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Brad Sweet and the NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 team returned to action for the 2024 season in spectacular fashion, winning at the DIRTcar Nationals at Volusia Speedway Park in Florida.

Four nights of racing began on Wednesday with the Big Cat showcasing his skills right from the start. The Kasey Kahne Racing driver qualified fourth in Flight A with a blistering time of 13.513 seconds. He continued the momentum in his heat race, securing a second-place finish and guaranteeing him a spot in the Fast Pass Dash. Sweet dominated the dash, picking up the win after starting on the pole. In the first main event o f 2024, the NAPA No. 49 machine proved unstoppable for 25 laps, earning the win and solidifying Sweet’s status as a giant of the sprint car world.

On Thursday night, however, a different story unfolded for the five-time champion. Sweet qualified fifth in Flight B, posting a solid time of 13.430 seconds, but his heat race presented a challenge. He started third but slipped to fourth, relegating him to a 14th-place starting position in the feature. He ultimately finished 15th,  determined to bounce back on Friday night.

On Friday, the NAPA team hit the reset button and prepared for another shot at a win. Sweet posted a time of 13.359 seconds in qualifying, securing the third spot in Flight B and setting a strong tone for the evening. During heat race action, competitor David Gravel ran Sweet up the track, forcing him over the cushion and into the brakes of the No. 49 machine. He regained momentum, though, and ultimately finished third after starting second. Friday’s feature race truly highlighted Sweet’s racing prowess as he battled his way through the field from a 10th-place start to finish on the podium in third.

On the final night of the DIRTcar Nationals, the NAPA No. 49 team had one last shot at a $20,000 payday. The Big Cat hit the charts at 13.452 seconds in qualifying, placing him fifth. In his heat race, Sweet charged from third to second, placing him in the dash. Although he did not advance from his eighth-place starting spot in the dash, Sweet continued undeterred into the feature race. He stood out among the fierce competition, climbing from an eighth-place starting spot to another podium finish of third. Sweet and the NAPA team ended the weekend third in overall event points.

Next up for the Sweet and the No. 49 team is the start of the High Limit Racing season at East Bay Raceway Park in Tampa.

Start / Finish:
Wednesday, Feb. 7: 1 / 1
Thursday, Feb. 8: 14 /15
Friday, Feb. 9: 10 / 3
Saturday, Feb. 10: 8 / 3

Next Race: Monday, February 12, East Bay Raceway Park, Tampa, FL
How to Watch or Listen: FloRacing

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweetRacing
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt

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ATLANTA, Oct. 19, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2023.

"Our third quarter performance was highlighted by double digit earnings growth, driven by benefits from the mix and geographic diversity of our businesses as well continued progress on our strategic initiatives," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "Through our One GPC approach, we are simplifying our business while driving productivity and efficiency across our operations. We would like to thank our teams around the world for their continued dedication to serving our customers and delivering solid quarterly results."

Third Quarter 2023 Results

Sales were $5.8 billion, a 2.6% increase compared to $5.7 billion in the same period of the prior year. The growth in sales is attributable to a 0.5% increase in comparable sales, a 1.7% benefit from acquisitions and a 0.4% net favorable impact of foreign currency and other. The third quarter of 2023 had one less selling day in the U.S. compared to the third quarter of 2022, which negatively impacted third quarter sales growth by approximately 1.2%.

Net income was $351 million, an increase of 12.4% compared to net income of $312 million in the prior year. Diluted EPS was $2.49, an increase of 13.2% compared to $2.20 in the prior year period.

Net income of $351 million compares to adjusted net income of $317 million for the same three-month period of the prior year, an increase of 10.7%. On a per share diluted basis, net income was $2.49, an increase of 11.7% compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $2.23 last year. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share and adjusted diluted earnings per share for more information.

Third Quarter 2023 Segment Highlights

Automotive Parts Group ("Automotive")

Global Automotive sales were $3.6 billion, up 3.9% from the same period in 2022, with a 0.6% increase in comparable sales, 2.4% benefit from acquisitions and a net 0.9% favorable impact of foreign currency and other. Segment profit of $322 million increased 4.1%, with segment profit margin of 8.9%, flat compared to last year. The third quarter of 2023 had one less selling day in the U.S. compared to the third quarter of 2022, which negatively impacted third quarter Global Automotive sales growth by approximately 1.0%.

Industrial Parts Group ("Industrial")

Industrial sales were $2.2 billion, up 0.6% from the same period in 2022, reflecting a 0.3% increase in comparable sales and a 0.6% benefit from acquisitions, slightly offset by a 0.3% unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Segment profit of $283 million increased 16.6%, with segment profit margin of 12.9% up 180 basis points from the same period of the prior year. The third quarter of 2023 had one less selling day in the U.S. compared to the third quarter of 2022, which negatively impacted third quarter Industrial sales growth by approximately 1.6%.

"While our Industrial and international Automotive businesses performed well during the third quarter, the results for our U.S. Automotive business were below our expectations and negatively impacted by one less selling day," said Will Stengel, President and Chief Operating Officer. "Our third quarter results reflect continued improvement in segment margins, driven by strong team operating discipline despite the slower growth environment."

Nine Months 2023 Results

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 were $17.5 billion, up 5.6% from the same period in 2022. Net income for the nine months was $1.0 billion, or $7.08 per diluted share, an increase of 8.4% compared to $6.53 per diluted share in 2022. Net income of $1.0 billion, or $7.08 per diluted share, compares to adjusted net income of $896 million, or adjusted diluted earnings per share of $6.29, in 2022, an increase of 12.6%.

Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation

The company generated cash flow from operations of $1.1 billion for the first nine months of 2023. We used $473 million in cash for investing activities, including $350 million for capital expenditures and $211 million for acquisitions, net of $80 million in proceeds from the sale of our remaining investment in S.P. Richards and other investments. We also used $599 million in cash for financing activities, including $393 million for quarterly dividends paid to shareholders and $172 million for stock repurchases. Free cash flow was $733 million for the first nine months of 2023. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP net cash provided by operating activities to free cash flow for more information.

The company ended the quarter with $2.2 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $1.5 billion availability on the revolving credit facility and $655 million in cash and cash equivalents. 

2023 Outlook

The company is updating full-year 2023 guidance previously provided in its earnings release on July 20, 2023. The company considered its recent business trends and financial results, current growth plans, strategic initiatives, global economic outlook, geopolitical conflicts and the potential impact on results in updating its guidance, which is outlined in the table below.

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ATLANTA, Aug. 22, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today that Bert Nappier, EVP & CFO, will present at the Goldman Sachs Global Retailing Conference at 1:10 p.m. ET on Tuesday, September 12, 2023.

The presentation will be webcast live on the company's investor relations website. A replay of the webcast will be available after the event. 

About Genuine Parts Company
Founded in 1928, Genuine Parts Company is a global service organization engaged in the distribution of automotive and industrial replacement parts. The company's Automotive Parts Group distributes automotive replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Australasia, France, the U.K., Ireland, Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium, Spain and Portugal. The company's Industrial Parts Group distributes industrial replacement parts in the U.S., Canada, Mexico and Australasia. In total, the company serves its global customers from an extensive network of more than 10,000 locations in 17 countries and has approximately 58,000 employees. Further information is available at www.genpt.com.

SOURCE Genuine Parts Company

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5 Must-Have Tools You Can Use Outside the Garage

It’s true: NAPA boasts nearly 6,000 Auto Parts stores and more than 17,000 Auto Care centers. With America’s largest network of aftermarket automotive parts and auto service, it might come as a surprise that NAPA also specializes in equipment and expertise outside the garage. That’s right, NAPAonline.com carries a huge range of tools from the smaller toolbox basics like measuring tape, screwdrivers and extension cords to large power tools for serious home repair like pressure washers and cordless or corded power drills.

Shop for all the best tools from top brand names like DeWalt, Carlyle Tools, Milwaukee Tool, Craftsman and more. These compact tools work great inside and outside the garage, around the home or even on the road. From full home renovation projects like siding replacement, hardwood floor installation and plumbing upgrades to small jobs like fixture installation or adding window treatments, a great home improvement journey starts at NAPA.

Shop for Hand Tools at NAPAonline

Even the most complicated at-home projects require those small toolbox staples like a reliable measuring tape. This Milwaukee Tool 25-foot measuring tape features magnetic hooks that cling to steel, as well as a reduced blade arc for a straighter standout. For outdoor projects and surveying, larger units can span up to 300 feet, such as this DeWalt fiberglass long tape. A keychain-style measuring tape is a great addition in any vehicle emergency kit to use for scale reference in accident photos.

Nothing kills the excitement of a home-improvement odyssey like a lack of electrical outlets or worse, a too-short extension cord. Keep a UL Listed basic 25-foot extension cord on hand for electrical access or upgrade to a 100-foot cord for maximized length. These cords are durable, insulated for use with power tools and remain flexible in temperatures down to -40 degrees F. This Craftsman 50-foot retractable extension cord features four grounded outlets and a safety circuit breaker, plus the built-in cable management eliminates twisting. Best of all, the spool design has a rewind handle for fast and tidy pack-up and storage.

The humble screw is an ancient design. It’s the fastener that holds our world together, so never underestimate the tool that drives it. In all shapes and sizes, both Phillips head screwdrivers and flat-head screwdrivers are critical tools for any basic tool kit and are used everywhere. This durable Craftsman 8-piece screwdriver kit is a great way to make sure you always have the right size screwdriver. For a space-saving option, go with a multi-head device like this Milwaukee Tool 13-in-1 screwdriver. Different types of specialized screws require specific kinds of screwdrivers, such as these Carlyle T6 torx screwdrivers for torx security screws. Also, consider this Milwaukee Tool precision screwdriver set, which includes a #00 size for small tech repairs.

Powerful Tools for Every Project

One of the simplest ways to improve your home is a good, old-fashioned scrub down! As time passes, ultraviolet rays, dust, insects and even algae and smoke can build up on and stain siding, outdoor furniture and concrete driveways. The garden hose is rarely sufficient for a quality clean and the cost of hiring a service racks up quickly. Shop NAPAonline.com for a personal pressure washing system, so you can keep the outside of your home looking great and free of damage.

These versatile tools are powered either by electricity or gas and come in a variety of psi ratings that you can use to clean more than just siding and driveways. If you only need a great way to wash your vehicle, this NAPA electric pressure washer offers 1300 psi and a quick connect multi-directional nozzle. For a more robust, gas-powered cleaning, try this BE Power Equipment 3100-psi pressure washer with a 208cc gas engine and brass head axial pump with a preset unloader valve for low-maintenance use.

No home improvement kit is complete without a reliable power drill. Choosing the best option may take some research, but these days, many power tool systems are designed to utilize one common type of battery. Both DeWalt and Milwaukee Tool offer combo kits that feature multiple tools, as well as charging bases so you never get stuck with a dead battery. Additionally, consider a uniquely designed right angle drill for drilling in tight corners and hard-to-reach spaces.

Shop at your local NAPA Auto Parts store and check off your home improvement to-do list! When you sign up for NAPA Rewards, you get access to our members-only offers and special promotions. Get 1 Point for every $1 you spend. When you collect 100 points, you’ll automatically receive $5 off your next purchase.

Photo courtesy of Pexels.

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Imagine you are driving your Jeep or heavy-duty truck down the highway when you hit a bump and suddenly the steering wheel starts shaking violently. The shaking is so bad you can’t stop it no matter how hard you try to steady the wheel and it only goes away once you are nearly stopped. This situation is known as “death wobble” and it has troubled drivers of mostly offroad and heavy-duty vehicles for decades. So, what is a death wobble and how can you stop it?

What Is Death Wobble?

The term “death wobble” is not a technical term, but one made up to describe an occurrence when driving. While traveling straight at normal speeds and on flat roads, the vehicle has no issues. But if it hits a bump, an oscillation begins in the front wheels. The oscillation increases causing the front wheels to “wobble” violently back and forth. The wobbling motion is then transmitted to the steering wheel through the steering linkage. The forces are usually so great that the driver is physically unable to steady the steering wheel. Some drivers have come to accept the event as a normal part of driving their vehicle, while those who experience it for the first time are usually left shaken both literally and physically. 

What Causes Death Wobble?

The simplest explanation for what causes death wobble is looseness in the front-end components. Here are a few common causes:

• Loose steering joints
• Tie rod ends worn
• Track bar bushings worn
• Worn ball joints
• Sway bar bushings worn
• Worn out wheel bearings
• Out of spec alignment
  

Depending on which part is worn out, it may only take one of them to induce death wobble. The more likely scenario though is that several parts are degraded allowing for a greater combined amount of looseness in the system. And as one part wears and creates more movement, it speeds up deterioration of connected parts. 

There are reports of Jeep Wrangler death wobble stemming back for years, which are now joined by reports of Jeep Gladiator death wobble. While Jeeps are a large part of death wobble issues, there are also Ford truck death wobble reports (mainly in the Super Duty line) and even some in the Dodge Ram truck line. The main connecting theme to these vehicles is a solid front axle. While some drivers have reported death wobble with independent front suspension vehicles, it is uncommon. 

Oftentimes, tire shimmy is misidentified as death wobble. A vibration that appears at one speed but goes away at another speed is more likely tire shimmy or an out of balance tire.

Most people peg it as Jeep death wobble though because of lifted aftermarket suspension parts, but stock suspensions are susceptible as well if worn. Larger tires, which cause more stress on suspension and steering components, can cause death wobble to worsen. Adding larger tires to a vehicle with no death wobble issues won’t cause an immediate change, but it can speed up the breakdown of components.

Is Death Wobble Dangerous?

Anything that affects your steering and interferes with your ability to control the vehicle is a dangerous condition. The greatest danger from death wobble comes when driving on slippery roads (rain, snow or ice) where reduced vehicle control can prevent an effective response in an emergency situation. 

How to Stop Death Wobble

Once the front wheels start to shake violently back and forth, the only reliable way to stop it is to bring the vehicle to a halt. Do not slam on the brakes, just slow down the vehicle in a controlled manner. You may still have some steering control, but it is difficult to grip the wheel, so don’t expect to make any sharp turns before stopping. Once the vehicle is no longer in motion, the shaking will stop.

How to Fix Death Wobble

The best Jeep death wobble fix is to replace loose or worn suspension and steering components. You must take the entire front end into consideration as a unit with every part having an effect on the others. All pieces need inspected for wear and looseness while leaning towards replacement of any questionable pieces. It is unlikely that death wobble is caused by a single loose component and is far more likely brought about by the sum of multiple loose joints.

To inspect the steering components, have an assistant move the steering wheel back and forth quickly while the vehicle is flat on the ground. Observe the steering joints. You should see no delay in the movement from one part to the next connected part. Movement from the steering wheel should create movement at the front wheel nearly instantly. Any loose joints need replaced.

An alignment is also recommended whenever trying to fix death wobble. This ensures that all the front-end components are pointing the right direction and with the correct angles. Some suspension lift kits can affect the front axle caster, which you should check and correct if found out of spec. Sometimes vehicle owners will add a heavy-duty aftermarket steering stabilizer to remedy death wobble, but it is not a solution and may not stop the problem. You still need to address the underlying worn component issues.

If your Jeep or truck is affected by death wobble, you need to deal with the problem sooner than later. Death wobble is curable, so there is no reason to live with it.

Check out all the steering and suspension products available on NAPAonline or trust one of our 17,000 NAPA Auto Care locations for routine maintenance and repairs. To learn more about how to fix death wobble, chat with a knowledgeable expert at your local NAPA Auto Parts store.

Photo courtesy Flickr.

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• Sunday at Atlanta Motor Speedway, Josh Berry made his third start for Hendrick Motorsports as the fill-in driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 as Chase Elliott continues to recover from a fractured tibia.
• It was Berry’s fifth career NASCAR Cup Series start. He rolled off the grid from the 21st position and took the opening stage to adapt to superspeedway-style racing in the Next Gen car, ending stage one in 28th. The Hendersonville, Tennessee, native improved to 11th in stage two.
• During the final stage of the race, Berry was battling inside the top 10 when he was involved in a multi-car incident on lap 190. The team made repairs and Berry was able to rebound for an 18th-place finish.

Josh Berry qualified 21st for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. It was Berry’s third race filling in for the injured Chase Elliott as he continues to recover from a fractured tibia. Berry took the green flag for his first Cup Series superspeedway-style race and used the opening laps to get a good feel for his Chevrolet. The 32-year-old driver was scored in 20th when the first caution flag of the race was displayed on lap 11. Opting not to pit, Berry lined up in that same position after choosing the top lane and battled inside the top 25 once the race resumed. Berry got shuffled to the back of the main pack on lap 42, but was undeterred from the loss of track position as he made his way back up to 28th to close out the stage at lap 60.

During the stage break, Berry reported to the team that the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet was a little free on entry, but the balance got better on the longer run. Interim crew chief Tom Gray called the Hendersonville, Tennessee, native to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. Berry took the green flag for stage two from the 26th position on lap 68 and continued his forward progress, settling in behind Hendrick Motorsports teammate Kyle Larson in the 21st position. Berry was running in 15th when teams began making scheduled green-flag pit stops on lap 127. The driver of the No. 9 stayed out until Gray called him in for a fuel-only stop on lap 138. Back out on the track, Berry made his way to as high as ninth before taking the green-and-white checkered flag in 11th to end stage two.

The No. 9 team made a stop for four tires and fuel under the stage-ending caution, sending Berry back out to start the final stage in 17th. After beginning the stage in the top lane, he made a move to the bottom and used that to his advantage to work his way to 10th on lap 182. Berry continued to race inside the top 10 until a multi-car incident occurred on lap 190, collecting the No. 9 Chevrolet. The NASCAR Xfinity Series regular was able to drive the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet away and brought it to pit road for repairs. The team worked hard over the course of two pit stops to fix up the front-end damage, and Berry lined up 25th for the lap 200 restart. Less than 10 laps later another incident brought out the yellow flag, giving the team another opportunity to work on the No. 9. Berry was scored in the 23rd position for the restart on lap 216 and reported early in the run that the NAPA Auto Parts Camaro felt better after the most recent repairs. He battled hard in the final stint of the race, climbing his way back inside the top 20 and ultimately scoring an 18th-place finish in the 260-lap event.

“I thought it was a solid day for the No. 9 NAPA Chevy,” Berry said. “I feel like we definitely improved. We got up there in the top 10 and we were pretty solid before that wreck. After that, the car was just a little too damaged to be too aggressive. All-in-all, we finished the race, learned a lot and had some fun.”

Start / Finish: 21 / 18

Next Race: Sunday, March 26, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas
How to Watch or Listen: FOX, PRN and SiriusXM

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Chase Elliott: @ChaseElliott
Hendrick Motorsports: @TeamHendrick
No. 9 Team: @Hendrick9Team

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Returning to Pennsylvania for a second weekend in a row, the World of Outlaws Sprint Car Series had dates lined up for both Williams Grove Speedway in Mechanicsburg, Penn., and Lincoln Speedway in Abbottstown, Penn. Unfortunately, mother nature struck again, and Friday night’s program at Williams Grove was canceled. Saturday at Lincoln was bitterly cold with wind and temperatures peaking in the 40s. Nonetheless, Lincoln Speedway is a track where Brad Sweet, driver of the No. 49 NAPA Auto Parts Sprint car, has been dominant, missing the top 10 only once in his last nine starts.

With 49 cars in attendance, Sweet was slated to qualify seventh in Flight B. He hit the charts 14.660 second, placing him second in the flight. Starting from the first spot in Heat Race 4, Sweet was eager to get the jump on second-place starter Chris Windom. The NAPA Auto Parts No. 49 launched ahead to pick up the heat race win and lock Sweet into the Fast Pass Dash.

“As we race, I think we are going to learn more and more about the tires, obviously, as the track changes,” Sweet said, drawing the second spot for the dash. “Hopefully, with our NAPA Auto Parts car, that was a good dash draw; we can keep it up front tonight.”

With six laps to complete the dash, the Big Cat rolled off from the second spot with his eye on the lead. At the drop of the green flag, Sweet managed to pull ahead to the lead. The No. 49 machine took off in the clean air up front, and Sweet picked up the Fast Pass Dash win.

That put the NAPA No. 49 in the first starting position for the 35-lap Lincoln Speedway feature. With Sweet eyeing victory lane, the green flag dropped. The NAPA driver jumped to the early lead before holding off the field while battling through heavy lapped traffic, but Sweet fell back to second with 12 laps to go. He held his line and brought the NAPA Auto Parts machine home in second place.

“We’re never happy to finish second, but we had new tires tonight, and the racing was actually a lot of fun there in the A-main,” Sweet said after the race. “I was struggling to figure out how to get my car off the corner there a little bit better, but that’s a part of the learning curve… We are going to have to keep adjusting out setups and try to find a package that’s going to be better for the whole 35 laps.”

Next up on the schedule is the Talladega Sprint Car Showdown at Talladega Short Track in Eastaboga, Alabama, on Friday and the World of Outlaws Black Ice Brawl at Magnolia Motor Speedway in Columbus, Mississippi, on Saturday.

Start / Finish: 1 / 2
Points Standing / Total: 4th / 812 (-40)

Next Race: Friday, March 24, Talladega Short Track, Eastaboga, Alabama
How to Watch or Listen: www.dirtvision.com

NAPA: @NAPARacing
Brad Sweet: @BradSweet49
Kasey Kahne Racing: @KKRdirt

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