Advance Auto Parts Reports Record Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

    ROANOKE, Va., March 29 Advance Auto Parts today announced
record sales and operating income for the fourth quarter and year ended
December 30, 2000.  The Company's strong financial performance was in line
with preliminary results released on February 5, 2001, and reflects continued
growth in both the "do-it-yourself" (DIY) and "do-it-for-me" (DIFM) market
segments and the continued realization of benefits from the Western Auto
integration.

    Sales for the twelve-week fourth quarter increased 6.2% to $500.7 million
from $471.3 million reported last year.  Retail sales, which rose
approximately 10% to $475.3 million from $433.1 million a year ago, were
partially offset by sales declines in the wholesale business.  Comparable
store sales increased a strong 6.1% for the fiscal 2000 fourth quarter over a
6.5% comparable store sales increase in the prior-year period.   Both the "do-
it-yourself" and "do-it-for-me" businesses showed continued sales growth.

    Operating income in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2000 rose 35.8% to $11.2
million from $8.3 million a year ago.  This increase resulted primarily from
the continued growth in retail sales and the improved gross margins achieved
as a result of the Western Auto acquisition.  There was a net loss of $2.3
million for the fiscal 2000 fourth quarter, compared to a $2.6 million net
loss reported in the fourth quarter last year.   The fourth quarter of the
Company's fiscal year is the least profitable quarter due to seasonality.

    Sales for the fiscal 2000 year were $2.3 billion compared to $2.2 billion
in fiscal 1999 an increase of 3.7%.  Retail sales for the year rose 7.5%.
Comparable store sales increased 4.4% for the fiscal year 2000 over a strong
10.3% comparable store sales increase in fiscal 1999.  Operating income was
$92.8 million compared to $20.2 million last year.  Earnings before interest,
taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased 32.8% to  $161.9
million for fiscal 2000 from $121.9 million, as adjusted for integration
expense, in fiscal 1999. Net income was $19.6 million, as compared to a net
loss of $25.3 million in fiscal 1999.  During fiscal 2000, the Company opened
140 new stores and closed 28 existing locations.

    The Company also announced it was on schedule to complete the acquisition
of the 51 Alabama stores of Carport Auto Parts by the end of April 2001 as
planned.

    Larry Castellani, Chief Executive Officer, said, "We are pleased with the
tremendous progress made in 2000.  It is a tribute to the dedication and
commitment of our people and provides us a strong foundation for future
success.  We will continue to focus on enhancing the performance of our
existing stores as well as executing our new store growth program.  As we move
ahead, we remain confident that we are on track to achieve sales and EBITDA of
$2.5 billion and $180 million, respectively, in 2001."