AutoNation, America’s largest automotive retailer, announced today that it has teamed up with IndyCar Series Champion Ryan Hunter-Reay to support his Racing for Cancer charity.

Ryan founded the 501(c)(3) charitable organization following the 2009 passing of his mother due to colon cancer. AutoNation’s primary charitable focus for the next two years will be cancer awareness and prevention, and Ryan’s charity will play a key role in that program.

“All of us are touched by cancer in some way and we’re proud to join forces with Ryan in the race to help conquer this disease. We’re looking forward to committing our efforts and the efforts of our 21,000-strong team of associates to the fight,” said AutoNation Chairman and CEO Mike Jackson. “Through his professional outreach and personal involvement, Ryan has demonstrated an amazing commitment to fighting cancer and we hope that the contributions we’re able to make will bring us across the finish line that much faster in the battle to defeat cancer.”

The main goal and mission for “Racing for Cancer’s” is simply to help “beat cancer.” The organization consists of motorsport fans, sponsors, teams and others. With the support of AutoNation, Racing for Cancer will have 21,000 team mates in 15 states.

AutoNation will participate in race-related events in a number of markets coast-to-coast, including Long Beach and Northern California; St. Petersburg and South Florida; Fort Worth and Houston, Texas; and Baltimore, Maryland. The company also expects to add Phoenix, Seattle, Atlanta, Las Vegas and Denver to the list, with additional cities to be announced.

Start off your own Cindo de Mayo by either volunteering during a race or run it yourself. The Color Run 5K is coming to Fort Lauderdale and Riverwalk Fort Lauderdale is delighted to announce that it has been selected as the partner charity for the event.

The Color Run 5k is a one of a kind experience that is less about who finishes first and more about enjoying a color crazy day with your friends and family.

Join AutoNation Team Captain Jonathan Schwartz for The Color Run to benefit Riverwalk, Inc. on Sunday, May 5th at 7:30 a.m.

All participants are welcome. Wear white shirts at the start line and remember – you’ll get blasted with color at the end of the race.

Sign up here.

Want to feel like a superhero? Well, now you can dress up like one and run around Fort Lauderdale as a hero to kids in distress. What are we talking about here exactly? The Kids In Distress Hero 5K run.

Created by USATF, the Kids in Distress Hero 5K walk/run is a course event that takes you through Downtown Ft. Lauderdale. You are basically the Heroes of Kids In Distress, so you are encouraged to dress as your favorite superhero or inspirational figure! A prize will be awarded for the best costume and best team theme.

Join the AutoNation team for the Hero 5K Run/Walk to benefit Kids in Distress on Thursday, May 2, 2013 at Huizenga Plaza. We encourage you to be creative!

You can register online at www.walkforkid.org. AutoNation will pay for your registration fee. Use the AutoNation Code in the “Discount Code” box near the drop down selection for the t-shirt sizing: AN2013 (Case sensitive). The registration deadline is April 30th so you better hurry!

The race starts at 6:30pm Runners / 6:35pm Walkers.

If you have any questions, please contact our team captain Maria Sheffy.

Mercedes-Benz Corporate Run is celebrating its 28th year this year with courses planned for West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale and Miami.

“We look forward to once again being the “first step toward fitness” or an office tradition for employees and their company,” the organizers said in a statement. “The benefits and enjoyment of adding fitness to your life are numerous and well known and TeamFootWorks is proud to be involved in that process.”

Some of our very own AutoNation employees will be joining the run to celebrate the brand’s class-leading vehicles.

Besides just being healthy and fit, the run will also have a bunch of giveaways and goodies – so make sure you come out and join the runners.

Check out the full list of runs here.

In April 2001, the Broward Child Welfare Initiative – a group of business leaders, educators, government leaders, social service providers and citizens committed to helping improve the foster care system. The group would eventually become known as FLITE.

Coming up on their 12th anniversary, FLITE, with the support of AutoNation, Inc., is helping the youth who are making the exciting transition out of the foster care system into their own apartments by providing them with some essential household items.

Your gifts are greatly needed and appreciated – and the best part is you don’t even have to be an AutoNation employee to lend a helping hand. Share the link below with your family and friends to help these wonderful and strong-willed 18-year olds. Items can be placed in the designated gift area or shipped directly to the FLITE Center.

Act quick because the drive ends April 1st.

Target Registry Link.

Who you gonna call? We’re pretty sure you’ve been hearing the tagline on the radio or while watching the latest episode of your favorite show on TV. Although many are familiar with the Maroone name, we have now adopted ‘AutoNation’ as our only name to help us brand ourselves from coast to coast, under one flag.

“The launch of the AutoNation brand unifies us under one flag, AutoNation, rather than as local market brands,” explains AutoNation CEO Michael Jackson. “Since my arrival we have laid a foundation for this transition by investing more than $3.7 billion in facilities, developing best practices in our stores and Shared Service Center and completing strategic acquisitions across the country while focusing on the customer as our number one priority.”

With over 43 million satisfied customers, AutoNation owns and operates over 260 dealerships, selling 32 brands across 15 states.

While we are now known only as AutoNation, we are still America’s largest automotive retailer with a heavy focus on meeting our customer’s needs.

So who you gonna call?

Like most people, Russell Ball needs a little pick-me-up before starting work. So, Russell listens to music in his car just before a busy selling day at Libertyville Toyota. However, unlike most people, Russell has a debilitating disease that requires him to use a wheelchair or crutches to get around the store.

But what might hold anyone else back, has made Russell stronger. For 15 years, Russell has worked six days a week selling cars. His dedication and passion has led him to become a top performer at the store and a true inspiration to all of his fellow Associates.

To show our appreciation, AutoNation has recognized Russell Ball as one of the winners of our Chairman’s Answer the Call Award. To celebrate his award, Libertyville Toyota threw a party for Russell. Congratulations.

Fort Myers Toyota is known as “The Family Store.” Store Associates, Chris Owens and Bob Ferguson, took that saying to heart when dealing with a Customer’s unfortunate situation.

One day, a Customer drove to the store with smoke coming from her engine and coolant leaking everywhere. The Customer was on monthly disability, had no credit cards and only $40 in her wallet. This car was her only mode of transportation and she was fearful that she was going to lose it.

Bob, a team leader at Fort Myers Toyota, calmed the Customer down and had Chris, a technician, look at the vehicle. They quickly diagnosed the problem, bought the parts and serviced the vehicle, all free of charge. The Customer was ecstatic, calling Bob and Chris “blessings!”

For treating this Customer like family, Bob and Chris received the Chairman’s Answer the Call Award from AutoNation’s CEO Mike Jackson. This prestigious award is given out to any Associate who goes above and beyond for our Customers.

The statistics are staggering. Drivers who text are 23 times more likely to crash their vehicle than a non-distracted driver. One out of every four teenagers admits to texting while driving. It’s a recipe for disaster. It’s time to drive change and STP TXTing & DRVing.

That’s why AutoNation and former Florida Atlantic University, University of Miami and Miami Dolphins football coach Howard Schnellenberger, are committed to make our roads safer with a free android phone app, from FreeSafeText.com.

Sample screen images from the FreeSaftText.com app.

Available for Android phones, the free app helps prevent distracted driving by placing your smartphone in quiet mode as soon your vehicle reaches 10 miles per hour. The phone automatically responds to incoming messages with the text: “I received your message but I am driving now, sponsored by: Save Lives, Earn Rewards.” The free app also provides rewards for its user from corporate sponsors committed to eliminating texting while driving accidents.

AutoNation and Coach Schnellenberger are determined to end texting while driving.

With your Android SmartPhone, scan this QR code to download the free app. If you are a iPhone, Blackberry or other SmartPhone user, the technology is pending.

To download the free app, scan the QR code above or visit FreeSafeText.com.

Accidents happen, and when they do you know to give our collision centers a call. But did you also know we can fix minor repair items?

Whether your car was attacked by a shopping cart, hit by a foul ball at a Little League game or the paint is fading thanks to the grueling sun, our collision centers have certified technicians and state-of-the-art equipment to handle all the repairs.

In addition to major collision repair, we can also perform the following work:

• Dent repair
• Bumper repair
• Painting and color matching
• Frame repair and replacement
• Suspension and wheel alignment
• Paintless dent removal
• Glass repair and replacement

But here’s the best part. Since we’re part of AutoNation, America’s Largest Auto Retailer and collision repair provider, we stand behind all of our work. All of our repair work is backed by a Lifetime Guarantee. Plus, AutoNation works with all the major car insurance providers.

So, if your vehicle is hit by a car or a shipping cart, who you gonna call? To schedule an appointment at the AutoNation Collision Center near you, click here.