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Capps Clinches Third NHRA Funny Car Championship, First for Ron Capps Motorsports
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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.
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By NAPA
ATLANTA, April 18, 2024 /
link hidden, please login to view/ -- Genuine Parts Company (NYSE: GPC), a leading global distributor of automotive and industrial replacement parts, announced today its results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2024. "Our performance in the quarter highlights the value of our business mix paired with our geographic diversity as our teams delivered profits that were ahead of our expectations," said Paul Donahue, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We did this by staying focused on both our near- and long-term strategic initiatives to improve our business and drive profitable growth. I want to take a moment to thank our GPC teammates across the globe for their hard work and dedication to delivering value for our customers."
First Quarter 2024 Results
Sales were $5.8 billion, a 0.3% increase compared to $5.8 billion in the same period of the prior year. The sales result is attributable to a 1.9% benefit from acquisitions, offset by a 0.9% decrease in comparable sales and 0.7% unfavorable impact of foreign currency and other.
Net income was $249 million, or $1.78 per diluted earnings per share. This compares to net income of $304 million, or $2.14 per diluted share in the prior year period.
Adjusted net income, which excludes a net expense of $62 million after tax adjustments, or $0.44 per diluted share, in non-recurring costs related to our global restructuring, was $311 million. This compares to net income of $304 million for the same three-month period of the prior year, an increase of 2.3%. On a per share diluted basis, adjusted net income was $2.22, an increase of 3.7% compared to diluted earnings per share of $2.14 last year. Refer to the reconciliation of GAAP net income to adjusted net income and GAAP diluted earnings per share to adjusted diluted earnings per share for more information.
First Quarter 2024 Segment Highlights
Automotive Parts Group ("Automotive")
Global Automotive sales were $3.6 billion, up 1.9% from the same period in 2023, reflecting a 0.2% increase in comparable sales and a 2.8% benefit from acquisitions, partially offset by 1.1% unfavorable impact of foreign currency and other. Segment profit of $273 million increased 3.2%, with segment profit margin of 7.6%, up 10 basis points from last year.
Industrial Parts Group ("Industrial")
Industrial sales were $2.2 billion, down 2.2% from the same period in 2023, with a 0.5% benefit from acquisitions, offset by a 2.6% decrease in comparable sales and 0.1% unfavorable impact of foreign currency. Segment profit of $271 million increased 3.4%, with segment profit margin of 12.3%, up 70 basis points from the same period of the prior year.
"We are pleased with the start to 2024, which was highlighted by operating discipline that delivered improved overall earnings against a backdrop of low sales growth," said Will Stengel, President and Chief Operating Officer. "In Industrial, sales decreased low-single-digits, in-line with our expectations, as we were up against our most difficult comparative period for the year. In Automotive, the actions taken in our U.S. Automotive business are gaining traction, and we are encouraged by the sequential improvement in performance. This improvement, coupled with the solid performance of our other businesses, is reflected in our reaffirmed sales growth and improved earnings outlook for 2024."
Balance Sheet, Cash Flow and Capital Allocation
The company generated cash flow from operations of $318 million for the first three months of 2024. We used $178 million in cash for investing activities, including $116 million for capital expenditures and $135 million for M&A. We also used $175 million in cash for financing activities, including $133 million for quarterly dividends paid to shareholders and $38 million for stock repurchases. Free cash flow was $203 million for the first three months of 2024. 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 $2.5 billion in total liquidity, consisting of $1.5 billion availability on the revolving credit facility and $1.0 billion in cash and cash equivalents.
2024 Outlook
The company is updating full-year 2024 guidance previously provided in its earnings release on February 15, 2024. 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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By NAPA
In one of the closest Funny Car races in four-wide drag racing history, three-time world champion Ron Capps finished third in the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals final round Sunday afternoon at The Strip at Las Vegas Motor Speedway. Driving the link hidden, please login to view Toyota GR Supra, Capps laid down a weekend-best 3.902-second pass at 333.00 MPH to come up just thousandths of a second short in a four-wide photo finish.
Capps and crew chief Dean ‘Guido’ Antonelli worked their way through qualifying, steadily improving in each session. After a pair of 4-second passes on Friday, Capps laid down a 3.988 E.T. at 324.67 MPH to step up in the third session on Saturday. A consistent but slightly quicker 3.980 E.T. in the final session put Capps in the No. 11 position going into Sunday eliminations.
The first quad of Funny Car eliminations was a tricky one, but Capps came out on top. He and fellow Toyota driver J.R. Todd left first with identical .059 reaction times, then Capps held on to win with a 4.289 E.T. at 222.88 MPH over Todd, Dave Richards, and Daniel Wilkerson. Capps was first off of the starting line again in the second round, an advantage that helped him and his 3.932 E.T. finish ahead of Matt Hagan’s 3.938 E.T., Todd’s 3.951-second effort, and Jason Rupert’s 4.055 E.T.
Appearing in his 148th career final round, Capps cut his best light of the day, .056, and charged to his best performance of the weekend to reach the finish line third behind winner Bob Tasca III and runner-up Austin Prock. Capps finished less than a thousandth of a second behind Prock and just nine thousandths behind Tasca.
“What a drag race to watch as a fan,” said Capps, who’s won six times in Las Vegas. “I can’t tell you how ecstatic I am with our NAPA Auto Care team and what they’ve done with a brand-new car and a lot of the new parts that they’ve had to get used to. It usually takes teams a lot longer than this. I’m pretty bummed that we couldn’t win that round. I’m so happy we have our race car back, especially getting on a swing here where Guido is getting comfortable. I’m so happy about the car, but I’m so bummed at the same time. It’s going to take a little bit to digest.”
No. 6-ranked Capps and the Ron Capps Motorsports Funny Car team will get another shot at four-wide glory in two weeks at the East Coast edition of the NHRA Four-Wide Nationals, April 26-28, at zMAX Dragway in Concord, N.C.
Start / Finish: No. 11 / def. in Final Round
Points Standing / Total: No. 6 / 242 pts.
Next Race: April 26-28, Concord, N.C., NHRA Four-Wide Nationals
How to Watch or Listen: FS1,
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By NAPA
Chase Elliott and the No. 9 UniFirst team qualified third for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway The 28-year-old driver finished stage one in the third position and followed that up with a fourth-place result in stage two Elliott took the lead for the first time of the race in the final stage, pacing the field for a total of 64 laps After an overtime finish, Elliott ultimately took the checkered flag in the third position – part of a 1-2-3 finish for Hendrick Motorsports during the organization’s 40th anniversary weekend at Martinsville The 2020 premier series champion is now sixth in the Cup Series points standings, only 51 points behind the leader Chase Elliott and the No. 9 UniFirst team qualified third for Sunday’s NASCAR Cup Series race at Martinsville Speedway during a special 40th anniversary weekend for Hendrick Motorsports. Driving the ruby red No. 9 UniFirst Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, Elliott held steady inside the top five throughout the entirety of the caution-free first stage. He took the green-and-white checkered flag in the third position at lap 80, collecting eight valuable stage points in the process.
During the stage break, the 28-year-old driver reported that his UniFirst Chevrolet fired off tighter than he anticipated. To help, the team made an air-pressure adjustment during its pit stop for four tires and fuel. He lined up fourth to start the second stage and continued to run inside the top five. Elliott was scored in the fifth position when the caution came out on lap 113. He relayed to crew chief Alan Gustafson that his Chevrolet was a little better than the last run. The team opted not to pit, and Elliott restarted from the fifth spot on lap 119. He remained there until he made the pass for fourth with three laps left in stage two. That’s where the Dawsonville, Georgia, native would finish the second stage, collecting an additional seven stage points.
Under the stage-ending caution, Elliott relayed that his UniFirst Chevrolet was tighter to start that run. A fast stop for four tires and fuel gained the driver of the No. 9 two spots on pit road, allowing Elliott to fire off for the final stage from the front row. Taking the green flag in second on lap 193, the 2020 Cup Series champion powered to the lead and remained there through the lap-204 caution. Elliott continued to hold point for several laps until the No. 11 caught up to him. The two battled side-by-side until Elliott settled into the second position on lap 258. He held steady in the runner-up spot until green-flag pit stops got under way. After pitting for four tires and fuel on lap 298, Elliott worked his way by the No. 11 as green-flag stops continued, putting himself in position to assume the lead once the field cycled through pit stops. However, Hendrick Motorsports teammate William Byron passed Elliott prior to pit stops concluding. Byron eventually took over the top spot with Elliott not far behind in second. An incident on the track with less than five laps remaining brought out the yellow flag and sent the race into overtime. Elliott lined up beside Byron for the final restart of the race. He gave it his all in the final two laps, ultimately taking the checkered flag in the third position – Elliott’s second consecutive top-five finish.
Elliott’s result was also part of a 1-2-3 finish for Hendrick Motorsports. Byron won the race with Kyle Larson finishing second. Following the third-place finish, Elliott and the No. 9 team are sixth in the Cup Series points standings, just 51 markers behind the leader.
“Congrats to William (Byron) and everyone at Hendrick Motorsports. Rick and Linda (Hendrick), Jeff (Gordon), Jeff (Andrews), Chad (Knaus) and all the people that put this together for us,” Elliott said. “They have an unbelievable program and I think we are all proud to call it home. It was awesome hosting over 1,000 people from Hendrick today – employees and their families. Glad one of us could get it done. Obviously, I wish we could have got it done, selfishly, like anybody would. But it is nice to have a good couple of solid weeks and be in contention for a win. We haven’t been in contention to win one for a while, so (it was) kind of nice to get to that last restart when it actually mattered. So, enjoyed that aspect and certainly hungry for more.”
Start / Finish: 3 / 3
Points Standing / Total: 6th / 258 pts. (-51)
Next Race: Sunday, April 14, Texas Motor Speedway
How to Watch or Listen: 3:30 p.m. ET on FS1, PRN or SiriusXM
NAPA:
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