Drew Fondren, (July 29, 2025)

Ten lucky customers and their guests just wrapped up a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, thanks to Automotive Parts Associates' Tanks For The Memories Sweepstakes.

Held July 25^th – 27^th in Kasota, Minnesota, the trip brought together sweepstakes winners, representatives from APA shareholders and TruStar members, and APA staff for an unforgettable weekend at Drive A Tank, a military vehicle experience. Special thanks to DRiV for sponsoring a fantastic Friday night dinner, where attendees came together to kick off the weekend in style.

"This is the first time that my wife and I have been out as a couple since my daughter was born," shared one winner. "We had a fantastic time! We're going to tell our friends about Drive A Tank!”

Over the course of the weekend, attendees got behind the controls of real military tanks, tested their aim in a live machine gun range, and bonded over great food, fun, and a shared appreciation for the aftermarket industry. The all-expenses-paid trip was the grand prize of APA/TruStar’s spring promotion, which generated nearly 20,000 entries from customers who purchased from participating sponsor suppliers.

Beyond the action, attendees enjoyed the opportunity to connect with fellow guests from across the country. One participant said, “Thanks again for a very fun weekend, y’all put on a great event. Dianne and I had a great time and met some great folks. Hopefully I'll win some more, and we'll cross paths again in the future.”

Another echoed the appreciation: “Thank you so much for putting all this on! I absolutely love that we have the backing of APA. It makes work fun and easy when we have things like this to offer our customers. I couldn’t have asked for a better time!”

For some, the experience checked off a lifelong goal. “Thank you for the great trip. Driving a tank was something that I always wanted to do - and now I have!”

“Our winners had an absolute blast - literally,” said Jan Larson, Director of Marketing for APA/TruStar. “This trip wasn’t just about tanks and firepower, it was about connecting people, recognizing our shareholders and members’ loyal customers, and delivering an experience they’ll never forget!

APA extends special thanks to all the participating sponsor suppliers, shareholders, and members who supported this unique promotion and made it a resounding success.