DONDERO

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