J.D. Byrider

Knoxville Franchisee, Corporate Office Thank Community for Assistance after May Fire

On May 7, a fire caused major damage to the J.D. Byrider dealership at 8413 Kingston Pike in Knoxville. However, due to significant efforts by Knoxville-area fire personnel, there were no injuries to employees and the building was salvageable.

To thank the community for their assistance during and after the fire, Knoxville franchise owner Vince Keller donated $1,000 to local charitable organization FISH Hospitality Pantries, and J.D. Byrider’s corporate office is matching the gift for a total donation of $2,000.

Each month, FISH Hospitality Pantries – a non-profit, all-volunteer organization – provides food packages to more than 11,000 families in four Knoxville locations and more than 2,000 families from locations in Claiborne County and Knox County.

“The local community has been extremely helpful during the past month as we have worked to get back in business,” said Keller. “Donating to such a worthy organization is the least we could do to thank Knoxville and area fire personnel for the work they put into saving our store.”

“We are grateful no one was seriously injured during the fire and a portion of the dealership was saved,” said J.D. Byrider CEO Steve Wedding. “Knoxville has been a great community for business, and we are proud to give a donation to FISH Hospitality Pantries to thank the community for their assistance.”

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Kinser Collects Fifth Win, Schatz Earns A Pair of Podium Finishes

Winners

Wednesday      Joey Saldana of Kasey Kahne Racing

Thursday         Steve Kinser of Tony Stewart Racing

TSR Results  Wednesday

Donny Schatz (Started 2nd, Finished 3rd)

Steve Kinser (Started 8th, Finished 10th)

Tony Stewart (Started 11th, Finished 24th)

TSR Results Thursday

Steve Kinser (Started 2nd, Finished 1st)

Donny Schatz (Started 12th, Finished 3rd)

Tony Stewart (Started 14th, Finished 10th)

Luck has a way of finding you in Las Vegas. Tony Stewart Racing’s Steve Kinser entered this week’s two-night Las Vegas World of Outlaws (WoO) Nationals presented by J.D. Byrider hoping to continue his incredible start to the 2011 WoO campaign, while his TSR teammate, Donny Schatz, was seeking a change in fortune after struggling in the first five races. The cards turned out in the favor the TSR contingent was aiming for as Kinser raced to victory in Thursday night’s 30-lap A-Feature finale, while Schatz parlayed a strong third-place finish in Wednesday night’s opener with a charge for 12th to third on Thursday night. The wild card of the program was the results of two-time NASCAR Sprint Cup Series, Tony Stewart, who jumped in a third TSR entry and raced his way to 10th-place finish in Thursday night’s 30-lap A-Feature finale.

Kinser is off to one his best career starts in WoO competition, winning four of the first seven main events. In his second season driving the TSR No. 11 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/ Chevy Maxim, “The King of the Outlaws” is setting a blistering pace. Following Wednesday night’s 10th-place finish, Kinser was determined to be a factor throughout the night on Thursday. He earned his first fast qualifier award of 2011 by turning a lap of 15.119 seconds around the half-mile dirt oval. He finished second in the dash and took advantage of his outside front row starting position in the 30-lap main event by grabbing the lead at the drop of the green. The 20-time WoO champion set a terrific pace in the race, which was only slowed by a pair of late caution flags. In the end, he fought a last lap challenge from Joey Saldana, Wednesday night’s winner, and Schatz, to score his seventh win at the Las Vegas oval and 566th career WoO A-Feature win.

“Any win is a good win, but you always like to be the guy standing here at the end of the night,” admitted Kinser, who added to his point lead with the triumph. “We didn’t have a very good night on Wednesday. We got involved in a couple of crashes and ended up hurting a car, so the Bass Pro Shops crew worked hard all day putting a new one together. It’s a really fast car and this is a great way to thank them. We also wanted to do well for everybody involved with this Tony Stewart Racing team. Tony’s been racing with us and we had some people from J.D. Byrider here. It’s always nice to do well when the people making this all possible are here to enjoy it with you.”

Schatz ventured to Las Vegas looking for a change of luck after scoring only one top-five finish in the season’s first five races. He quickly served notice that the TSR No. 15 STP/Armor All/Chevy J&J was going to be a factor. In Wednesday’s qualifying session, Schatz turned the fastest lap of the night to capture his first fast time award of the season. He would later finish second in the dash and challenged eventual winner Joey Saldana in Wednesday’s 30-lap A-Feature, before eventually finishing third.

Wednesday’s results were building blocks for a strong run on Thursday night for Schatz. An early qualifying slot hindered his chances at a second straight top qualifier award, and he ended up14th overall. The results of qualifying earned Schatz a mid-pack starting position in Thursday’s main event. The four-time WoO champion made one of his patented charges during the first 20 laps of the race. He worked his way up to third and made several bids for second. With three laps to go a caution bunched the field, Schatz restarted third and continued his battle for second with Saldana and Sammy Swindell. On the final restart, he made a final run at Saldana and Kinser, but couldn’t make the low groove work and he followed the duo to the finish line.

“We made some progress and will take a couple top-three runs,” said Schatz.  “I don’t know if we needed the late yellows either night. It seemed like we were closing in on Joey the first night, and tonight I was coming to Steve and Sammy. Maybe the lapped traffic would have played into our favor. It didn’t work out that way, so we’ll take what we got and keep working until we get that first win.”

The mid-week races provided Stewart, who is in town to compete in Sunday’s Kobalt Tools 400, the chance to join his TSR drivers in action with the World of Outlaws for the first time since last July. He was fast behind the wheel of the TSR No. 11 Bass Pro Shops/J.D. Byrider/ Chevy Maxim topping the speed charts in several practice sessions. In Wednesday’s program, he timed in sixth overall, but only completed four laps in the main event after a mechanical problem forced him to end his race prematurely. The following night, he went out extremely early and didn’t quite make the lap he hoped to and ended up 16th fastest. A fifth-place finish in the first heat earned the Columbus, Ind., native the 16th-starting spot in Thursday’s finale. He ran a smooth race, working his way forward to finish 10th.

The results of the Las Vegas World of Outlaws Nationals presented by J.D. Byrider improved Kinser’s lead in the 2011 WoO championship standings. He has 1018 points and leads Saldana by 35 markers. Schatz remains sixth in the standings and trails Kinser by 93 points. The TSR teams will return to action on Saturday, March 12 at Silver Dollar Speedway in Chico, Calif., for the Mini Gold Cup Race of Champions.

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Buying a used car can be a better bargain than new cars in many ways, particularly when it comes to price and depreciation. Used cars tend to be more affordable to insure as well. And, unlike in a new car showroom, it’s possible to buy a used car that’s fully loaded at a price comparable to a basic model.

But what about reliability? New cars aren’t perfect – some models have problems immediately upon release. But for many consumers, particularly those with no mechanical expertise, buying a new car feels safer because there’s a lower chance of needing costly repairs right away.

No car is completely worry-free, including new cars. However, you can take steps to ensure that you buy a used car that’s reliable. One important way is to find out what process your prospective used car dealer uses to select cars. Are the dealer’s buyers selective, or do they turn over trades from all customers, no matter the condition of the vehicle?

Another important indicator is whether or not the dealer offers a branded title check. This service can help you determine whether or not the vehicle has been damaged previously.

Does your dealer sell cars on an “as-is” basis, or do customers get a warranty when buying a used car? And does the dealer provide service? Generally, dealers who stand behind the cars they sell and offer vehicle service are selling a higher quality used car.

If you’re thinking of buying a used car, find out more about J.D. Byrider. We offer quality vehicles backed by a warranty. We can also service your car. Visit us online to find the dealer nearest you.

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Recently, we noted that used car websites have seen an increase in traffic and observed that used cars are generally a better bargain for several reasons, including these:

•    Used cars don’t lose their value at the rapid rate new cars depreciate.
•    The price of used vehicles is generally lower than new car costs.
•    Insurance premiums are usually more affordable for used cars.

According to this recent article, the current economic downturn caused an uptick in used car sales for another reason: credit availability. As you’ve no doubt heard in the news, the present economic crisis was caused in part by widespread unavailability of credit in many market sectors. It’s much tougher these days to get traditional bank financing for a variety of necessary items, including homes and cars but J.D.Byrider is still financing people. This article features the story about our Las Vegas J.D. Byrider franchise and how their services are in high demand.

As the nation’s largest “buy here, pay here” franchise, J.D. Byrider offers financing when other car dealers don’t. We’re in business to provide good cars to people who need credit. That’s true when the economy is good as well as during challenging times. To apply for financing on line, please visit GoJDB.com.

Are you considering a quality used car purchase? If so, find out more about J.D. Byrider’s credit program. Visit us online to find the dealer nearest you.

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Proper maintenance helps you keep your used car running strong. It’s also important for safety reasons. Here are some tips to help you keep used cars and trucks in great shape:

•    Change wiper blades regularly. Clear, unobstructed vision is a must when you’re on the road. Unfortunately, many people don’t think about their wiper blades until they’re needed, which usually isn’t the best time to change them. Take a look at the blades on your used car to make sure they’re not cracked or peeling. If they show signs of wear, changing them is simple and affordable.

•    Change your anti-freeze periodically. Anti-freeze not only helps keep the fluid in your cooling system from freezing or overheating, it also prevents corrosion. Specifications for how often you should change your anti-freeze vary, with some manufacturers recommending a change every 30,000 miles and others claiming their fluid lasts for 100,000 miles. However, it’s probably a good idea to change it at least once a year as part of a maintenance routine.

•    Check your used car’s tire alignment occasionally. Proper tire alignment helps ensure used cars and trucks handle well and that tires have maximum traction on the road. Tires that are aligned are less likely to wear unevenly, and since tires can be expensive, it may be worth getting your alignment checked when you replace your tires to maximize their utility.

•    Make sure tires are properly inflated. Keeping tires on used cars and trucks properly inflated is one of the easiest — and most important — safety and maintenance tasks. If your tire pressure is too low, too much tire surface contacts the road, which can lead to premature wear or overheating and tread separation — and a blow out. Overinflated tires don’t provide the right amount of traction, so you’ll notice reduced handling performance. Tire gauges for used cars and trucks are inexpensive and widely available. It pays to get one and check your tire pressure frequently.

Don’t have a car to maintain? Consider a quality used car purchase from J.D. Byrider, the company that is committed to providing good cars to people who need credit. You can visit us online to find the dealer nearest you.

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Heart disease is the number one killer of Americans, and strokes rank third on the list. Studies prove that regular exercise reduces the risk of heart disease and strokes. That’s why the American Heart Association promotes an active lifestyle via the Start! Heart Walk program.

Since 2007, J.D. Byrider has been involved as a Cause Sponsor of the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk for the American Heart Association, with the goal of becoming a national sponsor of the American Heart Association.

In 2009, The American Heart Association Start! Program has created a new online community of “Sole-Mates” looking to walk their way towards better health. It’s called “MyStart! Community,” and it’s an online hub for people to find “virtual” or real walking buddies, teams, clubs, etc. They can share success stories, encouragement, tips, even photos.

To promote the launch of this new social media site, the American Heart Association conducted a media event in New York City’s Grand Central Station on Tuesday, January 6. The event featured two treadmills, placed side by side and “walking buddies” who exercised on the treadmills in 30 minute intervals, the amount of time the American Heart Association recommends for daily physical activity.

Jim DeVoe, Jr., J.D. Byrider CEO, and Jim England, president of The J.D. Byrider Advertising Group, walked on the treadmills as sole-mates representing the Indianapolis community and J.D. Byrider dealers across the country. Both men also became members of the MyStart! Community, and encourage all of their associates, franchise partners, families and friends to do so as well.

“This is a great day for J.D. Byrider and the American Heart Association,“ said Jim DeVoe, Jr. “I’m ecstatic that my first trip to New York could be for such an exciting and worthwhile cause. On behalf of our management team and our board of directors I just want to encourage everyone to think hard about being more heart-healthy. We’re a great family and we owe it to one another to take care of ourselves.” DeVoe also added, “I also want to thank my dad for getting us started (no pun intended) with the heart association. He was always a generous, caring man, and I plan to continue that tradition.”

“I’ve had the privilege of working with some great people during my career,” said England, who also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the American Heart Association/Indianapolis as well as a member of the Executive Leadership Team for the Indianapolis Start! Heart Walk. “I joined Byrider 10 years ago because of the people I met there. Every day I get to work with some of the smartest, most caring people I’ve ever known. It’s been an honor for me to have taken over Jim DeVoe, Sr.’s vision of working with the American Heart Association. I care a great deal about our brand, our associates, our franchisees and our customers. The Start! program is one of the most perfect ways for me to help each of those groups. We need healthy customers, associates and families!”

J.D. Byrider has a history of giving back to the community. In fact, the J.D. Byrider business model is based on providing services to an underserved market. That helping attitude has expanded outside the confines of the business environment. From Make-A-Wish to the Salvation Army to the Sunshine Kids to Habitat for Humanity to the American Cancer Society to the Leukemia Society to the Tony Stewart Foundation and many more, J.D. Byrider, its franchisees and associates have been involved with helping in communities all across the country.

J.D. Byrider participated in the Heart Walk in 2003, 2004, 2005 and 2006. In 2007, when the Start! movement was launched, Byrider got on board as a Cause Sponsor, and is signed up in the same capacity for 2009. We look forward to continuing our relationship with this incredible organization for many years to come.

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Well, it’s not quite as simple as that, but did you know you can complete a J.D. Byrider credit application online?  Just visit gojdb.com to begin the online credit application process and get approved for auto financing today.

Our online auto financing application process is safe. J.D. Byrider’s processing system is secured by ssl.com, which safeguards your personal information. That means you can submit your application without privacy concerns.

If you need auto financing for bad credit, our online application process is easy to complete – it takes just three short steps to gather the necessary personal, employment and credit information we’ll need to process your application. You can submit it in the privacy of your own home, and we’ll contact you via email to confirm the submission.

Since 1989, J.D. Byrider has been in the business of providing good cars to people who need credit. And now we make it easier than ever to apply for auto financing. If you have bad credit remember that you can visit gojdb.com anytime. See how fast and easy our online application process is by visiting the J.D.Byrider site now.

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Fall is in the air, and football season is in full swing. Halloween is right around the corner. That means it’s time to think about getting your vehicle ready for the winter. Whether you live in California or Massachusetts, Georgia or Indiana, it’s a good idea to winterize your car. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Check your wiper blades. Cold weather can be tough on windshield wipers. Freezing temperatures can cause the rubber wiper blades to crack and become less effective. Change your wiper blades if necessary, and make sure you have plenty of windshield fluid.
• Take a look at your tires. Depending on where you live, you may face more challenging road conditions during the winter, including snow and frozen rain. You’ll want to make sure your tires grip the road, so check for wear on the tire treads. In some climates, you may want to consider snow tires.
• Monitor antifreeze levels. It’s important to have the appropriate levels of antifreeze to protect your radiator. You can ask your auto service technician to check your antifreeze levels. Or you can purchase a tester at an auto parts store and check it yourself.
• Make sure you have the right oil. Some auto manufacturers recommend using a lower viscosity oil in very cold climates. Check your auto owner’s manual or ask your service technician if this applies to your car.
• Carry a cold weather kit. If it snows where you live, it’s important to make sure you carry an ice scraper in your car. A snow brush is also a good idea. Some savvy winter drivers also carry emergency supplies such as extra gloves, a heavy coat or blanket and sand or gravel to gain traction on icy roads.

No matter where you live, it’s important to get your car ready for the upcoming winter. These tips can help you get started.

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