O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. Responds to Questions Prompted by Asbestos Litigation Disclosures

    SPRINGFIELD, Mo.--Nov. 27, 2002--O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") , makes statement in response to questions prompted by asbestos litigation disclosure by Advance Auto Parts, Inc. reported in its third quarter Form 10-Q filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on November 19, 2002, and public statements issued by AutoZone, Inc., Pep Boys and CSK Auto Corporation.
    While the Company has been named as a defendant in a few claims over the last several years, there have been no new claims in recent months and the Company has only incurred very small and insignificant payments. Accordingly, the Company believes that future lawsuits of this nature, if any, would not be material, in the aggregate, to the Company's financial position or results of operations. O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. will vigorously defend itself against any claims of this nature. O'Reilly has never manufactured or installed any products containing asbestos.

    O'Reilly Automotive 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 installer markets. Founded in 1957 by the O'Reilly family, the Company operated 958 stores within the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee and Texas as of September 30, 2002.