Rainy Days

What a beautiful morning! My commute to work was alright, despite the rain; but as I got closer to Franklin, I could feel my car hydroplaning as I exited 65-South to Murfreesboro Road. Luckily, it was around 6:30am, and there were no other cars on the road- but what to do if you are in particularly heavy traffic?

In case you, or someone you might know, would be interested in some helpful driving-in-rain tidbits, I wanted to point you in an excellent direction for guidance.

Edmunds published these Tips and Techniques for Driving in Rain, and after reading them, I must say they do come in handy.

Allow more time for travel. I think this is extremely important- with the buildup of oil and grease on the road, trying to get anywhere in a hurry is risky business. Add a couple inches of water, and it can mean disaster quickly. Plus, we all know how Nashville traffic can get, and traffic will be backed up somewhere- so go a little slower.
Break earlier and with less force. This follows the ‘allow more time for travel’ (and go a little slower) part. Making sure that you allow enough room between you and the car in front of you helps when traffic stops to a stand-still. Additionally, it allows time for the driver behind you to brake as well.
Avoid Puddles. Water typically runs to the side of the road, so making sure you remain as close to the middle as possible helps prevent running into deep standing water. “Water splashing up into your car’s engine compartment could damage its internal electrical systems”, and masks problems on the surface. Is there a pothole under the water? Trouble.
Don’t Use Cruise Control. In bad weather reaction time is of the utmost importance- cruise control allows you “to be less vigilant”, so try not to use it in rainy weather.
Turn on your headlights. With visibility an issue, it allows other drivers to see you, and allows you to see the road.
Defog your windows.

If you do start to hydroplane, don’t brake suddenly or turn the wheel. Like I did this morning, release the gas pedal slowly and steer straight until the car regains traction. If you must brake, Edmunds offers, “tap the brake pedal”- unless you have anti-lock brakes, then you can put your foot down.

Make sure you stay on top of your car’s condition- if you have any questions about your tires (pressure and tread depth), brakes, front/rear wiper blades, or defroster, call your local shop to get it checked out!
For service call 615-791-1101 and ask the receptionist to connect you with Honda, Volvo, or Subaru Service.

Read the full Edmunds article here: http://beta.edmunds.com/car-safety/tips-and-techniques-for-driving-in-rain.html?articleid=45401

Happy holiday driving!

Franklin Veterans Day Parade

November 11, 2010 marked the 9th Annual Franklin Veterans Day Parade. The Veterans parade prior to September 11th 2001 had only been held once before in 1946, after the end of the Second World War.

The parade boasted 612 Veterans from the area, and represented World War II, Korea, Vietnam, the Gulf War, as well as Iraq and Afghanistan. WAKM Radio worked in conjunction with Franklin Special School District, Williamson County Veteran Affairs Office, the City of Franklin, and Williamson County Archives.

This year was the first year for the parade to host a reception for the Veterans, which was a phenomenal success and allowed the Veterans and civilians to browse through the extensive archives documenting the military and societal history of Williamson County.

2010 Jack and Back MS Bike Ride Fund Raiser

Darrell Waltrip Team Riders.

Beth Schaller, Mark Smallwood, Jamie Putman, Dick Wilson, Andy Giordano, John Gallagher, Jean "Coach" Rollins.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Donates $500 to Battle Ground Academy

Front Row L-R: Kim Bauer, Camille Caldwell, Jacklyn Abernathy, Brenna Kirkpatrick, Mary Nowland Sessions, Catherine Raymond, Brandon Jackson, Clara Wempe, Tanner Welch, Katie Baier, & Mack Roberts
Back Row L-R: Stokes Dunavan, Evan Derry, General Manager John Gallagher, Darrell Waltrip, Mercy Clinic’s Event Director Jessica Perry, Andy Zhu, Austin Bond, Olivia Lewis, Matthew Minor, & Matthew Klett

Earlier this week, Darrell Waltrip Automotive Owner Darrell Waltrip, General Manager John Gallagher and Mercy Clinic’s Event Director Jessica Perry presented Battle Ground Academy’s (BGA) Head of Middle School Kenneth Wempe with a check for $500. The check was donated by Darrell Waltrip Automotive for the BGA cross-country track team members, the largest team raised by a school for the Franklin Classic.

The Franklin Classic was hosted earlier in September and raised money for Mercy Children’s Clinic in Franklin, TN.

Battle Ground Academy was established in 1889 and was named “due to its original location on the battle ground of the Civil War Battle of Franklin”, according to their website.

Dr. John Griffith, Head of BGA, states, “from formative kindergarten activities to rigorous college preparatory courses, students at BGA receive the individualized attention that allows them to thrive both in school and life”.

BGA is an independent college preparatory academy and currently serves over 300 students in their middle school, grades 5-8. Head of School Kenneth Wempe said no decision has been made on how to spend the funds, but they will likely be used for something tangible that benefits the school.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Staff Ride in the 2010 Jack & Back

This is the 16th year of Jack Daniel’s “Bike to Jack & Back” MS Bike Ride. This year, the Jack & Back Ride takes place October 2-3. The Mid South Chapter of the National MS Society hopes "to raise $671,000 to help fund research and programs for people living with MS."

Here at Darrell Waltrip Automotive, we have several employees and managers looking to help the Mid South Chapter reach that goal! Jean “Coach” Rollins, John Gallagher, Andy Giordano, Dick Wilson, Mark Smallwood, Jamie Putman, and Beth Schaller have all signed up to participate in this year’s event! Rollins, Gallagher, and Giordano are veterans of the Jack & Back, with this year’s race being their 5th Jack & Back.

Training for ‘Jack’ is tough- cyclists have the option to ride either 57 or 75 miles during each day of the bike ride, with preparations for the race beginning months before!

Around 950 cyclists and 150 volunteers participate in the annual Jack & Back.
In 2009, the Mid South Chapter "raised over $2 million dollars, serving more than 8,400 clients in 107 counties across the state of Tennessee, northern Georgia, northern Mississippi, and eastern Arkansas."
For more information about the Mid South Chapter, please visit their website.

Honda Tops American-Made Index on Cars.com

The Cars.com American-Made Index
By Kelsey Mays, Cars.com

What Are the Top American-Made Cars?
Cars.com's American-Made Index rates vehicles built and bought in the U.S. Factors include sales, where the car's parts come from and whether the car is assembled in the U.S. We disqualify models with a domestic parts content rating below 75 percent, models built exclusively outside the U.S. or models soon to be discontinued without a U.S.-built successor.

Rank Make/Model U.S. Assembly Location Last Rank

1. Toyota Camry Georgetown, Ky.; Lafayette, Ind. 1
2. Honda Accord Marysville, Ohio; Lincoln, Ala. —
3. Ford Escape Kansas City, Mo. —
4. Ford Focus Wayne, Mich. —
5. Chevrolet Malibu Kansas City, Kan. 3
6. Honda Odyssey Lincoln, Ala. 4

Excludes hybrid variants (applies to Camry, Escape and Malibu). The Camry excludes the related Venza; the Accord excludes the related Crosstour.
*Quad cab and crew cab only. Excludes Ram 1500 single cab, which is assembled in Mexico.
Sources: Automaker data, Automotive News, dealership data, National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
__________________________________________________________
In today's global economy, there's no easy way to determine just how American a car is. Many cars built in the U.S., for example, are assembled using parts that come from elsewhere. Some cars assembled in the U.S. from strictly American-made parts don't sell well, meaning fewer Americans are employed to build them. Cars.com's American-Made Index recognizes cars that are built here, have a high amount of domestic parts and are bought in large numbers by American consumers.

Accord Up, F-150 Down
The Toyota Camry, which dethroned the Ford F-150 pickup in last year's AMI, remains at the top for 2010. But the No. 2 model, Honda's strong-selling Accord, surged unexpectedly. Since the AMI's 2006 inception, we've scrutinized two generations of Accords. In the past, Honda sold few imported Accords to U.S. buyers — "a percentage below 10 percent for many years," spokesman Ed Miller said — but the Accord spent several years with its domestic parts percentage in the 60s. That's not the case this year. With all Accords sold in the U.S. now assembled in either Ohio or Alabama, the Accord's 75 percent domestic content and strong sales came close to unseating Toyota for first place.

Full article here

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Supports 32nd Franklin Classic

On Labor Day, September 6, 2010, Mercy Children’s Clinic in Franklin, TN held the 32nd annual Franklin Classic, with proceeds from the fundraiser benefiting their clinical services. Mercy Clinic is a “comprehensive pediatric healthcare facility that serves thousands of children from 32 counties”, according to Event Director Jessica Perry. The clinic has been operating in the Franklin Community since 1999 and, as a non-profit organization, relies on fundraising events, such as the Franklin Classic, to keep its facilities open.

Events at the Franklin Classic included a 5k run, a 10k run, a 4k family walk, and a 1k children’s run. The 5k race winner was Donald Bowman, with a total time of 17:28. Jacob Carrigan placed second with a time of 17:45, and David Scott came in a close third at 17:55. In the 10k race, Scott Wietecha finished first with a time of 32:12. Additionally, there were activities for children in the KidZone, and Scat Springs performed live at the Classic.

The Franklin Classic is Mercy Clinic’s “largest fundraising effort… With an annual budget of nearly $3 million, 50% of which is raised through sponsors and donations, we're hoping to raise $100,000 through this year’s event”, according to the Franklin Classic event guide. Official figures will not be out for a few weeks. The number of race runners and walkers totaled over 3,000 and Perry estimates there were an additional 3,000-5,000 spectators at the event Monday morning.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive helped the clinic by donating $20 per test drive during the two registration days September 3-4. The test drives took race participants and volunteers around a short route, and were met with much enthusiasm. Darrell Waltrip Automotive donated over $2,000 to Mercy Clinic from the two days of test drives. In total, Darrell Waltrip Automotive donated $12,000 to benefit Mercy Clinic through sponsorships and other miscellaneous donations, including a $500 cash prize to the school that put together the largest team for the Franklin Classic.

Check out our photo collage on our website!

How to Read a Tire Sidewall | Autobytel.com

How to Read a Tire Sidewall
Translate the jibberish on your tire by Kirk Bell
http://bit.ly/cMuAQm


The typical tire size is expressed something like this: P245/45R17 93H M+S. Those numbers and letters can seem like Greek, so let's define them one at a time.

P: The first letter stands for the tire's intended use. P is the most common and it means Passenger. LT stands for Light Truck. An LT tire has a sturdier construction than a P tire, and it can carry a greater load, which we will talk about later.

245: The width of the tire, from sidewall to sidewall, in millimeters. A 245 is 245 millimeters, or 24.5 centimeters, wide. The tread width is actually somewhat smaller than the tire's actual width.

45: Aspect Ratio. This is the sidewall's height from the inside diameter to the outside diameter. It is expressed as a percentage of the width. A 245/45 is 45 percent as tall as it is wide, making it approximately 110.25 millimeters tall. As aspect ratios decrease, the tire's firmness increases. Smaller aspect ratios, such as 35 or 40 are generally reserved for performance tires on sports cars.

R: The tire's type of construction. R stands for Radial, and all new cars and light trucks today use radials. You may also see B in this spot for Bias Ply. Bias ply tires were used prior to the mid 1970s.

17: The tire's inner diameter, which matches the outer diameter of your car's wheels.

93: Load Rating. Load ratings range from 0 to 279 and each has a corresponding weight associated with it. A 93 load rating means that tire is certified to carry up to 1433 pounds at maximum inflation pressure. If a car weighs 4000 pounds, then each tire handles 1000 pounds with no passengers or cargo aboard. If you intend to tow a heavy boat or trailer, you should buy tires with a higher load rating. This will require some math to figure out the vehicle weight, the trailer weight, and the weight of a load you may carry inside the vehicle while towing. Add it all up, divide by four, and make sure your replacement tires have a corresponding load rating.

H: Speed Rating. All passenger tires have a speed rating expressed as a letter. Those letters and the corresponding speeds the tires are capable of are included in this chart:
S: 112 mph
T: 118 mph
U: 124 mph
H: 130 mph
V: 149 mph
W: 168 mph
Y: 186 mph
Z: over 186 mph

A Speed Rating is really an indication of a tire's ability to dissipate heat to avoid a blowout. Higher speeds mean greater heat buildup. Tires with higher speed ratings are constructed to handle heat better. In general, they also ride harder than tires with lower speed ratings. S-, T-, and U-rated tires are considered regular passenger-car tires. H- and V-ratings are reserved for touring tires, which are generally found on sport sedans. The Z rating is for performance tires found on sports cars.

M+S: Mud and Snow. This is an all-season tire. A summer performance tire would have no designation here.

Honda Begins Production of 2011 Odyssey Minivan in Alabama

LINCOLN, Ala. August 31, 2010



Honda marked the start of production of the all-new, Alabama-built 2011 Honda Odyssey minivan today with an end-of-the-line celebration that included participation by more than 1,200 associates at Honda Manufacturing of Alabama (HMA).

The Odyssey minivan has been the top-selling minivan in the U.S. for the past two years and is considered the benchmark vehicle in the minivan class. The completely-redesigned 2011 Honda Odyssey improves on its already award-winning, class-leading design with a more-distinctive style, higher fuel efficiency and greater interior versatility. Improvements to the fourth-generation Odyssey represent a new Honda vision for the "ultimate in family transportation."

"In about four weeks, our Honda dealers will have this new Odyssey on their showroom floor. But I don't think it will be there for long," said Vicki Poponi, assistant vice president of product planning for American Honda Motor Co. "Whether you're driving in Oregon or Orlando, Milwaukee or Mobile - everyone in this great, glorious nation of ours will know that every 'American Odyssey' has its roots right here in Lincoln, Alabama."

Tuesday's event at the assembly line celebrated the start of mass production of the new Odyssey, which has received a total makeover for the 2011 model year. HMA is the exclusive global production source of the Odyssey minivan, the Pilot sport utility vehicle and the Ridgeline pickup. The Lincoln plant also shares production of the Accord V-6 Sedan with the Marysville Auto Plant in Marysville, Ohio and builds the V-6 engines that power each model.

"What a beautiful vehicle we have created together," said Art StCyr, chief engineer for the 2011 Odyssey at Honda R&D in Raymond, Ohio. "It's called the American Odyssey because - for the first time - the Odyssey minivan was designed, developed, and manufactured in the U.S. What a great sense of pride that brings to all of us."

The 2011 Odyssey's more-aerodynamic shape with a lower roofline contributes to class-leading fuel efficiency; yet improved interior packaging maintains similar vertical functionality as the previous model. A wider stance creates a more accommodating interior while accenting the exterior's dynamic appearance. The 2011 Odyssey will go on sale this fall at Honda dealerships across the U.S.

Also, on Friday, Sept. 3, the $1.4 billion Lincoln plant will mark another milestone with production of the 2 millionth Honda vehicle to be built in Alabama. HMA employs more than 4,000 associates and has the capacity to produce 300,000 vehicles and V-6 engines each year.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive sponsors 32nd Annual Franklin Classic

Darrell Waltrip Automotive, Tennessee's #1 Honda, Volvo and Subaru dealer is the proud sponsor of the 32nd Annual Franklin Classic to be held on Monday, September 6, 2010. The proceeds of the event will benefit Mercy Children's Clinic, a nonprofit pediatric health care center where no child is turned away because of inability to pay.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive cares for the community it serves and is pleased to be associated with this event and the noble cause behind it.

• Waltrip Automotive is giving $500 cash to the school that registers the largest team (Register at www.franklinclassic.org).
• Come and test drive a Honda, Volvo, or Subaru car at Mercy Children's Clinic on Friday, September 3, 2010 or Saturday, September 4, 2010 and $20 will be donated to the clinic per test drive.

The Franklin Classic is Middle Tennessee's oldest race, drawing thousands of runners, walkers, and cheering fans to historic downtown Franklin. The events will include 5K & 10K runs, a 4K walk, and a 1K kids run.

Darrell Waltrip himself is the official 5K and 10K race starter. Participants and supporters can enjoy the free kids' zone, family activities, and live music in Franklin's main square during the event. Come and join Darrell Waltrip Automotive this Labor Day for the 32nd Franklin Classic!

Honda Graduate Program at Darrell Waltrip Honda, Franklin, TN

A sweet deal from Honda for your post-college life

Franklin, TN, August 16, 2010 – Darrel Waltrip Honda, a leading Honda dealer near Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee (TN), is pleased to offer Special AHFC APR Financing of 0.9% APR for 24-60 months on 2010 Honda Civic Coupe under the Honda Graduate Program.
The offer is meant for well-qualified buyers who qualify for the Honda Graduate Program criteria. The sharply styled, feature-rich Civic Coupe has a huge reputation for durability, quality and reliability.
Graduates with a master’s, bachelor’s or associate degree from a US accredited college or registered nursing school are eligible for the program. They should have graduated in the past two years or will graduate in the next four months. The customers must make minimum 5% down payment and should have no adverse credit history. They should have verifiable proof of employment or a firm commitment from an employer with a start date no more than 120 days from the date of the finance contract.
The offer is valid up to September 7, 2010, on new and unregistered 2010 Civic Coupe models and only on approved credit by Honda Financial Services through participating dealers. See Darrell Waltrip Honda for detailed official information of the program.
About Darrell Waltrip Honda, Franklin, TN
Darrell Waltrip Honda is a premier Honda dealership near Nashville in Franklin, TN. Specializing in Honda sales, finance, service and parts, Darrell Waltrip Honda provides high quality service to its customers. The dealership has an enormous collection of new, used, and certified pre-owned Honda models such as the Accord, Civic, CR-V, Element, Fit, Insight, Odyssey, Pilot and Ridgeline.
Darrell Waltrip Honda is a member of the Hendrick Automotive Group and Hendrickcars.com family.
Contact Darrell Waltrip Honda,
1430 Murfreesboro Road Franklin, TN 37067.
Phone: (800) 679-4157
Website: http://www.darrellwaltriphonda.com/

Darrell Waltrip Automotive is Hiring!

Darrell Waltrip Automotive is now hiring experienced salespersons!

Visit our YouTube page at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x7NwtyW2_0c or call Bill Kimbrough for more information: 1-888-254-6632 or at 615-516-3604!

No. 5 Mark Martin Hendrickcars.com Helmet Sweepstakes

Hendrickcars.com and Hendrick Motorsports have teamed up to provide one lucky winner one of the best looking helmets in the series. But you have to hurry; the Sweepstakes ends August 4, 2010.

Visit Hendrickcars.com to submit a sweepstakes entry. One lucky winner will receive the replica helmet signed by Mark Martin.

Martin’s 32 top-10 finishes and 38 lead-lap finishes at Pocono are the most for the NASCAR veteran at any racetrack. Meanwhile his 19 top-five finishes rank second -- just behind the 22 he has recorded at Dover. In June at Pocono, Martin started 14th and raced into the top-10 before being involved in a last-lap multi-car accident that left him with a 29th-place finish.

Don't Forget, visit Hendrickcars.com to register!! While you're there, search from up to 5,000 top quality pre-owned vehicles. Just like Jimmie Johnson, Jeff Gordon, Dale Jr. and Mark Martin say, it makes a difference when you drive a Hendrick car.

Search from thousands of manufacturer certified pre-owned vehicles and many CARFAX one owners (CARFAX reports are free on Hendrickcars.com).
Good luck in the sweepstakes!!

Darrell and MW at Daytona Speedway

(MW and DW at Daytona)

If you ever needed signs of the impending NASCAR Apocalypse, well here they are.
....as if DW's shirt alone wasn't scary enough.....

Below: DW and MW operating heavy machinery in Turn 1 of Daytona International Speedway this morning at 11am.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive's Detail Supervisor Receives Patriotic Employer Award

(Left to Right: John Gallagher and Justin Patton)

In June, Justin Patton, Darrell Waltrip Honda’s Detail Supervisor, received the Patriotic Employer Award from the Employer Support of the Guard and Reserve (ESGR) . The ESGR is a Department of Defense Agency and began in 1972. Patton was nominated for the award by his employee PV2 Jason Scott, who is currently serving in Iraq with TN ARNG’S 278th ACR. In addition to Patton receiving the Patriotic Employer Award, General Manager John Gallagher reaffirmed Darrell Waltrip Honda’s commitment by counter-signing the Statement of Support .

Carl Lambert, Area Chairman of Middle Tennessee’s ESGR states, “Your support and encouragement is vital to ensure the success of our men and women of the National Guard and Reserve”. Lambert has been the Area Chairman for Middle Tennessee ESGR Committee since December 2008 and states, “During that time, our committee members have presented 482 Patriotic Employer Awards to businesses and metropolitan/state/federal agencies within Middle Tennessee”. This shows the growing support in the Middle Tennessee area of employers regarding members of the National Guard and Reserve.

(Justin Patton and Bill Camargo)

Autobytel names 2010 Honda Accord Coupe one of the top 10 New Car Financing Deals for June

Autobytel states, “Honda reliability, great build quality, high resale value and a two-door silhouette make for quite an appealing combination in the Accord Coupe”. The Honda Accord Coupe retails at $22,555. Financing if purchased by 7/7/2010 is 0.9% for 24-36 mo. or 1.9% for 60 months.

Darrell Waltrip Honda in Franklin (Exit 65 off of I-65) is offering $20,995 for 2010 manual Accord Coupes through July 7th, with the same financing available!

The article continues to list Honda Accord Coupe features that set it apart from similar models, “The standard features of the base Honda Accord Coupe include 190-hp 2.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, 5-speed manual transmission, 4-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side seat mounted airbags, curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, airbag occupancy sensor, air conditioning, 17" alloy wheels, cruise control, ABS and driveline traction control, and stability control”.

Honda maintains a commitment to safety for everyone, “that means crash protection not only for our own drivers and passengers, but also for other vehicle occupants”.

Hurry in and test drive a 2010 Accord Coupe today! Financing offer ends July 7th!

http://www.autobytel.com/content/shared/articles/templates/index.cfm/article_id_int/8624

Introducing the 2011 Odyssey!!

The all-new 2011 Honda Odyssey is the ultimate minivan reinvented, re-energized and evolved. With its modern styling, spacious interior, and high-tech features, the new Odyssey almost demands a new category. Although it carries up to 8 passengers, there's nothing "minivan" about the Odyssey’s efficient-yet-sporty performance, available 10-way power adjustable leather-trimmed front seating, authoritative acceleration and all the thoughtful engineering you'd expect from a Honda.

Of course, the new Odyssey pushes the tech envelope further with available features like a 16.2-inch dual-view-capable ultra-wide DVD Rear Entertainment System with HDMI input, and a premium audio system with 12 speakers. Everything is gracefully held together by a lattice of user-friendliness and simplicity—just load it with family and friends, gear up, and go.

http://www.automobiles.honda.com/2011-odyssey/

Subaru and Darrell Waltrip Subaru Donate Happy Tales’ Care-A-Van

(Left to Right: Murray Johns, Jamie Putman, John Gallagher, & Kat Hitchcock)

Looking at the Wish-List located on the Happy Tales’ website, one can immediately see their ‘Pie in the Sky’ list, which includes two items: a used van and gift cards to various stores. Kat Hitchcock, the executive director, stated that Happy Tales had “discussed having transportation for their animal services” throughout the time she has been there, and even further back since their start-up in 1996.

Darrell Waltrip Subaru partnered to contribute a small amount per Subaru test driven to raise money for the van to be given to Happy Tales Humane. The van is a Honda Odyssey and “will be used to transport foster pets to adoption days”, according to the recent Tennessean article on the donation.

Kat laughingly recalls the incident that made her run out to the parking lot when she first saw the van and was given the keys, stating that she “had no idea” about the donation and thought that a cat had been injured.

Jamie Putman from Darrell Waltrip joined with Kourtney Horner of Happy Tales to surprise Kat with the van. The custom graphics on the van were provided by Murray Johns of 12-Point SignWorks.

All of us at Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo-Subaru wish many happy miles for Kat and the Happy Tales crew- there isn’t a better organization we could have helped!!

http://www.darrellwaltripsubaru.com/

http://happytaleshumane.com/

http://www.tennessean.com/article/20100618/WILLIAMSON01/6180301/Darrell-Waltrip-dealership-gives-van-to-Happy-Tales

http://www.12pointsignworks.com/

Spotlight: Habitat for Humanity House Built by Darrell Waltrip Automotive Staff

(Left to Right: Carmen Jackson, Bianca Jackson, & Beth Schaller)

Here is the link to the video on YouTube!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GlTj6fgeZUQ&feature=channel

Earlier in June, 6 members of the Darrell Waltrip staff helped construct a Habitat Home for Carmen Jackson and her daughter Bianca. The members of the staff included Beth Schaller, Tammy Padilla, Chaz Caldwell, Connie Cummins, and Bobby Groves. They helped paint the house, put up molding, worked on the roof, and cleaned the house for the family to move in on their dedication day.
Carmen and Bianca Jackson are originally from New Orleans; however, they lost their home during Hurricane Katrina and have since relocated to Franklin and have made Franklin their home. Carmen works for a local daycare and Bianca recently graduated from Franklin High School. They were selected by Habitat of Williamson County to receive assistance in owning their own home.
This is Darrell Watrip’s 8th Habitat Home to sponsor, and we already are getting ready for our 9th house to be built next year!
Congratulations to Carmen and Bianca- we hope you have many wonderful years in your new home and thank you to our staff for helping to make a difference in the Franklin community!

Darrell Waltrip Donates $16,700 to the Williamson County Chapter of the Red Cross

On Tuesday, June 8, 2010, Darrell Waltrip and General Manager John Gallagher of Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo-Subaru of Franklin Tennessee made a contribution to the American Red Cross for every new or pre-owned car sold from the dealership in May, with the contribution totaling $16,700. Darrell Waltrip Automotive seeks to give back to the residents of Franklin and the surrounding areas hit by the recent flood in early May.

The Williamson County Chapter of the American Red Cross serves Williamson, Hickman, and Humphreys counties, and the money donated will assist the Red Cross in providing vital services to the community regarding disaster relief. These services include “immediate emergency assistance such as food, clothing, shelter…for persons who have been affected by disaster”, according to their website. Executive Director, Susan Shreve, stated “this community really rallied” in response to the effectiveness of the community involvement for relief.

Shreve continued to state that the Williamson County Chapter of the Red Cross has “touched every corner of the community, from a distributing a bottle of water, to financial assistance, to meals”. The Red Cross, through community support, has provided “relief and hope” to the residents of Franklin and the surrounding areas.

All Red Cross disaster relief is free to individuals and is, “made possible by generous donations of time and money from the community”. Darrell Waltrip Automotive looks to give back to the Franklin community through this recent adversity and looks forward to continuing its support to deserving organizations that play a strong role locally. NASCAR champion Darrell Waltrip commented, “Thank you for letting us be a part of the relief effort”. The money raised by Darrell Waltrip Automotive will help assist maintaining services and programs provided by the local chapter of the Red Cross.

In addition to the contribution made to the Red Cross, throughout the month of May, Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo-Subaru of Franklin has worked to ensure that residents of the area were assisted in the recovery process by also offering Employee Pricing to flood victims on every new or pre-owned vehicle sold in May.

Darrell Waltrip’s convenient location just off exit 65 on I-65 in Franklin has always been an easy destination for vehicle maintenance over the years and Darrell Waltrip’s commitment to quality new and used vehicles has fostered a relationship with its customers that leads to continued loyalty. Particularly during this devastating time where individuals are looking at rebuilding their lives, Darrell Waltrip Automotive is working to ensure that customer satisfaction is still our primary goal.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive supports the economic recovery of the Franklin area through this donation to the Red Cross, embracing its position as a long-standing member of the community. With an estimated total damage to the Nashville area totaling over $1.5 billion dollars, Darrell Waltrip Automotive strives to assist families during this time.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive has been serving the Franklin area since June 1986, and is located just off exit 65 on I-65 in Franklin. Darrell Waltrip’s commitment to quality new and used vehicles has fostered a strong relationship with its customers. During this recovery period, Darrell Waltrip Automotive would like to thank its customers for their continual support and for helping us give back to the Franklin community!!

Everybody Knows Somebody Who Loves a Honda

Do you know someone who loves a Darrell Waltrip Honda??
We love our Service Team!

The Honda Civic Tour is Back!

The Honda Civic Tour is back! This year the customized Civic SI has been styled by the band Paramore. To see more details on the car or to enter the sweepstakes, visit http://automobiles.honda.com/events-and-sponsorships/civic-tour.aspx

Ultimate Speed Go-Kart Event!

Watch Jeff Gordon race sponsored teams at the Jeff Gordon Foundation Ultimate Speed Go-Kart Event on Wednesday, May 26th, in Charlotte! Purchase your ticket today and help support the Jeff Gordon Children's Hospital!

Click here to purchase tickets!

Hendrick Motorsports All-Star Hospitality Event

If you're going to be in the Charlotte, N.C. area on May 22nd, make sure you stop by the All-Star Hospitality Event.

Dale Jr. is granting his 200th Wish for Make-A-Wish®. To commemorate this event, The Dale Jr Foundation (TDJF) will be hosting a hospitality event on May 22nd at the All-Star Race in Charlotte, N.C. All proceeds will benefit TDJF and Make-A-Wish Foundation in Central and Western North Carolina.

The event features pre-race hospitality with food and drinks, pit tours, pre-race access to All-Star festivities. Additionally, festivies will include, goody bags, raffle prizes, a performance by CREED, and a question-and-answer session with Dale Jr.!

Hendrickcars.com Race Suit Sweepstakes!

Enter to win Mark Martin's race suit from the Kobalt Tools 500! The race is scheduled for 3/7/10 and will be held at the Atlanta Motor Speedway.

To enter visit http://www.hendrickcars.com/.

Don't forget to check out the new specials we have at Darrell Waltrip Honda!

Introducing the CR-Z Sport Hybrid Coupe

Have a look at the official unveiling of the 2011 Honda CR-Z at the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit. Don't forget to check out our current deals at Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo-Subaru!

In 2008, Yahoo! created a brand-new award to recognize the number-one car on Yahoo! Autos. The criteria were user interest, intent and satisfaction, and the winner was the Honda Accord Sedan. Yahoo! noted that "[w]hile the head-turning styling and spirited performance appeal to the senses, other amenities of the Accord Sedan address rational concerns. Besides Honda's emphasis on great efficiency, the Accord boasts numerous standard safety features, including electronic stability control, six airbags and anti-lock brakes."

-http://automobiles.honda.com/accord-sedan/reviews.aspx