SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             WASHINGTON, D.C. 20549

                                  SCHEDULE 13D
                                 (Rule 13d-101)

                    Under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934


                                 AMENDMENT NO. 8


                             HEARTLAND EXPRESS, INC
________________________________________________________________________________
                                (Name of Issuer)

                                  COMMON STOCK
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                         (Title of Class of Securities)

                                   422347 10 4
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                 (CUSIP Number)

                                Russell A. Gerdin
                             901 North Kansas Avenue
                             North Liberty, IA 52317
                            Telephone: (319) 626-3600
                            Facsimile: (319) 626-3355
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(Name,  Address and Telephone Number of Person Authorized to Receive Notices and
Communications)

                                 With a copy to:

                               Mark Scudder, Esq.
                         Scudder Law Firm, P.C., L.L.O.
                        411 South 13th Street, 2nd Floor
                                Lincoln, NE 68508


                                  July 11, 2007
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Date of Event Which Requires Filing of this Statement)

     If the filing  person has  previously  filed a statement on Schedule 13G to
report the  acquisition  that is the subject of this Schedule 13D, and is filing
this schedule  because of sections  240.13d-1(e),  240.13d-1(f) or 240.13d-1(g),
check the following box. [ ]

     The  information  required on the remainder of this cover page shall not be
deemed to be "filed"  for the purpose of Section 18 of the  Securities  Exchange
Act of 1934,  as  amended  (the  "Exchange  Act") or  otherwise  subject  to the
liabilities  of that  section  of the  Exchange  Act but shall be subject to all
other provisions of the Exchange Act (however, see the Notes).







CUSIP NO.: 422347 10 4

---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Names of Reporting  Persons.  I.R.S.  Identification  Nos. of above persons
     (entities only)

     Russell A.  Gerdin,  individually  and as trustee of the  Russell A. Gerdin
     Revocable Trust and Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS (as defined below)
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)

                                                                       (a)[ ]
                                                                       (b)[X]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   Source of Funds (See Instructions)

     OO
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d)
     or 2(e)
                                                                          [ ]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   Citizenship or Place of Organization

     United States of America
-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
Number of                        7.   Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially
Owned by Each                         34,824,089 (1)
Reporting                        ---  ------------------------------------------
Person with                      8.   Shared Voting Power

                                      0
-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
                                 9.   Sole Dispositive Power

                                      38,099,359 (2)
-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
                                 10.  Shared Dispositive Power

                                      0
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

     38,099,359((2))
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  Check if the  Aggregate  Amount in Row (11)  Excludes  Certain  Shares (See
     Instructions)
                                                                          [ ]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

     40.4%((3))
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Comprised  of  34,824,089  of the shares of Common  Stock  owned by grantor
     retained annuity trusts  established by Mr. Gerdin's spouse for the benefit
     of Mr. and Mrs. Gerdin's children ("Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS").  As the trustee
     of Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS, Mr. Gerdin has voting power over 34,824,089 of the
     shares owned by Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS.

(2)  Comprised of (i)  1,936,276  shares of Common Stock  represented  by voting
     trust  certificates  which  are  owned by  Gerdin  Family  Investments,  LP
     ("GFI");  and (ii) 36,163,083 shares of Common Stock owned by Mrs. Gerdin's
     GRATS. As the general partner of GFI, Mr. Gerdin has dispositive power over
     the shares  represented  by voting  trust  certificates  owned by GFI,  but
     neither  Mr.  nor Mrs.  Gerdin has voting  power over such  shares.  As the
     trustee of Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS, Mr. Gerdin has dispositive  power over all
     of the shares owned by Mrs.  Gerdin's  GRATS but has voting power over only
     34,824,089 of such shares.  Mrs. Gerdin does not have voting power over any
     of the shares owned by Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS.

(3)  Based on 94,212,170  shares of Common Stock  outstanding  as of January 15,
     2009.






     CUSIP NO.: 422347 10 4
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
1.   Names of Reporting  Persons.  I.R.S.  Identification  Nos. of above persons
     (entities only)

     Ann S. Gerdin,  individually  and as trustee of the Ann S. Gerdin Revocable
     Trust.
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
2.   Check the Appropriate Box if a Member of a Group (See Instructions)
                                                                       (a)[ ]
                                                                       (b)[X]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
3.   SEC USE ONLY

---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
4.   Source of Funds (See Instructions)

     OO
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
5.   Check if Disclosure of Legal Proceedings Is Required Pursuant to Items 2(d)
     or 2(e)
                                                                          [ ]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
6.   Citizenship or Place of Organization

     United States of America

-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
Number of                        7.   Sole Voting Power
Shares Beneficially
Owned by Each                         0
Reporting                        ---  ------------------------------------------
Person with                      8.   Shared Voting Power

                                      0
-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
                                 9.   Sole Dispositive Power

                                      0
-------------------------------  ---  ------------------------------------------
                                 10.  Shared Dispositive Power

                                      0
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
11.  Aggregate Amount Beneficially Owned by Each Reporting Person

     0
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
12.  Check if the  Aggregate  Amount in Row (11)  Excludes  Certain  Shares (See
     Instructions)
                                                                          [ ]
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
13.  Percent of Class Represented by Amount in Row (11)

     0
---  ---------------------------------------------------------------------------
14.  Type of Reporting Person (See Instructions)

     IN
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------















   Russell A. Gerdin previously filed Schedule 13G pursuant to the provisions
                                of Rule 13d-1(d).

Item 1. Security and Issuer.

     This  statement  on Schedule 13D (this  "Statement")  relates to the Common
Stock,  par value $0.01 per share (the "Common  Stock"),  of Heartland  Express,
Inc., a Nevada  corporation (the "Issuer").  The principal  executive offices of
the Issuer are located at 901 North Kansas Avenue, North Liberty, IA 52317.

Item 2. Identity and Background.

     (a) This  Statement  is being filed  jointly on behalf of Russell A. Gerdin
and Ann S. Gerdin (together, the "Reporting Persons"). The Reporting Persons may
be deemed to be members of a group within the meaning of Section 13(d)(3) of the
Securities  Exchange  Act of 1934,  as  amended.  The filing of this  Statement,
however, should not be deemed an admission that the Reporting Persons comprise a
group for purposes of Section 13(d)(3).

     (b) The  business  address of the  Reporting  Persons  is 901 North  Kansas
Avenue, North Liberty, IA 52317.

     (c)

Mr. Gerdin

     The principal  occupation of Mr. Gerdin is chief  executive  officer of the
Issuer. The principal business address of the Issuer is 901 North Kansas Avenue,
North Liberty, IA 52317.

Mrs. Gerdin

     The principal occupation of Mrs. Gerdin is homemaker.  She is also involved
in civic and  philanthropic  commitments.  Mrs. Gerdin's business address is 901
North Kansas Avenue, North Liberty, IA 52317.

     (d) - (e) During the last five years,  neither of the Reporting Persons has
been: (i) convicted in a criminal  proceeding  (excluding  traffic violations or
similar  misdemeanors);  or (ii) a party to a civil  proceeding of a judicial or
administrative body of competent jurisdiction and as a result of such proceeding
was or is  subject  to a  judgment,  decree  or  final  order  enjoining  future
violations  of, or prohibiting  or mandating  activities  subject to, federal or
state securities laws or finding any violation with respect to such laws.

     (f) The Reporting Persons are citizens of the United States of America.

Item 3. Source and Amount of Funds or Other Consideration.

     On July 11, 2007,  Mr. Gerdin  became  trustee over shares owned by certain
grantor  attained  annuity trusts  established by Mrs. Gerdin for the benefit of
Mr. and Mrs. Gerdin's children ("Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS"),  and Mrs. Gerdin became
trustee over shares owned by certain grantor attained annuity trusts established
by Mr. Gerdin for the benefit of Mr. and Mrs. Gerdin's  children ("Mr.  Gerdin's
GRATS" and together with Mrs.  Gerdin's  GRATS,  the "GRATS").  By virtue of Mr.
Gerdin becoming trustee of Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS, he received  dispositive  power
over the shares owned by Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS. By virtue of Mrs. Gerdin becoming
trustee of Mr. Gerdin's GRATS,  she received  dispositive  power over the shares
owned by Mr.  Gerdin's GRATS.  Thus, Mr. and Mrs.  Gerdin are each  individually
deemed to  beneficially  own the shares  owned by the GRATS over which he or she
serves as trustee pursuant to Rule 13d-3 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended. Except for 8,000,000 shares owned by Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS, over which
Mr. Gerdin had voting power,  neither of the Reporting  Persons has voting power
over the shares owned by the GRATS.  The Reporting  Persons did not pay money or
other  consideration  in connection  with becoming the trustee of the respective
GRATS or in obtaining beneficial ownership of the shares owned by the GRATS.



     By virtue of becoming the trustees,  the  Reporting  Persons were deemed to
have acquired beneficial ownership over the following number of shares:

     Mr. Gerdin: 12,372,510 shares
     Mrs. Gerdin: 3,710,555 shares

     By virtue of becoming the respective  trustees,  the Reporting Persons have
an obligation to file this Schedule 13D.

     See Item 4 also.

Item 4. Purpose of Transaction.

     In addition to the  transaction  described  in Item 3, in the future,  each
Reporting Person from time to time may use his or her personal funds to purchase
Common  Stock  for  investment  purposes.  Depending  on the  volume of any such
purchases, if any are made, it is possible that either Mr. Gerdin or Mrs. Gerdin
or both Mr. and Mrs. Gerdin  together,  may become the beneficial  owner of more
than 50% of the outstanding  Common Stock of the Issuer.  The Reporting  Persons
have not made any such  purchases to date. If any such  purchases are made,  the
Reporting  Persons may cease buying the Common Stock at any time.  The Reporting
Persons may purchase Common Stock in the open market or in privately  negotiated
transactions,  or otherwise.  The Reporting Persons intend to participate in and
influence the affairs of the Issuer  through the exercise of their voting rights
with respect to their shares of Common  Stock.  In addition,  Mr.  Gerdin is the
Chief  Executive  Officer and a Director of the Issuer and, as a result,  in the
ordinary  course or  otherwise  may take actions to  influence  the  management,
business, and affairs of the Issuer.

     Other  than as  described  or  contemplated  in Item 3,  this Item 4, or as
announced  publicly,  neither of the  Reporting  Persons have any other  present
plans or  proposals  with  respect to any action  referred  to in  sections  (a)
through (j) of Item 4 of Schedule 13D.

Item 5. Interest in Securities of the Issuer.

     (a) As of January 15,  2009 there were  94,212,170  shares of Common  Stock
outstanding.  As of  the  date  hereof,  Mr.  Gerdin  may  be  deemed  to be the
beneficial  owner (pursuant to Rule 13d-3) of an aggregate of 38,099,359  shares
of Common Stock, representing  approximately 40.4% of the issued and outstanding
shares of Common  Stock of the Issuer.  The shares of Common  Stock deemed to be
beneficially owned by Mr. Gerdin consist of (i) 1,936,276 shares of Common Stock
represented by voting trust certificates owned by Gerdin Family Investments,  LP
("GFI");  and (ii)  36,163,083  shares of Common  Stock  owned by Mrs.  Gerdin's
GRATS.

     As of the date hereof, Mrs. Gerdin may be deemed to be the beneficial owner
(pursuant to Rule 13d-3) of an aggregate of no shares of Common Stock.

     As a result of the foregoing,  as of the date hereof, the Reporting Persons
together may be deemed to be the beneficial  owners  (pursuant to Rule 13d-3) of
an aggregate 38,099,359 shares of Common Stock, representing approximately 40.4%
of the issued and outstanding shares of Common Stock of the Issuer.

     (b) Mr.  Gerdin  has the sole  power to vote  34,824,089  of the  shares of
Common Stock of the Issuer for which  beneficial  ownership is reported.(1)  Mr.
Gerdin has the sole power to dispose of  38,099,359 of shares of Common Stock of
the Issuer for which beneficial ownership is reported.(2)
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(1)  Comprised  of  34,824,089  of the  shares  of  Common  Stock  owned by Mrs.
     Gerdin's  GRATS.  As the trustee of Mrs.  Gerdin's  GRATS,  Mr.  Gerdin has
     voting power over 34,824,089 of the shares owned by Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS.

(2)  Comprised of (i)  1,936,276  shares of Common Stock  represented  by voting
     trust  certificates  owned by GFI;  and (iii)  36,163,083  shares of Common
     Stock owned by Mrs.  Gerdin's  GRATS.  As the general  partner of GFI,  Mr.
     Gerdin has  dispositive  power over the shares  represented by voting trust
     certificates owned by GFI, but neither Mr. nor Mrs. Gerdin has voting power
     over such shares.  As the trustee of Mrs.  Gerdin's  GRATS,  Mr. Gerdin has
     dispositive  power over all of the shares owned by Mrs.  Gerdin's GRATS but
     has voting power over only 34,824,089 of such shares.  Mrs. Gerdin does not
     have voting power over any of the shares owned by Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS.



     (c) Not applicable.

     (d) Not applicable.

     (e) Not applicable.

Item 6. Contracts, Arrangements, Understandings or Relationships With Respect to
        Securities of the Issuer.

     Except as  described in Items 3, 4, and 5 of this  Statement,  there are no
contracts,  arrangements,  understandings, or relationships (legal or otherwise)
among the Reporting  Persons and any person,  with respect to any  securities of
the Issuer,  including,  but not  limited  to,  transfer or voting of any of the
securities  of the  Issuer,  finder's  fees,  joint  ventures,  loan  or  option
arrangements, puts or calls, guarantees or profits, division of profits or loss,
or the giving or withholding of proxies. The Reporting Persons have entered into
a joint filing agreement which is attached as Exhibit 1 hereto.

Item 7. Material to be Filed as Exhibits.

     Exhibit 1 Joint Filing  Agreement,  dated  January 15, 2009, by and between
the Reporting Persons.







     SIGNATURE

     After  reasonable  inquiry and to the best of my  knowledge  and belief,  I
certify that the information set forth herein is true, complete and correct.


                                         RUSSELL  A.  GERDIN,  individually  and
                                         as  trustee  of  the  Russell A. Gerdin
                                         Revocable Trust and Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS


                                         /s/ Russell A. Gerdin


                                         ANN  S.  GERDIN,  individually  and  as
                                         trustee of the Ann S. Gerdin  Revocable
                                         Trust


                                         /s/ Ann S. Gerdin


Dated: January 15, 2009






                                                                       Exhibit 1


                             JOINT FILING AGREEMENT

     In accordance with Rule 13d-1(k) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934,
as amended,  the undersigned  hereby agree to the joint filing on behalf of each
of them of a statement  on Schedule  13D  (including  amendments  thereto)  with
respect to the Common Stock of Heartland  Express,  Inc. and that this Agreement
be included as an Exhibit to such joint filing.

     IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the undersigned hereby execute this Agreement this 15th
day of January, 2009.



                                         RUSSELL  A.  GERDIN,  individually  and
                                         as trustee  of  the  Russell A.  Gerdin
                                         Revocable Trust and Mrs. Gerdin's GRATS


                                         /s/ Russell A. Gerdin


                                         ANN  S.  GERDIN,  individually  and  as
                                         trustee of the Ann S. Gerdin  Revocable
                                         Trust


                                         /s/ Ann S. Gerdin