Document:

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                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.30

                            HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Number of shares subject to option: 50,000]

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 6th day of June, 2000,
between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Donald C. Roof (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

1.       Grant of Option.

         Pursuant to the provisions of Heafner Tire Group, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the right and option (the "Option") to purchase
from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of [50,000] shares of the Class
A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or
the "Shares") at a purchase price of $9.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price"),
such Option to be exercised as hereinafter provided.

2.       Terms and Conditions.

         It is understood and agreed that the Option evidenced hereby is subject
to the following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Expiration Date. The Option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date hereof (the "Expiration Date").

                  (b) Type of Option. This Option is eligible to be an incentive
stock option (an "Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided that to the
extent this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code,
it shall constitute a nonqualified stock option.

                  (c) Exercise of Option. (i) The shares subject to this Option
shall be divided into three separate pools, "Tier 1 Options," "Tier 2 Options"
and "Tier 3 Options," and the Options in each pool shall vest and be exercisable
according to the terms and conditions applicable to such pool as set forth
below. For purposes of this Agreement, "Option" shall mean, collectively, the
Tier 1 Options, the Tier 2 Options and the Tier 3 Options granted pursuant to
this Agreement.

                      (A) Tier 1 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [______] Tier 1 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the

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exercisability of this Option, the Tier 1 Options will vest and be exercisable
in accordance with the following schedule:

                                             Options Exercisable with respect to
                    On or After                  Cumulative Number of Shares
                   ------------              -----------------------------------
                   June 6, 2000                           0 x 25%
                   June 6, 2001                           0 x 50%
                   June 6, 2002                           0 x 75%
                   June 6, 2003                           0 x 100%

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Tier 1 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (x) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 1 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 1 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (y) the
termination of Optionee's employment (1) by the Company without Cause (as
defined below) or by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time
after a Change in Control or (2) by the Company or the Optionee for any reason
other than a Specified Cause Event (as defined below) more than six months after
a Change in Control.

                           "Change in Control" means the first to occur of any
         of the following: (i) the sale (including by merger, consolidation or
         sale of stock of subsidiaries or any other method) of all or
         substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated
         subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any person or entity not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined
         Voting Power (as defined in the Plan) of the then outstanding shares of
         capital stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of
         the Company as of the date of determination), (ii) at any time prior to
         the consummation of an initial public offering of Common Stock of the
         Company or other common stock of the Company having the voting power to
         elect directors, a transaction (except pursuant to such initial public
         offering) resulting in the Principal Shareholders (as defined in the
         Plan) owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
         (excluding shares owned by employees of the Company as of the date of
         determination), (iii) at any time after the consummation of an initial
         public offering of Common Stock of the Company or other common stock of
         the Company having the voting power to elect directors, the acquisition
         (except pursuant to such initial public offering) by any person or
         entity (other than the Principal Shareholders) not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the Company's stockholders of more than 30% of
         the Combined Voting Power of the then outstanding shares of capital
         stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of the
         Company as of the date of determination), (iv) individuals

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         serving as directors of the Company on the Effective Date (as defined
         in the Plan) and who were nominated or selected to serve as directors
         by one or more Principal Shareholders (together with any new directors
         whose election was approved by a vote of (A) such individuals or
         directors whose election was previously so approved or (B) Principal
         Shareholders holding a majority of the aggregate voting power of the
         capital stock of the Company held by all Principal Shareholders) cease
         for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
         the Company (the "Board"), (v) the adoption of a plan relating to the
         liquidation or dissolution of the Company in connection with an equity
         investment or sale or a business combination transaction or (vi) any
         other event or transaction that the Board deems to be a Change in
         Control.

                           "Specified Cause Event" means (1) a proven or
         admitted act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by the Optionee
         that is detrimental to the Company or (2) the Optionee's conviction of
         or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony that is related to the
         Company or the performance of the Optionee's services for the Company.

                      (B) Tier 2 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [20,000] Tier 2 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 2 Options will vest and be
exercisable annually as of December 31 of each fiscal year of the Company with
respect to a cumulative number of shares in an amount equal to the product of
(i) a fraction, the denominator of which is 278,658,000 (the "Aggregate EBITDA
Target") and the numerator of which is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for
all fiscal years following the date hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year,
multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options,
provided that the maximum cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options
that shall be vested in any fiscal year shall not exceed the product of (1) the
Applicable Percentage for such fiscal year multiplied by (2) the total number of
shares subject to Tier 2 Options. This calculation shall be made with respect to
each fiscal year, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, based on the Company's
audited financial statements for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
if the Optionee's employment with the Company shall terminate because of death,
disability, termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or
termination by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the aggregate
cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options that shall be vested as of
the termination date shall not be subject to any limitations imposed by the
Applicable Percentage and shall be equal to the product of (1) a fraction, the
denominator of which is the Aggregate EBITDA Target and the numerator of which
is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for all fiscal years following the date
hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, multiplied by (2) the total number
of shares subject to Tier 2 Options, and (y) all of the Tier 2 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (1) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 2 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 2 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and

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exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (2) the seventh
anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Applicable Percentage" means with respect to (i) fiscal
         year 1999, 20%, (2) fiscal year 2000, 40%, (3) fiscal year 2001, 60%,
         (4) fiscal year 2002, 80%, and (5) fiscal year 2003, 100%, provided,
         however, that the Applicable Percentage shall be 100% if following any
         fiscal year prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, the aggregate EBITDA
         of the Company for the fiscal years following the date hereof equals or
         exceeds the Aggregate EBITDA Target.

                      "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes,
         depreciation, and amortization as reflected in the Company's audited
         financial statements. Adjustments for unusual items will be made in the
         reasonable discretion of the Board, after consultation with the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

                      (C) Tier 3 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [30,000] Tier 3 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 3 Options will vest and be
exercisable (except as provided below) only upon the first to occur of (x) a
Change in Control that satisfies the CIC Return Hurdle and (y) an Actual Sale or
Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering that satisfies the QPO Return
Hurdle as hereinafter described. If on any date beginning six months after a
Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based on a
Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, 50% of the Tier 3 Options will
vest and be immediately exercisable, and if on any date beginning 24 months
after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based
on a Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, the additional 50% of the
Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately exercisable, except that, if at any
time after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle is satisfied based
on an Actual Sale, 100% of the Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tier 3 Options shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Actual Sale" means a sale following a Qualified Public
         Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership of its
         shares in the Company in consideration for cash or freely tradable
         securities or a combination thereof.

                      "Charlesbank Investment" means the total amount of capital
         expended to acquire Common Stock or warrants to acquire Common Stock of
         the Company or capital contributed to the Company (including capital
         provided in the form of an extension of credit or an advance of funds)
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, commencing on the
         date of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership.

                      "CIC Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Change in Control
         occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x,
         and (ii) if the Change in Control

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         occurs more than 18 months after the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership a Return on Investment of 3.0x and
         a 30% IRR.

                      "Deemed Sale", as of any date, means the deemed sale
         following a Qualified Public Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV,
         Limited Partnership of its shares in the Company at the Fair Market
         Value in effect on such date.

                      "Fair Market Value", as of any date, means (i) with
         respect to any freely tradeable security, the closing market price for
         such security on the day immediately preceding such date as determined
         from the principal trading market for such security on such date, (ii)
         with respect to any publicly traded security of the Company, the
         average of the closing market prices of such security for the 30
         consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date to be
         determined from the principal trading market for such security during
         such period, and (iii) with respect to any other property, such value
         determined as of such date by such methods or procedures as established
         in the good faith discretion of the Board.

                      "IRR" means an internal rate of return to Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership on the Charlesbank Investment as
         calculated by the use of an HP12c financial calculator, taking into
         account the timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof)
         of all contributions to capital and investments in the Company and the
         timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) of all
         dividends, interest payments or other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property), from the Company or any other
         person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment, through the
         date of determination, and subject to adjustment in the good faith
         discretion of the Board in the event of any merger, acquisition,
         consolidation, sale of assets, recapitalization, contribution of
         capital to, or redemption of stock of, the Company, or any other event
         that the Board deems relevant to the calculation of such return.

                      "QPO Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Actual Sale or Deemed
         Sale occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x and
         (ii) if the Actual Sale or Deemed Sale occurs more than 18 months after
         the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Qualified Public Offering" means a public offering of the
         Company's Class A Common Stock or other common stock of the Company
         with a minimum offering size of $50,000,000.

                      "Return on Investment" means (i) in the case of a Change
         in Control, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely
         tradable securities and based on the Fair Market Value thereof received
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership upon such Change in
         Control, together with all dividends, interest payments and other
         distributions or payments (whether in cash or other

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         property and based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the
         Company or any other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank
         Investment prior to such Change in Control, divided by (B) the
         Charlesbank Investment, and (ii) in the case of an Actual Sale or
         Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering, the quotient of (A)
         the total amount of cash and freely tradeable securities (based on the
         Fair Market Value thereof) received in such Actual Sale, or the
         aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares in the Company owned at the
         time of such Deemed Sale, by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, together with all dividends, interest payments and other
         distributions or payments (whether in cash or other property and based
         on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the Company or any
         other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment prior
         to such Actual Sale or Deemed Sale, as the case may be, divided by (B)
         the Charlesbank Investment.

                  (ii) Options exercised in any one year shall be deducted from
the number of Options exercisable in any future year. Once vested, this Option
shall be exercisable at the following times prior to the expiration date: (A) if
the Optionee is employed by the Company at the time of exercise, at any time by
giving the Company 45 days' advance written notice or (B) if the Optionee is not
employed by the Company at the time of exercise but has the right to exercise
after termination in accordance with Section 2(d) of this Agreement, by giving
the Company written notice at any time during the period specified in Section
2(d) of this Agreement, in which case the Option shall be deemed exercised as of
the end of the calendar month in which the Company received notice of exercise
of the Option. In either case, the notice of exercise shall specify the number
of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised.

                  (iii) Upon receipt of written notice of exercise by the
Company, the Company shall, upon full payment in cash to the Company of the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised and upon
receipt of a duly executed shareholders agreement (in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A or in such other form as the Company may reasonably require), issue
to the Optionee the Shares subject to the Option. Any issuance of Shares to an
Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made by the Company within
90 days after the date of exercise. For purposes of this Agreement, the fair
market value of Shares shall be determined by such methods or procedures as
shall be established from time to time by the Board acting in its sole
discretion and in good faith. In making such determinations, the Board may rely
on a valuation report by an investment banking or valuation firm selected by the
Board. The Committee established by the Board to administer the Plan (the
"Committee") may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price in previously acquired Shares rather than in cash.

                  (d) Exercise Upon Death or Termination of Employment.

                           (i) If the Optionee dies while an employee of the
Company, the Optionee's Designee may exercise the Option, to the extent it was
vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company written notice of such
exercise within 12 months

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after the date of Optionee's death, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. An Optionee's "Designee" means the person designated by the Optionee in
his or her most recently filed beneficiary designation filed with the Company to
receive the Optionee's rights under the Plan upon the Optionee's death, or if
there is no such designation or no such designated person survives the Optionee,
by the person or persons to whom the Optionee's rights pass by will or
applicable law, or if no such person has such right, by his executors or
administrators.

                           (ii) If the Company shall terminate Optionee's
employment with the Company because of disability, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 12 months after the date of
termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.

                           (iii) If the Optionee terminates his employment with
the Company other than for Good Reason, the Optionee may exercise the Option to
the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company
written notice of such exercise within 90 days after the date of termination of
employment, but in no event later then the Expiration Date. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning set forth in the executive severance or
employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the Company and the
Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement shall mean, if the basis for such
Good Reason is not cured within a reasonable period of time (determined in light
of the cure appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason, but in no event less
than 15 days), the failure of the Company to pay any undisputed amount due to
the Optionee in connection with his employment by the Company.

                           (iv) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
any reason other than death, disability or Cause (as hereinafter defined), or if
the Optionee shall terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason,
the Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent it was vested on the date of
termination or, otherwise would have vested in the 12 months thereafter, in
either event according to the applicable vesting schedule in Section 2(c)(i), by
giving the Company written notice of such exercise within 18 months after the
date of termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall forfeit his right to
exercise any Options that would have vested within the 12 months after
termination, if the Optionee violates the terms regarding non-competition set
forth in the Optionee's executive severance or employment agreement.

                           (v) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
Cause, all right to exercise the Option shall terminate at the date of such
termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" has the
meaning set forth in the executive severance or

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employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the Company and the
Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement, shall mean (i) the Optionee's
conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony, (ii) the
Optionee's gross negligence in the performance of his duties and obligations to
the Company, which is not corrected within 15 business days after written
notice, (iii) the Optionee's knowingly dishonest act, or knowing bad faith or
willful misconduct in the performance of his duties and obligations to the
Company to the material detriment of the Company, which is not corrected within
15 business days after written notice, or (iv) the Optionee's other material
breach of his obligations under this Agreement, which is not corrected within a
reasonable period of time (determined in light of the cure appropriate to such
material breach, but in no event less than 15 business days) after written
notice.

                           (vi) In the event of termination of employment, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods
that apply for purpose of Section 422 of the Code, such stock option shall
thereafter be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

                  (e) Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Optionee
in his or her most recently filed Beneficiary designation filed with the
Company, or if there is no such designation or no such designated person
survives the Optionee, as designated by the Optionee, by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during the Optionee's life, may be exercised only
by the Optionee. However, an Optionee, with the approval of the Committee, may
transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of the Optionee's
Immediate Family or to a partnership or limited liability company for one or
more members of the Optionee's Immediate Family, subject to such limits as the
Committee may establish, and the transferee shall remain subject to all the
terms and conditions applicable to Options prior to such transfer. The foregoing
right to transfer the Option shall apply to the right to consent to amendments
to this Agreement and, in the discretion of the Committee, shall also apply to
the right to transfer ancillary rights associated with the Option. The term
"Immediate Family" shall mean the Optionee's spouse, parents, children,
stepchildren, adoptive relationships, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and
grandchildren (and, for this purpose, shall also include the Optionee).

                  (f) Adjustments. In the event of any change in corporate
capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction,
such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or
not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368
of the Code) or any partial or complete

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liquidation of the Company, the Committee or Board may make such substitution or
adjustments in the number, kind and option price of shares subject to the Option
and/or such other equitable substitution or adjustments as it may determine to
be appropriate in its sole discretion; provided, however, that the number of
shares subject to the Option shall always be a whole number. In the event of a
corporate merger, consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation,
reorganization or liquidation, the Board shall be authorized to cause the
Company to issue or assume stock options, whether or not in transaction to which
Section 424(a) of the Code applies, by means of substitution of new stock
options for previously issued stock options or an assumption of previously
issued stock options.

                  (g) No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Option prior
to the date of issuance to the Optionee of a certificate or certificates for
such Shares.

                  (h) Optionee Acknowledgement.  The Optionee acknowledges that:

                           (i) the future value of the Company is highly
speculative;

                           (ii) the Optionee is not relying on the value of this
Option as current compensation;

                           (iii) the Company has no obligation to the Optionee
to sell the Company or to sell Shares publicly (which may have the effect of
reducing the value of the Company);

                           (iv) upon exercise of this Option, unless the Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Options have been registered under applicable
securities laws, there will be substantial restrictions on the transferability
of the Shares; and

                           (v) the past performance or experience of the
Company, the Company's officers, directors, agents, or employees, will not in
any way indicate or predict the results of the ownership of Shares or of the
Company's activities.

                  (i) No Right to Continued Employment. The Option shall not
confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Optionee's
employer to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.

                  (j) Compliance With Law and Regulations. The Option herein
granted and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares hereunder,
shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws, rules and regulations
and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for
Shares prior to (i) the listing of such Shares on any stock exchange or national
market quotations system on which the Shares may then be listed and (ii) the
completion of any registration or qualification of such

<PAGE>   10

Shares under any Federal or State law, or any rule or regulation of any
government body which the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be
necessary or advisable. Moreover, the Option herein granted may not be exercised
if its exercise, or the receipt of Shares pursuant hereto, would be contrary to
applicable law.

3.       Optionee Bound by Plan.

         The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

4.       Notices.

         All notices or any other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and delivered personally or by registered or certified mail or overnight
courier, addressed, if to the Company, to Heafner Tire Group, Inc., 2105 Water
Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; Attention: Chairman,
and if to the Optionee, at the address set forth below, subject to the right of
either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address.

5.       Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

6.       No Assignment.

         Except as provided in Section 2(e), neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of the Optionee hereunder may be transferred or
assigned by the Optionee.

7.       Benefits.

         This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and
not for the benefit of any other party.

8.       Severability.

         If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal
and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be
severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.

<PAGE>   11

9.       Amendments.

         No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, other than as required under Section 2(f), shall be effective unless
it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

10.      Counterparts.

         This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>   12

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President or a Vice President and Optionee has executed this Agreement, both as
of the day and year first above written.

                                                   HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                                   By:__________________________
                                                      Name:
                                                      Title:

-------------------------------
         Donald C. Roof

Address:
6705 Seton House Lane
Charlotte, NC 28277

<PAGE>   13

                            HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Number of shares subject to option: 30,000]

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 6th day of June, 2000,
between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Richard P. Johnson (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

1.       Grant of Option.

         Pursuant to the provisions of Heafner Tire Group, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the right and option (the "Option") to purchase
from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of [30,000] shares of the Class
A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or
the "Shares") at a purchase price of $9.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price"),
such Option to be exercised as hereinafter provided.

2.       Terms and Conditions.

         It is understood and agreed that the Option evidenced hereby is subject
to the following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Expiration Date. The Option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date hereof (the "Expiration Date").

                  (b) Type of Option. This Option is eligible to be an incentive
stock option (an "Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided that to the
extent this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code,
it shall constitute a nonqualified stock option.

                  (c) Exercise of Option. (i) The shares subject to this Option
shall be divided into three separate pools, "Tier 1 Options," "Tier 2 Options"
and "Tier 3 Options," and the Options in each pool shall vest and be exercisable
according to the terms and conditions applicable to such pool as set forth
below. For purposes of this Agreement, "Option" shall mean, collectively, the
Tier 1 Options, the Tier 2 Options and the Tier 3 Options granted pursuant to
this Agreement.

<PAGE>   14

                      (A) Tier 1 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [______] Tier 1 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 1 Options will vest and be
exercisable in accordance with the following schedule:

                                             Options Exercisable with respect to
                       On or After               Cumulative Number of Shares
                      ------------           -----------------------------------
                      June 6, 2000                        0 x 25%
                      June 6, 2001                        0 x 50%
                      June 6, 2002                        0 x 75%
                      June 6, 2003                        0 x 100%

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Tier 1 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (x) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 1 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 1 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (y) the
termination of Optionee's employment (1) by the Company without Cause (as
defined below) or by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time
after a Change in Control or (2) by the Company or the Optionee for any reason
other than a Specified Cause Event (as defined below) more than six months after
a Change in Control.

                           "Change in Control" means the first to occur of any
         of the following: (i) the sale (including by merger, consolidation or
         sale of stock of subsidiaries or any other method) of all or
         substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated
         subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any person or entity not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined
         Voting Power (as defined in the Plan) of the then outstanding shares of
         capital stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of
         the Company as of the date of determination), (ii) at any time prior to
         the consummation of an initial public offering of Common Stock of the
         Company or other common stock of the Company having the voting power to
         elect directors, a transaction (except pursuant to such initial public
         offering) resulting in the Principal Shareholders (as defined in the
         Plan) owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
         (excluding shares owned by employees of the Company as of the date of
         determination), (iii) at any time after the consummation of an initial
         public offering of Common Stock of the Company or other common stock of
         the Company having the voting power to elect directors, the acquisition
         (except pursuant to such initial public offering) by any person or
         entity (other than the Principal Shareholders) not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the Company's stockholders of more than 30% of
         the Combined Voting Power of the then

<PAGE>   15

         outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (excluding shares
         owned by employees of the Company as of the date of determination),
         (iv) individuals serving as directors of the Company on the Effective
         Date (as defined in the Plan) and who were nominated or selected to
         serve as directors by one or more Principal Shareholders (together with
         any new directors whose election was approved by a vote of (A) such
         individuals or directors whose election was previously so approved or
         (B) Principal Shareholders holding a majority of the aggregate voting
         power of the capital stock of the Company held by all Principal
         Shareholders) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
         Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), (v) the adoption of a
         plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company in
         connection with an equity investment or sale or a business combination
         transaction or (vi) any other event or transaction that the Board deems
         to be a Change in Control.

                           "Specified Cause Event" means (1) a proven or
         admitted act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by the Optionee
         that is detrimental to the Company or (2) the Optionee's conviction of
         or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony that is related to the
         Company or the performance of the Optionee's services for the Company.

                      (B) Tier 2 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [15,000] Tier 2 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 2 Options will vest and be
exercisable annually as of December 31 of each fiscal year of the Company with
respect to a cumulative number of shares in an amount equal to the product of
(i) a fraction, the denominator of which is 278,658,000 (the "Aggregate EBITDA
Target") and the numerator of which is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for
all fiscal years following the date hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year,
multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options,
provided that the maximum cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options
that shall be vested in any fiscal year shall not exceed the product of (1) the
Applicable Percentage for such fiscal year multiplied by (2) the total number of
shares subject to Tier 2 Options. This calculation shall be made with respect to
each fiscal year, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, based on the Company's
audited financial statements for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
if the Optionee's employment with the Company shall terminate because of death,
disability, termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or
termination by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the aggregate
cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options that shall be vested as of
the termination date shall not be subject to any limitations imposed by the
Applicable Percentage and shall be equal to the product of (1) a fraction, the
denominator of which is the Aggregate EBITDA Target and the numerator of which
is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for all fiscal years following the date
hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, multiplied by (2) the total number
of shares subject to Tier 2 Options, and (y) all of the Tier 2 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (1) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested

<PAGE>   16

Tier 2 Options shall vest and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the
unvested Tier 2 Options shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the
vesting and exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (2)
the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Applicable Percentage" means with respect to (i) fiscal
         year 1999, 20%, (2) fiscal year 2000, 40%, (3) fiscal year 2001, 60%,
         (4) fiscal year 2002, 80%, and (5) fiscal year 2003, 100%, provided,
         however, that the Applicable Percentage shall be 100% if following any
         fiscal year prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, the aggregate EBITDA
         of the Company for the fiscal years following the date hereof equals or
         exceeds the Aggregate EBITDA Target.

                      "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes,
         depreciation, and amortization as reflected in the Company's audited
         financial statements. Adjustments for unusual items will be made in the
         reasonable discretion of the Board, after consultation with the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

                      (C) Tier 3 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [15,000] Tier 3 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 3 Options will vest and be
exercisable (except as provided below) only upon the first to occur of (x) a
Change in Control that satisfies the CIC Return Hurdle and (y) an Actual Sale or
Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering that satisfies the QPO Return
Hurdle as hereinafter described. If on any date beginning six months after a
Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based on a
Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, 50% of the Tier 3 Options will
vest and be immediately exercisable, and if on any date beginning 24 months
after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based
on a Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, the additional 50% of the
Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately exercisable, except that, if at any
time after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle is satisfied based
on an Actual Sale, 100% of the Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tier 3 Options shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Actual Sale" means a sale following a Qualified Public
         Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership of its
         shares in the Company in consideration for cash or freely tradable
         securities or a combination thereof.

                      "Charlesbank Investment" means the total amount of capital
         expended to acquire Common Stock or warrants to acquire Common Stock of
         the Company or capital contributed to the Company (including capital
         provided in the form of an extension of credit or an advance of funds)
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, commencing on the
         date of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership.

<PAGE>   17

                      "CIC Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Change in Control
         occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x,
         and (ii) if the Change in Control occurs more than 18 months after the
         original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership
         a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Deemed Sale", as of any date, means the deemed sale
         following a Qualified Public Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV,
         Limited Partnership of its shares in the Company at the Fair Market
         Value in effect on such date.

                      "Fair Market Value", as of any date, means (i) with
         respect to any freely tradeable security, the closing market price for
         such security on the day immediately preceding such date as determined
         from the principal trading market for such security on such date, (ii)
         with respect to any publicly traded security of the Company, the
         average of the closing market prices of such security for the 30
         consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date to be
         determined from the principal trading market for such security during
         such period, and (iii) with respect to any other property, such value
         determined as of such date by such methods or procedures as established
         in the good faith discretion of the Board.

                      "IRR" means an internal rate of return to Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership on the Charlesbank Investment as
         calculated by the use of an HP12c financial calculator, taking into
         account the timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof)
         of all contributions to capital and investments in the Company and the
         timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) of all
         dividends, interest payments or other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property), from the Company or any other
         person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment, through the
         date of determination, and subject to adjustment in the good faith
         discretion of the Board in the event of any merger, acquisition,
         consolidation, sale of assets, recapitalization, contribution of
         capital to, or redemption of stock of, the Company, or any other event
         that the Board deems relevant to the calculation of such return.

                      "QPO Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Actual Sale or Deemed
         Sale occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x and
         (ii) if the Actual Sale or Deemed Sale occurs more than 18 months after
         the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Qualified Public Offering" means a public offering of the
         Company's Class A Common Stock or other common stock of the Company
         with a minimum offering size of $50,000,000.

                      "Return on Investment" means (i) in the case of a Change
         in Control, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely
         tradable securities and

<PAGE>   18

         based on the Fair Market Value thereof received by Charlesbank Equity
         Fund IV, Limited Partnership upon such Change in Control, together with
         all dividends, interest payments and other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property and based on the Fair Market Value
         thereof) received from the Company or any other person or entity in
         respect of the Charlesbank Investment prior to such Change in Control,
         divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment, and (ii) in the case of an
         Actual Sale or Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering, the
         quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely tradeable
         securities (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received in such
         Actual Sale, or the aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares in the
         Company owned at the time of such Deemed Sale, by Charlesbank Equity
         Fund IV, Limited Partnership, together with all dividends, interest
         payments and other distributions or payments (whether in cash or other
         property and based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the
         Company or any other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank
         Investment prior to such Actual Sale or Deemed Sale, as the case may
         be, divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment.

                  (ii) Options exercised in any one year shall be deducted from
the number of Options exercisable in any future year. Once vested, this Option
shall be exercisable at the following times prior to the expiration date: (A) if
the Optionee is employed by the Company at the time of exercise, at any time by
giving the Company 45 days' advance written notice or (B) if the Optionee is not
employed by the Company at the time of exercise but has the right to exercise
after termination in accordance with Section 2(d) of this Agreement, by giving
the Company written notice at any time during the period specified in Section
2(d) of this Agreement, in which case the Option shall be deemed exercised as of
the end of the calendar month in which the Company received notice of exercise
of the Option. In either case, the notice of exercise shall specify the number
of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised.

                  (iii) Upon receipt of written notice of exercise by the
Company, the Company shall, upon full payment in cash to the Company of the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised and upon
receipt of a duly executed shareholders agreement (in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A or in such other form as the Company may reasonably require), issue
to the Optionee the Shares subject to the Option. Any issuance of Shares to an
Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made by the Company within
90 days after the date of exercise. For purposes of this Agreement, the fair
market value of Shares shall be determined by such methods or procedures as
shall be established from time to time by the Board acting in its sole
discretion and in good faith. In making such determinations, the Board may rely
on a valuation report by an investment banking or valuation firm selected by the
Board. The Committee established by the Board to administer the Plan (the
"Committee") may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price in previously acquired Shares rather than in cash.

                  (d) Exercise Upon Death or Termination of Employment.

<PAGE>   19

                           (i) If the Optionee dies while an employee of the
Company, the Optionee's Designee may exercise the Option, to the extent it was
vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company written notice of such
exercise within 12 months after the date of Optionee's death, but in no event
later than the Expiration Date. An Optionee's "Designee" means the person
designated by the Optionee in his or her most recently filed beneficiary
designation filed with the Company to receive the Optionee's rights under the
Plan upon the Optionee's death, or if there is no such designation or no such
designated person survives the Optionee, by the person or persons to whom the
Optionee's rights pass by will or applicable law, or if no such person has such
right, by his executors or administrators.

                           (ii) If the Company shall terminate Optionee's
employment with the Company because of disability, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 12 months after the date of
termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.

                           (iii) If the Optionee terminates his employment with
the Company other than for Good Reason, the Optionee may exercise the Option to
the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company
written notice of such exercise within 90 days after the date of termination of
employment, but in no event later then the Expiration Date. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning set forth in the executive severance or
employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the Company and the
Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement shall mean, if the basis for such
Good Reason is not cured within a reasonable period of time (determined in light
of the cure appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason, but in no event less
than 15 days), the failure of the Company to pay any undisputed amount due to
the Optionee in connection with his employment by the Company.

                           (iv) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
any reason other than death, disability or Cause (as hereinafter defined), or if
the Optionee shall terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason,
the Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent it was vested on the date of
termination or, otherwise would have vested in the 12 months thereafter, in
either event according to the applicable vesting schedule in Section 2(c)(i), by
giving the Company written notice of such exercise within 18 months after the
date of termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall forfeit his right to
exercise any Options that would have vested within the 12 months after
termination, if the Optionee violates the terms regarding non-competition set
forth in the Optionee's executive severance or employment agreement.

                           (v) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
Cause, all right to exercise the Option shall terminate at the date of such
termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" has the
meaning set forth in the executive severance or employment agreement, if any,
then in effect between the Company and the Optionee or, in the absence of such
agreement, shall mean (i) the

<PAGE>   20

Optionee's conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony,
(ii) the Optionee's gross negligence in the performance of his duties and
obligations to the Company, which is not corrected within 15 business days after
written notice, (iii) the Optionee's knowingly dishonest act, or knowing bad
faith or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties and obligations to
the Company to the material detriment of the Company, which is not corrected
within 15 business days after written notice, or (iv) the Optionee's other
material breach of his obligations under this Agreement, which is not corrected
within a reasonable period of time (determined in light of the cure appropriate
to such material breach, but in no event less than 15 business days) after
written notice.

                           (vi) In the event of termination of employment, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods
that apply for purpose of Section 422 of the Code, such stock option shall
thereafter be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

                  (e) Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Optionee
in his or her most recently filed Beneficiary designation filed with the
Company, or if there is no such designation or no such designated person
survives the Optionee, as designated by the Optionee, by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during the Optionee's life, may be exercised only
by the Optionee. However, an Optionee, with the approval of the Committee, may
transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of the Optionee's
Immediate Family or to a partnership or limited liability company for one or
more members of the Optionee's Immediate Family, subject to such limits as the
Committee may establish, and the transferee shall remain subject to all the
terms and conditions applicable to Options prior to such transfer. The foregoing
right to transfer the Option shall apply to the right to consent to amendments
to this Agreement and, in the discretion of the Committee, shall also apply to
the right to transfer ancillary rights associated with the Option. The term
"Immediate Family" shall mean the Optionee's spouse, parents, children,
stepchildren, adoptive relationships, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and
grandchildren (and, for this purpose, shall also include the Optionee).

                  (f) Adjustments. In the event of any change in corporate
capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction,
such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or
not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368
of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the
Committee or Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the number, kind
and option price of shares subject to the Option and/or such other equitable
substitution or adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares subject to the Option
shall always be a whole number. In the event of a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or
liquidation, the Board shall be authorized to cause the Company to issue or
assume stock options, whether or not in transaction to which Section 424(a) of
the Code applies, by means of substitution of new

<PAGE>   21

stock options for previously issued stock options or an assumption of previously
issued stock options.

                  (g) No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Option prior
to the date of issuance to the Optionee of a certificate or certificates for
such Shares.

                  (h) Optionee Acknowledgement.  The Optionee acknowledges that:

                           (i) the future value of the Company is highly
speculative;

                           (ii) the Optionee is not relying on the value of this
Option as current compensation;

                           (iii) the Company has no obligation to the Optionee
to sell the Company or to sell Shares publicly (which may have the effect of
reducing the value of the Company);

                           (iv) upon exercise of this Option, unless the Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Options have been registered under applicable
securities laws, there will be substantial restrictions on the transferability
of the Shares; and

                           (v) the past performance or experience of the
Company, the Company's officers, directors, agents, or employees, will not in
any way indicate or predict the results of the ownership of Shares or of the
Company's activities.

                  (i) No Right to Continued Employment. The Option shall not
confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Optionee's
employer to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.

                  (j) Compliance With Law and Regulations. The Option herein
granted and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares hereunder,
shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws, rules and regulations
and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for
Shares prior to (i) the listing of such Shares on any stock exchange or national
market quotations system on which the Shares may then be listed and (ii) the
completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under any Federal
or State law, or any rule or regulation of any government body which the Company
shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. Moreover,
the Option herein granted may not be exercised if its exercise, or the receipt
of Shares pursuant hereto, would be contrary to applicable law.

<PAGE>   22

3.       Optionee Bound by Plan.

         The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

4.       Notices.

         All notices or any other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and delivered personally or by registered or certified mail or overnight
courier, addressed, if to the Company, to Heafner Tire Group, Inc., 2105 Water
Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; Attention: Chairman,
and if to the Optionee, at the address set forth below, subject to the right of
either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address.

5.       Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

6.       No Assignment.

         Except as provided in Section 2(e), neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of the Optionee hereunder may be transferred or
assigned by the Optionee.

7.       Benefits.

         This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and
not for the benefit of any other party.

8.       Severability.

         If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal
and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be
severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.

9.       Amendments.

         No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, other than as required under Section 2(f), shall be effective unless
it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

<PAGE>   23

10.      Counterparts.

         This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>   24

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President or a Vice President and Optionee has executed this Agreement, both as
of the day and year first above written.

                                                 HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                                 By:____________________________
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:

-------------------------------
      Richard P. Johnson

Address:
18816 Balmore Pines Lane
Cornelius, NC 28031

<PAGE>   25

                            HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Number of shares subject to option: 25,000]

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 6th day of June, 2000,
between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and J.
Michael Gaither (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

1.       Grant of Option.

         Pursuant to the provisions of Heafner Tire Group, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the right and option (the "Option") to purchase
from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of [25,000] shares of the Class
A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or
the "Shares") at a purchase price of $9.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price"),
such Option to be exercised as hereinafter provided.

2.       Terms and Conditions.

         It is understood and agreed that the Option evidenced hereby is subject
to the following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Expiration Date. The Option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date hereof (the "Expiration Date").

                  (b) Type of Option. This Option is eligible to be an incentive
stock option (an "Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided that to the
extent this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code,
it shall constitute a nonqualified stock option.

                  (c) Exercise of Option. (i) The shares subject to this Option
shall be divided into three separate pools, "Tier 1 Options," "Tier 2 Options"
and "Tier 3 Options," and the Options in each pool shall vest and be exercisable
according to the terms and conditions applicable to such pool as set forth
below. For purposes of this Agreement, "Option" shall mean, collectively, the
Tier 1 Options, the Tier 2 Options and the Tier 3 Options granted pursuant to
this Agreement.

                      (A) Tier 1 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [______] Tier 1 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the

<PAGE>   26

exercisability of this Option, the Tier 1 Options will vest and be exercisable
in accordance with the following schedule:

                                             Options Exercisable with respect to
                       On or After               Cumulative Number of Shares
                      ------------           -----------------------------------
                      June 6, 2000                        0 x 25%
                      June 6, 2001                        0 x 50%
                      June 6, 2002                        0 x 75%
                      June 6, 2003                        0 x 100%

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Tier 1 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (x) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 1 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 1 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (y) the
termination of Optionee's employment (1) by the Company without Cause (as
defined below) or by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time
after a Change in Control or (2) by the Company or the Optionee for any reason
other than a Specified Cause Event (as defined below) more than six months after
a Change in Control.

                           "Change in Control" means the first to occur of any
         of the following: (i) the sale (including by merger, consolidation or
         sale of stock of subsidiaries or any other method) of all or
         substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated
         subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any person or entity not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined
         Voting Power (as defined in the Plan) of the then outstanding shares of
         capital stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of
         the Company as of the date of determination), (ii) at any time prior to
         the consummation of an initial public offering of Common Stock of the
         Company or other common stock of the Company having the voting power to
         elect directors, a transaction (except pursuant to such initial public
         offering) resulting in the Principal Shareholders (as defined in the
         Plan) owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
         (excluding shares owned by employees of the Company as of the date of
         determination), (iii) at any time after the consummation of an initial
         public offering of Common Stock of the Company or other common stock of
         the Company having the voting power to elect directors, the acquisition
         (except pursuant to such initial public offering) by any person or
         entity (other than the Principal Shareholders) not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the Company's stockholders of more than 30% of
         the Combined Voting Power of the then outstanding shares of capital
         stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of the
         Company as of the date of determination), (iv) individuals

<PAGE>   27

         serving as directors of the Company on the Effective Date (as defined
         in the Plan) and who were nominated or selected to serve as directors
         by one or more Principal Shareholders (together with any new directors
         whose election was approved by a vote of (A) such individuals or
         directors whose election was previously so approved or (B) Principal
         Shareholders holding a majority of the aggregate voting power of the
         capital stock of the Company held by all Principal Shareholders) cease
         for any reason to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of
         the Company (the "Board"), (v) the adoption of a plan relating to the
         liquidation or dissolution of the Company in connection with an equity
         investment or sale or a business combination transaction or (vi) any
         other event or transaction that the Board deems to be a Change in
         Control.

                           "Specified Cause Event" means (1) a proven or
         admitted act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by the Optionee
         that is detrimental to the Company or (2) the Optionee's conviction of
         or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony that is related to the
         Company or the performance of the Optionee's services for the Company.

                      (B) Tier 2 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [10,000] Tier 2 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 2 Options will vest and be
exercisable annually as of December 31 of each fiscal year of the Company with
respect to a cumulative number of shares in an amount equal to the product of
(i) a fraction, the denominator of which is 278,658,000 (the "Aggregate EBITDA
Target") and the numerator of which is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for
all fiscal years following the date hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year,
multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options,
provided that the maximum cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options
that shall be vested in any fiscal year shall not exceed the product of (1) the
Applicable Percentage for such fiscal year multiplied by (2) the total number of
shares subject to Tier 2 Options. This calculation shall be made with respect to
each fiscal year, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, based on the Company's
audited financial statements for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
if the Optionee's employment with the Company shall terminate because of death,
disability, termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or
termination by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the aggregate
cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options that shall be vested as of
the termination date shall not be subject to any limitations imposed by the
Applicable Percentage and shall be equal to the product of (1) a fraction, the
denominator of which is the Aggregate EBITDA Target and the numerator of which
is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for all fiscal years following the date
hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, multiplied by (2) the total number
of shares subject to Tier 2 Options, and (y) all of the Tier 2 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (1) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 2 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 2 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and

<PAGE>   28

exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (2) the seventh
anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Applicable Percentage" means with respect to (i) fiscal
         year 1999, 20%, (2) fiscal year 2000, 40%, (3) fiscal year 2001, 60%,
         (4) fiscal year 2002, 80%, and (5) fiscal year 2003, 100%, provided,
         however, that the Applicable Percentage shall be 100% if following any
         fiscal year prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, the aggregate EBITDA
         of the Company for the fiscal years following the date hereof equals or
         exceeds the Aggregate EBITDA Target.

                      "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes,
         depreciation, and amortization as reflected in the Company's audited
         financial statements. Adjustments for unusual items will be made in the
         reasonable discretion of the Board, after consultation with the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

                      (C) Tier 3 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [15,000] Tier 3 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 3 Options will vest and be
exercisable (except as provided below) only upon the first to occur of (x) a
Change in Control that satisfies the CIC Return Hurdle and (y) an Actual Sale or
Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering that satisfies the QPO Return
Hurdle as hereinafter described. If on any date beginning six months after a
Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based on a
Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, 50% of the Tier 3 Options will
vest and be immediately exercisable, and if on any date beginning 24 months
after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based
on a Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, the additional 50% of the
Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately exercisable, except that, if at any
time after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle is satisfied based
on an Actual Sale, 100% of the Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tier 3 Options shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Actual Sale" means a sale following a Qualified Public
         Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership of its
         shares in the Company in consideration for cash or freely tradable
         securities or a combination thereof.

                      "Charlesbank Investment" means the total amount of capital
         expended to acquire Common Stock or warrants to acquire Common Stock of
         the Company or capital contributed to the Company (including capital
         provided in the form of an extension of credit or an advance of funds)
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, commencing on the
         date of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership.

                      "CIC Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Change in Control
         occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x,
         and (ii) if the Change in Control

<PAGE>   29

         occurs more than 18 months after the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership a Return on Investment of 3.0x and
         a 30% IRR.

                      "Deemed Sale", as of any date, means the deemed sale
         following a Qualified Public Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV,
         Limited Partnership of its shares in the Company at the Fair Market
         Value in effect on such date.

                      "Fair Market Value", as of any date, means (i) with
         respect to any freely tradeable security, the closing market price for
         such security on the day immediately preceding such date as determined
         from the principal trading market for such security on such date, (ii)
         with respect to any publicly traded security of the Company, the
         average of the closing market prices of such security for the 30
         consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date to be
         determined from the principal trading market for such security during
         such period, and (iii) with respect to any other property, such value
         determined as of such date by such methods or procedures as established
         in the good faith discretion of the Board.

                      "IRR" means an internal rate of return to Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership on the Charlesbank Investment as
         calculated by the use of an HP12c financial calculator, taking into
         account the timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof)
         of all contributions to capital and investments in the Company and the
         timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) of all
         dividends, interest payments or other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property), from the Company or any other
         person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment, through the
         date of determination, and subject to adjustment in the good faith
         discretion of the Board in the event of any merger, acquisition,
         consolidation, sale of assets, recapitalization, contribution of
         capital to, or redemption of stock of, the Company, or any other event
         that the Board deems relevant to the calculation of such return.

                      "QPO Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Actual Sale or Deemed
         Sale occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x and
         (ii) if the Actual Sale or Deemed Sale occurs more than 18 months after
         the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Qualified Public Offering" means a public offering of the
         Company's Class A Common Stock or other common stock of the Company
         with a minimum offering size of $50,000,000.

                      "Return on Investment" means (i) in the case of a Change
         in Control, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely
         tradable securities and based on the Fair Market Value thereof received
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership upon such Change in
         Control, together with all dividends, interest payments and other
         distributions or payments (whether in cash or other

<PAGE>   30

         property and based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the
         Company or any other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank
         Investment prior to such Change in Control, divided by (B) the
         Charlesbank Investment, and (ii) in the case of an Actual Sale or
         Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering, the quotient of (A)
         the total amount of cash and freely tradeable securities (based on the
         Fair Market Value thereof) received in such Actual Sale, or the
         aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares in the Company owned at the
         time of such Deemed Sale, by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, together with all dividends, interest payments and other
         distributions or payments (whether in cash or other property and based
         on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the Company or any
         other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment prior
         to such Actual Sale or Deemed Sale, as the case may be, divided by (B)
         the Charlesbank Investment.

                  (ii) Options exercised in any one year shall be deducted from
the number of Options exercisable in any future year. Once vested, this Option
shall be exercisable at the following times prior to the expiration date: (A) if
the Optionee is employed by the Company at the time of exercise, at any time by
giving the Company 45 days' advance written notice or (B) if the Optionee is not
employed by the Company at the time of exercise but has the right to exercise
after termination in accordance with Section 2(d) of this Agreement, by giving
the Company written notice at any time during the period specified in Section
2(d) of this Agreement, in which case the Option shall be deemed exercised as of
the end of the calendar month in which the Company received notice of exercise
of the Option. In either case, the notice of exercise shall specify the number
of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised.

                  (iii) Upon receipt of written notice of exercise by the
Company, the Company shall, upon full payment in cash to the Company of the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised and upon
receipt of a duly executed shareholders agreement (in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A or in such other form as the Company may reasonably require), issue
to the Optionee the Shares subject to the Option. Any issuance of Shares to an
Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made by the Company within
90 days after the date of exercise. For purposes of this Agreement, the fair
market value of Shares shall be determined by such methods or procedures as
shall be established from time to time by the Board acting in its sole
discretion and in good faith. In making such determinations, the Board may rely
on a valuation report by an investment banking or valuation firm selected by the
Board. The Committee established by the Board to administer the Plan (the
"Committee") may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price in previously acquired Shares rather than in cash.

                  (d) Exercise Upon Death or Termination of Employment.

                           (i) If the Optionee dies while an employee of the
Company, the Optionee's Designee may exercise the Option, to the extent it was
vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company written notice of such
exercise within 12 months

<PAGE>   31

after the date of Optionee's death, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. An Optionee's "Designee" means the person designated by the Optionee in
his or her most recently filed beneficiary designation filed with the Company to
receive the Optionee's rights under the Plan upon the Optionee's death, or if
there is no such designation or no such designated person survives the Optionee,
by the person or persons to whom the Optionee's rights pass by will or
applicable law, or if no such person has such right, by his executors or
administrators.

                           (ii) If the Company shall terminate Optionee's
employment with the Company because of disability, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 12 months after the date of
termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.

                           (iii) If the Optionee terminates his employment with
the Company other than for Good Reason, the Optionee may exercise the Option to
the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company
written notice of such exercise within 90 days after the date of termination of
employment, but in no event later then the Expiration Date. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning set forth in the executive severance or
employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the Company and the
Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement shall mean, if the basis for such
Good Reason is not cured within a reasonable period of time (determined in light
of the cure appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason, but in no event less
than 15 days), the failure of the Company to pay any undisputed amount due to
the Optionee in connection with his employment by the Company.

                           (iv) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
any reason other than death, disability or Cause (as hereinafter defined), or if
the Optionee shall terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason,
the Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent it was vested on the date of
termination or, otherwise would have vested in the 12 months thereafter, in
either event according to the applicable vesting schedule in Section 2(c)(i), by
giving the Company written notice of such exercise within 18 months after the
date of termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall forfeit his right to
exercise any Options that would have vested within the 12 months after
termination, if the Optionee violates the terms regarding non-competition set
forth in the Optionee's executive severance or employment agreement.

                           (v) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
Cause, all right to exercise the Option shall terminate at the date of such
termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" has the
meaning set forth in the executive severance or employment agreement, if any,
then in effect between the Company and the Optionee or, in the absence of such
agreement, shall mean (i) the Optionee's conviction of, or plea of guilty or
nolo contendere to, a felony, (ii) the Optionee's gross negligence in the
performance of his duties and obligations to the Company, which is not corrected
within 15 business days after written notice, (iii) the

<PAGE>   32

Optionee's knowingly dishonest act, or knowing bad faith or willful misconduct
in the performance of his duties and obligations to the Company to the material
detriment of the Company, which is not corrected within 15 business days after
written notice, or (iv) the Optionee's other material breach of his obligations
under this Agreement, which is not corrected within a reasonable period of time
(determined in light of the cure appropriate to such material breach, but in no
event less than 15 business days) after written notice.

                           (vi) In the event of termination of employment, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods
that apply for purpose of Section 422 of the Code, such stock option shall
thereafter be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

                  (e) Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Optionee
in his or her most recently filed Beneficiary designation filed with the
Company, or if there is no such designation or no such designated person
survives the Optionee, as designated by the Optionee, by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during the Optionee's life, may be exercised only
by the Optionee. However, an Optionee, with the approval of the Committee, may
transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of the Optionee's
Immediate Family or to a partnership or limited liability company for one or
more members of the Optionee's Immediate Family, subject to such limits as the
Committee may establish, and the transferee shall remain subject to all the
terms and conditions applicable to Options prior to such transfer. The foregoing
right to transfer the Option shall apply to the right to consent to amendments
to this Agreement and, in the discretion of the Committee, shall also apply to
the right to transfer ancillary rights associated with the Option. The term
"Immediate Family" shall mean the Optionee's spouse, parents, children,
stepchildren, adoptive relationships, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and
grandchildren (and, for this purpose, shall also include the Optionee).

                  (f) Adjustments. In the event of any change in corporate
capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction,
such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or
not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368
of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the
Committee or Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the number, kind
and option price of shares subject to the Option and/or such other equitable
substitution or adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares subject to the Option
shall always be a whole number. In the event of a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or
liquidation, the Board shall be authorized to cause the Company to issue or
assume stock options, whether or not in transaction to which Section 424(a) of
the Code applies, by means of substitution of new stock options for previously
issued stock options or an assumption of previously issued stock options.

<PAGE>   33

                  (g) No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Option prior
to the date of issuance to the Optionee of a certificate or certificates for
such Shares.

                  (h) Optionee Acknowledgement.  The Optionee acknowledges that:

                           (i) the future value of the Company is highly
speculative;

                           (ii) the Optionee is not relying on the value of this
Option as current compensation;

                           (iii) the Company has no obligation to the Optionee
to sell the Company or to sell Shares publicly (which may have the effect of
reducing the value of the Company);

                           (iv) upon exercise of this Option, unless the Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Options have been registered under applicable
securities laws, there will be substantial restrictions on the transferability
of the Shares; and

                           (v) the past performance or experience of the
Company, the Company's officers, directors, agents, or employees, will not in
any way indicate or predict the results of the ownership of Shares or of the
Company's activities.

                  (i) No Right to Continued Employment. The Option shall not
confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Optionee's
employer to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.

                  (j) Compliance With Law and Regulations. The Option herein
granted and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares hereunder,
shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws, rules and regulations
and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for
Shares prior to (i) the listing of such Shares on any stock exchange or national
market quotations system on which the Shares may then be listed and (ii) the
completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under any Federal
or State law, or any rule or regulation of any government body which the Company
shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. Moreover,
the Option herein granted may not be exercised if its exercise, or the receipt
of Shares pursuant hereto, would be contrary to applicable law.

<PAGE>   34

3.       Optionee Bound by Plan.

         The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

4.       Notices.

         All notices or any other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and delivered personally or by registered or certified mail or overnight
courier, addressed, if to the Company, to Heafner Tire Group, Inc., 2105 Water
Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; Attention: Chairman,
and if to the Optionee, at the address set forth below, subject to the right of
either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address.

5.       Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

6.       No Assignment.

         Except as provided in Section 2(e), neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of the Optionee hereunder may be transferred or
assigned by the Optionee.

7.       Benefits.

         This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and
not for the benefit of any other party.

8.       Severability.

         If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal
and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be
severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.

9.       Amendments.

         No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, other than as required under Section 2(f), shall be effective unless
it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

<PAGE>   35

10.      Counterparts.

         This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>   36

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President or a Vice President and Optionee has executed this Agreement, both as
of the day and year first above written.

                                          HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                          By:______________________________
                                             Name:
                                             Title:

-------------------------------
     J. Michael Gaither

Address:
8309 Merrimack Court
Charlotte, NC 28210

<PAGE>   37

                            HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Number of shares subject to option: 25,000]

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 6th day of June, 2000,
between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
Daniel K. Brown (the "Optionee").

                              W I T N E S S E T H:

1.       Grant of Option.

         Pursuant to the provisions of Heafner Tire Group, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the right and option (the "Option") to purchase
from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of [25,000] shares of the Class
A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or
the "Shares") at a purchase price of $9.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price"),
such Option to be exercised as hereinafter provided.

2.       Terms and Conditions.

         It is understood and agreed that the Option evidenced hereby is subject
to the following terms and conditions:

                  (a) Expiration Date. The Option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date hereof (the "Expiration Date").

                  (b) Type of Option. This Option is eligible to be an incentive
stock option (an "Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of Section 422 of
the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"); provided that to the
extent this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock Option under the Code,
it shall constitute a nonqualified stock option.

                  (c) Exercise of Option. (i) The shares subject to this Option
shall be divided into three separate pools, "Tier 1 Options," "Tier 2 Options"
and "Tier 3 Options," and the Options in each pool shall vest and be exercisable
according to the terms and conditions applicable to such pool as set forth
below. For purposes of this Agreement, "Option" shall mean, collectively, the
Tier 1 Options, the Tier 2 Options and the Tier 3 Options granted pursuant to
this Agreement.

<PAGE>   38

                      (A) Tier 1 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [______] Tier 1 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 1 Options will vest and be
exercisable in accordance with the following schedule:

                                            Options Exercisable with respect to
                       On or After              Cumulative Number of Shares
                      ------------          -----------------------------------
                      June 6, 2000                       0 x 25%
                      June 6, 2001                       0 x 50%
                      June 6, 2002                       0 x 75%
                      June 6, 2003                       0 x 100%

                      Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Tier 1
Options shall become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier
to occur of the following: (x) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully
vested and exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have
vested and become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 1 Options
shall vest and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 1
Options shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (y) the
termination of Optionee's employment (1) by the Company without Cause (as
defined below) or by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time
after a Change in Control or (2) by the Company or the Optionee for any reason
other than a Specified Cause Event (as defined below) more than six months after
a Change in Control.

                           "Change in Control" means the first to occur of any
         of the following: (i) the sale (including by merger, consolidation or
         sale of stock of subsidiaries or any other method) of all or
         substantially all of the assets of the Company and its consolidated
         subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any person or entity not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined
         Voting Power (as defined in the Plan) of the then outstanding shares of
         capital stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of
         the Company as of the date of determination), (ii) at any time prior to
         the consummation of an initial public offering of Common Stock of the
         Company or other common stock of the Company having the voting power to
         elect directors, a transaction (except pursuant to such initial public
         offering) resulting in the Principal Shareholders (as defined in the
         Plan) owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
         (excluding shares owned by employees of the Company as of the date of
         determination), (iii) at any time after the consummation of an initial
         public offering of Common Stock of the Company or other common stock of
         the Company having the voting power to elect directors, the acquisition
         (except pursuant to such initial public offering) by any person or
         entity (other than the Principal Shareholders) not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the Company's stockholders of more than 30% of
         the Combined Voting Power of the then

<PAGE>   39

         outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company (excluding shares
         owned by employees of the Company as of the date of determination),
         (iv) individuals serving as directors of the Company on the Effective
         Date (as defined in the Plan) and who were nominated or selected to
         serve as directors by one or more Principal Shareholders (together with
         any new directors whose election was approved by a vote of (A) such
         individuals or directors whose election was previously so approved or
         (B) Principal Shareholders holding a majority of the aggregate voting
         power of the capital stock of the Company held by all Principal
         Shareholders) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of the
         Board of Directors of the Company (the "Board"), (v) the adoption of a
         plan relating to the liquidation or dissolution of the Company in
         connection with an equity investment or sale or a business combination
         transaction or (vi) any other event or transaction that the Board deems
         to be a Change in Control.

                           "Specified Cause Event" means (1) a proven or
         admitted act of fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by the Optionee
         that is detrimental to the Company or (2) the Optionee's conviction of
         or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony that is related to the
         Company or the performance of the Optionee's services for the Company.

                      (B) Tier 2 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [10,000] Tier 2 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 2 Options will vest and be
exercisable annually as of December 31 of each fiscal year of the Company with
respect to a cumulative number of shares in an amount equal to the product of
(i) a fraction, the denominator of which is 278,658,000 (the "Aggregate EBITDA
Target") and the numerator of which is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for
all fiscal years following the date hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year,
multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options,
provided that the maximum cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options
that shall be vested in any fiscal year shall not exceed the product of (1) the
Applicable Percentage for such fiscal year multiplied by (2) the total number of
shares subject to Tier 2 Options. This calculation shall be made with respect to
each fiscal year, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, based on the Company's
audited financial statements for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
if the Optionee's employment with the Company shall terminate because of death,
disability, termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or
termination by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the aggregate
cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options that shall be vested as of
the termination date shall not be subject to any limitations imposed by the
Applicable Percentage and shall be equal to the product of (1) a fraction, the
denominator of which is the Aggregate EBITDA Target and the numerator of which
is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for all fiscal years following the date
hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, multiplied by (2) the total number
of shares subject to Tier 2 Options, and (y) all of the Tier 2 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (1) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested

<PAGE>   40

Tier 2 Options shall vest and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the
unvested Tier 2 Options shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the
vesting and exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (2)
the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Applicable Percentage" means with respect to (i) fiscal
         year 1999, 20%, (2) fiscal year 2000, 40%, (3) fiscal year 2001, 60%,
         (4) fiscal year 2002, 80%, and (5) fiscal year 2003, 100%, provided,
         however, that the Applicable Percentage shall be 100% if following any
         fiscal year prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, the aggregate EBITDA
         of the Company for the fiscal years following the date hereof equals or
         exceeds the Aggregate EBITDA Target.

                      "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes,
         depreciation, and amortization as reflected in the Company's audited
         financial statements. Adjustments for unusual items will be made in the
         reasonable discretion of the Board, after consultation with the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

                      (C) Tier 3 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [15,000] Tier 3 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 3 Options will vest and be
exercisable (except as provided below) only upon the first to occur of (x) a
Change in Control that satisfies the CIC Return Hurdle and (y) an Actual Sale or
Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering that satisfies the QPO Return
Hurdle as hereinafter described. If on any date beginning six months after a
Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based on a
Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, 50% of the Tier 3 Options will
vest and be immediately exercisable, and if on any date beginning 24 months
after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based
on a Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, the additional 50% of the
Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately exercisable, except that, if at any
time after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle is satisfied based
on an Actual Sale, 100% of the Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tier 3 Options shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                      "Actual Sale" means a sale following a Qualified Public
         Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership of its
         shares in the Company in consideration for cash or freely tradable
         securities or a combination thereof.

                      "Charlesbank Investment" means the total amount of capital
         expended to acquire Common Stock or warrants to acquire Common Stock of
         the Company or capital contributed to the Company (including capital
         provided in the form of an extension of credit or an advance of funds)
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, commencing on the
         date of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership.

<PAGE>   41

                      "CIC Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Change in Control
         occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x,
         and (ii) if the Change in Control occurs more than 18 months after the
         original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership
         a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Deemed Sale", as of any date, means the deemed sale
         following a Qualified Public Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV,
         Limited Partnership of its shares in the Company at the Fair Market
         Value in effect on such date.

                      "Fair Market Value", as of any date, means (i) with
         respect to any freely tradeable security, the closing market price for
         such security on the day immediately preceding such date as determined
         from the principal trading market for such security on such date, (ii)
         with respect to any publicly traded security of the Company, the
         average of the closing market prices of such security for the 30
         consecutive trading days immediately prior to such date to be
         determined from the principal trading market for such security during
         such period, and (iii) with respect to any other property, such value
         determined as of such date by such methods or procedures as established
         in the good faith discretion of the Board.

                      "IRR" means an internal rate of return to Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership on the Charlesbank Investment as
         calculated by the use of an HP12c financial calculator, taking into
         account the timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof)
         of all contributions to capital and investments in the Company and the
         timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) of all
         dividends, interest payments or other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property), from the Company or any other
         person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment, through the
         date of determination, and subject to adjustment in the good faith
         discretion of the Board in the event of any merger, acquisition,
         consolidation, sale of assets, recapitalization, contribution of
         capital to, or redemption of stock of, the Company, or any other event
         that the Board deems relevant to the calculation of such return.

                      "QPO Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Actual Sale or Deemed
         Sale occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x and
         (ii) if the Actual Sale or Deemed Sale occurs more than 18 months after
         the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                      "Qualified Public Offering" means a public offering of the
         Company's Class A Common Stock or other common stock of the Company
         with a minimum offering size of $50,000,000.

                      "Return on Investment" means (i) in the case of a Change
         in Control, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely
         tradable securities and

<PAGE>   42

         based on the Fair Market Value thereof received by Charlesbank Equity
         Fund IV, Limited Partnership upon such Change in Control, together with
         all dividends, interest payments and other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property and based on the Fair Market Value
         thereof) received from the Company or any other person or entity in
         respect of the Charlesbank Investment prior to such Change in Control,
         divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment, and (ii) in the case of an
         Actual Sale or Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering, the
         quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely tradeable
         securities (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received in such
         Actual Sale, or the aggregate Fair Market Value of all shares in the
         Company owned at the time of such Deemed Sale, by Charlesbank Equity
         Fund IV, Limited Partnership, together with all dividends, interest
         payments and other distributions or payments (whether in cash or other
         property and based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the
         Company or any other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank
         Investment prior to such Actual Sale or Deemed Sale, as the case may
         be, divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment.

                  (ii) Options exercised in any one year shall be deducted from
the number of Options exercisable in any future year. Once vested, this Option
shall be exercisable at the following times prior to the expiration date: (A) if
the Optionee is employed by the Company at the time of exercise, at any time by
giving the Company 45 days' advance written notice or (B) if the Optionee is not
employed by the Company at the time of exercise but has the right to exercise
after termination in accordance with Section 2(d) of this Agreement, by giving
the Company written notice at any time during the period specified in Section
2(d) of this Agreement, in which case the Option shall be deemed exercised as of
the end of the calendar month in which the Company received notice of exercise
of the Option. In either case, the notice of exercise shall specify the number
of Shares as to which the Option is being exercised.

                  (iii) Upon receipt of written notice of exercise by the
Company, the Company shall, upon full payment in cash to the Company of the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised and upon
receipt of a duly executed shareholders agreement (in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A or in such other form as the Company may reasonably require), issue
to the Optionee the Shares subject to the Option. Any issuance of Shares to an
Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made by the Company within
90 days after the date of exercise. For purposes of this Agreement, the fair
market value of Shares shall be determined by such methods or procedures as
shall be established from time to time by the Board acting in its sole
discretion and in good faith. In making such determinations, the Board may rely
on a valuation report by an investment banking or valuation firm selected by the
Board. The Committee established by the Board to administer the Plan (the
"Committee") may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price in previously acquired Shares rather than in cash.

                  (d) Exercise Upon Death or Termination of Employment.

<PAGE>   43

                           (i) If the Optionee dies while an employee of the
Company, the Optionee's Designee may exercise the Option, to the extent it was
vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company written notice of such
exercise within 12 months after the date of Optionee's death, but in no event
later than the Expiration Date. An Optionee's "Designee" means the person
designated by the Optionee in his or her most recently filed beneficiary
designation filed with the Company to receive the Optionee's rights under the
Plan upon the Optionee's death, or if there is no such designation or no such
designated person survives the Optionee, by the person or persons to whom the
Optionee's rights pass by will or applicable law, or if no such person has such
right, by his executors or administrators.

                           (ii) If the Company shall terminate Optionee's
employment with the Company because of disability, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 12 months after the date of
termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration Date.

                           (iii) If the Optionee terminates his employment with
the Company other than for Good Reason, the Optionee may exercise the Option to
the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company
written notice of such exercise within 90 days after the date of termination of
employment, but in no event later then the Expiration Date. For purposes of this
Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning set forth in the executive severance or
employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the Company and the
Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement shall mean, if the basis for such
Good Reason is not cured within a reasonable period of time (determined in light
of the cure appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason, but in no event less
than 15 days), the failure of the Company to pay any undisputed amount due to
the Optionee in connection with his employment by the Company.

                           (iv) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
any reason other than death, disability or Cause (as hereinafter defined), or if
the Optionee shall terminate his employment with the Company for Good Reason,
the Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent it was vested on the date of
termination or, otherwise would have vested in the 12 months thereafter, in
either event according to the applicable vesting schedule in Section 2(c)(i), by
giving the Company written notice of such exercise within 18 months after the
date of termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall forfeit his right to
exercise any Options that would have vested within the 12 months after
termination, if the Optionee violates the terms regarding non-competition set
forth in the Optionee's executive severance or employment agreement.

                           (v) If the Optionee's employment shall terminate for
Cause, all right to exercise the Option shall terminate at the date of such
termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" has the
meaning set forth in the executive severance or employment agreement, if any,
then in effect between the Company and the Optionee or, in the absence of such
agreement, shall mean (i) the

<PAGE>   44

Optionee's conviction of, or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, a felony,
(ii) the Optionee's gross negligence in the performance of his duties and
obligations to the Company, which is not corrected within 15 business days after
written notice, (iii) the Optionee's knowingly dishonest act, or knowing bad
faith or willful misconduct in the performance of his duties and obligations to
the Company to the material detriment of the Company, which is not corrected
within 15 business days after written notice, or (iv) the Optionee's other
material breach of his obligations under this Agreement, which is not corrected
within a reasonable period of time (determined in light of the cure appropriate
to such material breach, but in no event less than 15 business days) after
written notice.

                           (vi) In the event of termination of employment, if an
Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise periods
that apply for purpose of Section 422 of the Code, such stock option shall
thereafter be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

                  (e) Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Optionee
in his or her most recently filed Beneficiary designation filed with the
Company, or if there is no such designation or no such designated person
survives the Optionee, as designated by the Optionee, by will or by the laws of
descent and distribution, and during the Optionee's life, may be exercised only
by the Optionee. However, an Optionee, with the approval of the Committee, may
transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the benefit of the Optionee's
Immediate Family or to a partnership or limited liability company for one or
more members of the Optionee's Immediate Family, subject to such limits as the
Committee may establish, and the transferee shall remain subject to all the
terms and conditions applicable to Options prior to such transfer. The foregoing
right to transfer the Option shall apply to the right to consent to amendments
to this Agreement and, in the discretion of the Committee, shall also apply to
the right to transfer ancillary rights associated with the Option. The term
"Immediate Family" shall mean the Optionee's spouse, parents, children,
stepchildren, adoptive relationships, sisters, brothers, nieces, nephews and
grandchildren (and, for this purpose, shall also include the Optionee).

                  (f) Adjustments. In the event of any change in corporate
capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction,
such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or
not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368
of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the
Committee or Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the number, kind
and option price of shares subject to the Option and/or such other equitable
substitution or adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares subject to the Option
shall always be a whole number. In the event of a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or
liquidation, the Board shall be authorized to cause the Company to issue or
assume stock options, whether or not in transaction to which Section 424(a) of
the Code applies, by means of substitution of new

<PAGE>   45

stock options for previously issued stock options or an assumption of previously
issued stock options.

                  (g) No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Option prior
to the date of issuance to the Optionee of a certificate or certificates for
such Shares.

                  (h) Optionee Acknowledgement.  The Optionee acknowledges that:

                           (i) the future value of the Company is highly
speculative;

                           (ii) the Optionee is not relying on the value of this
Option as current compensation;

                           (iii) the Company has no obligation to the Optionee
to sell the Company or to sell Shares publicly (which may have the effect of
reducing the value of the Company);

                           (iv) upon exercise of this Option, unless the Shares
issuable upon exercise of the Options have been registered under applicable
securities laws, there will be substantial restrictions on the transferability
of the Shares; and

                           (v) the past performance or experience of the
Company, the Company's officers, directors, agents, or employees, will not in
any way indicate or predict the results of the ownership of Shares or of the
Company's activities.

                  (i) No Right to Continued Employment. The Option shall not
confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment by
the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the Optionee's
employer to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.

                  (j) Compliance With Law and Regulations. The Option herein
granted and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares hereunder,
shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws, rules and regulations
and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may be required.
The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any certificates for
Shares prior to (i) the listing of such Shares on any stock exchange or national
market quotations system on which the Shares may then be listed and (ii) the
completion of any registration or qualification of such Shares under any Federal
or State law, or any rule or regulation of any government body which the Company
shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be necessary or advisable. Moreover,
the Option herein granted may not be exercised if its exercise, or the receipt
of Shares pursuant hereto, would be contrary to applicable law.

<PAGE>   46

3.       Optionee Bound by Plan.

         The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

4.       Notices.

         All notices or any other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and delivered personally or by registered or certified mail or overnight
courier, addressed, if to the Company, to Heafner Tire Group, Inc., 2105 Water
Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; Attention: Chairman,
and if to the Optionee, at the address set forth below, subject to the right of
either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address.

5.       Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

6.       No Assignment.

         Except as provided in Section 2(e), neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of the Optionee hereunder may be transferred or
assigned by the Optionee.

7.       Benefits.

         This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and
not for the benefit of any other party.

8.       Severability.

         If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal
and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be
severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.

9.       Amendments.

         No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, other than as required under Section 2(f), shall be effective unless
it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

<PAGE>   47

10.      Counterparts.

         This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

<PAGE>   48

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President or a Vice President and Optionee has executed this Agreement, both as
of the day and year first above written.

                                                 HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                                 By:____________________________
                                                    Name:
                                                    Title:

-------------------------------
         Daniel K. Brown

Address:
17915 Jetton Road
Cornelius, NC 28031

<PAGE>   49

                            HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.
                             STOCK OPTION AGREEMENT

Number of shares subject to option: 25,000]

         This Agreement (the "Agreement") made this 6th day of June, 2000,
between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware corporation (the "Company"), and
David H. Taylor (the "Optionee").

                                   WITNESSETH:

1.       Grant of Option.

         Pursuant to the provisions of Heafner Tire Group, Inc. 1999 Stock
Option Plan (the "Plan"), the Company hereby grants to the Optionee, subject to
the terms and conditions of the Plan and subject further to the terms and
conditions herein set forth, the right and option (the "Option") to purchase
from the Company all or any part of an aggregate of [25,000] shares of the Class
A Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share, of the Company (the "Common Stock" or
the "Shares") at a purchase price of $9.00 per Share (the "Exercise Price"),
such Option to be exercised as hereinafter provided.

2.       Terms and Conditions.

         It is understood and agreed that the Option evidenced hereby is subject
to the following terms and conditions:

                  (a)      Expiration Date. The Option shall expire on the tenth
anniversary of the date hereof (the "Expiration Date").

                  (b)      Type of Option. This Option is eligible to be an
incentive stock option (an "Incentive Stock Option") within the meaning of
Section 422 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code");
provided that to the extent this Option does not qualify as an Incentive Stock
Option under the Code, it shall constitute a nonqualified stock option.

                  (c)      Exercise of Option. (i) The shares subject to this
Option shall be divided into three separate pools, "Tier 1 Options," "Tier 2
Options" and "Tier 3 Options," and the Options in each pool shall vest and be
exercisable according to the terms and conditions applicable to such pool as set
forth below. For purposes of this Agreement, "Option" shall mean, collectively,
the Tier 1 Options, the Tier 2 Options and the Tier 3 Options granted pursuant
to this Agreement.
<PAGE>   50

                  (A)      Tier 1 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [______] Tier 1 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 1 Options will vest and be
exercisable in accordance with the following schedule:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                               Options Exercisable with respect to
                            On or After             Cumulative Number of Shares
                           ------------        -----------------------------------
                           <S>                 <C>
                           June 6, 2000                    0 x  25%
                           June 6, 2001                    0 x  50%
                           June 6, 2002                    0 x  75%
                           June 6, 2003                    0 x 100%
</TABLE>

                  Notwithstanding the foregoing, all of the Tier 1 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (x) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 1 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 1 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (y) the
termination of Optionee's employment (1) by the Company without Cause (as
defined below) or by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below) at any time
after a Change in Control or (2) by the Company or the Optionee for any reason
other than a Specified Cause Event (as defined below) more than six months after
a Change in Control.

                  "Change in Control" means the first to occur of any of the
         following: (i) the sale (including by merger, consolidation or sale of
         stock of subsidiaries or any other method) of all or substantially all
         of the assets of the Company and its consolidated subsidiaries (taken
         as a whole) to any person or entity not directly or indirectly
         controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         (as defined in the Plan) of the then outstanding shares of capital
         stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of the
         Company as of the date of determination), (ii) at any time prior to the
         consummation of an initial public offering of Common Stock of the
         Company or other common stock of the Company having the voting power to
         elect directors, a transaction (except pursuant to such initial public
         offering) resulting in the Principal Shareholders (as defined in the
         Plan) owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power
         of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Company
         (excluding shares owned by employees of the Company as of the date of
         determination), (iii) at any time after the consummation of an initial
         public offering of Common Stock of the Company or other common stock of
         the Company having the voting power to elect directors, the acquisition
         (except pursuant to such initial public offering) by any person or
         entity (other than the Principal Shareholders) not directly or
         indirectly controlled by the Company's stockholders of more than 30% of
         the Combined Voting Power of the then outstanding shares of capital
         stock of the Company (excluding shares owned by employees of the
         Company as of the date of determination), (iv) individuals serving as
         directors of the Company on the Effective Date (as defined in the Plan)
         and who were nominated or selected to serve as directors by one or more
         Principal Shareholders (together with any new directors whose election
         was approved by a vote of (A) such individuals or directors

                                       2
<PAGE>   51

         whose election was previously so approved or (B) Principal Shareholders
         holding a majority of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock
         of the Company held by all Principal Shareholders) cease for any reason
         to constitute a majority of the Board of Directors of the Company (the
         "Board"), (v) the adoption of a plan relating to the liquidation or
         dissolution of the Company in connection with an equity investment or
         sale or a business combination transaction or (vi) any other event or
         transaction that the Board deems to be a Change in Control.

                  "Specified Cause Event" means (1) a proven or admitted act of
         fraud, misappropriation or embezzlement by the Optionee that is
         detrimental to the Company or (2) the Optionee's conviction of or plea
         of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony that is related to the Company
         or the performance of the Optionee's services for the Company.

                  (B)      Tier 2 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [10,000] Tier 2 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 2 Options will vest and be
exercisable annually as of December 31 of each fiscal year of the Company with
respect to a cumulative number of shares in an amount equal to the product of
(i) a fraction, the denominator of which is 278,658,000 (the "Aggregate EBITDA
Target") and the numerator of which is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for
all fiscal years following the date hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year,
multiplied by (ii) the total number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options,
provided that the maximum cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options
that shall be vested in any fiscal year shall not exceed the product of (1) the
Applicable Percentage for such fiscal year multiplied by (2) the total number of
shares subject to Tier 2 Options. This calculation shall be made with respect to
each fiscal year, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, based on the Company's
audited financial statements for such year. Notwithstanding the foregoing, (x)
if the Optionee's employment with the Company shall terminate because of death,
disability, termination by the Company without Cause (as defined below) or
termination by the Optionee for Good Reason (as defined below), the aggregate
cumulative number of shares subject to Tier 2 Options that shall be vested as of
the termination date shall not be subject to any limitations imposed by the
Applicable Percentage and shall be equal to the product of (1) a fraction, the
denominator of which is the Aggregate EBITDA Target and the numerator of which
is the aggregate EBITDA of the Company for all fiscal years following the date
hereof, beginning with the 1999 fiscal year, multiplied by (2) the total number
of shares subject to Tier 2 Options, and (y) all of the Tier 2 Options shall
become fully vested and exercisable immediately upon the earlier to occur of the
following: (1) any or all of the Tier 3 Options becoming fully vested and
exercisable, provided that if only 50% of the Tier 3 Options have vested and
become exercisable, then only 50% of the then unvested Tier 2 Options shall vest
and become exercisable, and the remaining 50% of the unvested Tier 2 Options
shall vest and become exercisable immediately upon the vesting and
exercisability of the remaining 50% of the Tier 3 Options, and (2) the seventh
anniversary of the date hereof.

                  "Applicable Percentage" means with respect to (i) fiscal year
         1999, 20%, (2) fiscal year 2000, 40%, (3) fiscal year 2001, 60%, (4)
         fiscal year 2002, 80%, and (5) fiscal year 2003, 100%, provided,
         however, that the Applicable Percentage shall be 100% if following any
         fiscal year prior to the fifth anniversary hereof, the aggregate EBITDA
         of

                                       3
<PAGE>   52

         the Company for the fiscal years following the date hereof equals or
         exceeds the Aggregate EBITDA Target.

                  "EBITDA" means earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation,
         and amortization as reflected in the Company's audited financial
         statements. Adjustments for unusual items will be made in the
         reasonable discretion of the Board, after consultation with the Chief
         Executive Officer of the Company.

                  (C)      Tier 3 Options. The Company hereby grants to the
Optionee [15,000] Tier 3 Options. Subject to the other terms of this Agreement
regarding the exercisability of this Option, the Tier 3 Options will vest and be
exercisable (except as provided below) only upon the first to occur of (x) a
Change in Control that satisfies the CIC Return Hurdle and (y) an Actual Sale or
Deemed Sale following a Qualified Public Offering that satisfies the QPO Return
Hurdle as hereinafter described. If on any date beginning six months after a
Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based on a
Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, 50% of the Tier 3 Options will
vest and be immediately exercisable, and if on any date beginning 24 months
after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle has been satisfied based
on a Deemed Sale at Fair Market Value as of such date, the additional 50% of the
Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately exercisable, except that, if at any
time after a Qualified Public Offering the QPO Return Hurdle is satisfied based
on an Actual Sale, 100% of the Tier 3 Options will vest and be immediately
exercisable. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Tier 3 Options shall become
fully vested and exercisable upon the seventh anniversary of the date hereof.

                  "Actual Sale" means a sale following a Qualified Public
         Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership of its
         shares in the Company in consideration for cash or freely tradable
         securities or a combination thereof.

                  "Charlesbank Investment" means the total amount of capital
         expended to acquire Common Stock or warrants to acquire Common Stock of
         the Company or capital contributed to the Company (including capital
         provided in the form of an extension of credit or an advance of funds)
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, commencing on the
         date of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership.

                  "CIC Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Change in Control occurs
         within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund
         IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x, and (ii) if
         the Change in Control occurs more than 18 months after the original
         investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership a Return
         on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                  "Deemed Sale", as of any date, means the deemed sale following
         a Qualified Public Offering by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership of its shares in the Company at the Fair Market Value in
         effect on such date.

                                       4
<PAGE>   53

                  "Fair Market Value", as of any date, means (i) with respect to
         any freely tradeable security, the closing market price for such
         security on the day immediately preceding such date as determined from
         the principal trading market for such security on such date, (ii) with
         respect to any publicly traded security of the Company, the average of
         the closing market prices of such security for the 30 consecutive
         trading days immediately prior to such date to be determined from the
         principal trading market for such security during such period, and
         (iii) with respect to any other property, such value determined as of
         such date by such methods or procedures as established in the good
         faith discretion of the Board.

                  "IRR" means an internal rate of return to Charlesbank Equity
         Fund IV, Limited Partnership on the Charlesbank Investment as
         calculated by the use of an HP12c financial calculator, taking into
         account the timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof)
         of all contributions to capital and investments in the Company and the
         timing and amount (based on the Fair Market Value thereof) of all
         dividends, interest payments or other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or other property), from the Company or any other
         person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment, through the
         date of determination, and subject to adjustment in the good faith
         discretion of the Board in the event of any merger, acquisition,
         consolidation, sale of assets, recapitalization, contribution of
         capital to, or redemption of stock of, the Company, or any other event
         that the Board deems relevant to the calculation of such return.

                  "QPO Return Hurdle" means (i) if the Actual Sale or Deemed
         Sale occurs within 18 months of the original investment by Charlesbank
         Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, a Return on Investment of 2.0x and
         (ii) if the Actual Sale or Deemed Sale occurs more than 18 months after
         the original investment by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited
         Partnership, a Return on Investment of 3.0x and a 30% IRR.

                  "Qualified Public Offering" means a public offering of the
         Company's Class A Common Stock or other common stock of the Company
         with a minimum offering size of $50,000,000.

                  "Return on Investment" means (i) in the case of a Change in
         Control, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash and freely
         tradable securities and based on the Fair Market Value thereof received
         by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership upon such Change in
         Control, together with all dividends, interest payments and other
         distributions or payments (whether in cash or other property and based
         on the Fair Market Value thereof) received from the Company or any
         other person or entity in respect of the Charlesbank Investment prior
         to such Change in Control, divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment,
         and (ii) in the case of an Actual Sale or Deemed Sale following a
         Qualified Public Offering, the quotient of (A) the total amount of cash
         and freely tradeable securities (based on the Fair Market Value
         thereof) received in such Actual Sale, or the aggregate Fair Market
         Value of all shares in the Company owned at the time of such Deemed
         Sale, by Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, together with
         all dividends, interest payments and other distributions or payments
         (whether in cash or

                                       5
<PAGE>   54

         other property and based on the Fair Market Value thereof) received
         from the Company or any other person or entity in respect of the
         Charlesbank Investment prior to such Actual Sale or Deemed Sale, as the
         case may be, divided by (B) the Charlesbank Investment.

                  (ii)     Options exercised in any one year shall be deducted
from the number of Options exercisable in any future year. Once vested, this
Option shall be exercisable at the following times prior to the expiration date:
(A) if the Optionee is employed by the Company at the time of exercise, at any
time by giving the Company 45 days' advance written notice or (B) if the
Optionee is not employed by the Company at the time of exercise but has the
right to exercise after termination in accordance with Section 2(d) of this
Agreement, by giving the Company written notice at any time during the period
specified in Section 2(d) of this Agreement, in which case the Option shall be
deemed exercised as of the end of the calendar month in which the Company
received notice of exercise of the Option. In either case, the notice of
exercise shall specify the number of Shares as to which the Option is being
exercised.

                  (iii)    Upon receipt of written notice of exercise by the
Company, the Company shall, upon full payment in cash to the Company of the
Exercise Price of the Shares as to which the Option shall be exercised and upon
receipt of a duly executed shareholders agreement (in the form attached hereto
as Exhibit A or in such other form as the Company may reasonably require), issue
to the Optionee the Shares subject to the Option. Any issuance of Shares to an
Optionee pursuant to the preceding sentence shall be made by the Company within
90 days after the date of exercise. For purposes of this Agreement, the fair
market value of Shares shall be determined by such methods or procedures as
shall be established from time to time by the Board acting in its sole
discretion and in good faith. In making such determinations, the Board may rely
on a valuation report by an investment banking or valuation firm selected by the
Board. The Committee established by the Board to administer the Plan (the
"Committee") may, in its sole discretion, permit the Optionee to pay the
Exercise Price in previously acquired Shares rather than in cash.

                  (d)      Exercise Upon Death or Termination of Employment.

                           (i)      If the Optionee dies while an employee of
the Company, the Optionee's Designee may exercise the Option, to the extent it
was vested on the date of termination, by giving the Company written notice of
such exercise within 12 months after the date of Optionee's death, but in no
event later than the Expiration Date. An Optionee's "Designee" means the person
designated by the Optionee in his or her most recently filed beneficiary
designation filed with the Company to receive the Optionee's rights under the
Plan upon the Optionee's death, or if there is no such designation or no such
designated person survives the Optionee, by the person or persons to whom the
Optionee's rights pass by will or applicable law, or if no such person has such
right, by his executors or administrators.

                           (ii)     If the Company shall terminate Optionee's
employment with the Company because of disability, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 12

                                       6
<PAGE>   55

months after the date of termination of employment, but in no event later than
the Expiration Date.

                           (iii)    If the Optionee terminates his employment
with the Company other than for Good Reason, the Optionee may exercise the
Option to the extent it was vested on the date of termination, by giving the
Company written notice of such exercise within 90 days after the date of
termination of employment, but in no event later then the Expiration Date. For
purposes of this Agreement, "Good Reason" has the meaning set forth in the
executive severance or employment agreement, if any, then in effect between the
Company and the Optionee or, in the absence of such agreement shall mean, if the
basis for such Good Reason is not cured within a reasonable period of time
(determined in light of the cure appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason,
but in no event less than 15 days), the failure of the Company to pay any
undisputed amount due to the Optionee in connection with his employment by the
Company.

                           (iv)     If the Optionee's employment shall terminate
for any reason other than death, disability or Cause (as hereinafter defined),
or if the Optionee shall terminate his employment with the Company for Good
Reason, the Optionee may exercise the Option to the extent it was vested on the
date of termination or, otherwise would have vested in the 12 months thereafter,
in either event according to the applicable vesting schedule in Section 2(c)(i),
by giving the Company written notice of such exercise within 18 months after the
date of termination of employment, but in no event later than the Expiration
Date. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Optionee shall forfeit his right to
exercise any Options that would have vested within the 12 months after
termination, if the Optionee violates the terms regarding non-competition set
forth in the Optionee's executive severance or employment agreement.

                           (v)      If the Optionee's employment shall terminate
for Cause, all right to exercise the Option shall terminate at the date of such
termination of employment. For purposes of this Agreement, "Cause" has the
meaning set forth in the executive severance or employment agreement, if any,
then in effect between the Company and the Optionee or, in the absence of such
agreement, shall mean (i) the Optionee's conviction of, or plea of guilty or
nolo contendere to, a felony, (ii) the Optionee's gross negligence in the
performance of his duties and obligations to the Company, which is not corrected
within 15 business days after written notice, (iii) the Optionee's knowingly
dishonest act, or knowing bad faith or willful misconduct in the performance of
his duties and obligations to the Company to the material detriment of the
Company, which is not corrected within 15 business days after written notice, or
(iv) the Optionee's other material breach of his obligations under this
Agreement, which is not corrected within a reasonable period of time (determined
in light of the cure appropriate to such material breach, but in no event less
than 15 business days) after written notice.

                           (vi)     In the event of termination of employment,
if an Incentive Stock Option is exercised after the expiration of the exercise
periods that apply for purpose of Section 422 of the Code, such stock option
shall thereafter be treated as a nonqualified stock option.

                  (e)      Transferability. Except as otherwise provided in this
Section, the Option is not transferable other than as designated by the Optionee
in his or her most recently filed Beneficiary

                                       7
<PAGE>   56

designation filed with the Company, or if there is no such designation or no
such designated person survives the Optionee, as designated by the Optionee, by
will or by the laws of descent and distribution, and during the Optionee's life,
may be exercised only by the Optionee. However, an Optionee, with the approval
of the Committee, may transfer the Option for no consideration to or for the
benefit of the Optionee's Immediate Family or to a partnership or limited
liability company for one or more members of the Optionee's Immediate Family,
subject to such limits as the Committee may establish, and the transferee shall
remain subject to all the terms and conditions applicable to Options prior to
such transfer. The foregoing right to transfer the Option shall apply to the
right to consent to amendments to this Agreement and, in the discretion of the
Committee, shall also apply to the right to transfer ancillary rights associated
with the Option. The term "Immediate Family" shall mean the Optionee's spouse,
parents, children, stepchildren, adoptive relationships, sisters, brothers,
nieces, nephews and grandchildren (and, for this purpose, shall also include the
Optionee).

                  (f)      Adjustments. In the event of any change in corporate
capitalization (including, but not limited to, a change in the number of shares
of Common Stock outstanding), such as a stock split or a corporate transaction,
such as any merger, consolidation, separation, including a spin-off, or other
distribution of stock or property of the Company, any reorganization (whether or
not such reorganization comes within the definition of such term in Section 368
of the Code) or any partial or complete liquidation of the Company, the
Committee or Board may make such substitution or adjustments in the number, kind
and option price of shares subject to the Option and/or such other equitable
substitution or adjustments as it may determine to be appropriate in its sole
discretion; provided, however, that the number of shares subject to the Option
shall always be a whole number. In the event of a corporate merger,
consolidation, acquisition of property or stock, separation, reorganization or
liquidation, the Board shall be authorized to cause the Company to issue or
assume stock options, whether or not in transaction to which Section 424(a) of
the Code applies, by means of substitution of new stock options for previously
issued stock options or an assumption of previously issued stock options.

                  (g)      No Rights as Stockholder. The Optionee shall have no
rights as a stockholder with respect to any Shares subject to the Option prior
to the date of issuance to the Optionee of a certificate or certificates for
such Shares.

                  (h)      Optionee Acknowledgement. The Optionee acknowledges
that:

                           (i)      the future value of the Company is highly
speculative;

                           (ii)     the Optionee is not relying on the value of
this Option as current compensation;

                           (iii)    the Company has no obligation to the
Optionee to sell the Company or to sell Shares publicly (which may have the
effect of reducing the value of the Company);

                                       8
<PAGE>   57

                           (iv)     upon exercise of this Option, unless the
Shares issuable upon exercise of the Options have been registered under
applicable securities laws, there will be substantial restrictions on the
transferability of the Shares; and

                           (v)      the past performance or experience of the
Company, the Company's officers, directors, agents, or employees, will not in
any way indicate or predict the results of the ownership of Shares or of the
Company's activities.

                  (i)      No Right to Continued Employment. The Option shall
not confer upon the Optionee any right with respect to continuance of employment
by the Company, nor shall it interfere in any way with the right of the
Optionee's employer to terminate the Optionee's employment at any time.

                  (j)      Compliance With Law and Regulations. The Option
herein granted and the obligation of the Company to sell and deliver shares
hereunder, shall be subject to all applicable Federal and State laws, rules and
regulations and to such approvals by any government or regulatory agency as may
be required. The Company shall not be required to issue or deliver any
certificates for Shares prior to (i) the listing of such Shares on any stock
exchange or national market quotations system on which the Shares may then be
listed and (ii) the completion of any registration or qualification of such
Shares under any Federal or State law, or any rule or regulation of any
government body which the Company shall, in its sole discretion, determine to be
necessary or advisable. Moreover, the Option herein granted may not be exercised
if its exercise, or the receipt of Shares pursuant hereto, would be contrary to
applicable law.

3.       Optionee Bound by Plan.

         The Optionee hereby acknowledges receipt of a copy of the Plan and
agrees to be bound by all the terms and provisions thereof.

4.       Notices.

         All notices or any other communications hereunder shall be in writing
and delivered personally or by registered or certified mail or overnight
courier, addressed, if to the Company, to Heafner Tire Group, Inc., 2105 Water
Ridge Parkway, Suite 500, Charlotte, North Carolina 28217; Attention: Chairman,
and if to the Optionee, at the address set forth below, subject to the right of
either party to designate at any time hereafter in writing some other address.

5.       Governing Law.

         This Agreement shall be governed by and construed in accordance with
the laws of the State of North Carolina without regard to conflicts of laws
principles.

6.       No Assignment.

                                       9
<PAGE>   58

         Except as provided in Section 2(e), neither this Agreement nor any of
the rights or obligations of the Optionee hereunder may be transferred or
assigned by the Optionee.

7.       Benefits.

         This Agreement shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the
parties hereto. This Agreement is for the sole benefit of the parties hereto and
not for the benefit of any other party.

8.       Severability.

         If any provision of this Agreement shall be determined to be illegal
and unenforceable by any court of law, the remaining provisions shall be
severable and enforceable in accordance with their terms.

9.       Amendments.

         No modification, amendment or waiver of any provision of this
Agreement, other than as required under Section 2(f), shall be effective unless
it is in writing and signed by the parties hereto.

10.      Counterparts.

         This Agreement has been executed in two counterparts each of which
shall constitute one and the same instrument.

                                       10
<PAGE>   59

         IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Company has caused this Agreement to be
executed by its Chairman, Chief Executive Officer, Chief Operating Officer,
President or a Vice President and Optionee has executed this Agreement, both as
of the day and year first above written.

                                         HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                         By: /s/ Donald C. Roof
                                             ----------------------------------
                                         Name:  Donald C. Roof
                                         Title: President and CEO

/s/ David H. Taylor
---------------------------------
         David H. Taylor

Address:
5500 Hardeson Road
Charlotte, NC 28226

                                       11<PAGE>   1

                                                                   EXHIBIT 10.31

                  EXECUTIVE SEVERANCE AGREEMENT, dated as of May 25, 2000 (the
                  "Agreement"), between Heafner Tire Group, Inc., a Delaware
                  corporation (the "Employer"), and Randall M. Haas (the
                  "Employee").

                  The Employer desires to retain the Employee to supply services
to the Employer in connection with Employer's business of marketing and
distributing wholesale and retail tires and related products (the "Business"),
and the Employee desires to provide such services to the Employer, on the terms
and subject to the conditions set forth in this Agreement.

                  In consideration of (i) the Employee's agreement to supply
services under this Agreement and (ii) the mutual agreements set forth below,
the sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the Employer and the Employee
agree as follows:

                  SECTION 1.  Employment Relationship.

                  (a)      Employment by Employer. The Employer hereby employs
the Employee, and the Employee hereby agrees to be employed by the Employer, as
President of the T.O. Haas Division of the Employer (the "Division"), and the
Employee will devote all of his business time, attention, knowledge and skills
and use his best efforts during the Employment Period to perform services and
duties consistent with his title and position (the "Services") for the Employer
in accordance with directions given to the Employee from time to time by the
Board of Directors of the Employer.

                  (b)      Employment Period. The period commencing on the date
of this Agreement and ending on the date on which this Agreement is terminated
is referred to herein as the "Employment Period." During the Employment Period,
the Employee will be an at-will employee of the Employer. The Employment Period
shall be freely terminable for any reason by either party at any time.

                  SECTION 2.  Compensation and Benefits.  During the Employment
Period:

                  (a)      Base Compensation. The Employer shall pay to the
Employee a base salary of $175,000 per annum (the "Base Salary"), payable in
accordance with the Employer's payroll practices. The Base Salary shall be
increased (but not decreased) subject to additional discretionary increases (but
not decreases) as determined periodically by the Board of Directors.

                  (b)      Additional Compensation. As additional compensation
for the Services, the Employer shall pay to the Employee an amount equal to an
annual bonus payment at the "Minimum", "Plan" or "Maximum" percentage payment
levels, as the case may be, in accordance with the terms and conditions of the
Employer's then existing Executive Bonus Plan or such other annual incentive
compensation as the Board of Directors of the Employer determines in its sole
discretion to pay the Employee, payable in all cases on or around March 1 of the
following year. The Employee will be entitled to participate in any Executive
Bonus Plan as a Level 1 Employee. The Employee acknowledges that the Employer
may terminate or

<PAGE>   2

modify its Executive Bonus Plan and other incentive plans at any time, although
no termination or amendment affecting the Employee will be made effective unless
it is consistently applied to other employees participating in such plans. In
the event of any conflict or inconsistency between the terms of the any
Executive Bonus Plan and the terms of Section 2(b) or 3 of this Agreement, the
terms of Sections 2(b) and 3 of this Agreement shall control.

                  (c)      Retention Payments. In addition to the compensation
set forth in Section 2(a) and (b) above, during the first three years of the
Employment Period, the Employer shall pay to the Employee a bonus (the "Stay-Put
Bonus"), subject to the provisions of Section 3(e)(ii), the Stay-Put Bonus for
any year shall only be payable in the event the Employee is employed by the
Employer as of December 31 of such year. The Stay-Put Bonus for the calendar
year ending December 31, 2000 shall be equal to $287,250. The Stay-Put Bonus for
the calendar year ending December 31, 2001 shall be equal to $670,250. The
Stay-Put Bonus for the calendar year ending on December 31, 2002 shall be equal
to $957,500. Subject to the provisions of Section 3(e)(ii) hereinbelow, the
Stay-Put Bonus for each applicable year shall be payable on or before the
anniversary date of the date hereof in the following year.

                  (d)      Stock Options. The Employee has been granted options
to acquire shares of Class A Common Stock of the Employer, pursuant to the Stock
Option Agreement, dated as of the date hereof, between the Employer and the
Employee (the "1999 Stock Option Agreement"). The stock options granted to the
Employee under the 1999 Stock Option Agreement are granted pursuant to the
Employer's 1999 Stock Option Plan and are subject to vesting in accordance with
the terms of the 1999 Stock Option Agreement Except as otherwise provided in the
1999 Stock Option Agreement and in this Agreement with respect to payments under
the Executive Bonus Plan and except as hereafter mutually agreed by the Employer
and the Employee, in the event of a Change in Control (as defined below), to the
extent not fully vested at such time, the Employee shall become fully vested in
all awards heretofore or hereafter granted to him under all incentive
compensation, deferred compensation, stock option, stock appreciation rights,
restricted stock, phantom stock or other similar plans maintained by the
Employer.

                  (e)      Benefit Plans. During the Employment Period, the
Employee shall be entitled to receive benefits from the Employer consistent with
those currently in effect for the Employer's senior executives (including
deferred compensation plans, and company automobile and financial planning
perquisites), as those benefits are revised from time to time by the Board of
Directors of the Employer. Nothing contained herein is intended to require the
Employer to maintain any existing benefits or create any new benefits. The
Employee will be entitled to participate in the Employer's deferred compensation
program at the level of contribution of $16,000 per year and to receive benefits
thereunder in accordance with the terms and conditions of such program. If the
Employment Period is terminated by the Employer or the Employee as set forth in
Section 3(e)(ii) below, the Employee and relevant family members shall be
entitled to continue to participate in the Employer's welfare benefit plans at
the Employer's expense for a period of 18 months after the termination date. If
the Employment Period is terminated by the Employer or the Employee as set forth
in Section 3(e)(iii) below, the Employee and relevant family members shall be
entitled to continue to participate in the Employer's welfare benefit plans at
the Employer's expense for a period of three years after the termination date.
For purposes of this Section 2(d), the Employees' relevant family members shall
be those members

                                       2
<PAGE>   3

of the Employee's immediate family covered by the applicable welfare benefit
plan immediately prior to the termination date.

                  (f)      Vacation and Holidays. The Employee shall be entitled
to a minimum of four weeks' vacation each year and paid holidays in accordance
with the Employer's policy.

                  (g)      No Mitigation. The Employee shall not be required to
mitigate the amount of any payments under this Agreement (whether by seeking new
employment or in any other manner), nor shall any such payment be reduced by any
earnings that the Employee may receive from any other source.

                  SECTION 3.  Termination.

                  (a)      Death or Disability. If the Employee dies during the
Employment Period, the Employment Period shall terminate as of the date of the
Employee's death. If the Employee becomes unable to perform the Services for 90
consecutive days due to a physical or mental disability, (i) the Employer may
elect to terminate the Employment Period at any time thereafter, and (ii) the
Employment Period shall terminate as of the date of such election. All
disabilities shall be certified by a physician acceptable to both the Employer
and the Employee, or, if the Employer and the Employee cannot agree upon a
physician within 15 days, by a physician selected by physicians designated by
each of the Employer and the Employee. The Employee's failure to submit to any
physical examination by such physician after such physician has given reasonable
notice of the time and place of such examination shall be conclusive evidence of
the Employee's inability to perform his duties hereunder.

                  (b)      Cause. The Employer, at its option, may terminate the
Employment Period and all of the obligations of the Employer under this
Agreement for Cause. The Employer shall have "Cause" to terminate the Employee's
employment hereunder after (this will be the date that coincides with the end of
non compete period from the stock purchase agreement) in the event of (i) the
Employee's conviction of or plea of guilty or nolo contendere to a felony, (ii)
the Employee's gross negligence in the performance of the Services, which is not
corrected within 15 business days after written notice, (iii) the Employee's
knowingly dishonest act, or knowing bad faith or willful misconduct in the
performance of the Services, which is not corrected within 15 business days
after written notice, or (iv) the Employee's material breach of any of his
obligations under Section 5, which is not corrected within a reasonable period
of time (determined in light of the cure, if any, appropriate to such material
breach, but in no event less than 15 business days) after written notice. If the
Employee is charged with a felony, then during the period while such charge or
related indictment remains outstanding and until finally determined, the
Employer shall have the right to suspend the Employee without compensation.

                  (c)      Without Cause. The Employer, at its option, may
terminate the Employment Period without Cause at any time.

                  (d)      Termination by Employee for Good Reason. The Employee
may terminate this Agreement upon 60 days' prior written notice to the Employer
for Good Reason (as defined below) if the basis for such Good Reason is not
cured within a reasonable period of time (determined in light of the cure
appropriate to the basis of such Good Reason, but in no

                                       3
<PAGE>   4

event less than 15 business days) after the Employer receives written notice
specifying the basis of such Good Reason. "Good Reason" shall mean (i) the
failure of the Employer to pay any undisputed amount due under this Agreement or
a reduction in Base Salary, Fixed Bonus or benefits provided under this
Agreement (other than immaterial reductions in benefits or a reduction in
benefits or salary applicable to all of the Employer's bonus eligible employees)
or a termination of, or reduction in the percentage level of, the "plan" or
"target" bonus opportunity applicable to Employee from the "Plan" percentage
level applicable to a Level 1 Employee under the 2000 Executive Bonus Plan in
effect on the date hereof (the "Effective Date Plan Percentage"), (ii) a
substantial diminution in the status, position and responsibilities of the
Employee or (iii) the Employer requiring the Employee to be based at any office
or location that requires a relocation or commute greater than 50 miles from the
office or location to which the Employee is currently assigned, provided,
however, that Good Reason shall not be deemed to exist due to the travel
requirements consistent with the performance of the Employee's services
hereunder.

                  (e)      Payments in the Event of Termination. (i) Basic
Termination Payment. Upon the termination of the Employment Period at any time
for any reason, the Employer shall pay to the Employee or his estate the Base
Salary earned to the date of termination, and if such termination occurs after
December 31st of any year for which a bonus is payable pursuant to Section 2(b)
but before such bonus has been paid, the Employer shall pay to the Employee or
his estate the bonus due for the preceding year.

                           (ii)     Additional Involuntary Termination Payment.
Upon the termination of the Employment Period at any time by the Employer
without Cause or by the Employee for Good Reason, the Employer shall pay to the
Employee within five business days of such termination a lump-sum amount (in
addition to the amount payable under the first sentence of Section 3(e)(i))
equal to (x) the sum of the Employee's annual Base Salary at the annual rate in
effect on the date of termination and the Severance Bonus Amount, multiplied by
(y) 1.5. Additionally, upon a termination of the Employment Period at any time
by the Employer without Cause or by Employee for Good Reason, the Employer shall
pay to the Employee a lump sum amount equal to the sum of all Stay-Put Bonuses
not yet paid. Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Employee shall be entitled to
no payment under this Section 3(e)(ii) if he is entitled to receive a payment
under Section 3(e)(iii). "Severance Bonus Amount" means an amount equal to the
Employee's Base Salary at the annual rate in effect on the date of termination
multiplied by a percentage, which is the greater of (1) the Effective Date Plan
Percentage and (2) the "plan" or "target" bonus percentage then applicable under
any executive bonus plan or other incentive compensation program.

                           (iii)    Additional Change in Control Payment. Upon
the termination of the Employment Period (x) by the Employer without Cause upon
or prior to a Change in Control, provided that the Employee reasonably
demonstrates that such termination occurred at the request of a third party
participating in, or otherwise in anticipation of or in connection with, such
Change in Control, or (y) by the Employee with Good Reason or by the Employer
for any reason other than for Cause within one year after a Change in Control,
then the Employer shall pay to the Employee within five business days of such
termination a lump-sum amount (in addition to the amount payable under the first
sentence of Section 3(e)(i)) equal to the sum of (A) the higher of (1) the
Employee's annual Base Salary at the date of such termination or (2) the

                                       4
<PAGE>   5

Employee's annual Base Salary at the time of the Change in Control, in each case
multiplied by three, (B) the Severance Bonus Amount multiplied by three and (C)
the aggregate amount of any remaining Stay-Put Bonuses not yet paid to Employee.
If the Employment Period is terminated by the Employee for any reason other than
with Good Reason on or after the first anniversary of a Change in Control but no
later than the 30th day after such first anniversary, the Employee shall be
entitled to 50% of the payments specified in this Section 3(e)(iii). If the
Employment Period is terminated by the Employee with Good Reason at any time on
or after the first anniversary of a Change in Control, the Employee shall be
entitled to the payment specified in Section 3(e)(ii).

                           (iv)     Change in Control Defined. "Change in
Control" means the first to occur of any of the following: (A) the sale
(including by merger, consolidation or sale of stock of subsidiaries or any
other method) of all or substantially all of the assets of the Employer and its
consolidated subsidiaries (taken as a whole) to any person or entity not
directly or indirectly controlled by the holders of at least 50% of the Combined
Voting Power of the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Employer
(excluding shares owned by employees of the Employer as of the date of
determination) (B) at any time prior to the consummation of an initial public
offering of Class A Common Stock of the Employer or other common stock of the
Employer having the voting power to elect directors, a transaction (except
pursuant to such initial public offering) resulting in the Principal
Shareholders owning, collectively, less than 50% of the Combined Voting Power of
the then outstanding shares of capital stock of the Employer (excluding shares
owned by employees of the Employer as of the date of determination), (C) at any
time after the consummation of an initial public offering of Class A Common
Stock of the Employer or other common stock of the Employer having the voting
power to elect directors, the acquisition (except pursuant to such initial
public offering) by any person or entity (other than the Principal Shareholders)
not directly or indirectly controlled by the Employer's stockholders of more
than 30% of the Combined Voting Power of the then outstanding shares of capital
stock of the Employer (excluding shares owned by employees of the Employer as of
the date of determination), (D) individuals serving as directors of the Employer
on the date hereof and who were nominated or selected to serve as directors by
one or more Principal Shareholders (together with any new directors whose
election was approved by a vote of (x) such individuals or directors whose
election was previously so approved or (y) Principal Shareholders holding a
majority of the aggregate voting power of the capital stock of the Employer held
by all Principal Shareholders) cease for any reason to constitute a majority of
the Board of Directors of the Employer, (E) the adoption of a plan relating to
the liquidation or dissolution of the Employer in connection with an equity
investment or sale or a business combination transaction or (F) any other event
or transaction that the Board of Directors of the Employer deems to be a Change
in Control. "Combined Voting Power" with respect to capital stock of the
Employer means the number of votes such stock is normally entitled (without
regard to the occurrence of any contingency) to vote in an election of directors
of the Employer. "Principal Shareholders" means (i) Charlesbank Equity Fund IV,
Limited Partnership and the investors in such fund, (ii) Charlesbank Equity Fund
IV G.P. Limited Partnership, (iii) Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC (and any
other fund managed by Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC), (iv) any investor
(other than The 1818 Mezzanine Fund, L.P.) whose investment in the Employer is
approved by the representative of management on the board of the Employer, (v)
any new investors in the Company designated as Principal Shareholders by
Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC within one year of the initial investment by
Charlesbank Equity Fund IV, Limited Partnership, and (vi) any

                                       5
<PAGE>   6

corporation, partnership, limited liability company or other entity a majority
of the capital stock or other ownership interests of which are directly or
indirectly owned by any of the foregoing

                           (v)      Other Provisions Applicable to Payments. Any
amounts due under this Section 3 and not paid when due shall bear interest
(compounded annually) for the period from and including the date payable to but
excluding the date paid at a rate per annum equal to the sum of (x) four percent
and (y) the rate publicly announced by BankBoston, N.A. as its "prime rate."

                  (f)      Termination of Obligations. In the event of
termination of the Employment Period in accordance with this Section 3, all
obligations of the Employer and the Employee under this Agreement shall
terminate, except for any amounts payable by the Employer as specifically set
forth in Section 3(e); provided, however, that notwithstanding anything to the
contrary contained in this Agreement, the provisions of Section 5 shall survive
such termination in accordance with their respective terms and the relevant
provisions of Section 6 shall survive such termination indefinitely. In the
event of termination of the Employment Period in accordance with this Section 3,
the Employee agrees to cooperate with the Employer in order to ensure an orderly
transfer of the Employee's duties and responsibilities.

                  SECTION 4.  Parachute Excise Tax Gross-Up

                  (a)      If, as a result of any payment or benefit provided
under this Agreement or under any other plan, arrangement or other agreement
with the Employer or any entity affiliated with the Employer, either alone or
together with such other payments and benefits which the Employee receives or is
then entitled to received from the Employer, the Employee becomes subject to the
excise tax imposed under Section 4999 of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as
amended (the "Code"), (together with any interest and penalties thereon an
"Excise Tax"), the Employer shall pay the Employee an amount (the "Gross-Up
Payment") sufficient to place the Employee in the same after-tax financial
position that he would have been in if he had not incurred any tax liability
under Section 4999 of the Code. For purposes of determining whether the Employee
is subject to an Excise Tax and the amount of any Gross-Up Payment, (i) any
payments or benefits received by the Employee (whether pursuant to the terms
hereof or pursuant to any plan, arrangement or other agreement with the Employer
or any entity affiliated with the Employer) which payments ("Contingent
Payments") are deemed to be contingent on a change described in Section
280G(b)(2)(A)(i) of the Code shall be taken into account and (ii) the Employee
shall be deemed to pay federal, state and local taxes at the highest marginal
applicable rates of such taxes for the calendar year in which the Gross-Up
Payment is to be made, net of the maximum deduction from federal income taxes
which could be obtained from deduction of any state and local taxes deemed paid
by the Employee.

                  (b)      The determination of whether the Employee is subject
to Excise Tax and the amounts of such Excise Tax and Gross-Up Payment, as well
as other calculations hereunder, shall be made at the expense of the Employer by
Arthur Andersen, which shall provide the Employee with prompt written notice
(the "Employer Notice") setting forth their determinations and calculations.
Within 30 days following the receipt by the Employee of the Employer Notice, the
Employee may notify the Employer in writing (the "Employee Notice") if the
Employee disagrees with such determinations or calculations, setting forth the
reasons for any such

                                       6
<PAGE>   7

disagreement. If the Employer and the Employee do not resolve such disagreement
within 10 business days following receipt by the Employer of the Employee
Notice, such dispute will be resolved in accordance with Section 6(f). The
Employer shall pay all reasonable expense incurred by either party in connection
with the determinations, calculations, disagreements or resolutions pursuant to
this paragraph, including, but not limited to, reasonable legal, consulting or
other similar fees.

                  (c)      The Employee shall notify the Employer in writing of
any claim by the Internal Revenue Service that, if successful, would require the
payment by the Employer of a Gross-Up Payment. Such notification shall be given
as soon as practicable but no later than 10 business days after the Employee is
informed in writing of such claim and shall apprise the Employer of the nature
of such claim and the date of which such claim is requested to be paid. The
Employee shall not pay such claim prior to the expiration of the 30 day period
following the date on which the Employee gives such notice to the Employer (or
such shorter period ending on the date that any payment of taxes with respect to
such claim is due). If the Employer notifies the Employee in writing prior to
the expiration of such period that it desires to contest such claim, the
Employee shall:

                           (i)      give the Employer any information reasonably
requested by the Employer relating to such claim;

                           (ii)     take such action in connection with
contesting such claim as the Employer shall reasonably request in writing from
time to time, including, without limitation, accepting legal representation with
respect to such claim by an attorney reasonably selected by the Employer and
reasonably satisfactory to the Employee;

                           (iii)    cooperate with the Employer in good faith in
order to effectively contest such claim; and

                           (iv)     permit the Employer to participate in any
proceedings relating to such claim; provided, however, that the Employer shall
bear and pay directly all costs and expenses (including, but not limited to,
additional interest and penalties and related legal, consulting or other similar
fees) incurred in connection with such contest and shall indemnify and hold the
Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, for any Excise Tax or other tax
(including interest and penalties with respect thereto) imposed as a result of
such representation and payment of costs and expenses.

                  (d)      The Employer shall control all proceedings taken in
connection with such contest and, at its sole option, may pursue or forego any
and all administrative appeals, proceedings, hearings and conferences with the
taxing authority in respect of such claim and may, at its sole option, either
direct the Employee to pay the tax claimed and sue for a refund or contest the
claim in any permissible manner, and the Employee agrees to prosecute such
contest to a determination before any administrative tribunal, in a court of
initial jurisdiction and in one or more appellate courts, as the Employer shall
determine; provided, however, that if the Employer directs the Employee to pay
such claim and sue for a refund, the Employer shall advance the amount of such
payment to the Employee on an interest-free basis, and shall indemnify and hold
the Employee harmless, on an after-tax basis, from any Excise Tax or other

                                       7
<PAGE>   8

tax (including interest or penalties with respect thereto) imposed with respect
to such advance or with respect to any imputed income with respect to such
advance; and provided, further, that if the Employee is required to extend the
statute of limitations to enable the Employer to contest such claim, the
Employee may limit this extension solely to such contested amount. The
Employer's control of the contest shall be limited to issues with respect to
which a Gross-Up Payment would be payable hereunder and the Employee shall be
entitled to settle or contest, as the case may be, any other issue raised by the
Internal Revenue Service or any other taxing authority. In addition, no position
may be taken nor any final resolution be agreed to by the Employer without the
Employee's consent if such position or resolution could reasonably be expected
to adversely affect the Employee (including any other tax position of the
Employee unrelated to the matters covered hereby).

                  (e)      As a result of the uncertainty in the application of
Section 4999 of the Code at the time of the initial determination by the
Employer hereunder, it is possible that Gross-Up Payments which will not have
been made by the Employer should have been made ("Underpayment"), consistent
with the calculations required to be made hereunder. In the event that the
Employer exhausts its remedies and the Employee thereafter is required to pay to
the Internal Revenue Service an additional amount in respect of any Excise Tax,
the Employer (in the same fashion as set forth in Section 4(b) shall determine
the amount of the Underpayment that has occurred and any such Underpayment shall
promptly be paid by the Employer to or for the benefit of the Employee.

                  (f)      If, after the receipt by Employee of an amount
advanced by the Employer in connection with the contest of an Excise Tax claim,
the Employee becomes entitled to receive any refund with respect to such claim,
the Employee shall promptly pay to the Employer the amount of such refund
(together with any interest paid or credited thereon after taxes applicable
thereto). If, after the receipt by the Employee of an amount advanced by the
Employer in connection with an Excise Tax claim, a determination is made that
Employee shall not be entitled to any refund with respect to such claim and the
Employer does not notify the Employee in writing of its intent to contest the
denial of such refund prior to the expiration of 30 days after receiving notice
of such determination, such advance shall be forgiven and shall not be required
to be repaid and the amount of such advance shall be offset, to the extent
thereof, by the amount of the Gross-Up Payment.

                  SECTION 5.  Confidential Information; Non-Competition.

                  (a)      Stock Purchase Agreement. The Employee acknowledges
and agrees that pursuant to that certain Stock Purchase Agreement (herein "Stock
Purchase Agreement"), dated April 14, 2000 among Employee and others and that
certain Non-Competition Agreement dated as of May, 2000 between Employer and
Employee, Employee agreed to certain Confidentiality and Non-Competition
provisions which are hereby ratified and affirmed by Employee and Employer, and
nothing in this Agreement shall affect the validity of such provisions.

                                       8
<PAGE>   9

                  (b)      Non-Disclosure of Confidential Information.

                           (i)      For the Employment Period and at all times
         thereafter, the Employee covenants and agrees that he will not disclose
         "Confidential Information" (as herein defined) to persons other than
         Employer and its Affiliates and their employees .and except as
         necessary in connection with the advancement of the interests of
         Employer. For purposes of this Agreement, "Confidential Information"
         shall mean all confidential, proprietary or secret information whether
         or not reduced to writing relating to the products, equipment or
         business of Employer and its Affiliates submitted to the Employee or
         received, compiled, developed, designed, produced or otherwise
         discovered by the Employee from time to time during the Employment
         Period. Confidential Information may include, without limitation, all
         plans, records, customer lists, forms, formulae, designs,
         specifications, drawings, computer programs, inventions, discoveries,
         methods of manufacture, price lists, trade secrets and business
         secrets. Confidential Information shall not include information which
         (i) is or becomes available to the public from a source other than the
         Employee; or (ii) becomes known by Employee from a third party source
         having the right to disclose the information.

                           (ii)     The Employee specifically acknowledges that
         Confidential Information, whether compiled or created by Employer or by
         the Employee or otherwise, derives independent economic value from not
         being readily known to or ascertainable by proper means by others who
         can obtain economic value from the disclosure of Confidential
         Information and that any retention and/or disclosure or other use of
         Confidential Information by Employee during or after the termination of
         the Employee's employment with Employer (except in the regular course
         of performing his duties hereunder) will constitute a misappropriation
         of Confidential Information belonging to Employer.

                           (iii)    The Employee agrees that upon termination of
         his employment with Employer, for any reason, voluntary or involuntary,
         with or without Cause, he will immediately return to Employer any
         Confidential Information, copies of the same, and any other property
         belonging to Employer, within his possession, and will not at any time
         thereafter copy, reproduce or otherwise facilitate the future
         disclosure of the same. The Employee agrees that, following such
         termination of employment, he shall not disclose or use any
         Confidential Information which he receives, compiles, develops,
         designs, produces or otherwise discovers from time to time during the
         Employment Period and that all embodiments of such information shall
         belong to Employer or its affiliates, as the case may be. The Employee
         further agrees that he will not retain or use for his account at any
         time any trade names, trade mark, service mark, or other proprietary
         business designation used or owned in connection with the business of
         Employer or any of its affiliates.

                           (iv)     The Employee's obligations under this
         Section 5(b) will survive termination of his employment for any reason.
         The Employee shall not be prohibited from disclosing Confidential
         Information to the extent required by law or judicial or

                                       9
<PAGE>   10

         administrative proceeding (after providing Employer with notice and an
         opportunity to contest such requirement) to make disclosure.

                  (c)      Noncompetition.

                           (i)      Period of Covenant. The term of the
         following noncompetition covenant shall be during the Employment Period
         and a period of two (2) years after the termination of the Employment
         Period for any reason. Such period is hereinafter referred to as the
         "Noncompetition Period".

                           (ii)     Nature and Scope of Covenant. The Employee
         covenants and agrees not to carry on or engage in, directly or
         indirectly, on his own behalf or by or through any other person or
         entity, any business or other activity in competition with the Business
         (as defined below) during the Noncompetition Period within the United
         States (the "Restricted Territory"). Without limiting the generality of
         the foregoing, the Employee covenants and agrees that during the
         Noncompetition Period and except in connection with his employment by
         Employer he will not, directly or indirectly, engage in any of the
         following activities:

                           (A)      own any interest in (other than ownership of
                  less than five percent (5%) of the voting securities of a
                  publicly traded company), manage or serve as an employee of or
                  consultant, business advisor or independent contractor, either
                  directly or indirectly, for any individual, corporation,
                  partnership, association, joint venture or other entity which
                  is engaged in a business in competition with the Business;

                           (B)      solicit business similar to the Business
                  from any customer that has done business with, or potential
                  customers that have been in contact with Employer during the
                  Employment Period.

                           (C)      make a loan to, or guarantee the obligations
                  of, any individual or entity engaged in a business in
                  competition with the Business or make a loan to, or guarantee
                  the obligations of, any owner, officers, director, partner or
                  shareholder thereof;

                           (D)      request, induce or attempt to influence any
                  customer or any supplier of goods or services to the Employer
                  to curtail or cancel any business it transacts with the
                  Employer with respect to the Business; or

                           (E)      request, induce or attempt to influence any
                  employee of the Employer to terminate his or her employment
                  with the Employer, or attempt to dissuade any then current
                  employee of the Employer from continuing employment with the
                  Employer.

                                       10
<PAGE>   11

                  SECTION 6.  General Provisions.

                  (a)      Enforceability. It is the desire and intent of the
parties hereto that the provisions of this Agreement shall be enforced to the
fullest extent permissible under the laws and public policies applied in each
jurisdiction in which enforcement is sought. Accordingly, although the Employee
and the Employer consider the restrictions contained in this Agreement to be
reasonable for the purpose of preserving the Employer's goodwill and proprietary
rights, if any particular provision of this Agreement shall be adjudicated to be
invalid or unenforceable, such provision shall be deemed amended to delete
therefrom the portion thus adjudicated to be invalid or unenforceable, such
deletion to apply only with respect to the operation of such provision in the
particular jurisdiction in which such adjudication is made. It is expressly
understood and agreed that although the Employer and the Employee consider the
restrictions contained in Section 5 to be reasonable, if a final determination
is made by a court of competent jurisdiction that the time or territory or any
other restriction contained in this Agreement is unenforceable against the
Employee, the provisions of this Agreement shall be deemed amended to apply as
to such maximum time and territory and to such maximum extent as such court may
judicially determine or indicate to be enforceable.

                  (b)      Remedies. The parties acknowledge that the Employer's
damages at law would be an inadequate remedy for the breach by the Employee of
any provision of Section 5, and agree in the event of such breach that the
Employer may obtain temporary and permanent injunctive relief restraining the
Employee from such breach, and, to the extent permissible under the applicable
statutes and rules of procedure, a temporary injunction may be granted
immediately upon the commencement of any such suit. Nothing contained herein
shall be construed as prohibiting the Employer from pursuing any other remedies
available at law or equity for such breach or threatened breach of Section 5 or
for any breach or threatened breach of any other provision of this Agreement.

                  (c)      Withholding. The Employer shall withhold such amounts
from any compensation or other benefits payable to the Employee under this
Agreement on account of payroll and other taxes as may be required by applicable
law or regulation of any governmental authority.

                  (d)      Employer Successors. The Employer shall require any
successor or successors (whether direct or indirect and whether by purchase,
lease, merger, consolidation, liquidation or otherwise) to all or substantially
all of the Employer's business and/or assets, by an agreement in substance and
form satisfactory to the Employee, to assume this Agreement and to agree
expressly to perform this Agreement in the same manner and to the same extent as
the Employer would be required to perform it in the absence of a succession. The
Employer's failure to obtain such agreement prior to the effectiveness of a
succession shall be a breach of this Agreement and shall entitle the Employee to
all of the compensation and benefits to which he would have been entitled
hereunder if the Employer had involuntarily terminated his employment without
Cause immediately after such succession become effective. For all purposes under
this Agreement, the term "Employer" shall include any successor or successors to
the Employer's business and/or assets which executes and delivers the assumption
agreement described in the subsection or which becomes bound by this Agreement
by operation of law.

                                       11
<PAGE>   12

                  (e)      Employee's Successors. This Agreement and all rights
of the Employee hereunder shall inure to the benefit of, and be enforceable by,
the Employee's personal or legal representatives, executors, administrators,
successors, heirs, distributee, devisees and legatees.

                  (f)      Indemnity. The Employer hereby agrees to indemnify
and hold the Employee harmless consistent with the Employer's policy against any
and all liabilities, expenses (including attorneys' fees and costs), claims,
judgments, fines, and amounts paid in settlement actually and reasonably
incurred in connection with any proceeding arising out of the Employee's
employment with the Employer (whether civil, criminal, administrative or
investigative, other than proceedings by or in the right of the Employer), if
with respect to the actions at issue in the proceeding the Employee acted in
good faith and in a manner Employee reasonably believed to be in, or not opposed
to, the best interests of the Employer, and (with respect to any criminal
action) Employee had no reason to believe Employee's conduct was unlawful. Said
indemnification arrangement shall (i) survive the termination of this Agreement,
(ii) apply to any and all qualifying acts of the Employee which have taken place
during any period in which he was employed by the Employer, irrespective of the
date of this Agreement or the term hereof, including, but not limited to, any
and all qualifying acts as an officer and/or director of any affiliate while the
Employee is employed by the Employer and (iii) be subject to any limitations
imposed from time to time under applicable law.

                  (g)      Dispute Resolution; Attorney's Fees. The Employer and
the Employee agree that any dispute arising as to the parties' rights and
obligations hereunder shall be resolved by binding arbitration before an
arbitrator to be determined by mutually agreeable means. In such event, each of
the Employer and the Employee shall have the right to full discovery. The
Employer shall bear all costs of the arbitrator in any such proceeding, and if
the arbitration is definitively decided in the Employee's favor, the Employee
shall have the right, in addition to any other relief granted by such
arbitrator, to recover reasonable attorneys' fees; provided, however, that the
Employer shall have the right, in any dispute other than a dispute relating to
the occurrence of a Change in Control or the payment of an amount under Section
3(e)(iii), in addition to any other relief granted by such arbitrator, to
recover reasonable attorneys' fees in the event that a claim brought by the
Employee is definitively decided in the Employer's favor (with the amount of
such fees being limited to those expended defending the claim or claims decided
in favor of the Employer). Any judgment by such arbitrator may be entered into
any court with jurisdiction over the dispute.

                  (h)      Acknowledgment. The Employee acknowledges that he has
been advised by the Employer to seek the advice of independent counsel prior to
reaching agreement with the Employer on any of the terms of this Agreement. The
parties agree that no rule of construction shall apply to this Agreement which
construes ambiguous language in favor of or against any party by reason of that
party's role in drafting the Agreement.

                  (i)      Amendments and Waivers. No modification, amendment or
waiver, of any provision of, or consent required by, this Agreement, nor any
consent to any departure herefrom, shall be effective unless it is in writing
and signed by the parties hereto. Such modification, amendment, waiver or
consent shall be effective only in the specific instance and for the purpose for
which given.

                                       12
<PAGE>   13

                  (j)      Notices. All notices or other communications which
are required or permitted hereunder shall be in writing and sufficient if
delivered personally or sent by registered or certified mail, postage prepaid,
return receipt requested, sent by overnight courier, or sent by facsimile (with
confirmation of receipt), addressed as follows:

                  If to the Employer:

                           Heafner Tire Group, Inc.
                           2105 Water Ridge Parkway, Suite 500
                           Charlotte, North Carolina 28217
                           Attention: President
                           Facsimile: (704) 423-8987

                  with a copy to:

                           Covington & Burling
                           1330 Avenue of the Americas
                           New York, New York 10019
                           Attention: Scott F. Smith
                           Facsimile: (212) 841-1010

                  and:

                           Charlesbank Capital Partners, LLC
                           600 Atlantic Avenue
                           Boston, Massachusetts 02210-2203
                           Attention: Mark A. Rosen and Tami E. Nason
                           Facsimile: (617) 619-5402

                  with a copy to:

                           Skadden, Arps, Slate Meagher & Flom LLP
                           919 Third Avenue
                           New York, NY 10022
                           Facsimile: (212) 735-2000
                           Attention: David J. Friedman

                  If to the Employee:

                           Randall M. Haas
                           P.O.  Box 81067
                           Lincoln, NE 68501

                                       13
<PAGE>   14

                  With a copy to:

                           Demars, Gordon, Olson & Shively
                           1225L Street, Suite 400
                           Lincoln, NE 68501
                           Attn: William Olson
                           Facsimile: 402-438-6329

                  or at such other address as the party to whom notice is to be
given may have furnished to the other party in writing in accordance herewith.
If such notice or communication is mailed, such communication shall be deemed to
have been given on the fifth business day following the date on which such
communication is posted.

                  (k)      Descriptive Headings; Certain Interpretations.
Descriptive headings are for convenience only and shall not control or affect
the meaning or construction of any provision of this Agreement. Except as
otherwise expressly provided in this Agreement: (i) any reference in this
Agreement to any agreement, document or instrument includes all permitted
supplements and amendments; (ii) a reference to a law includes any amendment or
modification to such law and any rules or regulations issued thereunder; (iii)
the words "include," "included" and "including" are not limiting; and (iv) a
reference to a person or entity includes its permitted successors and assigns.

                  (l)      Counterparts; Entire Agreement. This Agreement may be
executed in any number of counterparts, and each such counterpart hereof shall
be deemed to be an original instrument, but all such counterparts together shall
constitute one agreement. This Agreement and the 1999 Stock Option Agreement
contain the entire agreement among the parties with respect to the transactions
contemplated by this Agreement and the 1999 Stock Option Agreement and supersede
all other or prior written or oral agreements or understandings among the
parties with respect to the Employee's employment by the Employer.

                  (M)      GOVERNING LAW. THIS AGREEMENT SHALL BE GOVERNED BY
AND CONSTRUED IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE INTERNAL LAWS OF THE STATE OF NORTH
CAROLINA.

                  (N)      CONSENT TO JURISDICTION. EACH OF THE PARTIES TO THIS
AGREEMENT AGREES TO BE BOUND BY THE PROVISIONS SET FORTH IN EXHIBIT C TO THIS
AGREEMENT. EACH OF EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER HEREBY IRREVOCABLY AND UNCONDITIONALLY
SUBMITS TO THE EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OF THE UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT IN
CHARLOTTE, NORTH CAROLINA FOR THE PURPOSES OF ALL LEGAL PROCEEDINGS WHICH ARISE
OUR OF OR RELATE TO THIS AGREEMENT, AND EACH OF EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER AGREES NOT
TO COMMENCE ANY LEGAL PROCEEDING RELATED THERETO EXCEPT IN SUCH COURT. EACH OF
EMPLOYEE AND EMPLOYER IRREVOCABLY WAIVES, TO THE FULLEST EXTENT PERMITTED BY
LAW, ANY OBJECTION WHICH IT MAY NOW OF HEREAFTER HAVE TO THE LAYING OF VENUE IN
ANY SUCH COURT HAS BEEN BROUGHT IN AN INCONVENIENT FORUM.

                                       14
<PAGE>   15

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

                                       HEAFNER TIRE GROUP, INC.

                                       By: /s/ Donald C. Roof
                                          --------------------------------------
                                           Donald C. Roof
                                           President and Chief Executive Officer

                                       /s/ Randall M. Haas
                                       -----------------------------------------
                                       Randall M. Haas, Employee

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