OREILLY AUTOMOTIVE INC
10-Q, 1997-11-14
AUTO & HOME SUPPLY STORES
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                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                              WASHINGTON, DC 20549
                                    FORM 10-Q

(X) QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES  EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

                For the quarterly period ended September 30, 1997

                                       OR

( ) TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE
    ACT OF 1934

    For the transition period from ___________________ to ____________________


                         Commission file number 0-21318


                            O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

         Missouri                                       44-0618012
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(State or other jurisdiction                (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
    of incorporation or
       organization)

                               233 South Patterson
                           Springfield, Missouri 65802
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
               (Address of principal executive offices, Zip code)

                                 (417) 862-6708
- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required
to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during
the  preceding 12 months (or for such  shorter  period that the  registrant  was
required  to file  such  reports),  and  (2) has  been  subject  to such  filing
requirements for the past 90 days.

         Yes      X                 No
                -----                     -----

Common stock,  $0.01 par value - 21,097,551  shares  outstanding as of September
30, 1997


<PAGE>



                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                                    FORM 10-Q
                        Quarter Ended September 30, 1997

                                TABLE OF CONTENTS


PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION
                                                                            Page
                                                                            ----

         ITEM 1 - FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (UNAUDITED)
                 Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets ....................    3
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income ..............    4
                 Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows ..........    5
                 Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements .....    6

         ITEM 2 - MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF RESULTS OF
                    OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION ....................    7

PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

         ITEM 2 - CHANGES IN SECURITIES ...................................    9

         ITEM 5 - OTHER INFORMATION .......................................    9

         ITEM 6 - EXHIBITS AND REPORTS ON FORM 8-K ........................   10

SIGNATURE PAGE ............................................................   11

EXHIBIT INDEX .............................................................   12




                                       2
<PAGE>



PART I   Financial Information
- ------------------------------
ITEM 1.  Financial Statements
- -----------------------------

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                      CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                           September 30,  December 31,
                                                               1997          1996
                                                           ------------  ------------
                                                            (Unaudited)     (Note)
                                                        (In thousands, except share data)
<S>                                                              <C>           <C> 
Assets
Current assets:
     Cash and cash equivalents ..........................   $     1,625   $     1,207
     Short-term investments .............................         1,000         1,000
     Accounts receivable ................................        13,637        11,296
     Inventory ..........................................       107,330        83,909
     Other current assets ...............................         2,759         2,740
                                                            -----------   -----------

Total current assets ....................................       126,351       100,152

Property and equipment, at cost .........................       125,524       101,220
Accumulated depreciation ................................        26,924        21,435
                                                            -----------   -----------

                                                                 98,600        79,785

Other assets ............................................         4,770         3,686
                                                            -----------   -----------

Total assets ............................................   $   229,721   $   183,623
                                                            ===========   ===========

Liabilities and stockholders' equity
Current liabilities:
     Notes payable to banks .............................   $      --     $     3,000
     Accounts payable ...................................        25,445        17,288
     Income taxes payable ...............................           767          --
     Other current liabilities ..........................        11,472         5,307
     Current portion of long-term debt ..................            98           154
                                                            -----------   -----------

Total current liabilities ...............................        37,782        25,749

Long-term debt, less current portion ....................        13,898           237
Other liabilities .......................................         2,176         1,855

Stockholders' equity:
     Common stock, $.01 par value:
       Authorized shares- 30,000,000
       Issued and outstanding shares - 21,097,551
         in 1997 and 20,937,014 in 1996 .................           211           209
     Additional paid-in capital .........................        76,335        73,964
     Retained earnings ..................................        99,319        81,609
                                                            -----------   -----------

Total stockholders' equity ..............................       175,865       155,782
                                                            -----------   -----------

Total liabilities and stockholders' equity ..............   $   229,721   $   183,623
                                                            ===========   ===========
</TABLE>


NOTE:  The balance  sheet at December 31, 1996 has been derived from the audited
financial  statements  at that date but does not include all of the  information
and footnotes required by generally accepted accounting  principles for complete
financial statements.

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



                                       3
<PAGE>



                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME
                                   (Unaudited)
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>


                                                                       Three Months Ended     Nine Months Ended
                                                                          September 30,         September 30,
                                                                       -------------------   -------------------
                                                                         1997        1996       1997      1996
                                                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                          (In thousands, except per share data)
<S>                                                                     <C>        <C>       <C>        <C> 
Product sales ......................................................   $ 87,517   $ 70,432   $238,437   $194,535

Cost of goods sold, including warehouse and distribution expenses ..     50,986     41,185    138,000    114,667
Operating, selling, general and administrative expenses ............     26,064     20,953     72,549     57,742
                                                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
                                                                         77,050     62,138    210,549    172,409
                                                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
Operating income ................................................        10,467      8,294     27,888     22,126
Other income, net ...............................................            76        259        313        822
                                                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
Income before income taxes ......................................        10,543      8,553     28,201     22,948

Provision for income taxes ......................................         3,922      3,131     10,491      8,491
                                                                       --------   --------   --------   --------
Net Income ......................................................      $  6,621   $  5,422   $ 17,710   $ 14,457
                                                                       ========   ========   ========   ========

Net income per share ............................................      $   0.31   $   0.26   $   0.84   $   0.69
                                                                       ========   ========   ========   ========

Weighted average common shares outstanding ......................        21,081     20,896     21,019     20,844
                                                                       ========   ========   ========   ========



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

</TABLE>



                                       4
<PAGE>





                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
                                   (Unaudited)

                                                        Nine Months Ended
                                                           September 30,
                                                     -----------------------
                                                        1997         1996
                                                      --------     --------
                                                          (In thousands)

Net cash provided by operating activities .........   $ 14,225    $  7,156

Investing activities:
     Purchases of property and equipment ..........    (25,070)    (24,204)
     Proceeds from sale of property and equipment .        283         248
     Purchases of short-term investments ..........       --       (13,879)
     Proceeds from sale of short-term investments .       --        30,095
     Other ........................................       (786)         34
                                                      --------    --------

Net cash used in investing activities .............    (25,573)     (7,706)

Financing activities:
     Borrowings on notes payable to banks .........     11,200        --
     Payments on notes payable to banks ...........       (500)       --
     Payments on long-term debt ...................        (95)       (151)
     Proceeds from issuance of common stock .......      1,161       1,554
                                                      --------    --------

Net cash provided by financing activities .........     11,766       1,403
                                                      --------    --------

Net increase in cash ..............................        418         853
Cash at beginning of period .......................      1,207       2,833
                                                      --------    --------

Cash at end of period .............................   $  1,625    $  3,686
                                                      ========    ========



See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.



                                       5
<PAGE>




                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
              NOTES TO CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                   (Unaudited)
                               September 30, 1997


1.  Basis of Presentation
- -------------------------

The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been
prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles for interim
financial  information  and the  instructions  to Form  10-Q and  Article  10 of
Regulation  S-X.  Accordingly,  they do not include all of the  information  and
footnotes  required by generally  accepted  accounting  principles  for complete
financial statements. In the opinion of management,  all adjustments (consisting
of normal recurring accruals)  considered necessary for a fair presentation have
been  included.  Operating  results for the three  months and nine months  ended
September  30, 1997 are not  necessarily  indicative  of the results that may be
expected for the year ended December 31, 1997. For further information, refer to
the  consolidated  financial  statements and footnotes  thereto  included in the
O'Reilly  Automotive,  Inc. and Subsidiaries' annual report on Form 10-K for the
year ended December 31, 1996.

2.  Earnings Per Share
- ----------------------

In February 1997, the Financial  Accounting Standards Board issued Statement No.
128,  "Earnings Per Share,"  which is required to be adopted  during the quarter
and year ended December 31, 1997. At that time, O'Reilly  Automotive,  Inc. (the
"Company")  will be  required  to change  the method  currently  used to compute
earnings per share and restate all prior periods. Under the new requirements for
calculating  basic earnings per share, the dilutive effect of stock options will
be excluded. The impact of Statement No. 128 was not material to the calculation
of primary and fully diluted earnings per share for the quarters ended September
30, 1997 and 1996.

3.  Stock Split
- ---------------

On July 8, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors  declared a two-for-one  stock
split in the form of a 100% stock dividend to all  shareholders  of record as of
July 31, 1997. The stock dividend was paid on  August 31, 1997.  All  share  and
per  share  information  included  in  the  accompanying consolidated  financial
statements  have been restated to reflect the effect of the stock split.

4.  Subsequent Events
- ---------------------

On October 1, 1997, the Company replaced its credit facility with Commerce Bank,
N.A. with an agreement  allowing the Company to borrow up to $32.5 million until
September 30, 2000.

On October 16, 1997, the Company replaced its credit facility with  NationsBank,
N.A.  (formerly  The  Boatmen's  National  Bank of St.  Louis) with an agreement
allowing the Company to borrow up to $32.5 million until October 15, 2000.

Pursuant to the new facilities described above, the Company has reclassified the
related  debt  from  short-term  debt  to  long-term  debt  on the  accompanying
consolidated financial statements.





                                       6
<PAGE>





The  information  discussed  below in  Management's  Discussion  and Analysis of
Financial  Condition and Results of  Operations  contains  statements  regarding
matters that are not  historical  facts  (including  statements as to beliefs or
expectations of O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.) which are forward-looking statements.
Because  such  forward-looking   statements  include  risks  and  uncertainties,
including those risks discussed in Exhibit 99.1 hereto, the actual results could
differ  materially  from those  expressed  or  implied  by such  forward-looking
statements.


                 ITEM 2. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 -----------------------------------------------
                  RESULTS OF OPERATIONS AND FINANCIAL CONDITION
                  ---------------------------------------------


RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Product  sales for the third  quarter of 1997  increased  by $17.1  million,  or
24.3%,  over product sales for the third quarter of 1996 due to an 8.7% increase
in comparable store product sales for the quarter, the opening of 9 new O'Reilly
stores during the last quarter of 1996,  the opening of 30 new stores,  net, and
the relocation or  renovation of 21 stores during the first nine months of 1997.
Product sales for the first nine months of 1997 increased by $43.9  million,  or
22.6%  over  product  sales  for the  first  nine  months  of 1996 due to a 7.2%
increase in  comparable  store product sales and the opening of the new O'Reilly
stores  discussed  above.  Management  believes  that  the  consumer  acceptance
experienced  by these  new  O'Reilly  stores  and the  increased  product  sales
achieved by the existing  O'Reilly  stores is the result of the  continuation of
media  advertising  during  the first  nine  months of 1997 at the levels set in
1996,  an  increase  in the  broad  selection  of stock  keeping  units  (SKU's)
available at both new and existing  O'Reilly  stores,  the increase in inventory
levels at most O'Reilly  stores and the  increasing  penetration  of the general
geographic markets in which O'Reilly Automotive, Inc. (the "Company") operates.

Gross profit  increased  24.9% from $29.2 million (or 41.5% of product sales) in
the third  quarter of 1996 to $36.5  million (or 41.7% of product  sales) in the
third quarter of 1997.  Gross profit for the first nine months  increased  25.8%
from $79.9  million  (or 41.1% of product  sales) in 1996 to $100.4  million (or
42.1% of product  sales) in 1997.  The increase in gross profit margin  resulted
primarily from  improvements in the Company's product  acquisition  programs and
changes in the product sales mix. The  Company's  product  acquisition  programs
have  resulted  in  lower  product  costs  due to  increased  buying  power  and
promotional programs and allowances offered by many of the Company's vendors.

Operating,   selling,  general  and  administrative  expenses  (OSG&A  expenses)
increased  $5.1  million from $21.0  million (or 29.7% of product  sales) in the
third quarter of 1996 to $26.1 million (or 29.8% of product  sales) in the third
quarter of 1997.  OSG&A expenses  increased $14.8 million from $57.7 million (or
29.7% of product  sales) in the first nine  months of 1996 to $72.5  million (or
30.4% of  product  sales)  in the first  nine  months  of 1997.  OSG&A  expenses
increased in dollar amount and as a percent of product sales  primarily from the
new store openings  during the last quarter of 1996 and the first nine months of
1997,  additions to administrative  staff and facilities in order to support the
increased level of the Company's  operations and, to a lesser extent,  increased
medical claims and worker's compensation under the Company's insurance program.

Other income,  net,  decreased by $183,000 in the third quarter of 1997 compared
to the third  quarter of 1996 and by $509,000  for the first nine months of 1997
compared to the first nine months of 1996. These decreases were primarily due to
reduced  interest  income from  short-term  investments  and increased  interest
expense from short-term borrowings.

The  Company's  estimated  provision  for income taxes  increased  from 36.6% of
income  before  income taxes in the third  quarter of 1996 to 37.2% in the third
quarter of 1997 and  increased  from 37.0% of income  before income taxes in the
first  nine  months  of 1996 to 37.2% in the  first  nine  months  of 1997.  The
increase  in the  estimated  effective  income  tax  rate was  primarily  due to
increased sales occurring in states with higher income tax rates.


                                       7
<PAGE>


Principally as a result of the foregoing, net income increased from $5.4 million
or 7.7% of product sales in the third quarter of 1996 to $6.6 million or 7.6% of
product  sales in the third  quarter of 1997 and from  $14.5  million or 7.4% of
product  sales in the  first  nine  months of 1996 to $17.7  million  or 7.4% of
product sales in the first nine months of 1997.


LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Net cash of $14.2  million was  provided by operating  activities  for the first
nine  months  of 1997 as  compared  to  $7.2  net  cash  provided  by  operating
activities for the first nine months of 1996.  This increase was principally the
result of increases in net income,  accounts  payable,  depreciation and accrued
expenses  partially offset by an increase in accounts  receivable and inventory.
These  increases  are  primarily due to the addition of new stores and increased
sales levels in existing and newly opened stores.

Net cash used in investing activities has increased from $7.7 million in 1996 to
$25.6 million in 1997 primarily due to a decrease in net proceeds from the sales
of short-term  investments,  and to a lesser extent, an increase in purchases of
property and  equipment as a result of the  Company's  accelerated  store growth
program.

Cash provided by financing  activities  has  increased  from $1.4 million in the
first nine months of 1996 to $11.8 million in the first nine months of 1997. The
increase was  primarily  due to increased  net  borrowings  under the  Company's
credit facilities during the first nine months of 1997.

The Company has  available an unsecured  line of credit with  NationsBank,  N.A.
(formerly The Boatmen's  National Bank of St.  Louis).  Under the terms thereof,
the Company  may borrow up to $17 million  until  October 15,  1997.  Borrowings
outstanding under the line of credit bear interest at LIBOR plus 0.75% (6.41% as
of September 30,  1997).  At September  30, 1997,  $8.6 million was  outstanding
under the line of credit. On October 16, 1997, this credit facility was replaced
by an agreement allowing the Company to borrow up to $32.5 million until October
15, 2000. Borrowings outstanding under this facility will bear interest at LIBOR
plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00% based upon certain financial ratios of
the Company.

The Company also has  available  an unsecured  revolving  credit  facility  with
Commerce Bank, N.A. of Springfield, Missouri. Under terms of this agreement, the
Company  may borrow up to $15  million  upon  compliance  with  various  minimum
financial ratios. This credit facility bears interest at LIBOR plus 1.00% (6.66%
at September  30, 1997) and matures on October 31, 1997.  At September 30, 1997,
$5.1 million was outstanding under this credit facility. On October 1, 1997 this
credit  facility was replaced by an agreement  allowing the Company to borrow up
to $32.5 million until September 30, 2000.  Borrowings  outstanding  under  this
facility  will bear  interest at LIBOR plus a margin ranging from 0.50% to 1.00%
based upon certain financial ratios of the Company.

The Company  plans to open an  additional  10 stores in 1997 (for a net total of
40).  Management believes the funds required for such planned expansions will be
provided  by the  cash  expected  to be  generated  from  operating  activities,
existing  cash  and  short-term  investments  and  the  Company's   bank  credit
facilities described above.

Management  believes  that the cash  expected  to be  generated  from  operating
activities,  existing  cash and  short-term  investments,  existing  bank credit
facilities  and  trade  credit  will be  sufficient  to fund  both the short and
long-term capital and liquidity needs of the Company for the foreseeable future.





                                       8
<PAGE>





PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

Item 1.  Legal Proceedings
- --------------------------

         Not applicable

Item 2.  Changes in Securities
- ------------------------------

On July 8, 1997, the Company's Board of Directors  declared a two-for-one  stock
split in the form of a 100% stock dividend to all  shareholders  of record as of
the close of business on July 31,  1997,  which said stock  dividend was paid on
August 31, 1997.

Item 3.  Defaults Upon Senior Securities
- ----------------------------------------

         Not applicable

Item 4.  Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders
- ------------------------------------------------------------

         Not applicable


Item 5.  Other Information
- --------------------------

On August 20, 1997 Jay Burchfield was appointed to the Board of Directors of the
Company to fill the vacancy  created by the  resignation  of Paul  Lederer as of
July 1, 1997.  Mr.  Burchfield  will serve as  director  through  Mr.  Lederer's
remaining  term  ending  at the  May  1999  Annual  Shareholders  meeting.  Such
resignation was not the result of any disagreements  between Mr. Lederer and the
Company  on  any  matter  relating  to the  Company's  operations,  policies  or
practices.



                                       9
<PAGE>




Item 6.  Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K
- -----------------------------------------

         (a) Exhibits:  See Exhibit Index on page 12 hereof

         (b) Reports on Form 8-K:  No reports on Form 8-K were filed by
             the Registrant during the three months ended September 30,
             1997.




                                       10
<PAGE>





                                   SIGNATURES

Pursuant  to the  requirements  of the  Securities  Exchange  Act of  1934,  the
Registrant  has duly  caused  this  report  to be  signed  on its  behalf by the
undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


                              O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

November 14, 1997             /s/  David E. O'Reilly
- ------------------            --------------------------------------------------
Date                          David E. O'Reilly, President and Chief Executive
                              Officer

November 14, 1997             /s/  James R. Batten
- ------------------            --------------------------------------------------
Date                          James R. Batten, Vice-president of Finance/Chief
                              Financial Officer (Principal Financial Officer)

November 14, 1997             /s/  Chris Stange
- ------------------            --------------------------------------------------
Date                          Chris Stange, Director of Accounting/Controller
                              (Principal Accounting Officer)







                                       11
<PAGE>





                                  EXHIBIT INDEX


Number                         Description                                 Page
- ------                        ------------                                 ----
  10.17            Credit Agreement between the Registrant                  13
                   and NationsBank, N.A. dated October 16, 
                   1997, filed herewith.

  10.19            Loan Agreement between the Registrant and                44 
                   Commerce Bank, N.A. dated October 1, 1997,
                   filed herewith.

  27.1             Financial Data Schedule, filed herewith.                 67

  99.1             Certain Risk Factors, filed herewith.                    68





                                       12
<PAGE>




                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                        Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

                          Dated as of October 16, 1997

                                     Between

                            O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

                                       as

                                    Borrower

                                       and

                               NATIONSBANK, N. A.

                                    as Lender

                                U.S. $32,500,000




                                       13
<PAGE>


                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


                                TABLE OF CONTENTS

This Table of Contents is not part of the  Agreement to which it is attached but
is for convenience of reference.


                                    ARTICLE I
                                   DEFINITIONS

SECTION 1.01. Basic Definitions...............................................1
SECTION 1.02. Additional Definitions..........................................3


                                   ARTICLE II
                                      LOANS

SECTION 2.01. Committed Loans.................................................7
SECTION 2.02. Note............................................................8
SECTION 2.03. Letters of Credit Subfeature....................................8
SECTION 2.04. Repayment of Loans..............................................8
SECTION 2.05. Interest........................................................8
SECTION 2.06. Borrowing Procedure.............................................9
SECTION 2.07. Prepayments, Conversions, and Continuations of Loans............9
SECTION 2.08. Minimum Amounts................................................10
SECTION 2.09. Certain Notices................................................10
SECTION 2.10. Use of Proceeds................................................11
SECTION 2.11. Fees...........................................................11
SECTION 2.12. Computations...................................................11
SECTION 2.13. Adjustment of Commitment.......................................11
SECTION 2.14. Payments.......................................................12
SECTION 2.15. Mandatory Prepayment...........................................12


                                   ARTICLE III
                             CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

SECTION 3.01. Increased Cost and Reduced Return..............................12
SECTION 3.02. Limitation on Types of Loans...................................13
SECTION 3.03. Illegality.....................................................13
SECTION 3.04. Compensation...................................................14
SECTION 3.05. Taxes..........................................................14


                                   ARTICLE IV
                                   CONDITIONS

SECTION 4.01. Initial Loan...................................................15
SECTION 4.02. Each Loan......................................................15
SECTION 4.03. Issuance of Letters of Credit..................................16


                                       14
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


                                    ARTICLE V
                          REPRESENTATION AND WARRANTIES

SECTION 5.01. Existence......................................................17
SECTION 5.02. Financial Statements...........................................17
SECTION 5.03. Authorization; No Breach.......................................17
SECTION 5.04. Litigation.....................................................17
SECTION 5.05. Enforceability.................................................17
SECTION 5.06. Approvals......................................................17
SECTION 5.07. Disclosure.....................................................17


                                   ARTICLE VI
                                    COVENANTS

SECTION 6.01. Information....................................................18
SECTION 6.02. Obligations....................................................19
SECTION 6.03. Financial Covenants............................................19
SECTION 6.04. Additional Covenants...........................................20


                                   ARTICLE VII
                                     DEFAULT

SECTION 7.01. Events of Default..............................................21
SECTION 7.02. Remedies.......................................................22


                                  ARTICLE VIII
                                  MISCELLANEOUS

SECTION 8.01. Expenses.......................................................23
SECTION 8.02. Indemnification................................................23


                                       15
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


SECTION 8.03. Right of Set-off...............................................23
SECTION 8.04. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies.................................24
SECTION 8.05. Successors and Assigns.........................................24
SECTION 8.06. Amendments.....................................................24
SECTION 8.07. Notices........................................................24
SECTION 8.08. Counterparts...................................................25
SECTION 8.09. Severability...................................................25
SECTION 8.10. Controlling Agreement..........................................25
SECTION 8.11. Survival.......................................................25
SECTION 8.12. Governing Law..................................................25
SECTION 8.13. Accounting Terminology.........................................26
SECTION 8.14. WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL...........................................26
SECTION 8.15. ENTIRE AGREEMENT...............................................26




                                       16
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)




                                CREDIT AGREEMENT

         CREDIT  AGREEMENT  (the  "Agreement")  dated as of  October  16,  1997,
between O'Reilly Automotive,  Inc., a Missouri corporation (the "Borrower"), and
NATIONSBANK N.A., a national banking association (the "Bank").

         The parties hereto agree as follows:

                                    ARTICLE I

                                   DEFINITIONS

         SECTION  1.01.  Basic  Definitions.  As  used  in  this  Agreement, the
following terms have the following meanings:

                  "Applicable Margin" means:

                  (i)  with respect to Base Rate Loans, zero percent (0%);

                  (ii) with respect to Eurodollar Loans,

                        0.50%   when   the   ratio  of  Total  Funded  Debt  (as
                        hereinafter defined  to EBITDA (as  hereinafter defined)
                        is less than 1.0, to 1.0,

                        0.75% when  the ratio of Total  Funded Debt to EBITDA is
                        less than 2.0, but equal to or greater than 1.0, to 1.0,

                        1.00% when the ratio of Total  Funded  Debt to EBITDA is
                        less than 2.5, but equal to or greater than 2.0, to 1.0,

                        Notwithstanding  anything  to the  contrary  herein, the
                        Applicable Margin with respect to Eurodollar Loans shall
                        immediately and  automatically  become 1.00% during such
                        times as the  Borrower shall  not have  submitted to the
                        Bank the financial information required by Section 6.01.


                                       17
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


                  (iii) with respect to Overnight Loans,

                        0.625% when the ratio of Total Funded  Debt to EBITDA is
                        less than 1.0, to 1.0,

                        0.875% when the ratio of Total Funded  Debt to EBITDA is
                        less than 2.0, but equal to or greater than 1.0, to 1.0,

                        1.125% when the  ratio of Total Funded Debt to EBITDA is
                        less than 2.5, but equal to or greater than 2.0, to 1.0.

         Adjustments  to be made to the  Applicable  Margin  based on the ratios
         described in clauses (ii) and (iii)  immediately above shall be made on
         the  second  Business  Day  following  of  the  Bank's  receipt  of the
         information  required to be  submitted  by the  Borrower to the Bank in
         Sections 6.01(a) and 6.01(b).  Such adjustments shall apply to all then
         outstanding  balances  under this  Agreement as well as to  outstanding
         balances under future Loans until the next adjustment is made.

                  "Commitment"   means  the  obligation  of  the  Bank  to  make
         Committed  Loans and issue Letters of Credit in an aggregate  principal
         amount at any time outstanding up to but not exceeding  $32,500,000.00,
         as the  same may be  adjusted  upward  or  downward  from  time to time
         pursuant to this Agreement (but never to exceed $32,500,000.00).

                  "Commitment  Fees"  means  a per  annum  fee  payable  on each
         Quarterly Date and on the Termination  Date (calculated on the basis of
         the actual number of days elapsed in a  hypothetical  year of 360 days)
         equal to:

                        0.125%   of   the  daily   average   unused  (available)
                        Commitment when the ratio of Total Funded Debt to EBITDA
                        is less than 1.0, to 1.0;

                        0.15% of the daily average unused (available) commitment
                        when the ratio of Total Funded  Debt to EBITDA  is  less
                        than 2.0, but equal to or greater than 1.0, to 1.0;  and



                                       18
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)

                        0.1875%  of   the  daily   average  unused   (available)
                        Commitment and 0.125% of  the average daily  unavailable
                        Commitment when the ratio of total funded debt to EBITDA
                        is  equal  to  or  greater  than  2.0 (based on the face
                        amount of $32,500,000 regardless of the face  Commitment
                        amount which may be unavailable pursuant to a  reduction
                        as  set  forth herein).

                  "Fees" means Commitment Fees and Letter of Credit Fees.

                  "Letter of Credit  Fees" means a per annum fee payable on each
         Quarterly  Date and on the  Termination  Date equal to the  outstanding
         face amount of all Letters of Credit issued by the Bank for the account
         of Borrower  multiplied by the Applicable  Margin for Eurodollar  Loans
         plus a  fronting  fee  equal to 0.10%  of the face  amount  of all such
         Letters of Credit.

                  "Principal  Office"  means  the  office of the bank located at
         800  Market  Street,   12th   Floor,  St.  Louis,   Missouri     63101,
         Attention: Juan Cazorla.

                  "Termination Date" means the date three years from the date of
         this Agreement.

         SECTION  1.02.  Additional  Definitions.  As used  in  this  Agreement,
the following terms have the following meanings.

                  "Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate" means, for any Eurodollar Loan for
         any Interest Period therefor,  the rate per annum (rounded upwards,  if
         necessary,  to the nearest  1/100 of 1%)  determined  by the Bank to be
         equal to the quotient  obtained by dividing (a) the Eurodollar Rate for
         such  Eurodollar  Loan  for such  Interest  Period  by (b) 1 minus  the
         Reserve Requirement for such Eurodollar Loan for such Interest Period.

                  "Base Rate"  means,  for any day,  the rate per annum equal to
         the higher of (a) the Federal  Funds Rate for such day plus one-half of
         one  percent  (.5%) and (b) the Prime Rate for such day.  Any change in
         the Base Rate due to a change in the Prime  Rate or the  Federal  Funds
         Rate shall be  effective  on the  effective  date of such change in the
         Prime Rate or Federal Funds Rate.

                  "Base Rate  Loans"  means  Loans that bear  interest  at rates
         based upon the Base Rate.

                  "Business  Day" means any day except a  Saturday,  Sunday,  or
         other day on which  banks in the State  where the  Principal  Office is
         located are authorized by law to close and, if the applicable  Business
         Day relates to Eurodollar  Loans,

                                       19
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

         on which commercial banks in London are open for international business
         (including dealings in Dollar deposits in the London interbank market).

                  "Committed Loans" has the meaning specified in Section 2.01.

                  "Continue",  "Continuation",  and "Continued" shall refer to a
         continuation pursuant to Section 2.07 of a Fixed Rate Loan as a Loan of
         the same Type from one Interest Period to the next Interest Period.

                  "Convert",  "Conversion",  and "Converted"  shall refer to the
         conversion  pursuant to Section 2.07 or Article III of one Type of Loan
         into another Type of Loan.

                  "Debtor Relief Laws" means the  Bankruptcy  Code of the United
         States   of   America   and   all   other    applicable    liquidation,
         conservatorship,  bankruptcy, moratorium, rearrangement,  receivership,
         insolvency,  reorganization,  suspension of payments, or similar debtor
         relief  laws  from  time to time in  effect  affecting  the  rights  of
         creditors generally.

                  "Default"  means an Event of Default or the  occurrence  of an
         event or  condition  that with  notice  or lapse of time or both  would
         become an Event of Default.

                  "Default  Rate" means,  with  respect to any  principal of any
         Loan or any other amount  payable by the Borrower  under this Agreement
         or any other Loan Document that is not paid when due (whether at stated
         maturity, by acceleration,  or otherwise),  a rate per annum during the
         period from and  including  the due date to but  excluding  the date on
         which such  amount is paid in full equal to two  percent  (2%) plus the
         Base Rate as in effect from time to time plus the Applicable Margin for
         Base Rate Loans  (provided  that, if the amount in default is principal
         of a Fixed  Rate Loan and the due date  thereof is a day other than the
         last day of the Interest Period  therefor,  the "Default Rate" for such
         principal  shall be, for the period from and including the due date and
         to but  excluding  the last day of the Interest  Period  therefor,  two
         percent  (2%)  plus the  interest  rate for such  Loan as  provided  in
         Section 2.05(b), as the case may be, and, thereafter, the rate provided
         for above in this definition).

                  "Dollars"  and  "$"  mean lawful money of the United States of
         America.

                  "EBITDA" shall have the meaning given it in Section 6.03(a).

                  "Eurodollar  Loans"  means  Loans that bear  interest at rates
         based upon the Adjusted Eurodollar Rate.

                  "Event of Default" has the meaning specified in Section 7.01.


                                       20
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

                  "Eurodollar  Rate"  means,  for any  Eurodollar  Loan  for any
         Interest Period therefor, the rate per annum appearing on Telerate Page
         3750 (or any successor page) as the London  interbank  offered rate for
         deposits  in Dollars at  approximately  11:00  a.m.  (London  time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest Period.  If for any reason such rate is not
         available,  the term  "Eurodollar  Rate" shall mean, for any Eurodollar
         Loan for any Interest Period therefor,  the rate per annum appearing on
         Reuters  Screen  LIBO Page as the  London  interbank  offered  rate for
         deposits  in Dollars at  approximately  11:00  a.m.  (London  time) two
         Business Days prior to the first day of such Interest Period for a term
         comparable to such Interest Period; provided, however, if more than one
         rate is specified on Reuters Screen LIB Page, the applicable rate shall
         be the arithmetic mean of all such rates.

                  "Federal  Funds Rate"  means,  for any day, the rate per annum
         (rounded  upwards,  if necessary,  to the nearest 1/100 of 1%) equal to
         the  weighted   average  of  the  rates  on  overnight   Federal  funds
         transactions  with members of the Federal  Reserve  System  arranged by
         Federal funds brokers on such day, as published by the Federal  Reserve
         Bank of New York on the Business Day next succeeding such day; provided
         that (a) if such day is not a Business  Day, the Federal Funds Rate for
         such day shall be such rate on such  transactions on the next preceding
         Business Day as so published on the next  succeeding  Business Day, and
         (b) if no such rate is so  published on such next  succeeding  Business
         Day,  the  Federal  Funds Rate for such day shall be the  average  rate
         charged to the Bank on such day on such  transactions  as determined by
         the Bank.

                  "Financial  Statements" means the financial  statements of the
         Borrower and the Subsidiaries most recently furnished to the Bank prior
         to the date of this Agreement.

                  "Fixed  Charges" shall  have  the  meaning given it in Section
         6.03(b).

                  "Governmental  Authority" means any nation or government,  any
         state or political  subdivision  thereof,  any central bank (or similar
         monetary or regulatory authority), and any entity exercising executive,
         legislative,  judicial,  regulatory,  or administrative functions of or
         pertaining to government.

                  "Interest  Period" means with respect to any Eurodollar  Loan,
         each period  commencing on the date such Loan is made or Converted from
         a Loan of another Type or the last day of the next  preceding  Interest
         Period  with  respect  to such  Loan,  and  ending  on the  numerically
         corresponding day in the first, second,  third, or sixth calendar month
         thereafter,  as the  Borrower  may select as provided in Section  2.09,
         except  that each such  Interest  Period  which  commences  on the last
         Business  Day of a calendar  month (or on any day for which there is no
         numerically  corresponding day in the appropriate  subsequent  calendar
         month) shall end on the last Business Day of the appropriate subsequent
         calendar month. 


                                       21
<PAGE>

                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

         Notwithstanding  the  foregoing: (a) each  Interest  Period which would
         otherwise  end on a day which is not a Business  Day  shall  end on the
         next succeeding Business Day (or  if such succeeding Business Day falls
         in the next succeeding  calendar  month, on the next preceding Business
         Day);  (b) any Interest  Period  which  would  otherwise  extend beyond
         the Termination Date  shall  end  on  the Termination  Date; and (c) no
         Interest  Period  for any  Eurodollar  Loan  shall  have  a duration of
         less than 1 month and, if the Interest  Period for any Eurodollar  Loan
         would otherwise be a shorter  period,  such Loan shall not be available
         hereunder.

                  "Letters  of  Credit"  shall mean all  outstanding  letters of
         credit  issued by the Bank for the account of the  Borrower  which have
         not been fully drawn upon or which have not expired.

                  "Loan Documents" means this Agreement, the Note, and all other
         documents,  instruments,  and agreements executed or delivered pursuant
         to or in connection with this Agreement, including, without limitation,
         Letters  of  Credit,  as the same may be  amended,  modified,  renewed,
         extended, or supplemented.

                  "Loan Party" means the Borrower or any Person that  guarantees
         or  secures  any or all of the  Borrower's  obligations  under the Loan
         Documents.

                  "Loans" means Committed Loans.

                  "Material  Adverse Effect" means a material  adverse effect on
         (a)  the  properties,   prospects,  business,   operations,   financial
         condition,  liabilities,  or  capitalization  of the  Borrower  and the
         Subsidiaries taken as a whole, (b) the ability of any Loan Party to pay
         and  perform  its  obligations  under  any  Loan  Document,  or (c) the
         validity  or  enforceability  of any Loan  Document  or the  rights and
         remedies of the Bank thereunder.

                  "Note" has the meaning specified in Section 2.02.

                  "Overnight Rate Loans" means Loans that bear interest at rates
         based on the Over-night  Rate.  (The Overnight Rate is a daily variable
         rate.)

                  "Overnight  Rate Loan  Maturity  Date" means the date which is
         the third day from (and  including) the day in which any Overnight Rate
         Loan is made.

                  "Overnight  Rate" means, for any Overnight Loan, the per annum
         Federal Funds Rate for any given day.

                  "Person" means any  individual,  corporation,  company,  joint
         venture, association,  partnership, trust, unincorporated organization,
         Governmental Authority, or other entity.


                                       22
<PAGE>

                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

                  "Prime Rate" means the per annum rate of interest  established
         from time to time by the Bank as its prime rate,  which rate may not be
         the lowest rate of interest charged by the Bank to its customers.

                  "Quarterly  Date"  means  the  last day of each  March,  June,
         September,  and December of each year,  the first of which shall be the
         first such day after the date of this Agreement.

                  "Regulation D" means Regulation D of the Board of Governors of
         the Federal Reserve System, as in effect from time to time.

                  "Reserve  Requirement" means, at any time, the maximum rate at
         which  reserves  (including  any marginal,  special,  supplemental,  or
         emergency  reserves)  are required to be maintained  under  regulations
         issued  from  time to time by the  Board of  Governors  of the  Federal
         Reserve  System  (or any  successor)  by  member  banks of the  Federal
         Reserve  System in New York City with  deposits  exceeding  one billion
         Dollars  against  "Eurocurrency  liabilities"  (as such term is used in
         Regulation  D).  Without  limiting  the  effect of the  foregoing,  the
         Reserve  Requirement  shall reflect any other  reserves  required to be
         maintained  by such member  banks with  respect to (i) any  category of
         liabilities  which includes deposits by reference to which the Adjusted
         Eurodollar Rate is to be determined, or (ii) any category of extensions
         of credit or other assets which include  Eurodollar Loans. The Adjusted
         Eurodollar  Rate  shall  be  adjusted  automatically  on  and as of the
         effective date of any change in the Reserve Requirement.

                  "Subsidiary"  means,  any corporation or other entity of which
         securities or other ownership interests having ordinary voting power to
         elect a majority of the board of directors or other Persons  performing
         similar  functions are at the time directly or indirectly  owned by the
         Borrower.

                  "Total Funded Debt" shall have the meaning given it in Section
         6.03(a).

                  "Type"   means  any  type  of  Loan  (i.e.,  Base  Rate  Loan,
         Eurodollar Loan or Overnight Rate Loan).

                                   ARTICLE II

                                      LOANS

         SECTION 2.01.  Committed Loans.  Subject to the terms and conditions of
this Agreement, the Bank agrees to make one or more loans ("Committed Loans") to
the  Borrower  from  time to time  from and  including  the date  hereof  to but
excluding the Termination Date,  provided that the aggregate principal amount of
the Loans and  Letters  of Credit at any time  outstanding  shall not exceed the
amount of the Commitment, as the same may be adjusted from time to time pursuant
to the terms


                                       23
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

hereof.   Subject  to  the  foregoing  limitations,  and  the  other  terms  and
provisions  of  this  Agreement,  the  Borrower may borrow,  repay, and reborrow
hereunder the amount of the  Commitment by means of Base Rate Loans,  Eurodollar
Loans, and Overnight Rate Loans as well as by means of Letters of Credit.

         SECTION 2.02.  Note. The Loans made by the Bank shall be evidenced by a
single  promissory note of the Borrower in substantially  the form of Exhibit A,
dated the date  hereof,  payable to the order of the Bank in a principal  amount
equal to the Commitment as originally in effect and otherwise duly completed (as
from time to time amended, modified, renewed, or extended, the "Note").

         SECTION  2.03.  Letters  of Credit  Sublimit.  During  the term of this
Agreement,  the  Borrower  may request  that the Bank issue,  from time to time,
Letters of Credit for the  account of the  Borrower,  which the Bank shall issue
subject to the terms of this Agreement and the following conditions:

                  (a) The  maximum  face  amount of all  outstanding  Letters of
         Credit shall not at any time exceed  $5,000,000.00  and the outstanding
         amount  of all Loans  and  Letters  of  Credit  shall  not  exceed  the
         Commitment,  as the same may be adjusted  from time to time pursuant to
         the terms hereof;

                  (b) The form and  content of all  Letters  of Credit  shall be
         acceptable to the Bank;

                  (c) The Commitment  shall be reduced by the face amount of all
         outstanding Letters of Credit;

                  (d) Letters of Credit shall not have an expiration  date later
         than the Termination Date;

                  (e) The  repayment  terms,  interest rate, expiration date and
         other  terms of the  Letters of Credit  shall be  governed by each such
         Letter of Credit; and

                  (f)  There  shall be no Event of  Default  existing  (or which
         would  exist  with the  lapse  of  time) at the time of the  Borrower's
         request for the issuance of any such Letter of Credit.

         SECTION 2.04.  Repayment  of  Loans.  Except  as  otherwise provided in
this Agreement,  the Borrower shall pay to the Bank  the  outstanding  principal
amount of the Loans on the Termination Date.

         SECTION 2.05. Interest.  The Borrower shall pay to the Bank interest on
the unpaid principal  amount of each Loan for the period  commencing on the date
of such Loan to but  excluding  the date such Loan shall be paid in full, at the
following rates per annum:


                                       24
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 
             (a) during  the  periods  such  Loan is a Base Rate Loan,  the Base
         Rate plus the Applicable Margin;

             (b) during the periods such Loan is a Eurodollar Loan, the Adjusted
         Eurodollar Rate plus the Applicable Margin; and

             (c) during the periods  such Loan is an  Overnight  Rate Loan,  the
         Overnight Rate plus the Applicable Margin.

Notwithstanding  the  foregoing,  the Borrower shall pay to the Bank interest at
the  Default  Rate on any  principal  of any  Loan  and (to the  fullest  extent
permitted  by law) on any  other  amount  payable  by the  Borrower  under  this
Agreement or any other Loan Document which is not paid in full when due (whether
at stated  maturity,  by  acceleration,  or otherwise),  for the period from and
including  the due date  thereof to but  excluding  the date the same is paid in
full. Accrued interest on the Loans shall be due and payable as follows:  (i) in
the case of Base Rate Loans,  on each Quarterly  Date;  (ii) in the case of each
Eurodollar  Loan,  on the last day of the Interest  Period with respect  thereto
and, in the case of an Interest Period greater than three months, at three-month
intervals after the first day of such Interest Period; (iii) in the case of each
Overnight  Rate Loan on the applicable  Overnight Rate Loan Maturity Date;  (iv)
upon the payment or  prepayment  of any Loan or the  Conversion of any Loan to a
Loan of another  Type (but only on the  principal  amount so paid,  prepaid,  or
Converted);  and (v) on the Termination Date;  provided that interest payable at
the Default Rate shall be payable from time to time on demand.

The Borrower  acknowledges  and agrees that interest  rates related to Base Rate
Loans and Overnight  Rate Loans are variable and that interest  rates related to
Eurodollar  Loans are fixed rates for the  duration of the  applicable  Interest
Periods.

         SECTION 2.06.  Borrowing  Procedure.  The Borrower  shall give the Bank
notice of each  borrowing  hereunder in accordance  with Section 2.09. Not later
than  2:00  p.m.  (at the  Principal  Office)  on the  date  specified  for each
borrowing  hereunder,  the Bank will make available the amount of the Loan to be
made by it on such date to the Borrower by depositing  the same, in  immediately
available  funds,  in an account of the Borrower  (designated  by the  Borrower)
maintained with the Bank at the Principal Office or as otherwise directed by the
Borrower.

         SECTION 2.07.  Prepayments,  Conversions,  and  Continuations of Loans.
Subject to Section 2.08,  the Borrower shall have the right from time to time to
prepay the Loans, or to Convert all or part of a Loan of one Type into a Loan of
another Type or to Eurodollar  Loans of one Type as Eurodollar Loans of the same
Type (with  adjustments  to the  interest  rate as otherwise  provided  herein),
provided  that:  (a) the  Borrower  shall  give the  Bank  notice  of each  such
prepayment,  Conversion,  or  Continuation  as  provided  in Section  2.09,  (b)
Eurodollar  Loans may only be Converted on the last day of the Interest  Period,
(c) the Borrower may not Continue an Overnight  Rate Loan or Convert a Loan into
a Overnight  Rate Loan,  (d)  notwithstanding


                                       25
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

anything  in  this  Agreement to the contrary,  each  Overnight Rate Loan either
must be paid in full by the Borrower on or before each such  Overnight Rate Loan
Maturity  Date,  or  if  not  so  prepaid,   each   Overnight  Rate  Loan  shall
automatically  convert  to  a Base Rate Loan on the day after the Overnight Rate
Loan  Maturity  Date, and  (e) except for  Conversions into Base Rate Loans,  no
Conversions  or  Continuations  shall  be  made  while  an  Event of Default has
occurred and is continuing.

         SECTION 2.08.  Minimum Amounts.  Except for Conversions and prepayments
pursuant to Section 2.15 and Article III, each borrowing,  each Conversion,  and
each  prepayment  of principal of the Loans shall be in an amount at least equal
to $500,000 and incremental multiples thereof. Anything in this Agreement to the
contrary notwithstanding,  the aggregate principal amount of Eurodollar Loans of
the  same  Type  having  the same  Interest  Period  shall be at least  equal to
$500,000.

         SECTION 2.09.  Certain Notices.  Notices by the Borrower to the Bank of
adjustments of the Commitment,  of borrowings,  Conversions,  Continuations  and
optional  prepayments of Loans and of the duration of Interest  Periods shall be
irrevocable  and shall be effective  only if received by the Bank not later than
11:00 a.m.  (local time at the Principal  Office) on the number of Business Days
prior  to  the  date  of  the  relevant   adjustment,   borrowing,   Conversion,
Continuation,  or prepayment or the first day of such Interest Period  specified
below:

                                                           Number of Business
     Notice                                                    Days Prior
    --------                                                  ------------

Commitment adjustments                                             3

Borrowing or prepayment of,
  or Conversions into, Base
  Rate Loans                                                    same day

Borrowing or prepayment of,
  Conversions into,
  Continuations as, or
  duration of Interest Periods
  for, Eurodollar Loans                                            3

Borrowing or prepayment of Overnight
  Rate Loans                                                    same day


Each notice of adjustment of the Commitment amount (as provided in Section 2.13)
shall specify the amount of the  Commitment  to be adjusted  upward or downward.
Each such notice of borrowing, Conversion,  Continuation, or optional prepayment
shall


                                       26
<PAGE>

                 O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

specify   (a)  the  amount  and  Type  of  the Loan to be  borrowed,  Converted,
Continued,  or prepaid (and,  in the case of a  Conversion,  the Type of Loan to
result  from  such   Conversion),   (b)  the  date  of  borrowing,   Conversion,
Continuation, or prepayment (which shall be a Business Day), and (c) in the case
of a borrowing  of a Eurodollar  Loan,  a  Conversion,  or a  Continuation,  the
duration of the Interest  Period.  In the event the Borrower fails to select the
Type of Loan, or the duration of any Interest  Period for any  Eurodollar  Loan,
within the time period and otherwise as provided in this Section 2.09, such Loan
(if  outstanding as a Eurodollar  Loan) will be  automatically  Converted into a
Base Rate Loan on the last day of the preceding Interest Period for such Loan or
(if  outstanding  as a  Base  Rate  Loan)  will  remain  as,  or  (if  not  then
outstanding) will be made as, a Base Rate Loan.

         SECTION 2.10. Use of Proceeds.  The proceeds of the Loans shall be used
by the Borrower for any lawful corporate purposes,  including working capital in
the  ordinary  course of business and capital  expenditures  related to business
expansion.  The Borrower will not, directly or indirectly,  use any part of such
proceeds for the purpose of  purchasing  or carrying any margin stock within the
meaning of  Regulations  G, U, T, or X of the Board of  Governors of the Federal
Reserve System.

         SECTION 2.11. Fees.  The Borrower agrees to pay to the Bank the Fees as
specified herein.

         SECTION 2.12.  Computations.  Interest and Fees payable by the Borrower
hereunder and under the other Loan Documents shall be computed on the basis of a
year of 360 days and the actual number of days elapsed  (including the first day
but excluding the last day) occurring in the period for which payable.

         SECTION 2.13.  Adjustment of  Commitment.  Not more than four (4) times
each  calendar  year,  the  Borrower  shall  have the right to reduce the unused
portion of the  Commitment  effective on the third (3rd)  Business Day following
timely  receipt by the Bank of the notice  provided  in Section  2.09,  provided
that:  (a) the Borrower  shall give notice of each such reduction as provided in
Section  2.09;  (b) each partial  reduction  shall be in an aggregate  amount at
least  equal to  $1,000,000;  and (c) the  reduction(s)  shall not result in the
Commitment  being less than  $17,500,000 at any time. If the Commitment has been
reduced as set forth above so that the Commitment is less than $32,500,000,  the
Borrower  shall have the right to increase  the amount of the  Commitment,  each
such increase to be effective on the third (3rd) Business Day following  receipt
by the Bank of the notice  provided in Section 2.09,  provided  that:  (a) there
shall not exist an Event of Default  or any state of facts  which with the lapse
of time would lead to an Event of Default; (b) the Borrower shall give notice of
each such increase as required by Section 2.09; (c) each partial  increase shall
be in an  aggregate  amount  at  least  equal  to  $1,000,000;  (d) the  maximum
Commitment  hereunder  shall not  exceed  $32,500,000  at any time;  and (e) the
Borrower  shall have the right to increase the Commitment not more than four (4)
times each calendar year.


                                       27
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)
 

         SECTION 2.14. Payments. All payments of principal,  interest, and other
amounts to be made by the Borrower under this Agreement and other Loan Documents
shall be made to the Bank at the  Principal  Office (or at such other  office as
may be designated  by the Bank from time to time) in Dollars and in  immediately
available  funds,  without  setoff,  deduction,  or  counterclaim.  Whenever any
payment under this  Agreement or any other Loan  Document  shall be stated to be
due on a day that is not a Business  Day,  such  payment may be made on the next
succeeding  Business  Day,  and such  extension  of time in such  case  shall be
included in the  computation of interest and Fees, as applicable and as the case
may be.

         SECTION  2.15.  Mandatory  Prepayment.  If at any time the  outstanding
principal  amount of the Loans and Letters of Credit exceed the  Commitment,  as
the  same  may be  adjusted  from  time to time  pursuant  to the  terms of this
Agreement,  the Borrower shall  immediately make a prepayment of the Loans in an
amount equal to the excess.

                                   ARTICLE III

                             CHANGE IN CIRCUMSTANCES

         SECTION 3.01.     Increased Cost and Reduced Return.

         (a) If, after the date  hereof,  the  adoption of any  applicable  law,
rule, or regulation,  or any change in any applicable  law, rule, or regulation,
or  any  change  in  the   interpretation  or  administration   thereof  by  any
Governmental   Authority  charged  with  the  interpretation  or  administration
thereof, or compliance by the Bank with any request or directive (whether or not
having the force of law) of any such Governmental Authority:

                        (i) shall  subject the Bank to any tax,  duty,  or other
         charge  with  respect  to  any  Eurodollar  Loans,  the  Note,  or  its
         obligation to make Eurodollar Loans, or change the basis of taxation of
         any  amounts  payable to the Bank under this  Agreement  or the Note in
         respect of a Eurodollar  Loans (other than taxes imposed on the overall
         net  income of the Bank by the  jurisdiction  in which the Bank has its
         Principal Office);

                       (ii) shall impose or modify any reserve, special deposit,
         or similar requirement (other than the Reserve Requirement  utilized in
         the  determination  of the  Adjusted  Eurodollar  Rate) or any  capital
         adequacy  requirement  relating  to any  extensions  of credit or other
         assets of, or any deposits with or other liabilities or commitments of,
         the Bank (including the Commitment); or

                      (iii)  shall  impose on the Bank or on the  United  States
         market for  certificates of deposit or the London  interbank market any
         other  condition

                                       28
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


         affecting  this  Agreement  or  the  Note  or any of such extensions of
         credit or liabilities or commitments;

and the result of any of the  foregoing  is to increase  the cost to the Bank of
making,  Converting into, Continuing,  or maintaining any Eurodollar Loans or to
reduce any sum received or  receivable  by the Bank under this  Agreement or the
Note with respect to any Eurodollar  Loans, or would have the effect of reducing
the rate of return on the capital of the Bank or any corporation controlling the
Bank as a consequence of the Bank's obligations  hereunder to a level below that
which the Bank or such  corporation  could have  achieved but for such  adoption
change,  request,  or directive  (taking into  consideration  its policies  with
respect to capital  adequacy)  by an amount  deemed by the Bank to be  material,
then the Borrower shall pay to the Bank on demand such amount or amounts as will
compensate the Bank for such increased cost or reduction.

         (b) A certificate of the Bank claiming  compensation under this Section
and setting  forth the  additional  amount or amounts to be paid to it hereunder
shall be conclusive in the absence of clearly demonstrable error. In determining
such amount, the Bank may use any reasonable averaging and attribution methods.

         SECTION  3.02.  Limitation  on Types of Loans.  If  on  or prior to the
first day of any Interest  Period for any Eurodollar Loan:

                  (a)  the  Bank  determines  (which   determination   shall  be
         conclusive)  that by reason of  circumstances  affecting  the  relevant
         market, adequate and reasonable means do not exist for ascertaining the
         Eurodollar Rate, for such Interest Period; or

                  (b)  the  Bank  determines  (which   determination   shall  be
         conclusive)  that the Adjusted  Eurodollar Rate will not adequately and
         fairly  reflect  the cost to the Bank of funding  Eurodollar  Loans for
         such Interest Period;

then the Bank shall give the  Borrower  prompt  notice  thereof  specifying  the
relevant Type of Loans and the relevant amounts or periods,  and so long as such
condition  remains in  effect,  the Bank  shall be under no  obligation  to make
additional Loans of such Type,  Continue Loans of such Type, or to Convert Loans
of any other Type into Loans of such Type and the  Borrower  shall,  on the last
day(s) of the then current Interest  Period(s) for the outstanding  Loans of the
affected Type,  either prepay such Loans or Convert such Loans into another Type
of Loan in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         SECTION 3.03.  Illegality.  Notwithstanding any other provision of this
Agreement, in the event that it becomes unlawful for the Bank to make, maintain,
or fund  Eurodollar  Loans  hereunder,  then the Bank shall promptly  notify the
Borrower thereof and the Bank's obligation to make or Continue  Eurodollar Loans
and to Convert  other Types of Loans into  Eurodollar  Loans shall be  suspended
until such time as the Bank may again make, maintain,  and fund Eurodollar Loans
and the  Borrower

                                       29
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


shall, on  the  last  day of the Interest Period for each outstanding Eurodollar
Loan (or earlier, if  required by law), either prepay such Loans or Convert such
Loans into Base Rate Loans in accordance with the terms of this Agreement.

         SECTION 3.04. Compensation.  Upon the request of the Bank, the Borrower
shall pay to the Bank such  amount or  amounts  as shall be  sufficient  (in the
reasonable  opinion of the Bank) to compensate it for any loss, cost, or expense
incurred by it as a result of:

                  (a) any payment, prepayment or Conversion of a Eurodollar Loan
         for any reason (including,  without limitation, the acceleration of the
         Loans pursuant to Section 7.02) on a date other than the last day of an
         Interest Period for such Loan; or

                  (b) any  failure by the  Borrower  for any reason  (including,
         without limitation,  the failure of any conditions  precedent specified
         in Article IV to be satisfied) to borrow, Convert,  Continue, or prepay
         a  Eurodollar  Loan  on  the  date  for  such  borrowing,   Conversion,
         Continuation,  or  prepayment  specified  in  the  relevant  notice  of
         borrowing,   prepayment,   Continuation,   or  Conversion   under  this
         Agreement.

Without limiting the effect of the preceding  sentence,  such compensation shall
include any loss,  cost,  or expense  incurred  in  obtaining,  liquidating,  or
employing deposits from third parties (including loss of margin).

         SECTION 3.05. Taxes. (a) Any and all payments by the Borrower to or for
the account of the Bank hereunder or under any other Loan Document shall be made
free and clear of and without deduction for any and all present or future taxes,
duties,  levies,  imposts,   deductions,   charges  or  withholdings,   and  all
liabilities  with respect  thereto,  excluding,  in the case of the Bank,  taxes
imposed on its income,  and franchise  taxes imposed on it, by the  jurisdiction
under  the laws of which  the Bank is  organized  or any  political  subdivision
thereof (all such  non-excluded  taxes,  duties,  levies,  imposts,  deductions,
charges,   withholdings,  and  liabilities  being  hereinafter  referred  to  as
"Taxes").  If the Borrower  shall be required by law to deduct any Taxes from or
in respect of any sum payable  hereunder or under any Loan Document to the Bank,
(i) the sum payable  shall be  increased  as  necessary so that after making all
required deductions  (including deductions applicable to additional sums payable
under this Section  3.05) the Bank  receives an amount equal to the sum it would
have received had no such  deductions  been made,  (ii) the Borrower  shall make
such  deductions,  (iii) the Borrower shall pay the full amount  deducted to the
relevant  taxation  authority or other  authority in accordance  with applicable
law, and (iv) the Borrower shall furnish to the Bank, at its address referred to
in Section  8.06,  the  original  or a  certified  copy of a receipt  evidencing
payment thereof.

         (b) In  addition,  the  Borrower  agrees to pay any and all  present or
future  stamp or  documentary  taxes and any other  excise or property  taxes or
charges or 

                                       30
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


similar  levies  which arise from any payment made  hereunder or under any other
Loan  Document or  from the execution or delivery of, or otherwise  with respect
to, this Agreement or any other Loan Document (hereinafter referred to as "Other
Taxes").

         (c) The Borrower  agrees to  indemnify  the Bank for the full amount of
Taxes and Other Taxes (including,  without limitation,  any Taxes or Other Taxes
imposed or asserted by any  jurisdiction  on amounts  payable under this Section
3.05) paid by the Bank and any  liability  (including  penalties,  interest  and
expenses) arising therefrom or with respect thereto.


                                   ARTICLE IV

                                   CONDITIONS

         SECTION 4.01.  Initial Loan.  The  obligation of the Bank to  make  the
initial  Loan  hereunder  is  subject  to  the  satisfaction  of  the  following
conditions:

                  (a) receipt by the Bank of the duly executed  Note,  complying
         with the  provisions of Section 2.02,  and such other Loan Documents as
         the Bank may reasonably request,  including,  without  limitation,  any
         guaranties  requested  by the Bank  pursuant to the  commitment  letter
         dated September 14, 1997;

                  (b)  receipt by the Bank of an opinion of counsel for the Loan
         Parties,  substantially  in the form of  Exhibit  B and  covering  such
         additional matters as the Bank may reasonably request; and

                  (c)  receipt  by the Bank of all  documents  that the Bank may
         request   relating  to  the   existence  of  the  Loan   Parties,   the
         authorization for and the validity of the Loan Documents, and any other
         matters relevant thereto, all in form and substance satisfactory to the
         Bank.

         SECTION  4.02.  Each Loan.  The obligation of the Bank to make any Loan
(including  the  initial  Loan) is  subject to the satisfaction of the following
conditions precedent:

                  (a) receipt by the Bank of a notice of borrowing in accordance
         with Section 2.06;

                  (b) the fact that  immediately  after the making of such Loan,
         the aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus Letters of
         Credit  will not exceed the amount of the  Commitment,  as the same may
         have been adjusted pursuant to the terms of this Agreement;


                                       31
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


                  (c) the fact that,  immediately before and after such Loan, no
         Default (including,  without  limitation,  a Material Adverse Change in
         the  financial  condition of the  Borrower)  shall have occurred and be
         continuing; and

                  (d) the fact that the  representations  and  warranties of the
         Borrower contained in this Agreement and the other Loan Documents shall
         be true and correct on and as of the date of such Loan.

         SECTION 4.03. Issuance of Letters of Credit. The obligation of the Bank
to issue each Letter of Credit is subject to the following conditions:

                  (a)  receipt by the Bank of a duly  executed  application  for
         such  Letter  of Credit on the  Bank's  standard  form as well as those
         items specified in Section 4.01 above;

                  (b) the fact that after  issuing  such  Letter of Credit,  the
         aggregate outstanding principal amount of the Loans plus the Letters of
         Credit will not exceed the amount of the Commitment, as the same may be
         adjusted from time to time pursuant to the terms hereof;

                  (c) the fact that  after  issuing  such  Letter of Credit  the
         outstanding   amounts  of  all   Letters  of  Credit  will  not  exceed
         $5,000,000;

                  (d) the fact that,  immediately  before and after issuing such
         Letter of  Credit,  no  Default  (including,  without  limitation,  any
         Material  Adverse  Change in the  financial  condition of the Borrower)
         shall have occurred and be continuing; and

                  (e) the fact that the  warranties and  representations  of the
         Borrower  contained  in this  Agreement  and the other  Loan  Documents
         (including the application for such Letter of Credit) shall be true and
         correct as of the date of the issuance of the Letter of Credit.

Each borrowing,  hereunder, whether in the form of a Loan or a Letter of Credit,
shall be deemed to be a representation  and warranty by the Borrower on the date
of such borrowing that the conditions  precedent  specified in clauses (b), (c),
and (d) of Section 4.02 and in clauses (b), (c), (d) and (e) of Section 4.03, as
applicable, have been satisfied.

                                    ARTICLE V

                         REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         To induce the Bank to enter into this  Agreement,  the Borrower,  as of
the date of this  Agreement  and as of the date of each  Loan  made or Letter of
Credit issued hereunder, represents and warrants to the Bank that:

                                       32
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


         SECTION 5.01.  Existence.  The Borrower and each Subsidiary (a) is duly
organized,  validly  existing,  and in  good  standing  under  the  laws  of the
jurisdiction of its organization;  and (b) has the requisite power and authority
and legal  right to own its assets and carry on its  business as now being or as
proposed to be conducted. The Borrower has the power, authority, and legal right
to execute, deliver, and perform its obligations under the Loan Documents.

         SECTION  5.02.  Financial  Statements.  The  Financial  Statements  are
complete and correct,  have been prepared in accordance with generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied on a consistent basis, and fairly and accurately
present the financial  condition of the Borrower and the  Subsidiaries as of the
respective  dates  indicated  therein  and the  results  of  operations  for the
respective periods indicated therein.  Since the effective date of the Financial
Statements,  no event or  condition  has  occurred  that  could  have a Material
Adverse Effect.

         SECTION 5.03.  Authorization;  No Breach. The execution,  delivery, and
performance  by the  Borrower of the Loan  Documents  to which it is a party and
compliance  with the terms and provisions  thereof have been duly  authorized by
all  requisite  action on the part of the  Borrower  and do not and will not (a)
violate or conflict with, or result in a breach of, or require any consent under
(i) the articles of incorporation,  bylaws, or other organizational documents of
the Borrower or any of the  Subsidiaries,  (ii) any  applicable  law,  rule,  or
regulation  or any  order,  writ,  injunction,  or  decree  of any  Governmental
Authority  or  arbitrator,  or (iii) any  agreement or  instrument  to which the
Borrower or any of the Subsidiaries is a party or by which any of them or any of
their  property is bound or subject,  or (b) constitute a default under any such
agreement or instrument.

         SECTION 5.04. Litigation.  There is no action, suit, investigation,  or
proceeding before or by any Governmental  Authority or arbitrator pending, or to
the knowledge of the Borrower,  threatened  against or affecting the Borrower or
any Subsidiary,  that could, if adversely  determined,  have a Material  Adverse
Effect.

         SECTION 5.05. Enforceability. This Agreement constitutes, and the other
Loan Documents when executed and delivered by the Borrower shall constitute, the
legal, valid, and binding  obligations of the Borrower,  enforceable against the
Borrower  in  accordance  with  their  respective  terms,  except as  limited by
applicable Debtor Relief Laws and general principles of equity.

         SECTION 5.06. Approvals. No authorization, approval, or consent of, and
no filing or registration with, any Governmental  Authority or third party is or
will be necessary for the execution, delivery, or performance by the Borrower of
any of the  Loan  Documents  to  which  it is a  party  or for the  validity  or
enforceability thereof.

         SECTION   5.07.   Disclosure.   No  statement,   information,   report,
representation,  or  warranty  made by the  Borrower  in any  Loan  Document  or
furnished to the Bank in connection  with any Loan Document  contains any untrue
statement of a material  fact 

                                       33
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


or omits to state any material  fact  necessary to make the statements herein or
therein not misleading.


                                   ARTICLE VI

                                    COVENANTS

         The  Borrower  agrees  that,  so long as the  Bank  has any  Commitment
hereunder or any amount  payable under the Note remains  unpaid or any Letter of
Credit remains outstanding:

         SECTION 6.01.  Information.  The Borrower shall deliver to the Bank:

                  (a) as soon as available and in any event within 90 days after
         the end of each  fiscal  year of the  Borrower a  consolidated  balance
         sheet of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as of the end of such fiscal
         year and the related  consolidated  statements of income and cash flows
         for such fiscal year,  setting forth in each case in  comparative  form
         the figures for the previous  fiscal year,  all prepared in  accordance
         with generally accepted  accounting  principles applied on a consistent
         basis and certified by  independent  public  accountants  of nationally
         recognized standing, such information to be accompanied by a Compliance
         Certificate  of the  Borrower's  chief  financial  officer as described
         below;

                  (b) as soon as available and in any event within 45 days after
         the end of each of the first three  quarters of each fiscal year of the
         Borrower  a  consolidated   balance  sheet  of  the  Borrower  and  the
         Subsidiaries as of the end of such quarter and the related consolidated
         statements  of  income  and cash  flows  for such  quarter  and for the
         portion of the Borrower's fiscal year ended at the end of such quarter,
         setting  forth in each case in  comparative  form the  figures  for the
         corresponding  quarter and the corresponding  portion of the Borrower's
         previous  fiscal  year,  all in  reasonable  detail and duly  certified
         (subject to normal year-end adjustments) by the chief financial officer
         of the Borrower as having been  prepared in accordance  with  generally
         accepted  accounting  principles  applied on a consistent  basis,  such
         information  to be  accompanied  by a  Compliance  Certificate  of  the
         Borrower's chief financial officer as described below;

                  (c) within  three (3) days after any  officer of the  Borrower
         obtains knowledge of any Default,  a certificate of the chief financial
         officer of the  Borrower  setting  forth the  details  thereof  and any
         action that the  Borrower  is taking or  proposes to take with  respect
         thereto; and

                  (d) from time to time any additional information regarding the
         financial condition or business of the Borrower and the Subsidiaries as
         the Bank may reasonably request.

                                       34
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)



Each Compliance Certificate described above in this Section shall be in the form
of  Exhibit C  attached  hereto,  shall  contain  detailed  calculations  of the
financial measurements referred to in Section 6.03 for the relevant periods, and
shall include  statements by the signing  officer to the effect that,  except as
explained in reasonable detail in such Compliance Certificate,  (i) the attached
financial information is complete and correct in all material respects (subject,
in the case of financial  statements other than annual, to normal year-end audit
adjustments)  and have been  prepared  in  accordance  with  generally  accepted
accounting  principles  applied  consistently  throughout  the  periods  covered
thereby  and  with  prior  periods  (except  as  disclosed  therein),  (ii)  all
representations and warranties  contained in this Agreement are true and correct
as of the date such  certification is made, and (iii) there is no existing Event
of Default.  If any Compliance  Certificate  discloses that a representation  or
warranty is not true and correct, or that there is an existing Event of Default,
such  Compliance  Certificate  shall state the action the  Borrower has taken or
proposes to take with respect thereto.

         SECTION 6.02.  Obligations. The Borrower shall, and shall cause each of
the  Subsidiaries to:

                  (a)  preserve  and  maintain  all of its  rights,  privileges,
         and  franchises  necessary  or  desirable  in the normal conduct of its
         business;

                  (b)  comply  with the  requirements  of all  applicable  laws,
         rules, regulations, and orders of Governmental Authorities;

                  (c) pay and  discharge  when due all taxes,  assessments,  and
         governmental  charges  or  levies  imposed  on it or on its  income  or
         profits or any of its  property,  except for any such tax,  assessment,
         charge,  or levy the payment of which is being  contested in good faith
         and by proper proceedings and against which adequate reserves are being
         maintained;

                  (d)  maintain  all of its  properties  owned  or  used  in its
         business in good working  order and  condition  ordinary  wear and tear
         excepted;

                  (e) permit representatives of the Bank, during normal business
         hours, to examine,  copy, and make extracts from its books and records,
         to inspect its properties, and to discuss its business and affairs with
         its officers, directors, and accountants; and

                  (f) maintain insurance in such amounts, with such deductibles,
         and  against  such  risks  as  is  customary  for  similarly   situated
         businesses.

         SECTION 6.03.  Financial Covenants.  The Borrower shall:


                                       35
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)

                  (a) maintain a ratio of (i) Total Funded Debt as of the end of
         each fiscal quarter of Borrower to (ii) Borrower's EBITDA, for the four
         consecutive fiscal quarters then-ended, of less than 2.5 to 1.0. "Total
         Funded Debt" means, at any time, the sum of (i) the principal amount of
         all   indebtedness   for   borrowed-money   of  the  Borrower  and  its
         Subsidiaries  on  a  consolidated   basis,  and  (ii)  the  unamortized
         capitalized   amount  of  all  capital   leases  of  Borrower  and  its
         Subsidiaries  on a consolidated  basis,  all as of such date.  "EBITDA"
         means,  for any period for which it is  determined,  an amount equal to
         the sum of (i) the net income of the  Borrower  for such  period,  (ii)
         interest  expense  of the  Borrower  for  such  period  (including  the
         interest component of payments on capital leases),  (iii) the aggregate
         amount of  depreciation  and  amortization  expenses and other non-cash
         charges  that  reduced  net  income  for such  period  deducted  by the
         Borrower for such period,  (iv)  federal,  state,  and local income tax
         expense,  (v) losses on the sale or other  disposition  of assets other
         than in the ordinary  course of business if included in the calculation
         of net  income,  and  (vi)  extraordinary  losses  if  included  in the
         calculation  of net  income,  minus  (a)  gains  on the  sale or  other
         disposition of assets other than in the ordinary  course of business if
         included in net income, and (b) extraordinary  gains if included in net
         income,   all  as  accrued  in  such  period,  and  as  such  foregoing
         calculation  for each such period is adjusted by subtracting  therefrom
         capital expenditures as accrued in such period;

                  (b)  maintain a ratio of EBITDA  (as  defined  above)  plus an
         amount  equal  to the  product  of rent  expense  times  eight to Fixed
         Charges (as hereinafter defined),  calculated at the end of each fiscal
         quarter  of  Borrower  for  the  four   consecutive   fiscal   quarters
         then-ended,  of at least 1.5 to 1.0.  "Fixed  Charges"  means,  for any
         period for which it is  determined,  the sum of (i)  interest  expenses
         accrued in such period,  (ii) rent  expenses,  (iii)  dividends paid in
         such period,  (iv) federal,  state, and local income tax expenses,  and
         (v) current maturities of long-term debt; and

                  (c) from  June  30,  1997,  maintain  at all  times a  minimum
         tangible  net  worth  (defined  as net  worth of  Borrower,  determined
         according  to  generally  accepted  accounting  principles,   less  any
         intangible  assets) of  $160,000,000 plus  50% of cumulative  quarterly
         net income of the Borrower (with no deductions for losses).



                  SECTION 6.04.  Additional Covenants.  The Borrower shall not:

                  (a)  create,  incur,  assume,  or allow to exist  any  secured
         indebtedness  (of any  type  or  kind  including  the  guaranty  of any
         obligation) in excess of $15,000,000 in the aggregate; nor


                                       36
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


                  (b) permit the Subsidiaries, or any of them, to create, incur,
         assume,  or  allow  to  exist  any  indebtedness  of any  type  or kind
         including the guaranty of any obligation, whether secured or unsecured.

                                   ARTICLE VII

                                     DEFAULT

         SECTION  7.01.   Events   of  Default.  Each  of  the  following  shall
constitute an "Event of Default":

                  (a) the  Borrower  shall fail to pay within  three days of its
         due date any  principal  of or interest on any Loan,  or any Loan Party
         shall  fail to pay within  three days of its due date any other  amount
         payable under any Loan Document;

                  (b) any representation,  warranty, certification, or statement
         made or deemed made by any Loan Party (or any of its  officers)  in any
         Loan  Document or in any  certificate,  financial  statement,  or other
         document  delivered  pursuant  thereto shall be false,  misleading,  or
         incorrect in any material respect when made or deemed made.

                  (c) the  Borrower  shall fail to perform,  observe,  or comply
         with any covenant, agreement, or term contained in Section 6.01 of this
         Agreement.

                  (d) any Loan Party shall fail to perform,  observe,  or comply
         with any  other  covenant,  agreement,  or term  contained  in any Loan
         Document (other than a failure covered  elsewhere in this Section 7.01)
         and such failure shall  continue for a period of thirty (30) days after
         notice thereof to such Loan Party by the Bank.

                  (e) any Loan Party or any  Subsidiary  shall  admit in writing
         its  inability  to, or be  generally  unable  to, pay its debts as such
         debts become due.

                  (f) any voluntary or involuntary  proceeding  under any Debtor
         Relief  Law shall be  commenced  by or  against  any Loan  Party or any
         Subsidiary or any of their  respective  assets,  and if an  involuntary
         proceeding is commenced,  such proceeding shall not be dismissed within
         thirty (30) days after the commencement thereof.

                  (g) any Loan  Party or any  Subsidiary  shall fail to pay when
         due any principal of or interest on any indebtedness for borrowed money
         (other than the Note) having an  outstanding  principal  amount greater
         than  $500,000,   whether  as  principal  obligations,   guarantor,  or
         otherwise,  or the  maturity of any such  indebtedness  shall have been
         accelerated,  or any event shall have  occurred  that permits (or, with
         the giving of notice or lapse of time or both, would permit) any


                                       37
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


         holder or holders of such  indebtedness or any Person  acting on behalf
         of such holder or holders to accelerate the maturity thereof.

                  (h) any  judgment  or order for the payment of money in excess
         of $500,000 shall be rendered  against any Loan Party or any Subsidiary
         and either (i) enforcement proceedings shall have been commenced by any
         creditor  upon such judgment or order or (ii) there shall be any period
         of 10  consecutive  days  during  which a stay of  enforcement  of such
         judgment or order,  by reason of a pending  appeal or otherwise,  shall
         not be in effect.

                  (i) any Loan Party shall dissolve, liquidate, or terminate its
         legal  existence  or shall  convey,  transfer,  lease,  or  dispose  of
         (whether  in  one  transaction  or a  series  of  transactions)  all or
         substantially all of its assets to any Person.

                  (j) any  person or group of  persons  (within  the  meaning of
         Section 13 or 14 of the  Securities  Exchange Act of 1934,  as amended)
         shall have acquired  beneficial  ownership  (within the meaning of Rule
         13d-3 promulgated by the Securities and Exchange  Commission under said
         Act) of 20% or more of the  outstanding  shares of common  stock of the
         Borrower;  or during  any  period of 12  consecutive  calendar  months,
         individuals who were directors of the Borrower on the first day of such
         period  shall cease to  constitute a majority of the board of directors
         of the Borrower.

                  (k) any event or condition  shall occur that could  reasonably
         be expected to have a Material Adverse Effect.

         SECTION  7.02.  Remedies.  If  any  Event of Default shall occur and be
continuing,  the Bank may do any one or more of the following:

                  (a)  Acceleration.  Declare all  outstanding  principal of and
         accrued and unpaid  interest on the Note and all other amounts  payable
         by the Borrower under the Loan Documents  immediately  due and payable,
         and the  same  shall  thereupon  become  immediately  due and  payable,
         without presentment, demand, protest, notice of acceleration, notice of
         intent to accelerate,  or other notices or formalities of any kind, all
         of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.

                  (b)  Termination  of  Commitment.   Terminate  the  Commitment
without notice to the Borrower.

                  (c) Rights.  Exercise any and all rights and remedies afforded
         by applicable law or otherwise.

Notwithstanding the foregoing,  upon the occurrence of an Event of Default under
Section  7.01(f),  the  Commitment  shall  automatically   terminate,   and  the
outstanding


                                       38
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


principal  of and accrued and unpaid  interest on the Note and all other amounts
payable  by  the  Borrower  under  the  Loan  Documents  shall  thereupon become
immediately  due  and  payable  without presentment,  demand, protest, notice of
acceleration,  notice  of  intent to accelerate, or other notices or formalities
of any kind, all of which are hereby expressly waived by the Borrower.


                                  ARTICLE VIII

                                  MISCELLANEOUS

         SECTION 8.01.  Expenses.  The Borrower shall on demand pay or reimburse
the Bank for paying (a) all reasonable costs and expenses of the Bank, including
the fees and disbursements of counsel for the Bank (including the allocated cost
of internal  counsel),  in connection with the preparation and administration of
the Loan Documents,  the preparation of any waiver or consent  thereunder or any
amendment  thereof  or any  Default or  alleged  Default  and (b) if an Event of
Default occurs, all costs and expenses incurred by the Bank,  including the fees
and disbursements of counsel (including the allocated cost of internal counsel),
in  connection  with  such  Event of  Default  and any  collection,  bankruptcy,
insolvency, and other enforcement proceedings resulting therefrom.

         SECTION 8.02.  Indemnification.  The Borrower shall  indemnify the Bank
from and against any and all liabilities,  obligations, claims, losses, damages,
penalties,   actions,   judgments,   suits,  costs,  expenses  or  disbursements
whatsoever  which may be imposed on,  incurred  by or asserted  against the Bank
relating to or  resulting  from this  Agreement  or the Loan  Documents  and all
transactions  and  events  at  any  time  associated  therewith  (including  the
enforcement of any right of the Bank or the defense of any action or inaction by
the  Bank  in  connection   therewith),   except  to  the  limited  extent  such
liabilities,   obligations,   claims,  losses,  damages,   penalties,   actions,
judgments, suits, costs, expenses or disbursements are proximately caused by the
Bank's gross negligence or willful misconduct. If any person (including, without
limitation,  the  Borrower or any of its  Subsidiaries)  ever alleges such gross
negligence  of willful  misconduct,  the  indemnification  provided  for in this
Section 8.02 shall nonetheless be paid upon demand,  subject to later adjustment
or reimbursement,  until such time as a court of competent jurisdiction enters a
final  judgment as to the extent and effect of the alleged  gross  negligence or
willful misconduct.

         SECTION  8.03.  Right of Set-off.  Upon the  occurrence  and during the
continuance of any Event of Default,  the Bank is hereby  authorized at any time
and from time to time,  to the fullest  extent  permitted by law, to set off and
apply any and all deposits (general or special,  time or demand,  provisional or
final) at any time held and other indebtedness at any time owing by the Bank (or
any of its  affiliates)  to or for the  credit or the  account  of the  Borrower
against any and all of the obligations of the


                                       39
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


Borrower  now  or hereafter existing under the Loan  Documents,  irrespective of
whether  the  Bank  shall  have  made  any  demand  under the Loan Documents and
although  such  obligations  may  be  unmatured.  The Bank  agrees  promptly  to
notify  the  Borrower  after any such  set-off and application made by the Bank;
provided,  however,  that  the  failure to give such notice shall not affect the
validity  of  such  set-off  and  application. The rights of the Bank under this
Section  are  in  addition  to  other  rights  and  remedies (including, without
limitation, other rights of set-off) that the Bank may have.

         SECTION 8.04. No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. No failure on the part of
the Bank to exercise and no delay in  exercising,  and no course of dealing with
respect to, any right, power, or privilege under any Loan Document shall operate
as a waiver  thereof,  nor shall any  single or partial  exercise  of any right,
power,  or  privilege  under any Loan  Document  preclude  any other or  further
exercise  thereof or the exercise of any other right,  power, or privilege.  The
rights and remedies  provided for in the Loan  Documents are  cumulative and not
exclusive of any rights and remedies provided by law.

         SECTION 8.05.  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement shall be binding
upon and  inure to the  benefit  of the  parties  hereto  and  their  respective
successors and assigns,  except that the Borrower may not assign or transfer any
of its rights or obligations  hereunder without the prior written consent of the
Bank.  The Bank may at any time and from  time to time (a)  grant  participating
interests in the Commitment  and the Loans to any Person(s),  and (b) assign all
or any portion of its rights and/or  obligations under the Loan Documents to any
Person(s);  provided,  that the Bank may not assign its Commitment to any Person
(other than an affiliate of the Bank) without the prior  written  consent of the
Borrower.  All information provided by the Borrower to the Bank may be furnished
by the  Bank  to its  affiliates  and to any  actual  or  proposed  assignee  or
participant.

         SECTION  8.06.  Amendments.  No amendment or waiver of any provision of
any Loan  Document  to which the  Borrower  is a party,  nor any  consent to any
departure by the Borrower therefrom, shall be effective unless the same shall be
agreed or  consented to in writing by the Bank and the  Borrower,  and each such
waiver or consent shall be effective  only in the specific  instance and for the
specific purpose for which given.

         SECTION 8.07. Notices. All notices,  requests, and other communications
to either party hereunder shall be in writing (including facsimile transmission)
and shall be given to such party at its address or facsimile number set forth on
the signature pages hereof.  Each such notice,  request,  or other communication
shall be effective (i) if given by facsimile  transmission,  when transmitted to
the facsimile  number referred to in this Section and confirmation of receipt is
received,   (ii)  if  given  by  mail,   three  (3)  Business  Days  after  such
communication  is  deposited  in the mails with  first  class  postage  prepaid,
addressed as aforesaid,  or (iii) if given by any other means, when delivered at
the address referred to in this Section; provided that notices to the Bank shall
not be effective until received.


                                       40
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)



         SECTION  8.08.  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may  be executed in one
or  more  counterparts,  each  of  which shall be deemed an original, but all of
which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.

         SECTION 8.09.  Severability.  Any provision of this Agreement held by a
court of competent  jurisdiction to be invalid or unenforceable shall not impair
or invalidate  the remainder of this  Agreement and the effect  thereof shall be
confined to the provision held to be invalid or illegal.

         SECTION 8.10.  Controlling Agreement.  Notwithstanding  anything to the
contrary contained in any Loan Document,  the interest paid or agreed to be paid
under the Loan  Documents  shall not exceed  the  maximum  rate of  non-usurious
interest  permitted by applicable  law (the "Maximum  Rate").  If the Bank shall
receive  interest in an amount that  exceeds the  Maximum  Rate,  the  excessive
interest  shall be applied to the  principal  of the Loans or, if it exceeds the
unpaid principal,  refunded to the Borrower. In determining whether the interest
contracted for,  charged,  or received by the Bank exceeds the Maximum Rate, the
Bank may, to the extent  permitted  by  applicable  law,  (a)  characterize  any
payment  that is not  principal  as an  expense,  fee,  or premium  rather  than
interest,  (b) exclude  voluntary  prepayments and the effects thereof,  and (c)
amortize,  prorate,  allocate,  and spread in equal or  unequal  parts the total
amount of interest throughout the contemplated term of the Loans.

         SECTION 8.11.  Survival.  All  representations  and warranties  made or
deemed made by the Borrower in the Loan  Documents  shall  survive the execution
and delivery  thereof and the making of the Loans,  and no  investigation by the
Bank or any closing  shall  affect the  representations  and  warranties  by the
Borrower or the right of the Bank to rely upon them.  Without  prejudice  to the
survival of any other obligation of the Borrower  hereunder,  the obligations of
the  Borrower  under  Article  III and  Sections  8.01  and 8.02  shall  survive
repayment of the Note and termination of the Commitment.

         SECTION  8.12.  Governing  Law.  This  Agreement  and the Note shall be
governed by and  construed in  accordance  with,  the law of the State where the
Principal  Office is located  and the  applicable  laws of the United  States of
America.  The Borrower  hereby submits to the  nonexclusive  jurisdiction of the
United  States  District  Court  and each  state  court in the  city  where  the
Principal  Office is located for the purposes of all legal  proceedings  arising
out of or relating to any of the Loan Documents or the transactions contemplated
thereby. The Borrower irrevocably consents to the service of any and all process
in any such action or proceeding by the mailing of copies of such process to the
Borrower at its address set forth underneath its signature hereto.  The Borrower
irrevocably  waives, to the fullest extent permitted by law, any objection which
it may now or hereafter  have to the laying of the venue of any such  proceeding
brought in such a court and any claim that any such proceeding brought in such a
court has been brought in an inconvenient forum.



                                       41
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


         SECTION 8.13.  Accounting  Terminology.  Unless otherwise  specifically
defined or addressed in this Agreement,  accounting terms used herein shall have
the  meanings and  determinations  given them  according  to generally  accepted
accounting  principles set forth in the Financial Accounting Standards Board and
in Opinions of the  Accounting  Principles  Board of the  American  Institute of
Certified Public Accounts or which have other substantial  authoritative support
in the United States and are  applicable in the  circumstances,  as applied on a
consistent basis.

         SECTION 8.14.  WAIVER OF JURY TRIAL. TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
APPLICABLE  LAW,  EACH OF THE PARTIES  HERETO HEREBY  IRREVOCABLY  AND EXPRESSLY
WAIVES ALL RIGHT TO A TRIAL BY JURY IN ANY ACTION,  PROCEEDING,  OR COUNTERCLAIM
(WHETHER BASED UPON CONTRACT,  TORT, OR OTHERWISE) ARISING OUT OF OR RELATING TO
ANY LOAN DOCUMENT OR ANY OF THE TRANSACTIONS CONTEMPLATED THEREBY OR THE ACTIONS
OF THE BANK IN THE NEGOTIATION, ADMINISTRATION, OR ENFORCEMENT THEREOF.

         SECTION 8.15. ENTIRE  AGREEMENT. ORAL AGREEMENTS OF COMMITMENTS TO LOAN
MONEY, EXTEND CREDIT OR TO FOREBEAR FROM ENFORCING REPAYMENT OF A DEBT INCLUDING
PROMISES  TO  EXTEND OR RENEW  SUCH DEBT ARE NOT  ENFORCEABLE.  TO  PROTECT  YOU
(BORROWER) AND US (BANK OR CREDITOR) FROM  MISUNDERSTANDINGS  OR DISAPPOINTMENT,
ANY  AGREEMENTS  WE REACH  COVERING  SUCH MATTERS ARE CONTAINED IN THIS WRITING,
WHICH IS THE  COMPLETE AND  EXCLUSIVE  STATEMENT  OF THE  AGREEMENT  BETWEEN US,
EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE IN WRITING TO MODIFY IT.



                                       42
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.17 - Credit Agreement (continued)


         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,  the  parties  hereto  have  duly  executed  this
Agreement as of the day and year first above written.

                                     BORROWER:

                                     O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

                                     By: /s/ James R. Batten
                                         ----------------------------------
                                     Title: VP Finance/CFO
                                            -------------------------------

                              Address for Notices:

                                     233 S. Patterson
                                     Springfield, MO  65802


                                     Facsimile No.:  (417) 863-2242

                                     Attention:  James R. Batten


                                     BANK:

                                     NATIONSBANK, N.A.

                                     By:  /s/ Juan A. Cazorla
                                          ---------------------------------
                                     Title: Vice-President
                                            -------------------------------
                                     
                              Address for Notices:

                                     NationsBank
                                     901 Main Street, 14th Floor
                                     Dallas, TX  75020-3714


                                     Facsimile No.:  (214) 508-0944

                                     Attention:  Stacey Smith















                                       43
<PAGE>

                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                         Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement

        
                               LOAN AGREEMENT


         THIS LOAN AGREEMENT ("Agreement") is entered into  on  October 1,  1997
by and between COMMERCE BANK, N.A., a national banking association  ("Commerce")
and O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. ("Company"), a Missouri corporation.

         WHEREAS, under the terms and conditions of this Agreement, Commerce has
approved  a  $32,500,000   revolving  credit  facility  (the  "Revolving  Credit
Facility"),  with term loan conversion options, to Company. The Revolving Credit
Facility and any term loans shall be hereinafter referred to collectively as the
"Loans".

         NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual covenants and agreements
contained in this Agreement, the parties agree as follows:

                            ARTICLE I -- DEFINITIONS

         1.1  Defined Terms.  As  used  in  this  Agreement, the following terms
have the following meanings:

         "Business Day" means any day other than a Saturday, Sunday or other day
on which  banking  institutions  in  Springfield,  Missouri  are  authorized  or
required by law to close.

         "Closing  Date"  shall  mean October 1, 1997 at Commerce's main offices
at 233 South Patterson, Springfield, Missouri.

         "Code" means the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended from time to
time.

         "Commerce" means Commerce Bank, N.A. and its successors and assigns.

         "Company"  means  O'Reilly  Automotive,  Inc.  and  its  successors and
assigns.

         "Contractual  Obligation" means as to any Person,  any provision of any
security issued by such Person or of any agreement, instrument or undertaking to
which such Person is a party or by which it or any of its property is bound.

         "EBITDA"  means  the  adjusted   earnings,   before  interest,   taxes,
depreciation and amortization,  of Company and its Subsidiaries,  and as defined
and determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "EBITDAR"  means  the  adjusted  earnings,   before  interest,   taxes,
depreciation,  amortization and lease expense,  of Company and its Subsidiaries,
and as defined and determined in accordance with GAAP.

                                       44
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         "ERISA" means the Employee  Retirement  Income Security Act of 1974, as
amended from time to time.

         "ERISA  Affiliate"  means  each  trade  or  business  (whether  or  not
incorporated)  which together with Company or a Subsidiary would be deemed to be
a "single employer" within the meaning of Section 4001 of ERISA.

         "Event of Default"  means any of the events  specified  in Article VII,
provided that any  requirement  for the giving of notice,  the lapse of time, or
both, or any other condition, has been satisfied.

         "Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio" shall mean the quotient, the numerator of
which is the total of EBITDAR  (for the twelve [12] month  period most  recently
ending prior to the date of  calculation),  and the  denominator of which is the
total of interest expense (for the twelve [12] month period most recently ending
prior to the date of calculation), plus lease expense (for the twelve [12] month
period most recently  ending prior to the date of  calculation),  plus Preceding
Fiscal-Year-End Current Maturities of Long Term Debt.

         "Funded Debt" means long term debt determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "GAAP" means the generally accepted accounting principles in the United
States of America in effect from time to time.

         "Governmental  Authority" means any nation or government,  any state or
other  political  subdivision  thereof,  and any  entity  exercising  executive,
legislative,  judicial,  regulatory or administrative functions of or pertaining
to government,  and any corporation or other entity owned or controlled (through
stock or capital ownership or otherwise) by any of the foregoing.

         "Indebtedness"   means  (i)  all   indebtedness   for  borrowed   money
(including,  without  limitation,   Company's  revolving  credit  facility  with
NationsBank,  N.A. in the maximum  principal  amount of  $32,500,000) or for the
deferred purchase price of property or services;  (ii) all obligations evidenced
by bonds,  debentures,  notes or other similar instruments;  (iii) all direct or
indirect guaranties in respect of, and all obligations or undertakings otherwise
to assure a creditor  against  loss in respect of,  indebtedness  of another for
borrowed money or for the deferred purchase price of property or services;  (iv)
any obligation for borrowed money which is non-recourse  but which is secured by
assets; (v) all obligations under capital leases, secured or unsecured; and (vi)
all  liabilities in respect of unfunded  vested  benefits under plans covered by
Title IV of ERISA; provided,  however, that "Indebtedness" shall not include the
indebtedness  or guaranties on customary trade terms owing to trade creditors in
the ordinary course of business,  and no amount shall be included more than once
in the aggregate of the above described amounts.

                                       45
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         "Interest  Period" means the period applicable to each LIBOR Rate Loan,
which  shall be  thirty,  sixty or  ninety  days,  as  selected  by  Company  in
accordance with Subsection 2.9.

         "LIBOR Rate" shall mean the London Interbank Offered Rate as determined
by  Commerce  from the Money  Rates  section  of The Wall  Street  Journal,  the
Knight-Ridder News Service or such other service used by Commerce Bank from time
to time, or as determined by Commerce (via  transmission by computer  network by
Knight-Ridder,  Inc. or Telerate,  Inc. [or such other service as Commerce shall
determine to be  appropriate])  on the date two (2)  Business  Days prior to the
first day of such Interest Period.

         "Lien"  means  any  mortgage,  deed of  trust,  pledge,  hypothecation,
assignment,  deposit  arrangement,  encumbrance,  lien (statutory or other),  or
preference,  priority or other security agreement or preferential arrangement of
any kind or nature whatsoever  (including,  without limitation,  any conditional
sale  or  other  title   retention   agreement,   any  financing   lease  having
substantially  the same economic effect as any of the foregoing,  and the filing
of any financing  statement under the Uniform  Commercial Code or comparable law
of any jurisdiction).

         "Loan Documents" shall mean collectively this Agreement,  the Notes and
any other documents,  instruments or agreements  executed in connection with the
Loans.

         "Net  Income"  means for a Person,  for a  particular  period,  the net
income  (deficit),  if any,  of such  Person for such  period as  determined  in
accordance with GAAP.

         "Notes" means the collective reference to the Revolving Credit Note and
the Term Notes; one of the Notes, a "Note".

         "PBGC"  means the  Pension  Benefit  Guaranty  Corporation  established
pursuant to Subtitle A of Title IV of ERISA, or any successor thereto.

         "Person"  means  an  individual,   partnership,   corporation,  limited
liability company,  business trust, joint stock company,  trust,  unincorporated
association,  joint venture,  Governmental Authority or other entity of whatever
nature.

         "Plan" means any pension plan which is covered by Title IV of ERISA and
in  respect of which  Company or any of its  Subsidiaries  is an  "employer"  as
defined in Section 3(5) of ERISA.

         "Preceding  Fiscal-Year-End Current Maturities of Long Term Debt" means
the current maturities of long term debt of the Company and its Subsidiaries for
the fiscal  year  ending  immediately  preceding  the period for which the Fixed
Charge Coverage Ratio is being calculated, determined in accordance with GAAP.

         "Prime Rate" means the per annum rate of interest established from time
to time by Commerce for its own internal  convenience  as its prime rate,  which
when used to compute the rate of interest

                                       46
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

hereunder  shall  change as of the date of any change in said Prime Rate, and no
representation  is  made  that  the  Prime Rate is the best, lowest or a favored
rate of interest.

         "Reportable Event" means any of the events set forth in Section 4043(b)
of ERISA or the regulations thereunder.

         "Requirement  of  Law"  means  as to any  Person,  the  certificate  of
incorporation and by-laws or other organizational or governing documents of such
Person, and any law, treaty, rule or regulation,  or any interpretation thereof,
or  any  determination  of  an  arbitrator  or a  court  or  other  Governmental
Authority,  in each case applicable to or binding upon such Person or any of its
properties or to which such Person or any of its properties is subject.

         "Revolving Credit Note" means the Revolving Credit Note,  substantially
in the form of Exhibit A, to be executed and delivered by Company to Commerce.

         "Subsidiary"  means (i) any corporation more than 50% of whose stock of
any class or classes having by the terms thereof  ordinary voting power to elect
a majority of the directors of such corporation  (irrespective of whether or not
at the time  stock of any class or  classes  of such  corporation  shall have or
might have voting power by reason of the happening of any contingency) is at the
time  owned by Company  and/or one or more  Subsidiaries  of  Company,  (ii) any
partnership,  association, joint venture, trust or other entity in which Company
has more than a 50%  equity or  beneficial  interest  at the time,  or (iii) any
entity whose net  earnings or portions  thereof  would  properly be included and
consolidated  with the net  earnings of Company and are recorded on the books of
Company for  financial  reporting  purposes;  provided,  however,  that the term
"Subsidiary"  shall not include any entity that is not  reflected on the balance
sheet of Company due to inactivity and lack of material assets and liabilities.

         "Tangible  Net Worth"  means at any time,  the  excess of total  assets
after all appropriate  deductions (including,  without limitation,  reserves for
doubtful  receivables,  obsolescence,  depreciation and amortization) over total
liabilities  (including tax and other proper  accruals),  total assets and total
liabilities  each to be determined in accordance with GAAP consistent with those
applied in the preparation of the financial statements referred to in Subsection
3.7 below,  excluding  from the  determination  of total assets all assets which
would  be  classified  as  intangible  assets  under  GAAP,  including,  without
limitation, goodwill, licenses, patents, trademarks, trade names, copyrights and
franchises,  and specifically  excluding from the  determination of total assets
any loans to a parent,  affiliate or Subsidiary of Company or any shareholder or
officer of Company or any Subsidiary.

         "Term Note" means any Term Note,  substantially  in the form of Exhibit
B, to be executed and delivered by Company to Commerce.

                                       47
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)



         1.2  Other Definitional Provisions.

                           (a)  Unless  otherwise  defined  therein,  all  terms
         defined in this Agreement shall have the defined  meanings when used in
         the  Notes or any  certificate  or  other  document  made or  delivered
         pursuant hereto or thereto.

                           (b)  As  used  herein  and  in  the  Notes,  and  any
         certificate  or  other  document  made or  delivered  pursuant  hereto,
         accounting  terms relating to Company and its  Subsidiaries not defined
         in Subsection  1.1, and  accounting  terms partly defined in Subsection
         1.1 to the extent not defined, shall have the respective meanings given
         to them under GAAP.

                           (c) The words "hereof",  "herein" and "hereunder" and
         words of similar import when used in this Agreement shall refer to this
         Agreement  as a  whole  and  not to any  particular  provision  of this
         Agreement,  and Article,  subsection and exhibit references are to this
         Agreement unless otherwise specified.

                           (d) The titles and  headings of the  Subsections  and
         paragraphs  of this  Agreement  have been inserted for  convenience  of
         reference only and are not intended to summarize or otherwise  describe
         the subject matter of such  Subsections and paragraphs and shall not be
         given any consideration in the construction of this Agreement.

                       ARTICLE II -- LENDING ARRANGEMENT

         2.1  Revolving  Credit  Advances.  Commerce  agrees,  on the  terms and
subject to the conditions  hereinafter set forth, to make revolving credit loans
(each, an "Advance") to Company,  from time to time during the period commencing
on  the  date  hereof  to  but not including October 1,  2000 (the  "Termination
Date"; such period, the "Commitment Period"), at such times and in such amounts,
up to $32,500,000 at any time outstanding (the  "Commitment"),  as Company shall
request. The Advances shall not exceed, in aggregate principal amount at any one
time  outstanding,  the Commitment,  less any amounts advanced as a Term Loan as
hereinafter provided. During the Commitment Period Company may borrow, repay and
re-borrow hereunder.  Each Advance to Company shall be in the amount of not less
than  $500,000.  Advances  made by Commerce  shall be evidenced by the Revolving
Credit Note.  The Advances  shall be payable as to principal on the  Termination
Date. In addition to the  foregoing,  the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  shall be
deemed to  automatically  terminate if the occurrence of an Event of Default (as
defined under Article VII hereof) causes the Notes to become immediately due and
payable.

         2.2  Revolving  Credit Note.  On the Closing Date Company shall execute
and  deliver  to  Commerce  the  Revolving  Credit  Note in form  and  substance
acceptable to Commerce.  Commerce is authorized to endorse on a schedule annexed
to the  Revolving  Credit  Note and made a part  thereof,  or on a  continuation
thereof,   or  to  otherwise  record  in  a  manner  satisfactory  to  Commerce,
appropriate  notations  evidencing  the date and  amount  of each  Advance,  the

                                       48
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

interest  rate and Interest  Period  applicable to such Advance and the date and
amount of each payment,  which  endorsement or recording shall  constitute prime
facie  evidence  of  the  accuracy  of  the  information  endorsed  or recorded;
provided, however, that the failure to make such notations or recordings shall
not affect the  obligations of Company under the Revolving  Credit Note or this
Agreement or affect the validity of any Advance.

         2.3  Termination or Reduction of Commitment.  Unless sooner  terminated
under Article VII or this  Subsection  2.3, the Revolving  Credit Facility shall
terminate and the principal  balance  outstanding and accrued interest under the
Revolving  Credit Note and all other fees and sums owing thereunder shall be due
and payable in full on the Termination Date. Company shall have the right at any
time and from time to time to  terminate  the  unused  Commitment  or reduce the
Commitment in the minimum amount of $500,000 upon three (3) Business Days notice
to Commerce.  Additionally,  Company may declare as unavailable for any upcoming
quarter all or any portion of the amount then  available  for  borrowing  on the
Revolving Credit Facility, which amount may not be borrowed during such quarter.
Any amount so declared by Company unavailable for borrowing shall not be used in
calculating  the fee on the unused portion of the Revolving  Credit Facility set
forth in Subsection 2.6 below.

         2.4 Term  Loans.  Commerce  agrees,  on the  terms and  subject  to the
conditions  hereinafter set forth, from time to time during the second (2nd) and
third (3rd) years of the Commitment  Period and/or on the  Termination  Date, to
make not more than ten (10) term loans  (each,  a "Term Loan" and  collectively,
"Term Loans") to Company,  each in an amount requested by Company, but not to be
less than $1,500,000. If any Term Loan is made during the Commitment Period, the
principal  amount  thereof shall not exceed  Commerce's  Commitment,  as then in
effect,   less  the  principal  balance  of  all  Loans  to  remain  outstanding
immediately  following the making of such Term Loan. If any Term Loan is made on
the Termination Date, then,  concurrently with and as a condition to making such
Term Loan, Company shall pay all outstanding Advances in full, including accrued
interest, and the principal amount of such Term Loan shall not exceed Commerce's
Commitment  as in  effect  on the last day of the  Commitment  Period,  less the
principal balance of all Term Loans to remain outstanding  immediately following
the making of such Term Loan.  Each Term Loan shall be evidenced by a respective
Term Note.  Each Term Note shall be payable as to principal in thirty-five  (35)
equal  consecutive  monthly  principal  installments  (such  installments  to be
calculated  based upon a seven [7] year  amortization  schedule)  commencing one
month following the date of issuance,  with the outstanding  principal  balance,
together with accrued interest, due and payable on the thirty-sixth (36th) month
following the date of issuance.

         2.5 Payments.  Except as otherwise  specifically  provided herein,  all
payments  due under this  Agreement or under the Notes shall be made to Commerce
not later than 12:00 noon (Springfield,  Missouri time) on the date when due and
shall be made in lawful  money of the United  States of  America in  immediately
available funds at Commerce's principal office.  Whenever any payment to be made
hereunder  or under  any Note  shall be stated to be due on a day which is not a
Business  Day,  the due date  thereof  shall be extended to the next  succeeding


                                       49
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

Business  Day  (except as  provided  in  Subsection  2.9) and,  with  respect to
payments of principal,  interest shall be payable at the applicable  rate during
such extension.

         2.6  Interest/Fees.  The  Revolving  Credit  Facility and any Term Loan
shall accrue  interest at a per annum rate based upon Company's  ratio of funded
debt to EBITDA as set forth in the table  below,  and a fee based on the  unused
portion of the Revolving  Credit Facility shall also be based on Company's ratio
of funded debt to EBITDA as set forth below:

                                                           Fee on Unused Portion
   Funded Debt/                        Applicable LIBOR      of Revolving Credit
   EBITDA Ratio                              Rate                 Facility
   -----------------------------------------------------------------------------

    X less than 1.0                       LIBOR + .5%              .1250%

    X greater than or equal to 1.0 
     and less than or equal to 2.0        LIBOR + .75%             .1250%

    X is greater than 2.0                 LIBOR +  1%              .1875%

Company  shall elect an Interest  Period of 30, 60 or 90 days at the time of any
Advance under the Revolving  Credit Facility or the closing of any Term Loan (as
applicable),  and interest  shall be payable at the  expiration  of the Interest
Period  chosen.  With  respect to  Advances or Term Loans  outstanding  accruing
interest at a LIBOR Rate,  Company shall select the Interest  Period to apply at
the  expiration  of the then  current  interest  period  not  less  than one (1)
Business Day prior to the  expiration  of the then current  Interest  Period for
such Advance or Term Loan. If Company fails to make an Interest Period selection
as herein  provided,  then the applicable  Advance or Term Loan shall thereafter
accrue  interest  at a  variable  per annum rate  equal to the Prime  Rate,  and
interest shall be payable monthly, in arrears.

         Overdue  principal,  fees and, to the extent  permitted by law, overdue
interest  in respect of each Loan shall bear  interest at a rate per annum equal
to 3.0% above the Prime  Rate in effect  from time to time;  provided,  however,
that no Loan shall bear  interest  after  maturity at a rate per annum less than
the rate of interest applicable thereto at maturity.

         Interest  shall accrue from and  including the date of any borrowing to
but  excluding  the date of any repayment  thereof  (provided  repayment is made
before  12:00 noon,  Springfield,  Missouri  time),  and shall be payable (i) in
respect of each Loan accruing  interest at a LIBOR Rate, on the last day of each
Interest Period applicable to such Loan, (iii) in the case of each Loan accruing
interest  at the Prime  Rate,  monthly,  in arrears and (iii) in the case of all
Loans, on the date of any prepayment or conversion of an outstanding  Advance to
a Term Loan (on the amount  prepaid or  converted)  and at maturity  (whether by
acceleration or otherwise).

         All calculations of interest shall be on the basis of the actual number
of days elapsed divided by 360.



                                       50
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)



         2.8  Requests for Advances and Conversions.

                           (a) Whenever  Company  desires to obtain a LIBOR Rate
         Loan  hereunder,  Company shall give Commerce at least one (1) Business
         Day notice. Such notice shall specify the aggregate principal amount of
         the Loan to be made pursuant to such  borrowing,  the date of borrowing
         (which shall be a Business Day) and the initial  Interest  Period to be
         applicable thereto.

                           (b) Whenever  Company desires to obtain any Term Loan
         hereunder, Company shall give Commerce at least five (5) Business Days'
         notice.  Such notice shall  specify the  aggregate  amount of such Term
         Loan  to  be  made  (which  shall  not  exceed  the  applicable  amount
         determined in accordance  with  Subsection  2.4),  the date of the Term
         Loan (which shall be a Business Day) and the initial Interest Period to
         be applicable thereto.

         2.9 Interest Periods. At the time Company requests an Advance under the
Revolving Credit Facility or notifies Commerce of a conversion of an outstanding
Advance to a Term Loan or two (2) Business  Days prior to the  expiration  of an
Interest Period applicable to an outstanding Advance or Term Loan, Company shall
have the right to elect the Interest  Period  applicable to such Advance or Term
Loan;  provided,  however,  that no  Interest  Period  shall  extend  beyond the
Termination  Date. If any Interest Period would otherwise  expire on a day which
is not a Business Day, such Interest  Period shall expire on the next  preceding
Business Day. If upon the  expiration of any Interest  Period for any LIBOR Rate
Loan, Company has failed to elect a new Interest Period to be applicable to such
LIBOR Rate Loan as provided  above,  Company  shall be deemed to have elected to
convert  such  Advance or Term Loan into a Prime Rate Loan  effective  as of the
expiration date of such Interest Period.

         2.10  Prepayments.

                           (a) Company shall have the right at any time and from
         time to time to prepay  without  premium any Advance in full or in part
         in the minimum amount of $500,000 or multiples thereof.

                           (b)  Company  shall have the  right,  at any time and
         without penalty,  to make  prepayments on any Term Loan,  provided that
         such  prepayment is not made with funds borrowed from another lender or
         financial  services  company;  if such  prepayment  is made with  funds
         borrowed from another  lender or financial  services  company,  Company
         shall  pay a  prepayment  fee equal to (i)  three  percent  (3%) of the
         prepayment  amount,  if prepayment is made during the first year of the
         applicable  Term  Loan,  and (ii) two  percent  (2%) of the  prepayment
         amount,  if prepayment is made during the second year of the applicable
         Term Loan.  Any  prepayments  under a Term Loan shall be applied to the
         monthly payments in the inverse order of their maturities.


                                       51
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         2.11  Illegality; Indemnity; Additional Costs.

                           (a) If at any time due to any new Requirement of Law,
         or for any other reason arising subsequent to the date hereof, it shall
         become  unlawful  for  Commerce to fund any LIBOR Rate Loan which it is
         committed  to make  hereunder,  the  obligation  of Commerce to provide
         LIBOR Rate Loans shall, upon the happening of such event,  forthwith be
         suspended for the duration of such illegality.  If any such Requirement
         of Law or other  reason shall make it unlawful for Commerce to continue
         any LIBOR Rate Loan  previously  made by Commerce  hereunder,  Commerce
         shall give Company notice thereof,  stating the reasons  therefor,  and
         Company  shall,  on the earlier of (i) the last day of the then current
         Interest Period, if applicable, or (ii) if required by such Requirement
         of Law or other  reason  on such  date as shall  be  specified  in such
         notice, either convert each such unlawful LIBOR Rate Loan to Prime Rate
         Loans or prepay all such unlawful  Loans,  without  penalty,  except as
         provided in paragraph (b) of this Subsection 2.11, to Commerce in full.

                           (b) Company will indemnify  Commerce against any loss
         or expense  which  Commerce  may sustain (i) in  employing  deposits to
         effect,  fund or maintain a LIBOR Rate Loan,  as a  consequence  of any
         failure  by  Company  to make any  payment  when due of any  amount due
         hereunder  in  connection  with such LIBOR  Rate Loan,  (ii) due to any
         failure of Company to borrow,  continue or convert a LIBOR Rate Loan on
         a date  specified  therefor  in a notice  thereof,  or (iii) due to any
         payment,  prepayment  or  conversion  of any LIBOR  Rate Loan on a date
         other  than the last day of the  Interest  Period  for such  LIBOR Rate
         Loan.

                           (c) If due to either  (i) any  Requirement  of Law or
         (ii)  compliance  by Commerce  with any request  from any  Governmental
         Authority,  there  shall be any  increase  in the cost to  Commerce  of
         agreeing to make or making,  funding or maintaining  any Loan,  Company
         shall  from time to time,  upon  demand by  Commerce,  pay to  Commerce
         additional  amounts  sufficient  to  indemnify  Commerce  against  such
         increased costs. The  determination of such increased costs by Commerce
         shall be conclusive if made reasonably and in good faith.

         2.12  Purpose.  Company  shall use the  Revolving  Credit  Facility  to
finance  the  expansion  of its retail  stores and for general  working  capital
purposes.

         2.13  Affirmation.  Each  request  for an Advance  under the  Revolving
Credit Note shall be deemed to  constitute  a  representation  by Company at the
time of the request  that no Event of Default (as defined in Article VII hereof)
exists or is imminent and that the  representations  and  warranties  of Company
contained  in this  Agreement  and the  other  Loan  Documents  are  true in all
material respects on or as of the date of such request for an Advance.

                                       52
<PAGE>
                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                   Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)


                 ARTICLE III -- REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES

         To induce  Commerce to make the Loans,  Company  hereby  represents and
warrants to Commerce  (which  representations  and  warranties  will survive the
execution  and  delivery  of the Notes and  shall  continue  so long as any sums
remain  outstanding  under the Loans,  this Agreement or any Loan  Documents) as
follows:

         3.1 Standing. Company is a corporation duly organized, validly existing
and in good  standing  under the laws of the state of Missouri.  Company is duly
qualified  as a  foreign  corporation  and is in good  standing  in every  other
jurisdiction  where such qualification and good standing is required in order to
conduct  business in such  jurisdiction.  Company has the power and authority to
own its property and to carry on its business.

         3.2 Authority.  Company has the full power and authority to execute and
deliver this  Agreement,  the Notes and the other Loan  Documents,  and the same
constitute the binding and enforceable obligations of Company in accordance with
their terms. No consent or approval of the  shareholders of Company or any other
Person,  governmental  department,  agency or body or entity are  required  as a
condition to the effectiveness and validity of the Loan Documents. The execution
of and  performance by Company of its  obligations  under the Loan Documents has
been duly authorized by all appropriate and required  corporate  proceedings and
will not violate or contravene  any  Requirement of Law,  Company's  Articles of
Incorporation,  By-Laws or any  Contractual  Obligation,  indenture,  agreement,
lease, contract or other instrument governing or binding on Company.

         3.3 Litigation.  There are no actions, suits,  arbitration proceedings,
mediations or other  proceedings  of any nature  pending or, to the knowledge of
Company,  threatened, or any basis therefor, against or affecting Company at law
or in equity,  in any court or before  any  governmental  department  or agency,
which may  result in any  material  adverse  change in the  properties,  assets,
business or  condition,  financial  or  otherwise,  of Company or the ability of
Company to perform its  obligations  under this Agreement  and/or the other Loan
Documents.

         3.4  Conflicting  Agreements.  There are no  provisions of any existing
Requirement of Law, Contractual  Obligation,  mortgage,  indenture,  contract or
agreement  binding on Company or affecting  its property,  which would  conflict
with or in any way prevent the execution, delivery, or carrying out of the terms
of this Agreement and/or the Loan Documents.

         3.5 Title and Liens.  Company has good,  valid and marketable  title of
record to its real and personal  property,  all of which is owned free and clear
of all mortgages, liens, pledges, hypothecations, charges, attachments and other
security  interests and  encumbrances of any nature,  except as provided in this
Agreement or disclosed to Commerce in writing.

                                       53
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         3.6  Taxes.  Company  has  filed all  federal,  state and other tax and
similar  returns  and has paid or  provided  for the  payment  of all  taxes and
assessments due thereunder through the date of this Agreement, including without
limitation, all withholding, FICA and franchise taxes.

         3.7 Financial Statements. Company's audited financial statements (which
include a balance  sheet,  related  statement of earnings and  statement of cash
flows)  dated as of December 31,  1996,  copies of which have been  furnished to
Commerce,  are  complete  and  correct  and fairly and  accurately  present  the
financial condition of Company as of such date and the results of its operations
for the period  covered by such  statements,  all in accordance  with  generally
accepted  accounting  principles  consistently  applied,  and  there has been no
material adverse change in the condition  (financial or otherwise),  business or
operations of Company subsequent thereto. Company has no liabilities,  direct or
contingent,  except those disclosed in the foregoing financial  statements or as
otherwise disclosed to Commerce in writing.

         3.8 Other.  All  statements  by Company  contained in any  certificate,
statement,  document or other instrument or writing delivered by or on behalf of
Company at any time pursuant to this Agreement or the other Loan Documents shall
constitute   representations  and  warranties  made  by  Company  hereunder.  No
representation  or warranty of Company  contained in this Agreement or any other
Loan Document,  and no statement contained in any certificate,  schedule,  list,
financial statement or other instrument furnished to Commerce by or on behalf of
Company contains,  or will contain,  any untrue statement of a material fact, or
omits,  or will omit, to state a material fact  necessary to make the statements
contained herein or therein not misleading.  To the best of Company's knowledge,
all information material to the transactions  contemplated in this Agreement has
been expressly disclosed to Commerce in writing.

         3.9  Regulation  U. No part of the  proceeds  of the  Revolving  Credit
Facility  will be used to purchase or carry any margin stock or to extend credit
to others for the purpose of  purchasing or carrying any such margin stock or to
reduce or retire any indebtedness incurred for any such purpose. If requested by
Commerce,  Company will furnish to Commerce a statement in  conformity  with the
requirements  of Federal  Reserve  Form U-1  referred to in  Regulation U to the
foregoing effect.

         3.10 No Defaults or  Proceedings.  Except as  disclosed  to Commerce in
writing,  (a)  neither  Company  nor any  Subsidiary  is in  default  under  any
agreement for borrowed  money  (subject to any cure right  provided  therein) to
which  it is a party  or by  which  it may be  bound;  (b) no  investigation  or
proceeding of or before any arbitrator or Governmental  Authority is pending or,
to the knowledge of Company, threatened by or against Company or, if applicable,
any of its  Subsidiaries  or against any of its or their  properties or revenues
(i)  with  respect  to this  Agreement,  the  Notes  or any of the  transactions
contemplated  hereby or thereby,  or (ii) which, if adversely  determined  would
have a material adverse effect on the business,  operations, assets or financial
or other  condition of Company and, if  applicable,  its  Subsidiaries;  and (c)
there is no other  action,  suit or  proceeding  pending or  threatened  against
Company or, if applicable, any of its Subsidiaries, to the knowledge of Company,
which, if adversely  determined,  would materially

                                       54
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

adversely  affect  Company  and,  if  applicable,  its Subsidiaries or Company's
ability  to  perform  and  observe  the  obligations  binding upon it under this
Agreement and the Notes.

         3.11 ERISA.  Each Plan is in compliance  in all material  respects with
ERISA; no Plan is insolvent or in reorganization;  no Plan has an accumulated or
waived funding deficiency within the meaning of Section 412 of the Code; neither
Company nor any  Subsidiary  nor any ERISA  Affiliate  has incurred any material
liability  (including any material  contingent  liability) to or on account of a
Plan pursuant to Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4204 of ERISA; no proceedings
have been  instituted  to  terminate  any Plan;  and no  condition  exists which
presents a risk to Company or a  Subsidiary  of  incurring a liability  to or on
account of a Plan  pursuant to any of the  foregoing  sections  of ERISA,  which
condition would have a material adverse effect on Company and its Subsidiaries.

         3.12  Investment  Company Act.  Company is not an "investment  company"
within the meaning of the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended.

         3.13 Subsidiaries.  Company, as of the date of this Agreement,  has the
Subsidiaries  identified on Schedule 3.13 attached  hereto.  Company will notify
Commerce upon the creation of any additional Subsidiary.

                       ARTICLE IV -- CONDITIONS PRECEDENT

         4.1  Conditions to Initial Loan.  Commerce  shall have no obligation to
make the initial Loan hereunder  unless,  on or prior to the date of the initial
Loan, Commerce shall have received (all in form satisfactory to Commerce and its
counsel):

                  (a)  the Revolving Credit Note, duly executed by Company;

                  (b)  copies  of  the  Articles  of  Incorporation  and  Bylaws
         of  Company,  as  now in  effect,  and of  each resolution of Company's
         Board  of  Directors  duly  authorizing  the  execution and delivery of
         this Agreement,  the Notes and the other Loan  Documents  and Company's
         performance  hereunder  and  thereunder,  in  each case certified by an
         appropriate officer of Company;

                  (c) certificates of incumbency and specimen  signatures of the
         corporate  officers  executing this Agreement,  the Notes and the other
         Loan Documents; and

                  (d) any other  documents,  instruments and reports as Commerce
         shall reasonably request.



                                       55
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)


         4.2  Conditions to All Loans.

                           (a)  In  addition  to the  conditions  set  forth  in
         Subsection  4.1,  no Loan shall be made by  Commerce  hereunder  unless
         Commerce  shall have  received from Company prior thereto a request for
         such  Loan,  in  accordance  with  Subsection  2.8 and  containing  the
         effective date for such Loan, and unless the following  conditions have
         been  satisfied  with the request  constituting  a  representation  and
         warranty by Company that the following conditions are then satisfied:

                                    (i)  no Event of Default has occurred and is
                  then continuing;

                                    (ii)  there  has  been no  material  adverse
                  change  in  the   financial   condition  of  Company  and  its
                  Subsidiaries, if any, since the date of this Agreement; and

                                    (iii)  the  representations  and  warranties
                  contained  in Article  III are true and correct as of the date
                  of such request, except as previously disclosed to Commerce in
                  writing,  and except that the  representations  and warranties
                  contained  in  Subsection  3.1 shall be deemed to refer to the
                  latest balance sheet,  statement of earnings, and statement of
                  cash  flows,  all  on a  consolidated  basis,  if  applicable,
                  furnished by Company to Commerce.

                           (b) In  addition  to all other  requirements  of this
         Article IV,  Commerce  shall have no  obligation  to make any Term Loan
         unless, on or prior to the date of such Term Loan,  Commerce shall have
         received (in form  satisfactory to Commerce) a Term Note, duly executed
         by Company.

                ARTICLE V -- AFFIRMATIVE AND FINANCIAL COVENANTS

         So long as this Agreement remains in effect, or as long as there is any
principal  or interest due under any of the Notes,  unless Bank shall  otherwise
consent in writing, Company hereby covenants and agrees that:

         5.1  Financial Statements.

                           (a)   Company   will   deliver   to  Bank   financial
         information  in  such  form  and  detail  and  at  such  times  as  are
         satisfactory to Commerce, including, without limitation:

                                    (i)  Company's,  and its  Subsidiaries',  if
                  any, year end  financial  statements  (to include,  but not be
                  limited  to,  balance  sheet,  income  statement,   cash  flow
                  analysis and net worth  reconciliation)  prepared by, examined
                  and  accompanied  by an  audit  report  of,  certified  public
                  accountants of recognized  standing acceptable to Bank, within
                  ninety  (90) days  after the end of each of  Company's  fiscal
                  years;

                                       56
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)



                                    (ii) Company's,  and its  Subsidiaries',  if
                  any,  interim  quarterly  financial  statements  (to include a
                  profit and loss statement on a consolidated basis), signed and
                  certified correct by Company's Chief Financial Officer, within
                  thirty (30) days after the end of each quarter; and

                                    (iii)  such  other/additional   information,
                  reports   or   statements   respecting   Company's,   and  its
                  Subsidiaries',  if  any,  business  operations  and  financial
                  conditions as Bank may reasonably request from time to time.

                           (b)  All  such  financial   statements  shall  fairly
         present the financial position and results of operations of Company and
         its Subsidiaries, if any, in accordance with GAAP.

         5.2  Certifications; Other Reports.

                           (a) Company will furnish to Commerce,  within  thirty
         (30) days  after the end of each  quarter,  a  certificate  of  Company
         executed by its chief financial officer, stating that Company is not in
         Default under this Agreement and that Company is not aware of any event
         or  condition  which  with  notice  or  passage  of time or both  would
         constitute  an  Event of  Default  under  this  Agreement,  and,  where
         appropriate, containing the necessary statistical data and calculations
         to support said certificate.

                           (b) Company  will  furnish to Commerce a copy of each
         registration statement and periodic and current report of Company filed
         with or furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission within five
         (5) Business  Days after such  statement or report has been so filed or
         furnished.

                           (c) Company will furnish to Commerce,  promptly after
         becoming available, a copy of all financial statements,  reports, proxy
         statements,  notices and other  communications which Company shall have
         sent to the holders of its shares or other securities generally.

                           (d) Company will promptly, from time to time, furnish
         to Commerce such  information  regarding the business,  operations  and
         financial  condition  of  Company  and its  Subsidiaries,  if  any,  as
         Commerce may reasonably request.

         5.3 Payment of Debts, Taxes and Claims.  Company shall promptly pay and
discharge prior to delinquency all Indebtedness,  accounts,  liabilities, taxes,
assessments and other governmental  charges or levies imposed upon, or due from,
Company,  as well  as all  claims  of any  kind  (including  claims  for  labor,
materials and supplies)  which, if unpaid,  might by law become a lien or charge
upon  any of its  property,  except  that  nothing  herein  contained  shall  be
interpreted to require the payment of any such Indebtedness, account, liability,
tax,  assessment  or charge so long as its  validity is being  contested in good
faith by appropriate legal proceedings.

                                       57
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         5.4  Maintenance  of Existence.  Company will preserve and maintain its
corporate   existence,   franchises  and  privileges  in  its   jurisdiction  of
incorporation, and qualify and remain qualified as a foreign corporation in each
jurisdiction  where such  qualification  is  necessary  and the failure to be so
qualified  would  materially  adversely  affect the  business of Company and its
Subsidiaries, if any.

         5.5  Insurance.  Company  will  purchase  and  at  all  times  maintain
insurance  including but not limited to: (i) fire,  windstorm and other hazards,
casualties and contingencies  covered by the "all-risk" form of insurance;  (ii)
public  liability;  (iii) workers'  compensation  and (iv) property damage as is
customarily  maintained  by similar  businesses  and/or as Commerce from time to
time requires. The amounts, limits, forms,  deductibles,  contents and issuer of
said  policies  shall be subject to  Commerce's  reasonable  approval.  All such
insurance  shall provide for  noncancellation  without at least thirty (30) days
prior written notice to Commerce, and such insurance shall be maintained in full
force and effect at all times during the period of this  Agreement and while any
sums outstanding on the Loans remains unpaid.

         5.6 Books and Records. Company shall maintain proper books and records,
and account for financial  transactions  in accordance  with generally  accepted
accounting  practices,  consistently  applied,  and permit  Commerce's  officers
and/or  its  authorized  representatives  or  accountants  to visit and  inspect
Company's  properties,  examine its books and records,  and discuss its accounts
and business with its  respective  officers,  accountants  and auditors,  all at
reasonable  times upon reasonable  notice.  Without the prior written consent of
Commerce, Company shall not change in any material way the accounting principles
upon which the financial statements  referenced in Section 3.7 were prepared and
based.

         5.7  Notices.

                           (a) Company will promptly  notify Commerce in writing
         of the occurrence of any event which is likely to materially  adversely
         affect Company or any of its Subsidiaries, if any, or which constitutes
         an Event of Default  hereunder or under its revolving  credit  facility
         with NationsBank, N.A. in the maximum principal amount of $32,500,000.

                           (b) Company will,  promptly after obtaining knowledge
         thereof,   notify  Commerce  in  writing  of  (i)  any  action,   suit,
         counterclaim,  arbitration or mediation  proceeding,  investigation  or
         proceeding  at  law  or in  equity  or by or  before  any  Governmental
         Authority  involving a claim not covered by insurance involving Company
         or any of its  Subsidiaries  which  (A) has  remained  unsettled  for a
         period of one  hundred  and  eighty  (180)  days from the  commencement
         thereof and involves  claims for damages or relief in an amount greater
         than  $1,000,000,  or (B) has resulted in a final judgment or judgments
         for the payment of money in an amount greater than  $1,000,000,  or (C)
         has  resulted  in a Lien on assets or holdings of Company or any of its
         Subsidiaries for an amount exceeding  $1,000,000,  or (ii) any material
         labor dispute resulting in or threatening to result in a strike against
         Company or any  Subsidiary  and which  might  have a  material  adverse
         effect

                                       58
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         on   the   operations  or   financial  condition  of  Company  and  its
         Subsidiaries,  or (iii) any  action,  suit or  proceeding  at law or in
         equity  or  by or  before  any  Governmental  Authority  involving  any
         environmental matter or claim.

         5.8 ERISA. As soon as possible and, in any event,  within ten (10) days
after  Company  or any  Subsidiary  knows  or has  reason  to  know  that  (a) a
Reportable Event has occurred,  (b) an accumulated  funding  deficiency has been
incurred  or an  application  may be or has been  made to the  Secretary  of the
Treasury for a waiver of the minimum  funding  standard under Section 412 of the
Code with respect to a Plan, (c) a Plan has been or may be  terminated,  or that
proceedings  may be or have been instituted to terminate a Plan, or (d) Company,
a  Subsidiary  or an ERISA  Affiliate  will or may incur any  liability to or on
account of a Plan under Section 4062, 4063, 4064, 4201 or 4202 of ERISA, Company
will deliver to Commerce a certificate of a senior financial  officer of Company
setting forth details as to such occurrence and action, if any, which Company or
the  Subsidiary  is  required or  proposes  to take,  together  with any notices
required or proposed to be filed with or by Company,  the Subsidiary,  the ERISA
Affiliate,  the PBGC or the Plan administrator  with respect thereto.  Copies of
any notices required to be delivered to Commerce hereunder shall be delivered no
later than ten (10) days after the later of the date such  notice has been filed
with the  Internal  Revenue  Service or the PBGC or  received  by Company or the
Subsidiary.

         5.9  Financial  Covenants.  Company  shall comply at all times with the
following  financial covenants (each of which shall be determined and calculated
in accordance with GAAP, applied on a basis consistent with those applied in the
preparation of the financial statements referred to in Subsection 3.7 above):

                           (a)  Company  shall  maintain at all times a Tangible
         Net  Worth of not less  than  $150,000,000  with  such  minimum  amount
         increasing  each year by fifty percent (50%) of Company's  prior year's
         Net Income;

                           (b)  Company  shall  maintain  at  all  times a Fixed
         Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 2.0 to 1.0; and

                           (c)  Company  shall  maintain at all times a ratio of
         Funded Debt to EBITDA of not greater than 2.5 to 1.0.

         5.10  Operating  Accounts.  Company shall  maintain  all of its primary
 operating accounts at Commerce.

                        ARTICLE VI -- NEGATIVE COVENANTS

         So long as this Agreement remains in effect, or as long as there is any
principal  or interest due under any of the Notes,  unless Bank shall  otherwise
consent in writing, Company hereby covenants and agrees that:


                                       59
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)


         6.1  Liens.  Except  for Liens  referred  to in the  audited  financial
statements,  including the financial statement notes thereto, as at, and for the
fiscal year ended December 31, 1996, Company will not hereafter create, incur or
permit to exist  against any of its or any  Subsidiary's  properties  or assets,
real or personal, now or hereafter acquired, any Lien, except (a) purchase money
Liens  arising in the  ordinary  course of  business,  (b) other  similar  Liens
arising in the ordinary course of business  securing  obligations  which are not
overdue or are being  contested in good faith by appropriate  legal  proceedings
diligently  conducted,  provided the amount of such obligations shall not exceed
in the aggregate,  during any fiscal year of Company,  the sum of $200,000,  and
(c) the refinancing, extension or other modification of any Indebtedness secured
by any Lien referred to in such financial statements.

         6.2 Fundamental Changes. Company will not (a) merge or consolidate into
or with any other Person,  except in the ordinary  course of Company's  business
consistent with past  practices,  (b) sell,  lease or otherwise  transfer all or
substantially  all of its  assets  to  any  other  Person,  or  (c)  permit  any
Subsidiary,  if any, to merge or consolidate into or with, or to transfer all or
substantially  all of its  assets  to,  any  Person  other  than a  wholly-owned
Subsidiary  of Company.  David  O'Reilly  shall remain the  President  and Chief
Executive Officer, Larry O'Reilly shall remain the President and Chief Operating
Officer and James Batten shall remain the Chief Financial Officer of Company and
Company  shall make no other  changes in its  executive  management  without the
prior written consent of Commerce.

         6.3  Conduct  of  Business.  Company  will  not  materially  alter  the
character in which it conducts its business or the locations of such business or
the nature of such business conducted at the date hereof.

         6.4  Investments.  Company  will not acquire for  investment  purposes,
investments  that  would  not  qualify  as  customary  and  prudent  investments
consistent with the current investment practices of Company.

         6.5 Debt.  Company shall not create,  incur,  assume or suffer to exist
any direct or indirect indebtedness, except:

                           (a)  Indebtedness under or pursuant to this Agreement
         or the other Loan Documents;

                           (b) Accounts  payable to trade creditors for goods or
         services  which are not aged more than the later of (i) sixty (60) days
         from the  billing  date,  or (ii) ten (10) days  from the due date,  or
         (iii) the "special  payment  date" offered to Company from time to time
         by a  particular  trade  creditor,  and current  operating  liabilities
         (other  than for  borrowed  money)  which are not more than thirty (30)
         days  past  due,  in each  case  incurred  in the  ordinary  course  of
         business,  as presently conducted,  and paid within the specified time,
         unless contested in good faith and by appropriate proceedings; and


                                       60
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

                           (c) Company's  current revolving credit facility with
         NationsBank, N.A. in the maximum principal amount of $32,500,000.

                             ARTICLE VII -- DEFAULT

         7.1 Events of Default. Each of the following events shall constitute an
"Event of Default" under this Agreement:

                           (a)  failure  by  Company  to pay in  full  when  due
         (whether  by  demand,  acceleration  or  otherwise)  any  principal  or
         interest on any Note; or

                           (b)  failure  by Company to pay in full any amount of
         any fee  contemplated  hereunder  within five (5)  Business  Days after
         written notice of nonreceipt of such amount to Company by Commerce; or

                           (c) any  failure  by Company  in the  performance  or
         observance of any agreement,  term,  covenant,  condition or obligation
         hereunder,  under any Note or under any Loan  Document and such failure
         continues for fifteen (15) Business Days after written  notice  thereof
         to Company by Commerce; or

                           (d)   any   information,   certification,   financial
         statement,  representation  or warranty made herein,  in any other Loan
         Document or in any other  writing  furnished by or on behalf of Company
         to Commerce in connection  with the Loans or this Agreement shall be or
         become incomplete, false or misleading in any material respect; or

                           (e) Company or any  Subsidiary  shall  default in the
         payment when due (subject to any applicable  grace period),  whether by
         acceleration or otherwise,  of any other Indebtedness of, or guaranteed
         by, Company or such  Subsidiary,  as the case may be, or Company or any
         Subsidiary  shall  default  in the  performance  or  observance  of any
         obligation or condition with respect to any such other  Indebtedness if
         the effect of such default (after giving effect to any applicable grace
         period) is to accelerate  the maturity of any such  Indebtedness  or to
         permit the holder or holders thereof,  or any trustee or agent for such
         holders,  to cause such Indebtedness to become due and payable prior to
         its expressed  maturity or any such Indebtedness shall become due prior
         to its maturity; or

                           (f) Company shall (i) generally not pay, or be unable
         to pay,  or admit in  writing  its  inability  to pay its debts as such
         debts  become  due;  or (ii)  makes an  assignment  for the  benefit of
         creditors,  or petitions or applies to any tribunal for the appointment
         of a custodian,  receiver,  or trustee for it or for a substantial part
         of its assets;  or (iii) commences any proceeding under any bankruptcy,
         reorganization,  arrangement,  readjustment  of debt,  dissolution,  or
         liquidation  law  or  statute  of  any  jurisdiction,  whether  now  or
         hereafter in effect;  or (iv) has any such bankruptcy,  reorganization,
         dissolution or  readjustment  of debt petition or application  filed or
         any such proceeding commenced

                                       61
<PAGE>
                  O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                  Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         against  it  which is not discharged within thirty  (30)  days;  or (v)
         takes any action indicating consent to, approval  of,  or  acquiescence
         in  any  such  proceeding, or order for relief, or the appointment of a
         custodian, receiver, or trustee for all or any substantial  part of its
         assets   and   properties;  or  (vi)  suffers  any  judgment,  writ  of
         attachment,  execution  or  similar   process  to  be  issued or levied
         against  it,  any  Collateral  or  all  or  a  substantial  part of its
         property  or  assets  which  is  not  released, stayed or bonded within
         thirty (30) days; or

                           (g) a Plan shall fail to maintain the minimum funding
         standard  required  by  Section  412 of the Code for any plan year or a
         waiver of such standard is sought or granted under Section 412(d); or a
         Plan is, shall have been or is likely to be  terminated  or the subject
         of termination  proceedings  under ERISA; or Company or a Subsidiary or
         an ERISA Affiliate has incurred or is likely to incur a liability to or
         on account of a Plan under Section 4062,  4063,  4064,  4201 or 4204 of
         ERISA,  and there shall  result from any such event or events  either a
         liability or a material  risk of incurring a liability to the PBGC or a
         Plan,  which will have a material  adverse  effect  upon the  business,
         operations or the financial condition of Company and its Subsidiaries.

         7.2 Remedies. Upon the occurrence of an Event of Default, Commerce may,
but shall not be obligated  to,  exercise the  following  remedies,  in its sole
discretion and without demand or notice of any kind,  which are hereby expressly
waived:

                           (a)  terminate  the  Commitment  and  refuse  to make
         further Loans hereunder;

                           (b)  declare  the unpaid  balance of any  outstanding
         Note and  accrued  interest  thereon,  immediately  due and payable and
         proceed to collect same;

                           (c)  exercise  all or any of its  rights,  powers and
         remedies given it by this Agreement or the Notes; and

                           (d) exercise all or any of its rights and remedies as
         it may otherwise have under applicable law.

Commerce may apply all moneys  recovered  through the exercise of its respective
remedies to the payment of the repayment and other  obligations of Company under
this  Agreement in such order of priority as  determined by Commerce in its sole
judgment.

                         ARTICLE VIII -- MISCELLANEOUS

         8.1 Amendment  and Waiver.  Neither this  Agreement nor any  provisions
hereof may be changed,  waived,  discharged or terminated orally, but only by an
instrument in writing  signed by an authorized  officer of Company and Commerce,
respectively.

                                       62
<PAGE>
                 O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)



         8.2 Notices.  All notices,  demands or other  communications  hereunder
shall be given or made in writing and shall be delivered personally,  or sent by
registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,  return receipt requested, to the
party or parties to whom they are  directed at the  following  addresses,  or at
such other addresses as may be designated by notice from such party to all other
parties:

                Company:            O'Reilly Automotive, Inc.
                                    233 South Patterson
                                    Springfield, Missouri  65802
                                    Attn:  Mr. James Batten

                   Bank:            Commerce Bank, N.A.
                                    1345 East Battlefield
                                    P.O. Box 2817
                                    Springfield, Missouri 65801-2817
                                    Attn:  President

         with a copy to:            Commerce Bancshares, Inc.
                                    1000 Walnut
                                    P.O. Box 13686
                                    Kansas City, Missouri  64199-3686
                                    Attn:  General Counsel

Any notice,  demand or other  communication given in a manner prescribed in this
paragraph shall be deemed to have been delivered on receipt; provided,  however,
that any  notice  sent by mail,  postage  prepaid,  shall in any event be deemed
given on the third (3rd) day  following  delivery  thereof to the United  States
Postal Service.

         8.3 No Waiver; Cumulative Remedies. Any forbearance,  failure, or delay
by Bank in exercising any right,  power or remedy shall not preclude the further
exercise thereof,  and all of Bank's rights,  powers and remedies shall continue
in full force and effect until specifically  waived in writing by Commerce.  The
rights, remedies, powers and privileges of Bank are cumulative and not exclusive
of any rights,  remedies,  powers and privileges  provided by law. Company shall
pay all  reasonable  and  necessary  expenses  (including  attorneys'  fees  and
disbursements) incurred in connection with the collection or enforcement of this
Agreement and the Notes.

         8.4 Survival.  The  representations and warranties of Company contained
herein shall  survive the making of Loans and shall remain  effective  until all
indebtedness contemplated hereby shall have been paid by Company in full.

         8.5 Payment of Expenses and Taxes.  Company  shall,  whether or not the
transactions  hereby  contemplated  are  consummated,  (i)  pay  all  reasonable
out-of-pocket costs and expenses in

                                       63
<PAGE>
                 O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)


connection with the preparation,  execution, delivery  and  enforcement  of this
Agreement,  the Notes,  the  documents  and instruments  referred  to herein and
any  amendment,  waiver or consent  relating hereto or thereto, and (ii) pay and
hold Commerce harmless from and against any and all current and future stamp and
other  similar  taxes with  respect to the foregoing matters  and save  Commerce
harmless from and against  any and all liabilities  with respect to or resulting
from any delay or omission (other than to the extent  attributable  to Commerce)
to pay such taxes.

         8.6 Indemnity.  Company shall  indemnify  Commerce from and against any
and all liabilities,  obligations,  claims, losses, damages, penalties, actions,
judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or  disbursements  whatsoever  which may be
imposed on, incurred by or asserted  against  Commerce  relating to or resulting
from this Agreement and the Notes and any other document or instrument delivered
hereunder or thereunder and all  transactions  and events at any time associated
therewith  (including the enforcement of any right of Commerce or the defense of
any action or  inaction  by Commerce  in  connection  therewith),  except to the
limited  extent  such  liabilities,   obligations,   claims,  losses,   damages,
penalties,  actions,  judgments,  suits,  costs,  expenses or disbursements  are
proximately caused by Commerce's gross negligence or willful misconduct.  If any
Person (including,  without limitation, Company or any of its Subsidiaries) ever
alleges  such  gross  negligence  of  willful  misconduct,  the  indemnification
provided  for in this  Subsection  8.6 shall  nonetheless  be paid upon  demand,
subject  to later  adjustment  or  reimbursement,  until such time as a court of
competent  jurisdiction  enters a final  judgment as to the extent and effect of
the alleged gross negligence or willful misconduct.

         8.7 Right of Setoff. In addition to any rights now or hereafter granted
under  applicable  law or  otherwise,  and not by way of  limitation of any such
rights,  upon  the  occurrence  of an  Event  of  Default,  Commerce  is  hereby
authorized  at any  time or from  time to  time,  without  presentment,  demand,
protest or other notice of any kind to Company or to any other person,  any such
notice being hereby expressly waived, to setoff and to appropriate and apply any
and all  deposits  (general or special) and any other  indebtedness  at any time
held or owing by Commerce to or for the credit or the account of Company against
and on account of the  obligations  and liabilities of Company to Commerce under
this Agreement and the Notes,  including (without  limitation) all claims of any
nature or  description  arising out of or connected  with this Agreement and the
Notes,  irrespective  of  whether  or not  Commerce  shall  have made any demand
hereunder and although such obligations,  liabilities or claims, or any of them,
shall be contingent or unmatured.

         8.8  Successors and Assigns.  This Agreement  shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of Company,  Commerce and their  respective  successors and
assigns;  provided,  however,  that Company may not transfer any of its interest
under this Agreement  without prior written  consent of Commerce,  which consent
may be granted or withheld in the sole discretion of Bank.

         8.9  Counterparts.  This  Agreement  may be  executed  in any number of
counterparts,  all of which taken together shall  constitute one agreement,  and
any party hereto may execute this Agreement by signing any such counterpart.


                                       64
<PAGE>
                 O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)


         8.10 Severability.  In case any one or more of the provisions contained
in this Agreement  should be invalid,  illegal or  unenforceable in any respect,
the validity,  legality and enforceability of the remaining provisions contained
herein shall not in any way be affected or impaired thereby.

         8.11 Governing Law. This  Agreement and all rights  hereunder  shall be
governed  by,  and  construed  in  accordance  with,  the  laws of the  State of
Missouri.

         8.12   Acknowledgments  and  Admissions.   Company  hereby  represents,
warrants, acknowledges and admits that (a) it has been advised by counsel on the
negotiation,  execution and delivery of this Agreement,  the Notes and any other
instrument or document entered into in connection herewith, (b) Company has made
an independent  decision to enter into this Agreement and such other instruments
and documents,  without reliance on any  representation,  warranty,  covenant or
undertaking  by  Commerce,  whether  written,  oral or  implicit,  other than as
expressly set forth in this Agreement,  (c) other than as expressly set forth in
this  Agreement,   Commerce  has  not  made  any  representation,   covenant  or
undertaking to Company in connection  with the rights and obligations of Company
pursuant to this Agreement or any such instruments and documents,  (d) there are
no  representations,  warranties,  covenants or  undertakings  or  agreements by
Commerce  as to this  Agreement  or such  instruments  and  documents  except as
expressly set forth herein or therein, (e) Commerce has no fiduciary obligations
toward  Company  with  respect  to this  Agreement,  any  such  instruments  and
documents  or  the  transactions   contemplated  hereby  or  thereby,   (f)  the
relationship  between Commerce and Company,  pursuant to this Agreement and such
instruments  and documents,  is and shall be solely that of creditor and debtor,
respectively,  (g) no joint venture exists between Commerce and Company, and (h)
Commerce has relied upon the  truthfulness of the foregoing  acknowledgments  in
deciding to execute and deliver this Agreement and to accept the Notes.

         8.13  Entire Agreement.

                           (a) This Agreement and the Exhibits embody the entire
         agreement and  understanding  between the parties hereto and supersedes
         all prior agreements and understandings  relating to the subject matter
         hereof.

                           (b) ORAL  AGREEMENTS  OR  COMMITMENTS  TO LOAN MONEY,
         EXTEND  CREDIT  OR TO  FORBEAR  FROM  ENFORCING  REPAYMENT  OF A  DEBT,
         INCLUDING PROMISES TO EXTEND OR RENEW SUCH DEBT ARE NOT ENFORCEABLE. TO
         PROTECT YOU  (BORROWER(S)) AND US (CREDITOR) FROM  MISUNDERSTANDING  OR
         DISAPPOINTMENT,  ANY  AGREEMENTS  WE REACH  COVERING  SUCH  MATTERS ARE
         CONTAINED  IN  THIS  WRITING,  WHICH  IS  THE  COMPLETE  AND  EXCLUSIVE
         STATEMENT OF THE AGREEMENT  BETWEEN US, EXCEPT AS WE MAY LATER AGREE IN
         WRITING TO MODIFY IT.

                                       65
<PAGE>
                 O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                 Exhibit 10.19 - Loan Agreement (continued)

         8.14 Waiver of Jury Trial;  Limitation on Damages.  All parties to this
Agreement  hereby  irrevocably  waive  (a) all  right  to a trial by jury in any
action or proceeding relating to transactions under this Agreement,  and (b) all
right  to  claim or  recover  in any such  action  or  proceeding  any  special,
exemplary,  punitive or  consequential  damages,  or damages  other than,  or in
addition to, actual damages.

         IN  WITNESS  WHEREOF,   the  parties  hereto  have  caused  their  duly
authorized  officers to execute and deliver this  Agreement as of the date first
above written.

                                         COMMERCE BANK, N.A.

                                         By: /s/ Robert Fulp
                                             ------------------------

                                         Title:  VP
                                                 --------------------

                                         O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC.

                                         By:  /s/ James R. Batten
                                              -----------------------

                                         Title:  CFO & Treasurer
                                                 --------------------



                                       66





<TABLE> <S> <C>


<ARTICLE>                     5
<LEGEND>
This schedule contains summary financial information extracted from the
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet at September 30, 1997 (Unaudited) and the
Condensed Consolidated Statement of Income for the Nine Months Ended September
30, 1997 (Unaudited) and is qualified in its entirety by reference to such
financial statements.</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER>                                   1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-mos
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                              DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                                 JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                                   SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                               1,625
<SECURITIES>                                         1,000
<RECEIVABLES>                                       14,081
<ALLOWANCES>                                           444
<INVENTORY>                                        107,330
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                     2,759
<PP&E>                                             125,524 
<DEPRECIATION>                                      26,924
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                     229,721
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                               37,782
<BONDS>                                                  0
                                    0 
                                              0
<COMMON>                                               211
<OTHER-SE>                                         175,654
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                       229,721
<SALES>                                            238,437
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                                   238,833
<CGS>                                              138,000
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                       72,549
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                         0
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                       630
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                                      83
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                     28,201
<INCOME-TAX>                                        10,491
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                                 17,710
<DISCONTINUED>                                           0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                          0
<CHANGES>                                                0
<NET-INCOME>                                        17,710
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                         0.84 
<EPS-DILUTED>                                         0.84
        


</TABLE>




                   O'REILLY AUTOMOTIVE, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
                       Exhibit 99.1 - Certain Risk Factors


The following  factors could affect the Company's actual results,  including its
revenues,  expenses  and net  income,  and could  cause them to differ  from any
forward-looking statements made by or on behalf of the Company.

Competition

The Company  competes  with a large  number of retail and  wholesale  automotive
aftermarket  product  suppliers.  The  distribution  of  automotive  aftermarket
products is a highly  competitive  industry,  particularly  in the more  densely
populated market areas served by the Company.  Competitors  include national and
regional  automotive  parts  chains,  independently  owned parts stores (some of
which are associated  with national auto parts  distributors  or  associations),
automobile  dealerships,  mass or general merchandise,  discount and convenience
chains that carry automotive products,  independent  warehouse  distributors and
parts stores and national warehouse  distributors and associations.  Some of the
Company's  competitors  are larger than the Company and have  greater  financial
resources than the Company.

No Assurance of Future Growth

Management  believes that the Company's  ability to open additional stores at an
accelerated rate will be a significant factor in achieving its growth objectives
for the  future.  The  ability  of the  Company  to  accomplish  its  growth  is
dependent,  in part, on matters  beyond the Company's  control,  such as weather
conditions,  zoning and other issues related to new store site development,  the
availability of qualified management personnel and general business and economic
conditions. No assurance can be given that the Company's current growth rate can
be maintained.

Dependence Upon Key and Other Personnel

The success of the Company has been largely  dependent on the efforts of certain
key personnel of the Company, including David E. O'Reilly, Lawrence P. O'Reilly,
Charles H. O'Reilly,  Jr.,  Rosalie O'Reilly Wooten and Ted F. Wise. The loss of
the services of one or more of these  individuals  could have a material adverse
effect on the Company's  business and results of  operations.  Additionally,  in
order to successfully implement and manage its growth strategy, the Company will
be  dependent  upon its  ability to  continue  to attract  and retain  qualified
personnel.  There can be no assurance  that the Company will be able to continue
to attract such personnel.

Concentration of Ownership by Management

The Company's  executive  officers and directors as a group  beneficially  own a
substantial  percentage of the outstanding shares of the Company's common stock.
These  officers  and  directors  have the ability to exercise  effective  voting
control  of the  Company,  including  the  election  of  all  of  the  Company's
directors, and to effectively determine the vote on any matter being voted on by
the Company  shareholders,  including any merger, sale of assets or other change
in control of the Company.



                                       68


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