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    • By OReilly Auto Parts
      First quarter comparable store sales growth of 3.4% 11% increase in first quarter diluted earnings per share to $9.20 Completed the acquisition of Groupe Del Vasto in January SPRINGFIELD, Mo., April 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the “Company” or “O’Reilly”) (Nasdaq: ORLY), a leading retailer in the automotive aftermarket industry, today announced record revenue and earnings for its first quarter ended March 31, 2024.
      1st Quarter Financial Results
      Brad Beckham, O’Reilly’s CEO, commented, “We are pleased to report a solid start to 2024, highlighted by a 3.4% comparable store sales increase, which was on top of the very strong 10.8% comparable store sales increase from the first quarter last year. Our comparable store sales increase was comprised of solid growth in both professional and DIY, which grew mid-single digit and low-single digit, respectively, in the quarter. Our team’s continued strong execution drove an 11% increase in diluted earnings per share, and is a clear demonstration of Team O’Reilly’s commitment to our culture values of hard work and excellent customer service. I would like to thank each of our over 90,000 Team Members for their ongoing dedication to O’Reilly’s success.”
      Sales for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, increased $268 million, or 7%, to $3.98 billion from $3.71 billion for the same period one year ago. Gross profit for the first quarter increased 8% to $2.03 billion (or 51.2% of sales) from $1.89 billion (or 51.0% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Selling, general and administrative expenses for the first quarter increased 9% to $1.28 billion (or 32.2% of sales) from $1.17 billion (or 31.7% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Operating income for the first quarter increased 5% to $752 million (or 18.9% of sales) from $717 million (or 19.3% of sales) for the same period one year ago.
      Net income for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, increased $30 million, or 6%, to $547 million (or 13.8% of sales) from $517 million (or 13.9% of sales) for the same period one year ago. Diluted earnings per common share for the first quarter increased 11% to $9.20 on 59 million shares versus $8.28 on 62 million shares for the same period one year ago.
      Mr. Beckham concluded, “During the first quarter, we opened 37 stores across 20 U.S. states and Mexico and continue to be extremely pleased with the performance of our new stores. Additionally, we began operating 23 stores in Canada after closing on the acquisition of Vast Auto in January. With the talented and experienced Vast Auto team now officially a part of Team O’Reilly, we are very pleased with the early momentum we have generated in Canada. We remain excited about the future opportunities we have before us in the Canadian market and throughout North America and look forward to growing our market share in new and existing markets as the industry leader in excellent customer service.”
      1st Quarter Comparable Store Sales Results
      Comparable store sales are calculated based on the change in sales for U.S. stores open at least one year and exclude sales of specialty machinery, sales to independent parts stores, and sales to Team Members, as well as sales from Leap Day in the three months ended March 31, 2024. Online sales for ship-to-home orders and pick-up-in-store orders for U.S. stores open at least one year are included in the comparable store sales calculation. Comparable store sales increased 3.4% for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, on top of 10.8% for the same period one year ago.  
      Share Repurchase Program
      During the first quarter ended March 31, 2024, the Company repurchased 0.3 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $1,029.24, for a total investment of $270 million.   Excise tax on shares repurchased, assessed at one percent of the fair market value of shares repurchased, was $2.7 million for the three months ended March 31, 2024. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter and through the date of this release, the Company repurchased an additional 0.1 million shares of its common stock, at an average price per share of $1,102.00, for a total investment of $79 million. The Company has repurchased a total of 94.4 million shares of its common stock under its share repurchase program since the inception of the program in January of 2011 and through the date of this release, at an average price of $249.17, for a total aggregate investment of $23.53 billion.   As of the date of this release, the Company had approximately $2.22 billion remaining under its current share repurchase authorizations.
      Updated Full-Year 2024 Guidance
      The table below outlines the Company’s updated guidance for selected full-year 2024 financial data:
                   For the Year Ending     December 31, 2024 Net, new store openings   190 to 200 Comparable store sales   3.0% to 5.0% Total revenue   $16.8 billion to $17.1 billion Gross profit as a percentage of sales   51.0% to 51.5% Operating income as a percentage of sales   19.7% to 20.2% Effective income tax rate   22.4% Diluted earnings per share (1)   $41.35 to $41.85 Net cash provided by operating activities   $2.7 billion to $3.1 billion Capital expenditures   $900 million to $1.0 billion Free cash flow (2)   $1.8 billion to $2.1 billion        
      (1) Weighted-average shares outstanding, assuming dilution, used in the denominator of this calculation, includes share repurchases made by the Company through the date of this release. (2) Free cash flow is a non-GAAP financial measure. The table below reconciles Free cash flow guidance to Net cash provided by operating activities guidance, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure:      
                              For the Year Ending (in millions)   December 31, 2024 Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 2,715   to   $ 3,125 Less: Capital expenditures     900   to     1,000   Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments     15   to     25 Free cash flow   $ 1,800   to   $ 2,100   Non-GAAP Information
      This release contains certain financial information not derived in accordance with United States generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). These items include adjusted debt to earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, share-based compensation, and rent (“EBITDAR”) and free cash flow. The Company does not, nor does it suggest investors should, consider such non-GAAP financial measures in isolation from, or as a substitute for, GAAP financial information. The Company believes that the presentation of adjusted debt to EBITDAR and free cash flow provide meaningful supplemental information to both management and investors that is indicative of the Company’s core operations. The Company has included a reconciliation of this additional information to the most comparable GAAP measure in the table above and the selected financial information below.
      Earnings Conference Call Information
      The Company will host a conference call on Thursday, April 25, 2024, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time to discuss its results as well as future expectations. Investors may listen to the conference call live on the Company’s website at  link hidden, please login to view by clicking on “Investor Relations” and then “News Room.” Interested analysts are invited to join the call. The dial-in number for the call is (888) 506-0062 and the conference call identification number is 193896. A replay of the conference call will be available on the Company’s website through Thursday, April 24, 2025.
      About O’Reilly Automotive, Inc.
      O’Reilly Automotive, Inc. was founded in 1957 by the O’Reilly family and is one of the largest specialty retailers of automotive aftermarket parts, tools, supplies, equipment, and accessories in the United States, serving both the do-it-yourself and professional service provider markets. Visit the Company’s website at  link hidden, please login to view for additional information about O’Reilly, including access to online shopping and current promotions, store locations, hours and services, employment opportunities, and other programs. As of March 31, 2024, the Company operated 6,217 stores across 48 U.S. states, Puerto Rico, Mexico, and Canada.
      Forward-Looking Statements
      The Company claims the protection of the safe-harbor for forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. You can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as “estimate,” “may,” “could,” “will,” “believe,” “expect,” “would,” “consider,” “should,” “anticipate,” “project,” “plan,” “intend,” or similar words. In addition, statements contained within this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements, such as statements discussing, among other things, expected growth, store development, integration and expansion strategy, business strategies, future revenues, and future performance. These forward-looking statements are based on estimates, projections, beliefs, and assumptions and are not guarantees of future events and results. Such statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, including, but not limited to, the economy in general; inflation; consumer debt levels; product demand; a public health crisis; the market for auto parts; competition; weather; tariffs; availability of key products and supply chain disruptions; business interruptions, including terrorist activities, war and the threat of war; failure to protect our brand and reputation; challenges in international markets; volatility of the market price of our common stock; our increased debt levels; credit ratings on public debt; damage, failure, or interruption of information technology systems, including information security and cyber-attacks; historical growth rate sustainability; our ability to hire and retain qualified employees; risks associated with the performance of acquired businesses; and governmental regulations. Actual results may materially differ from anticipated results described or implied in these forward-looking statements. Please refer to the “Risk Factors” section of the annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and subsequent Securities and Exchange Commission filings, for additional factors that could materially affect the Company’s financial performance. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made, and the Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events, or otherwise, except as required by applicable law.
          For further information contact: Investor Relations Contacts   Mark Merz (417) 829-5878   Eric Bird (417) 868-4259       Media Contact   Sonya Cox (417) 829-5709      
      O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
      (In thousands, except share data)                         March 31, 2024   March 31, 2023   December 31, 2023        (Unaudited)      (Unaudited)      (Note) Assets                   Current assets:                   Cash and cash equivalents   $ 89,264     $ 59,872     $ 279,132   Accounts receivable, net     437,821       346,037       375,049   Amounts receivable from suppliers     139,267       128,758       140,443   Inventory     4,805,164       4,543,980       4,658,367   Other current assets     128,181       109,347       105,311   Total current assets     5,599,697       5,187,994       5,558,302                       Property and equipment, at cost     8,555,556       7,649,066       8,312,367   Less: accumulated depreciation and amortization     3,360,351       3,090,010       3,275,387   Net property and equipment     5,195,205       4,559,056       5,036,980                       Operating lease, right-of-use assets     2,227,783       2,166,646       2,200,554   Goodwill     1,009,857       892,094       897,696   Other assets, net     180,512       167,026       179,463   Total assets   $ 14,213,054     $ 12,972,816     $ 13,872,995                       Liabilities and shareholders’ deficit                   Current liabilities:                   Accounts payable   $ 6,117,068     $ 6,055,992     $ 6,091,700   Self-insurance reserves     130,974       136,723       128,548   Accrued payroll     127,704       111,324       138,122   Accrued benefits and withholdings     174,125       132,022       174,650   Income taxes payable     147,645       117,790       7,860   Current portion of operating lease liabilities     399,245       375,451       389,536   Other current liabilities     791,633       427,006       730,937   Total current liabilities     7,888,394       7,356,308       7,661,353                       Long-term debt     5,288,632       4,927,678       5,570,125   Operating lease liabilities, less current portion     1,900,200       1,854,533       1,881,344   Deferred income taxes     321,323       249,903       295,471   Other liabilities     205,703       209,411       203,980                       Shareholders’ equity (deficit):                   Common stock, $0.01 par value:                   Authorized shares – 245,000,000                   Issued and outstanding shares –                   58,982,123 as of March 31, 2024, and                   61,038,936 as of March 31, 2023, and                   59,072,792 as of December 31, 2023     590       610       591   Additional paid-in capital     1,410,756       1,305,276       1,352,275   Retained deficit     (2,849,108 )     (2,952,797 )     (3,131,532 ) Accumulated other comprehensive income     46,564       21,894       39,388   Total shareholders’ deficit     (1,391,198 )     (1,625,017 )     (1,739,278 )                     Total liabilities and shareholders’ deficit   $ 14,213,054     $ 12,972,816     $ 13,872,995     Note: The balance sheet at December 31, 2023, has been derived from the audited consolidated financial statements at that date but does not include all of the information and footnotes required by United States generally accepted accounting principles for complete financial statements.
       
      O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
      (In thousands, except per share data)                   For the Three Months Ended     March 31,         2024      2023 Sales   $ 3,976,240     $ 3,707,864   Cost of goods sold, including warehouse and distribution expenses     1,942,068       1,817,535   Gross profit     2,034,172       1,890,329                 Selling, general and administrative expenses     1,281,691       1,173,684   Operating income     752,481       716,645                 Other income (expense):             Interest expense     (57,148 )     (44,572 ) Interest income     1,656       868   Other, net     3,401       4,479   Total other expense     (52,091 )     (39,225 )               Income before income taxes     700,390       677,420   Provision for income taxes     153,152       160,535   Net income   $ 547,238     $ 516,885                 Earnings per share-basic:             Earnings per share   $ 9.27     $ 8.36   Weighted-average common shares outstanding – basic     59,017       61,840                 Earnings per share-assuming dilution:             Earnings per share   $ 9.20     $ 8.28   Weighted-average common shares outstanding – assuming dilution     59,454       62,398                      
      O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
      (In thousands)                   For the Three Months Ended     March 31,      2024   2023 Operating activities:             Net income   $ 547,238     $ 516,885   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:             Depreciation and amortization of property, equipment and intangibles     109,648       93,747   Amortization of debt discount and issuance costs     1,593       1,215   Deferred income taxes     2,374       3,393   Share-based compensation programs     7,022       7,435   Other     2,997       29   Changes in operating assets and liabilities:             Accounts receivable     (36,954 )     (2,610 ) Inventory     (92,042 )     (179,481 ) Accounts payable     6,107       172,701   Income taxes payable     140,025       145,441   Other     16,207       (44,991 ) Net cash provided by operating activities     704,215       713,764                 Investing activities:             Purchases of property and equipment     (249,240 )     (223,268 ) Proceeds from sale of property and equipment     3,853       2,704   Other, including acquisitions, net of cash acquired     (155,366 )     (956 ) Net cash used in investing activities     (400,753 )     (221,520 )               Financing activities:             Proceeds from borrowings on revolving credit facility     30,000       1,216,000   Payments on revolving credit facility     —       (661,000 ) Net payments of commercial paper     (310,805 )     —   Repurchases of common stock     (270,019 )     (1,111,461 ) Net proceeds from issuance of common stock     57,815       15,146   Other     (569 )     (354 ) Net cash used in financing activities     (493,578 )     (541,669 )               Effect of exchange rate changes on cash     248       714   Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents     (189,868 )     (48,711 ) Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of the period     279,132       108,583   Cash and cash equivalents at end of the period   $ 89,264     $ 59,872                 Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:             Income taxes paid   $ 9,798     $ 9,696   Interest paid, net of capitalized interest     34,671       26,531                      
      O’REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
      SELECTED FINANCIAL INFORMATION
      (Unaudited)                     For the Twelve Months Ended     March 31,  Adjusted Debt to EBITDAR:   2024   2023 (In thousands, except adjusted debt to EBITDAR ratio)             GAAP debt   $ 5,288,632   $ 4,927,678 Add: Letters of credit     137,848     116,688   Unamortized discount and debt issuance costs     28,368     27,322   Six-times rent expense     2,587,056     2,404,986 Adjusted debt   $ 8,041,904   $ 7,476,674               GAAP net income   $ 2,376,934   $ 2,207,655 Add: Interest expense     214,244     167,451   Provision for income taxes     650,786     635,159   Depreciation and amortization     424,962     368,757   Share-based compensation expense     27,098     27,360   Rent expense (i)     431,176     400,831 EBITDAR   $ 4,125,200   $ 3,807,213               Adjusted debt to EBITDAR     1.95     1.96    
      (i) The table below outlines the calculation of Rent expense and reconciles Rent expense to Total lease cost, per ASC 842, the most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, for the twelve months ended March 31, 2024 and 2023 (in thousands):   
                          For the Twelve Months Ended     March 31,     2024   2023 Total lease cost, per ASC 842   $ 510,208   $ 476,439 Less: Variable non-contract operating lease components, related to property taxes and insurance     79,032     75,608 Rent expense   $ 431,176   $ 400,831  
                            March 31,      2024   2023 Selected Balance Sheet Ratios:                 Inventory turnover (1)     1.7       1.7   Average inventory per store (in thousands) (2)   $ 773     $ 754   Accounts payable to inventory (3)     127.3 %     133.3 %  
                            For the Three Months Ended       March 31,        2024   2023 Reconciliation of Free Cash Flow (in thousands):             Net cash provided by operating activities   $ 704,215   $ 713,764 Less: Capital expenditures     249,240     223,268   Excess tax benefit from share-based compensation payments     16,120     4,378 Free cash flow   $ 438,855   $ 486,118  
                        For the Three Months Ended     March 31,         2024   2023 Revenue Disaggregation (in thousands):           Sales to do-it-yourself customers $ 2,001,986   $ 1,918,467 Sales to professional service provider customers     1,869,740     1,711,964 Other sales, sales adjustments, and sales from the acquired Vast Auto stores     104,514     77,433 Total sales   $ 3,976,240   $ 3,707,864  
                            For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended     March 31,    March 31,         2024   2023      2024   2023 Store Count:                 Beginning domestic store count   6,095   5,929     5,986     5,811   New stores opened   36   59     146     179   Stores closed   —   (2 )   (1 )   (4 ) Ending domestic store count   6,131   5,986     6,131     5,986                     Beginning Mexico store count   62   42     43     27   New stores opened   1   1     20     16   Ending Mexico store count   63   43     63     43                     Beginning Canada store count   —   —     —     —   Stores acquired   23   —     23     —   Ending Canada store count   23   —     23     —                     Total ending store count   6,217   6,029     6,217     6,029    
                                    For the Three Months Ended   For the Twelve Months Ended     March 31,    March 31,         2024   2023   2024   2023 Store and Team Member Information:                         Total employment     90,601     89,125             Square footage (in thousands) (4)     47,143     45,117             Sales per weighted-average square foot (4)(5)   $ 82.59   $ 81.09   $ 341.62   $ 328.29 Sales per weighted-average store (in thousands) (4)(6)   $ 634   $ 611   $ 2,601   $ 2,467  
      (1) Calculated as cost of goods sold for the last 12 months divided by average inventory. Average inventory is calculated as the average of inventory for the trailing four quarters used in determining the denominator. (2) Calculated as inventory divided by store count at the end of the reported period. (3) Calculated as accounts payable divided by inventory. (4) Represents O’Reilly’s U.S. and Puerto Rico operations only. (5) Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average square footage. Weighted-average square footage is determined by weighting store square footage based on the approximate dates of store openings, acquisitions, expansions, or closures. (6) Calculated as sales less jobber sales, divided by weighted-average stores. Weighted-average stores is determined by weighting stores based on their approximate dates of openings, acquisitions, or closures.  
    • By NAPA
      Chase Elliott and the No. 9 link hidden, please login to view team qualified ninth for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Elliott led laps en route to a second-place result in stage one and followed that up with an eighth-place finish in stage two. After making multiple moves to try to advance to the front of the field towards the end race, he avoided a last-lap multi-car incident to finish 15th. The 28-year-old driver now sits third in the Cup Series point standings, just 22 markers behind the leader. Chase Elliott advanced to the final round of Saturday’s qualifying session, ultimately claiming a ninth-place starting position for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup series race at Talladega Superspeedway. Early in the race, Elliott opted to drop back in the field in an effort to conserve fuel. He maneuvered his way forward utilizing the outside lane as the field went three wide. Eventually, the driver of the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 found the front of the pack and took over the lead for the first time of the race on lap 42. Just two laps later, Elliott made his way to pit road for a fuel-only stop. Once green-flag stops cycled through, the 28-year-old driver retook the lead. He raced side-by-side with the No. 2 for the top spot as the field ran double file. Elliott came up just short of the stage win, taking the green-and-white checkered flag in second at the conclusion of lap 60.
      Under the stage-ending caution, Elliott relayed that he thought he wore out the right front tire. After the team made a pit stop for four tires and fuel, crew chief Alan Gustafson examined the tires and relayed to Elliott that the right front looked fine. The 2020 Cup Series champion was the second one off of pit road but opted to line up on the outside of row two to start the second stage. The majority of the field went back to three-wide racing and Elliott utilized all the lanes throughout the stage to find momentum. On lap 103, he brought the NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to the attention of his crew for fuel. In the closing laps of stage two, Elliott was running among the front half of his competitors and scored an eighth-place result at its lap-120 conclusion.
      After pitting for four tires and fuel during the stage break, the team opted to pit again to top off the fuel tank of the NAPA Auto Parts Chevy. Elliott took the green flag for the final stage deep in the field and was running just outside of the top 20 when the yellow flag waved for a multi-car incident. After pitting for fuel only, Elliott restarted inside the top 15 and continued to run among the top 20 in the running order. After another caution came out on lap, the No. 9 NAPA team took the opportunity to pit for the final time for fuel. Elliott was the 16th to choose his lane for the lap-161 restart and opted for the inside. As the laps wound down, Elliott joined a third lane of cars on the outside. After initially making progress, the lane stalled out and he lost his momentum. On the final lap of the race, the leaders triggered a multi-car incident and Elliott avoided the melee to earn a 15th-place finish.
      A solid points day for Elliott moved him up to third in the Cup Series driver standings. He’ll head to Dover Motor Speedway next week just 22 markers behind the leader.
      Start / Finish: 9 / 15
      Points Standing / Total: 3rd / 337 (-22)
      Next Race: Sunday, April 28, Dover Motor Speedway
      How to Watch or Listen: 2:00 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN or SiriusXM
      NAPA: 
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      Hendrick Motorsports:  link hidden, please login to view
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    • By NAPA
      Jack Wood was on track to collect a top-five finish at Kevin Harvick’s Kern County Raceway Park (KCRP) before trouble dealt him a 12th-place finish on Saturday night. The driver of the No. 16
      link hidden, please login to view Chevrolet SS was in position to secure a fourth-place finish but suffered a melted right-front tire bead with five laps to go. Wood started on the front row for his second appearance at KCRP after stopping the clock at 18.646 seconds to equal his career-best qualifying effort. He made an early bid for the race lead before settling into second position for the majority of the event’s first half. As the opening 75-lap run progressed, Wood began to battle brake issues and a loose handling condition. The balance hampered his ability to keep pace with the lead and was in fourth position by the halfway caution at lap 75.
      Crew chief Kevin Bellicourt and the NAPA Auto Care team made an adjustment during the five-minute halfway break to aid Wood’s handling balance. When the race restarted, Wood took advantage of the outside line to reclaim third position. However, his brake issues escalated in the second half despite running in fourth position. Wood suffered a flat right front tire in the waning laps and was handed a 12th-place finish.
      “We had a fast NAPA Auto Care Chevrolet today,” Wood said. “I’m proud of the speed these guys at BMR had in our car. We had a brake issue and I didn’t have much of a pedal before halfway and we got really loose. Kevin (Bellicourt) and the guys made a good adjustment at the halfway break on the balance and we got the car better. But the brake pedal just went to the floor as the night went. We were still in the top five and were going to have a good points night but had a flat right front at the end. It’s unfortunate we didn’t get the result, but happy with the speed we had today.”
      Start / Finish: 2 / 12
      Points Standing / Total: 7th / 37 pts. (-12)
      Next Race: Friday, May 31, Portland International Raceway
      How to Watch or Listen: FloRacing
      NAPA: 
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    • By NAPA
      Christian Eckes took the NASCAR CRAFTSMAN Truck Series points lead on Friday night with a stout fourth-place performance at Texas Motor Speedway. The driver of the No. 19 Gates Hydraulics Chevrolet Silverado RST captured his third top-five finish of the season and scored 50 points on the night, the second-most of all drivers in the field. Eckes led 31 laps, the only driver to have led laps in each race this season, and tallied his third top-five finish in the last four events.
      For the second-consecutive weekend, Eckes qualified on the front row and was a mainstay in the top five for the entire event. He settled into second at the drop of the green flag and challenged for the lead near the midway point of the opening stage. The first lead change of the night occurred when Eckes powered his Gates Hydraulics Chevy to the lead on lap 17 and paced the field for 21 circuits. He surrendered the lead on lap 38 and collected nine points at the end of Stage 1 on lap 40 while running second.
      Crew chief Charles Denike brought Eckes to pit road under the stage caution for four fresh tires, fuel, and a minor air pressure adjustment to tighten his balance. Eckes restarted second on lap 47 and maintained position inside the top five for the ensuing 35-lap run. An improved handling balance and consistent lap times netted Eckes another eight points at the end of Stage 2 on lap 80 by running in third position.
      Eckes was armed with another batch of fresh tires, fuel, and minor adjustments to fine-tune the handling during the second stage caution. After restarting third on lap 87, he waged war for the runner-up position and gained control of it by lap 100. He ran there until a cycle of green flag pit stops began on lap 119. Eckes made his final stop on lap 129 just before a caution waved. He was able to stay on the lead lap in fourth position and in contention for the victory. He made another fierce run for the race lead on a lap 150 and led until lap 158. During the final 10 laps, Eckes fought valiantly for one final charge at the lead but took the checkered flag in fourth position for his third top-five and sixth top-10 of the season.
      “Not a bad points night,” Eckes said. “I thought we’d have a pretty good shot at the win there, but just went down into Turns 1 and 2 and got way too tight and slid up the racetrack. It is what it is. I’m proud of the No. 19 Gates Hydraulics team for making the improvements that they did. Our mile-and-a-half stuff has definitely shown a little bit of an improvement. We still have a little bit of a ways to go, but we’ll see how it goes.”
      Start / Finish: 2 / 4
      Points Standing / Total: 1 / 287 pts. (+2)
      Next Race: Saturday, May 4, Kansas Speedway
      How to Watch or Listen: 8:00 p.m. ET on FS1, MRN or SiriusXM
      NAPA: 
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    • A-premium Auto Parts:5% OFF with Code GM5.
    • By OReilly Auto Parts
      Automotive Shock and Strut Overview | What do they do and why are they important?

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