Walk For Rockin’ Ryken

Mike McTighe is the Body Shop Manager for Earnhardt Dodge. He and his wife Sarah, a former Earnhardt employee, have a son with Down Syndrome. They would like to personally invite you all to participate in an organized walk event to raise awareness and funds for Down’s Syndrome research. Check out all the details below to find out how to help support their event:

Rockin Ryken

Rockin Ryken

For: Rockin Ryken

What: 12th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome (formerly the Buddy Walk)

When: Saturday, Sept.10, 2011

Where: Tempe Diablo Stadium
2200 West Alameda Drive
Tempe, Az. 85282

Time: 7:30am to 11:30am
9:30 walk begins
more information on www.sharingds.org

It’s that time of year again to join Rockin Ryken at this years 12th Annual Walk for Down Syndrome. We are currently putting together our team on behalf of Ryken called Rockin Ryken. We would love for you to walk our mile as a proud team supporting Ryken and Down Syndrome. So if you are Down with xtra chromosomes come out and be a part of our team. We would love to share this experience with all of you. Respond and let me know if you are willing to be a part of our team.

We are working hard to help reach a team donation goal and hope to pass this goal of $1000. Would you care to be the first donation? A donation of any size is greatly appreciated. Even if our goal is reached it is ok to to raise more money for this great cause. Thank you for your support.

To donate money please go to www.sharingds.org you might need to register first (for security purposes) it only takes a few minutes, then you can give your desired amount you would like to donate. Make sure thou, when making a donation that you donate to team Rockin Ryken. You can also send payment to Mike or Sarah at 1912 East Shannon Street, Gilbert, Az. 85295. Please make sure not to make it out to Ryken or team Rockin Ryken but to Sharing Down Syndrome in the memo you can put team Rockin Ryken. (there website has changed and is to be easier than last year so if you need help just ask and I can try or I can get the help we need)

To view the team profile of Rockin Ryken or to make a donation visit the following link: www.sharingds.org

Click on Sharing Walk (upper right hand corner) view team, click on Rockin Ryken.

Also, this year so we go in looking like a team we will be having t-shirts made with our team logo. (NOT thru Sharing Down Syndrome) Cost of shirts will be $10.00. Please send me (Sarah) money, sizes, and how many you would like by August 10, 2011 so I can get the order in. Even if you are not able to attend and would like one I can get you a shirt and mail them to you. If you are wanting to send me money for a donation and a t-shirt and pay with a check please enclose 2 separate checks.

Please spread the word to everyone thru voice, e-mail, Facebook, ect. the more the merrier!!!

Hope you can join us Sept 10th and support our favorite little guy Rockin Ryken!!!!!

Thank you!

Mike and Sarah McTighe

P.S. I just registered and if it says you need to pick another e-mail address go to the front page and at the very bottom click on log in and use your password you used last year. (it was much, much easier than last year)

Earnhardt Honda Nabs President’s Award

Earnhardt Honda receives President's AwardFor the 6th time in 7 years, Earnhardt Honda has earned the prestigious Honda President’s Award. The annual award is presented to top-ranking Honda dealerships throughout the country based on their achievement of excellence in all areas of operation — customer service and satisfaction, sales, training and facility.

This year, only 118 out of over 1000 participating Honda dealerships received the President’s Award; signifying Earnhardt Honda’s unwavering pursuit of excellence and customer care.

Earnhardt Honda also took home Honda’s Council of Excellence Award which recognizes Honda dealerships which have demonstrated exceptional financial service excellence to its customers.

Earnhardt Honda receives Council of Excellence AwardHonda annually revises the criteria to win each award in order to address the current market environment and changing customer needs. By earning these awards, Earnhardt Honda has demonstrated their commitment to achieve higher levels of customer satisfaction year after year.

Congratulations to all the Earnhardt Honda employees who participated in adding yet another achievement to Earnhardt Auto Centers’ growing list. Keep up the good work!

Visit Earnhardt Honda’s Facebook page to view photos of the President’s Award Luncheon.

11th Place for OE Parts Megastore Sprint Car in Knoxville

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

OE Parts Megastore Sprint Car Racing in Knoxville April 30th

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.

Special Twist Cheerleading

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!

American Diabetes Association: Earnhardt Employees Give

Helping Everyone Achieve Rewards TogetherThe Earnhardt Family has always believed in giving back to the community through charitable donations and sponsoring charity events. The Earnhardt employees carry on that same spirit of giving through Earnhardt’s H.E.A.R.T. program. Participating employees elect to have a certain amount deducted from their paychecks, which then gets donated to a different organization each month. Earnhardt employees contribute over $20,000 each year through the H.E.A.R.T program.

This month, we will be donating $1,953 to the American Diabetes Association which will be matched by HearPO. Thanks to everyone who participates in this fantastic program.

Grandma Surprises Granddaughter with New 2011 Ford Focus

Grandma surprised granddaughter with new car

Nana Lynda surprising Kaylyn with a new 2011 Ford Focus


It’s always fun to get a visit from Grandma, but when she surprises you with a brand new car, it’s even better! That’s exactly what Earnhardt Ford customer, “Nana” Lynda did for her granddaughter, Kaylyn.

Lynda drove to Arizona from Texas to present her granddaughter with a brand new 2011 Blue Flame Ford Focus. After a family lunch at the Macaroni Grille, Kaylyn walked outside to find her new car waiting for her. Earnhardt Ford Salesperson, Laurie McClellan who was in on the surprise, had the windows painted, drove the Focus out to the restaurant.

Happy Graduation, Kaylyn! We hope you really enjoy your new Focus. And thank you, Lynda for your business. We were honored to be able to participate in such an exciting family event.

Happy Retirement to One of Earnhardt’s Finest

Sue Camrud

Sue Camrud

On April 1st, after 26 years of service to Earnhardt Auto Centers, Sue Camrud, Earnhardt’s Human Resource Director will retire.  Sue and her department have overseen the Human Resource needs for thousands of Earnhardt employees over the past 26 years; managing as many as 1850 active employees at one time. Her positive attitude and dedication have made Sue not only a valued asset to the company, but also a cherished member of the Earnhardt family.

Sue and her husband, Ron, plan to move to Grassy Meadows, West Virginia to be closer to their relatives, including Sue’s mother. According to Sue, her retirement plans are very fluid for now. “I have never had the opportunity to do whatever I wanted and I am finding that it is difficult to choose and to focus my effort with so many options,” she said.

For the first month, she and Ron will take a long road trip on the way to West Virginia to see sites such as Yosemite, Wolf Point, Montana (home of Camrud Motors), Montreal, and Niagara Falls. After she’s settled into her home in West Virginia, she’ll plant a small vegetable garden and will try some easy mountain biking with her brother.

One of Sue and Ron’s long term projects is to develop a woodland retreat for family and friends.

Don’t worry, Arizona has not seen the last of Sue Camrud. Sue plans to return often to the Valley of the Sun to visit her grandkids, Rachel and Ethan.

Earnhardt Auto Centers Human Resources Department

Sue and the Earnhardt Human Resources Department


Sue has touched the lives of thousands of Earnhardt employees over the years and she will be truly missed.  Thanks, Sue, for everything you have done for us during your career at Earnhardt’s.  We wish you lots of fun, happiness, and love in your retirement.

Julie Benz, long-time Human Resources Manager at Earnhardt’s, will become Human Resource Director upon Sue’s retirement. Congratulations, Julie!