Recycle Your Bicycle is October 6th & 7th

September 27, 2012 by Leave a Comment

Recycle Your Bicycle

We are pleased announce that Earnhardt Auto Centers has joined together with the Valley Area Boy Scout Troops, The Arizona Association for Foster and Adoptive Parents, the Arizona Republic, AZCentral.com and KPNX for the 3rd Annual “Recycle your Bicycle” Bike Drive for Kids in Foster Care.

On October 6th and 7th, the Earnhardt dealerships will be drop-off locations for gently used and new bikes. The donated bikes will be picked up and delivered to a bike warehouse in the Scottsdale Airpark, where they will be cleaned and refurbished by the Boy Scouts and other volunteers. The restoration effort will take place every Saturday morning from October 27 to December 8.

The goal this year is to deliver 500 new or “like new” bicycles to kids in foster care as holiday gifts on December 15th.

If you would like to donate a bike to this very worthwhile program, please bring it in to your dealership on October 6th or 7th. If you are interested in volunteering in restoring the bicycles, we encourage you to register at:

www.recycleyourbicycleaz.com

We are very proud to be a member of this group that is working towards the goal of giving great holiday gifts to deserving kids in the Arizona Foster Care Program. Thank you in advance for your participation!

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Earnhardt’s Voted Best Auto Dealership

May 2, 2012 by Leave a Comment

East Valley Tribune - Best Auto DealershipThe votes are in and the people have spoken. Earnhardt Auto Centers has been selected as the “Best Auto Dealership” in this year’s edition of the East Valley Tribune’s “Best of East Valley 2012“.

The annual “Best of” winners are chosen by the readers of the East Valley Tribune in categories ranging from the best pizza (Urban Legends Pizza Works) to the best place to tire out your kids (Superstition Farm).

Earnhardt Auto Centers would like to thank the readers of the East Valley Tribune for choosing us as your favorite place to buy a car. It has truly been an honor to serve the East Valley and to be part of the community for over 60 years, and we hope to continue to do so for many years to come. And that ain’t no bull!

To view Earnhardt’s “Best of” award and to see who else made the list, visit bestof.eastvalleytribune.com

Filed Under: Awards, Community

H.E.A.R.T Gives to My Sister’s Place & The Phoenix Children’s Hospital

March 29, 2012 by

My Sister’s Place is the Earnhardt H.E.A.R.T. recipient for March and will receive a check for $2,286 from Earnhardt Auto Centers. My Sister’s Place provides safe & confidential shelters for victims of domestic violence.

February’s recipient was Phoenix Children’s Hospital, which has been proving hope, healing and the best healthcare for children and families since 1983. They received a donation of $2,245.50 from Earnhardt Auto Centers.

The Earnhardt Employee H.E.A.R.T. program is a voluntary charity fund in which participating employees elect to donate a portion their paycheck to different organizations each month. Earnhardt employees contribute approximately $25,000 each year through the H.E.A.R.T program.

Filed Under: Community, Employees

Earnhart’s H.E.A.R.T. Gives to Childhelp and Let There Be Sight

November 3, 2011 by

It is important to give to those in need; and in tougher economic times, it’s even more so. Through the Earnhardt H.E.A.R.T. program, participating employees elect to have a certain dollar amount deducted from their paychecks which then gets donated to a different organization each month.

Childhelp is our October H.E.A.R.T. recipient and will receive a check for $2,259 from Earnhardt Auto Centers. Childhelp is a national non-profit organization dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect.

September’s recipient was Let There Be Sight, in conjunction with Donor Network of Arizona, provides corneal transplants to the underprivileged, worldwide, in order to cure blindness and a myriad of other eye diseases. They received a gift of $2,245.50 from Earnhardt Auto Centers.

$1,949 was given to the Arizona Animal Welfare League for the month of August. The Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA is Arizona’s oldest and largest no-kill shelter. AAWL provides a temporary home for nearly 3000 dogs and cats every year.

Filed Under: Community, Employees Tagged With: , , , , , ,

Former 9/11 NYC Firefighter Wins New Car in Earnhardt’s 60th Anniversary Contest

October 24, 2011 by

New Car Winner Mike Virgadamo and Family

Earnhardt Auto Center's 60th Anniversary Sweepstakes Winner Mike Virgadamo and Family

60 years is a long time to be in business, but for Tex Earnhardt, founder of Earnhardt Auto Centers, it seems like just yesterday that he opened his first dealership in Chandler, AZ.

In 1952, at 21 years old, Tex Earnhardt was the youngest person ever to be awarded a Ford franchise. “They said they were going to give me a truck to drive, and I said I’ll take it! I didn’t even ask what kind it was.” Tex recalls.

With an emphasis on family values and integrity, using his friendly cowboy persona, and with the help of his famous catch phrase “That ain’t no bull!”, Tex turned a one car gas station into one of the largest family-owned dealer groups in the nation.

To celebrate 60 years of business in Arizona, Earnhardt Auto Centers staged one of the biggest prize giveaways in their history. The contest, which was conducted mostly online, was a scavenger hunt to “find Tex”.

Of the 5000+ contestants, 60 finalists were randomly chosen to participate in the prize drawing event this past Saturday at Earnhardt Ford in Chandler.

The finalists were treated to a delicious catered lunch as well as entertainment provided by DJ Steve, the multi-talented Zachary the Magician, and Nancy the Face Painter. Even the mascot, Rex “The Bull” was on hand to join in the festivities.

The main event, of course, was the prize drawing. The 60 finalists and their families gathered under the main tent as Tex Earnhardt said a few appreciative words and thanked everyone for their business over the years. “It started 60 years ago with ‘no bull’, ” Tex said. “And that’s what we’re all about: no bull… honesty and giving you a fair deal. And today, someone is going to win a new car. And that ain’t no bull!”

With the help of Tex’s great granddaughter and DJ Steve, the prize winners were chosen.

Three people won tickets to the Cardinals / Steelers game, six people won $600 gift certificates to Earnhardt Auto Centers, two people won an Apple iPad 2, one person won $6,000 cash, and one person won a brand new car.

Former 9/11 NYC Firefighter, Michael Virgadamo, who entered the contest hoping to win an iPad for his wife, was stunned when Tex Earnhardt announced, “The winner’s initials are M.V.”

From the crowd, Michael called out, “Is it Michael Virgadamo?” saving Tex from having to pronounce his last name.

After taking a few moments to accept congratulations from the Earnhardt Family, Michael made two phone calls: the first to the Scottsdale Fire Department, where he now works, letting them know he was going to be a little late to work, and the second call to his wife, Lisa. “I need you to get down here right away to help me pick. I won the car.” He said calmly.

Lisa, who was in the middle of a community clean-up event for their daughter’s school, dropped everything and safely raced down to Earnhardt Ford in their new Dodge Journey (which ironically was purchased just a few weeks earlier from Earnhardt Dodge in Gilbert).

Of the five new vehicles they had to choose from, Michael and Lisa decided on the 2012 Hyundai Elantra.

“When I found out I didn’t win the iPad I was going to leave.” Michel shared. “I’m glad I stuck around.”

To see photos of the event, visit http://facebook.com/EarnhardtAutoCenters

Booking Info:

Filed Under: Community, Customers, Events

Marine Takes Home $1,000 Prize

August 16, 2011 by

Joel Danielson Winner of Cox Media Text to Win Contest

Joel Danielson Winner of Cox Media Text to Win Contest

Joel Danielson of Mesa, Arizona was the winner of Earnhardt’s 60th Anniversary Bonus Cash sweepstakes held in partnership with Cox Media. He was awarded $1,000 in American Express Gift cards. Joel entered the contest at Earnhardt Toyota while he was there to purchase a Toyota Camry.

Joel, accompanied by his mother, stopped by Earnhardt Ford in Chandler to claim the prize money, which Joel says came a great time. Joel was recently discharged from the Marines where he had served since 2007 and included two tours of duty in Iraq. He is planning to enter Mesa Community College in the Fall, where he will major in history.

Congratulations, Joel! Earnhardt Auto Centers thanks you for your business and for your service to our country. We wish you the best of luck in the future.

Filed Under: Community, Customers, Events Tagged With: , , ,

11th Place for OE Parts Megastore Sprint Car in Knoxville

May 4, 2011 by

Mark Burch Motorsports Sprint CarThe OE Parts Megastore Sprint Car of Mark Burch Motorsports, driven by Chad Humston qualified 3rd quick in qualifying. They started 6th in their heat race and ran 2nd nearly catching the leader at the end. In the “A” Main they started 10th on outside of row 5. The track had taken on a lot a rubber from the “B” main that affected their setup producing only an 11th place finish, but unlike the previous race at I-80 they finished Knoxville in one piece!

Next Race: 5/7/2011 – Dodge City Raceway Park – Dodge City Kansas

Filed Under: Community, Events

OE Parts Megastore Sprint Car Racing in Knoxville April 30th

April 27, 2011 by

OE Parts Megastore Sponsored Sprint CarThe OE Parts Megastore sponsored Mark Burch Motorsports sprint car will make its return to Knoxville Raceway this Saturday night, April 30th! Driver, Chad Humston will be behind the wheel, on the gas, and looking to take the checkered flag. Good luck guys!

About OE Parts Megastore

Earnhardt Auto Centers sells original equipment parts online through OE Parts Megastore. OE parts means they are exactly the same as the parts used to produce your vehicle at the factory! We carry ONLY genuine OE replacement parts, accessories, and performance parts. Never after-market knock-offs!

OE Parts Megastore stocks factory parts for all of the Earnhardt Brands from 1990 to the current year’s models. We can also help you find parts for older vehicles as well as classic cars. When you order your parts online, a certified Parts Specialist checks your order to ensure you receive exactly the correct part for your vehicle.

Can’t find the part you’re looking for online? You can also call our OE Parts Megastore helpline toll-free at 877-696-6727 and speak to a Parts Specialist. We can help you locate almost any part and have it shipped to your home or delivered directly to our dealership for pick-up.

Filed Under: Community, Events Tagged With: , , ,

Special Twist Cheerleading

April 11, 2011 by

Rachel Van Dyke, granddaughter of Earnhardt Marketing Director Vicky Van Dyke, has recently been profiled in Parenting Special Needs Magazine for her work with Special Twist Cheerleading Squad. Rachel created the program in 2004 when she was only 8 years old as a community service project. Her goal was to provide special needs children with the ability to participate in competitive sports.

Rachel, now a freshman and Varsity Cheerleader at Lambert High School in Georgia, continues to run Special Twist with the assistance of her brother, Nathanial and her mother, Stacy. Their mission is to inspire others across the country to start similar programs in their communities.

Earnhardt Auto Centers salutes you, Rachel for the fine work you do.

Full article in Parenting Special Needs Magazine- Special Twist Cheerleading: Something to Cheer About!

Filed Under: Community, Employees Tagged With: , ,