Advance Auto Parts Announces Acquisition of Lappen Auto Supply

ROANOKE, Va.--July 26, 2005--Advance Auto Parts, Inc. , a leading automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries, and maintenance items, announced today that it has acquired substantially all the assets of Lappen Auto Supply Co., Inc.'s auto parts division.

Advance's all-cash transaction adds privately-held Lappen's 19 auto parts stores in the greater Boston, MA market to Advance's growing presence in the northeast. As a result of this transaction, Advance now expects its new-store count for 2005 to be at the higher end of its previously announced range of 150 to 175. Lappen will retain ownership and continue to operate its garage equipment division, which services Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Rhode Island.

Advance anticipates converting Lappen's stores to Advance's innovative 2010 format over the coming several months.

"We are extremely pleased to welcome Lappen's auto parts team members and customers to the Advance Auto Parts team," said Jim Wade, Executive Vice President - Business Development. "Lappen has been very successful in both the Do-It-Yourself retail and Do-It-For-Me commercial auto parts business for many years, and their business model and geography are highly complementary to ours. We believe the combination of our two companies can make us even more successful as we go forward."

Ed Lappen, CEO of Lappen Auto Supply Co., Inc. said, "We are pleased to see our family company become part of Advance Auto Parts. Advance is a well-respected company that values its team members and customers. We welcome Advance to the Boston auto parts market. At the same time, we look forward to the continued expansion of our Garage Equipment division."

About Advance Auto Parts, Inc.

Headquartered in Roanoke, Va., Advance Auto Parts is the second largest automotive aftermarket retailer of parts, accessories, batteries and maintenance items in the United States, based on sales and store count. At April 23, 2005, the Company had 2,675 stores in 40 states, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. The Company serves both the do-it-yourself and professional installer markets.

Additional information about the Company, employment opportunities, services, as well as on-line purchase of parts and accessories can be found on the Company's web site at www.advanceautoparts.com.