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By APF
The automotive aftermarket industry could be on the verge of one of its biggest shakeups in years.
According to a Bloomberg report, O'Reilly Automotive has submitted a cash offer for the automotive parts division of Genuine Parts Company, a business that analysts believe could be valued at more than $10 billion. While neither company has confirmed the negotiations, the report suggests a decision on the future of the business could come before the end of the summer. Genuine Parts could ultimately sell the division, pursue a spinoff, or retain the business if it determines that is the better long-term strategy.
For the automotive aftermarket, the implications could be significant. Genuine Parts is best known as the parent company of NAPA Auto Parts, one of North America's largest distributors of replacement parts for professional repair facilities, fleets, and do-it-yourself customers. Combining that network with O'Reilly's extensive retail and commercial operations would create an even larger player in an already competitive industry.
A transaction of this size could influence everything from supplier relationships and distribution networks to pricing, inventory availability, and competition with other major retailers such as AutoZone and Advance Auto Parts. Independent repair shops may also be watching closely to see whether any ownership changes affect commercial programs, delivery networks, or parts availability.
At this stage, the report remains based on anonymous sources familiar with the discussions, and there is no guarantee a deal will ultimately be completed. Additional bidders could emerge, or Genuine Parts could decide to pursue a different strategic direction.
What do you think?
Should O'Reilly acquire Genuine Parts' automotive business? Would this strengthen competition or reduce consumer choice? How could this affect NAPA stores, independent repair shops, and DIY enthusiasts? If you're in the automotive industry, what impact would you expect on pricing and parts availability? Join the discussion below and share your thoughts on what could become one of the largest automotive aftermarket deals in recent history.
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By Counterman
NAPA announced the promotions of
link hidden, please login to view to Vice President, Procurement & Sourcing, link hidden, please login to view to Vice President, Commercial Products, and link hidden, please login to view to Senior Vice President of Pricing and Procurement. These leaders will take on expanded responsibilities across the NAPA merchandising organization, reinforcing the company’s commitment to building deep internal talent and strengthening its product and supplier strategy. Pérez brings two decades of experience leading P&Ls across the automotive aftermarket, retail and consumer products industries. She most recently served as Senior Director of Category Management at NAPA, where she led a portfolio spanning brakes, undercar and heavy duty, driving growth through sourcing strategy and supplier partnerships. Prior to NAPA, she held merchandising leadership roles at HD Supply, SPANX and The Home Depot.
“Cristina has played a pivotal role in transforming category management and sourcing at NAPA Auto Parts. Her strategic mindset, deep merchandising expertise, and ability to build high-performing teams have strengthened our capabilities and positioned us for continued growth. This promotion recognizes both her leadership and the meaningful impact she has made across our organization,” said Danny Huffaker, SVP, Product & Marketing,
link hidden, please login to view. Griffiths has been with NAPA for four years, growing from Director of Category Management to Senior Director, Underhood, where she onboarded strategic brands to diversify the NAPA portfolio. In her new role, she will lead the category team responsible for Hard Parts and Applied Parts, including Brakes and Undercar. Prior to NAPA, she held senior category management roles at White Cap.
“Laura is an exceptional leader who has played a critical role in advancing our category management capabilities at NAPA Auto Parts. Through strong cross-functional collaboration and trusted supplier partnerships, she has helped build a more strategic and customer-focused organization. This promotion recognizes her leadership, her results, and the meaningful impact she continues to have across our business,” said Huffaker.
Portera joined GPC nearly four years ago as Vice President of Finance before moving over to NAPA where he has spent the last three years, first as Vice President of Corporate Development and then as Vice President of Financial Planning and Analysis. He most recently served as the Vice President of Pricing and Procurement. His recent outstanding achievements include successfully navigating the First Brands bankruptcy and launching the new direct import program for NAPA rotors, the company said. Prior to GPC and NAPA, he had a successful 10-year career at FedEx, which included roles in SEC reporting, FP&A, Treasury and an international expat leadership assignment.
“Will has been a steady and trusted leader within our organization, bringing clarity, discipline and strategic thinking to some of our most complex challenges,” said Jamie Walton, EVP, Merchandise & Stores, NAPA. “This promotion reflects the significant impact Will has made at NAPA and our confidence in his continued ability to drive value for our customers and supplier partners.”
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By NAPA
The Interstate Batteries High Limit Racing season returned to competition Saturday, April 18th, at Lucas Oil Speedway in Wheatland, MO. Kasey Kahne Racing’s
link hidden, please login to view No. 9 team arrived at the reconfigured 3/8‑mile “Diamond of Dirt Tracks” eager to get the car back in motion after a three‑week regroup, with progress to prove.
Teams of each of the 43 cars taking part in the ninth race of the season set sights on the win and the The Diamond Classic’s $12,000 payday.
No. 9 driver, Daison Pursley, showed early speed, posting a 13.275-second lap in Hot Laps, fourth‑quickest in practic, and running a 13.628-second qualifying lap for fifth in his group.
Pursley started P2 in the first Heat Race of the night and jumped to the lead during the first lap, coming out of turn 4 and down the front stretch to the flagstand. Pursley kept the lead throughout the 8-lap race. The win marked Pursley’s first Heat Race victory of the 2026 season and punched his ticket to the Dash. In the Dash, the NAPA Auto Parts No. 9 slipped from third to fourth, lining the team up to start outside the second row of the A-Main.
Fireworks and pyrotechnics signaled the start of the 30-lap Diamond Classic. Pursley raced into third position for the first six laps. After an early caution, Pursley chose his position back by way of the choose cone and was challenged into turn one by Sye Lynch (No. 42), ultimately being shuffled into fourth by the No. 42 and No. 13 of Tanner Holmes. The track’s renovation brought the track banking all the way to the wall, producing even more high‑banked, door‑to‑door racing. Pursley kept heavy pressure on P3 of Holmes, finishing less than a car length behind the No. 13 and just outside of the podium. Kerry Maddsen (No.55) started on the pole and dominated, leading every lap to claim his first High Limit Racing victory.
Pursley’s fourth-place finish left crew chief Jarrett Martin encouraged; he noted the team learned every time they were on the track and made the right adjustments from the Dash to the Diamond Classic.
Weather threatened nearby Lakeside Speedway in Kansas on Friday, forcing the cancellation of that program due to tornado warnings. That event will not be made up at this time. The next High Limit Racing event is Tuesday, April 21st, at Eagle Raceway in Eagle, Nebraska, and will be broadcast nationally on FS1.
Start / Finish: 4 / 4
Points Standing / Total: 8th / 456 pts. (-137)
Next Race: Tuesday, April 21, Eagle Raceway, Eagle, NE
How to Watch or Listen: 9:00 p.m. ET on FS1
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By NAPA
Chase Elliott qualified 13th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. The 30-year-old driver earned points in each of the first two stages, finishing sixth and fourth, respectively. While visiting pit road ahead of the final stage, Elliott got blocked in his stall and lost several positions. He made his way back inside the top 10, ultimately earning an eighth-place finish. It was his 14th top-10 finish at the 1.5-mile tri-oval. Elliott leaves Kansas sixth in the Cup Series points standings, 152 markers behind the leader.
Chase Elliott and the No. 9
link hidden, please login to view team qualified 13th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Kansas Speedway. The 30-year-old’s No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet showed speed from the drop of the green flag. He was up to 11th by lap 21, where he remained until pit stops got underway on lap 33. Elliott stayed out until crew chief Alan Gustafson called him to pit road on lap 39 for four tires and fuel. He worked his way up to 10th by lap 47 and used his slightly fresher tires in the closing laps of stage one to advance to sixth before the green-and-white checkered flag waved on lap 80.
During the stage break, Elliott reported that he “hurt the right rear a little worse.” He brought his No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to pit road for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. A fast pit stop gained Elliott multiple positions, making him third to choose for the restart. He opted for the outside of row two to start the second stage on lap 89. Elliott improved to second initially before dropping to fourth on lap 97. He relayed to his team that his Chevrolet was “consistently just a little more snug.” Shortly after, another round of green-flag pit stops got underway. Elliott visited pit road on lap 121 for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He returned to the track in 14th and was running in second once the field completed the pit cycle on lap 128. Elliott continued to run inside the top five, ending the second stage in fourth place on lap 165.
Under the stage-ending caution, Elliott brought the No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet to the attention of his crew for four tires, fuel and an air pressure adjustment. He unfortunately got blocked in when trying to exit his pit stall, which cost him several positions. The 2020 Cup Series champion was 12th to choose for the restart, opting for the inside of row six. He settled into 12th early in the final stage before fading to 14th on lap 186. The No. 9 NAPA Auto Parts Chevrolet got stronger as the run went on. Elliott improved to 11th on lap 190, where he remained until teams started visiting pit road on lap 214. Gustafson called Elliott to pit road for four tires and fuel on lap 220. Elliott found himself back inside the top 10 on lap 245 and was running in ninth when the caution flag waved with just two laps to go. Varying pit strategies came into play, with some teams opting for two tires while others took four. The No. 9 team put right-side tires on the NAPA Chevrolet, and Elliott lined up on the inside of row four for the overtime restart. He battled hard to try to stay ahead of the cars on four fresh tires, ultimately earning an eighth-place finish.
Start / Finish: 13 / 8
Points Standing / Total: 6th / 305 pts. (-152)
Next Race: Sunday, April 26, Talladega Superspeedway
How to Watch or Listen: 3:00 p.m. ET on FOX, SiriusXM or MRN
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By NAPA
Chase Elliott and the No. 9 UniFirst team qualified 10th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. The 30-year-old driver finished the first stage in 12th and followed that up with a 14th-place finish in stage two. During the final stage, Elliott was running ninth when crew chief Alan Gustafson made the call to pit early. Fresh tires put Elliott on offense, and he quickly made up ground. He cycled to the lead and was scored second at the time of a caution on lap 311. Elliott remained in the top three from there, and after the last caution of the race came out on lap 324, he cleared for the lead on the restart and didn’t look back, earning his 22nd career Cup Series victory. It was Elliott’s second Cup Series win at Martinsville and his first points-paying victory of the season. Elliott moved up to fourth in the Cup Series points standings. He is now 104 markers behind the leader.
Chase Elliott and the No. 9 UniFirst team qualified 10th for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway. When the green flag dropped, Elliott battled for ninth but got stuck in the outside lane and settled into 13th. On the long, green-flag run, the 30-year-old driver regained some ground. He advanced to 11th before ultimately ending the first stage in 12th.
During the stage break, Elliott reported that the No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet was “swingy.” Crew chief Alan Gustafson made the call for four tires, fuel and a chassis adjustment. A fast stop by the team put Elliott 10th for the choose. He opted for the inside of row six, taking the green flag for stage two in 11th on lap 96. He was in the same position when the yellow flag was displayed on lap 105. Staying out, Elliott lined up 13th for the restart after choosing the preferred bottom lane. From there, Elliott continued to run inside the top 15, with the remainder of the stage going caution-free. He took the green-and-white checkered flag to end stage two in 14th on lap 180.
Under the stage-ending caution, Elliott reported positive feedback on the No. 9 UniFirst Chevy’s balance. After pitting for four tires and fuel, he lined up 11th to start the final stage on lap 193. Elliott gained positions early, running in eighth for several laps before dropping to ninth on lap 247. He remained there until Gustafson made the call to short-pit on lap 262. Elliott returned to the track on fresher tires than the rest of the field and quickly gained ground. Eventually, others began visiting pit road, which put Elliott as the leader at the end of the pit cycle on lap 293. He held on with his older tires until the No. 11 of Denny Hamlin made the pass for the top spot on lap 309. The strategy call paid off for Elliott and the No. 9 team when a caution came out on lap 311. Elliott was the second car off pit road following his pit stop but restarted third due to one car opting to stay out. Shortly after the field returned to green, the race was slowed for a multi-car incident on lap 324. Elliott was scored in second at the time of the yellow. He lined up on the outside of the first row for the restart and cleared for the lead on lap 334. Elliott continued to lead while working his way through lap traffic in the closing laps, ultimately taking the checkered flag for his 22nd career Cup Series win.
“It was definitely a team effort. That was awesome,” Elliott said after the win. “We’ve never had a win this early in the season. Just a really great team effort. So proud of Alan (Gustafson, crew chief) and the whole No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet team. They did a great job all day.
“We took a gamble. We were going to two-stop that last stage. I honestly think it was going to work out good for us either way. Just so proud of this team. Man, they put up with a lot (smiling). They have to put up with me all the time, and I just appreciate them for sticking with me. It’s lot of fun when days like this work out. Thank you to everybody at Hendrick Motorsports, Mr. Hendrick, Chevrolet and all of our partners for the support.”
Elliott is now fourth in the Cup Series points standings, 104 markers behind the leader.
Start / Finish: 10 / 1
Points Standing / Total: 4th / 249 pts. (-104)
Next Race: Sunday, April 12, Bristol Motor Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 3:00 p.m. ET on FS1, SiriusXM or PRN
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