Abilene Motors Magazine: Issue 4 by abilenemotorsmagazine

PAGE 10

DETERMINATION AND FAITH CHRIS JETER TURNED HIS DREAMS INTO REALITY WITH HARD WORK AND UNWAVERING FAITH PAGE 18

TOYS & CARS FOR A GREAT CAUSE 12TH ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS CAR SHOW AND TOY DRIVE BRINGS JOY TO THE COMMUNITY PAGE 26

SAWYER GOES RACING MECHANIC AT TOM’S TIRE PROS FINDS A NEW HOBBY FOR HIS SON THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYS PAGE 30

FEATURES

A YEAR TO REMEMBER ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE CELEBRATES 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY

PAGE 34

TEXAS DIESEL MADNESS TAKEOVER ABILENE DIESEL PERFORMANCE 2-DAY EVENT DRAWS HUGE CROWDS AT THE BIG COUNTRY RACE WAY IN ABILENE, TEXAS PAGE 40

KEY CITY TRUCKERS REUNION LOCAL CAR CLUB CELEBRATES 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT CAR SHOW IN ABILENE, TEXAS PAGE 48

PAGE 54

COOL CARS & DELICIOUS CANDY 2ND ANNUAL TOM’S TIRE PROS CARS AND CANDY TRUNK OR TREAT IS A HUGE SUCCESS PAGE 62

THE LAST CHANCE CAR CLUB A GROUP OF FRIENDS FORM AN AMAZING BOND THROUGH THEIR LOVE OF CARS

AUDIO HISTORY

PAGE 68

HOWARD RADIO HAS BEEN PROVIDING AUDIO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR OVER 65 YEARS IN ABILENE, TEXAS

LOCAL MILITARY VETERAN LOVES CLASSIC CARS

ALL I NEED IS MY HOT ROD

GET TO KNOW JOSHUA HAYNES FOUNDER OF ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE, LLC.

ounder and Creative Director of Abilene Motors Magazine, LLC, Joshua Haynes, is one of four brothers from Jeanerette, Louisiana. He lost his parents at the tender age of 3, in a terrible tragedy. This would change him and his brothers lives forever. As a teenager he attended five different high schools and had to move between different relatives’ residences. Eventually, he, along with his brothers, were placed in a foster home called Cherokee Home for Children in Cherokee, Texas. Even though childhood was tough for Joshua, he found solace in basketball and would play for hours to release stress. Nothing stopped him from envisioning a better future for his remaining family. All those hours of practicing eventually paid off for Joshua, as he became a standout basketball player at Cherokee High School. After graduating from highschool, he later received a bachelor’s degree from McMurry University in Abilene, Texas. There he studied business management and became determined to one day become a successful entrepreneur.

By 2014, he accomplished that dream and became the co-founder of a promotions company that would play a substantial role in bringing many prominent name artists to Lubbock, San Angelo, Amarillo, Wichita Falls, and Abilene, Texas. In 2017, he excelled even further by starting his own promotions company called West Texas Concerts, LLC. That same year, he hosted his ﬁrst country music concerts with country music legends like Travis Tritt and Lee Greenwood. These opportunities made him adore country music. Travis Tritt is now one of his favorite artists of all time. Since stepping into the promotions business in 2014, his concerts have sold over 40,000 concert tickets! He has had the pleasure of working with many amazing artists like Travis Tritt, Lee Greenwood, Temptations, and more. Humbly sharing these achievements with his partners, mentors, and investors make him feel blessed to be working with such amazing people.

“

MY MOTHER

BEVERLY SHELTON

JOSHUA HAYNES, GRANDMOTHER’ BETTY JOSEPH, BROTHER’S DANIEL HAYNES, CARROLL HAYNES & STEPHEN HAYNES

I wanted to share my story to inspire someone who may be on the verge of pursuing their dreams, and taking that leap of faith. I want them to know, it is not where you are from but where you are going. Never let your past determine your future.”

very milestone and victory he achieved wouldn’t be possible without their constant support and guidance. These victories would be meaningless without his loved ones and supporters. Now, at 36 years of age, Joshua wanted to use his business and life experiences to create a platform that helps others. This feeling left a constant ache in his heart, which made him take the leap of faith of starting a new business. All he wants to do now is to spread optimism and inspiration when the world needs it most. With the foundations of Abilene Motors Magazine being based on faith, Joshua is indeed proud of his vision.

Launching a startup company during a pandemic and recession might seem extremely risky to many, but the timing could not be better when it comes to this magazine. Joshua aims to inspire with articles of faith, philanthropy, perseverance, determination, and more. All while providing advertising services to local businesses and forming bonds that will last even after these diﬃcult times are over. Here he expresses those feelings: “Abilene is an amazing city with so many wonderful people. I am honored to share their stories with the community I have grown to love.”

WITH JOHN STAMOS

WITH LEE GREENWOOD

WITH TRAVIS TRITT

Creative Director & Founder: Joshua Haynes Graphic Designers: Alexander Kuyanov, Lead Photographers: Christopher Mawson, Lead; Shaye Evander Van Horn; Riley Smith; Gordon Bartlett; Katlynn Thomas; Jalen McGee; TWOFIVE3SHOOTER Writers: Kanwan M. Umar, Lead; Federico Martinez Business Credits: ATG Cinema; Riley Webb Photography

ADVERTISING PARTNERS Potosi Live

Big Country Hardware

1-800-RADIATOR

Tom’s Tire Pros

Outlaw Automotive

Alliance Auto Auction

VIP Sports Getaway

Classic Auto Restyling

Torres Auto Glass

Longmire Plumbing

Statewide Pools

Safe Charters

ServiceMaster Restore

First National Bank

Airtite Windows

Abilene Diesel Performance

Garbo’s Locksmith Service Blue Twisted Steel

Precision Turf Management West Texas Water AutoCheck Plus Smith Outdoor Power Equipment Howard Radio

ADVERTISE WITH US Abilene Motors Magazine is a digital and print, quarterly publication. We provide innovative marketing and advertising solutions to help your business grow, attract new customers, and increase sales. Both automotive and non-automotive businesses have chosen to advertise with us. For more information give us a call today at 325-232-5927 or send an email to Joshua@abilenemotorsmagazine.com. Abilene Motors Magazine is published quarterly by Abilene Motors Magazine, LLC. Abilene Motors Magazine may not be reproduced in whole or in part without written permission from the publisher. All rights reserved, printed in the U.S.A.

DETERMINATION TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR † PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

ABILENE, TX - The journey of life is a marathon, not a race. There are many ups and downs. If you are lucky to find someone to join you on this adventure, it makes it a little bit easier. Though you will face many obstacles on this journey. You will soon ﬁnd out that if you work hard, build the right relationships, have faith in God, and surround yourself with great people, you can get through the toughest times. This was the case for Chris Jeter, the owner of ServiceMaster by A-Town Hi-Tech in Abilene, Texas. He was lucky enough to find the right person and it changed his life forever. Growing up in the U.S. military, Chis moved every few years and spent quite some time overseas, mostly in Spain and Japan. After graduating from high school, Chris joined the military and lived in Germany. In 1996, he received orders to move to Dyess Air Force Base. He now calls Abilene, Texas, his home. This is where he’s spent a big portion of his life. After leaving the military, Chris hit a roadblock. He was young, wasn’t making the best decisions and felt like something was missing. That was until he crossed paths with his future wife, Sharon. She helped (“forced” as he would put it) him set better morals and get his priorities aligned. “Without her I wouldn’t be the man I am today because I deﬁnitely wasn’t on the right path,” a grateful Chris says. “She is the best thing that ever happened to me”. The couple has been married for more than two decades and have both supported each other in all walks of life. Whether it’s business, family or self-improvement.

10 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

Chris also has a son named Jonathan, who is 25 and currently works for his company as a Project Manager. Sharon has 2 children, a daughter who turned 30 this year and a son who is 35. They also have 2 grandkids. Almost 20 years ago, is when Chris stumbled upon an industry he knew nothing about but would change his life. That is when he discovered that a local carpet cleaning and property restoration business called Steamatic, was hiring. At the time, he needed a job. His starting pay was

AND FAITH

CHRIS JETER TURNED HIS DREAMS INTO REALITY WITH HARD WORK AND UNWAVERING FAITH

$7.25 an hour. It wasn’t the pay he wanted but he also needed money and he knew that he wasn’t going to do this for the rest of his life, or so he thought.

After one year with this company, he had an opportunity to step it up a notch and join a large catastrophe team that traveled the world cleaning up major disasters.

Chris began to excel and stood out from his co-workers. He was frequently receiving praise from customers and ownership. When the company needed help with any disaster, they turned to him because he always made himself available. He also was very quick to pick up on what was going on and what needed to happen next.

The next four years he traveled around the world learning how to clean up, mobilize, manage and estimate large disasters, including; ﬂoods, hurricanes, tornadoes, bombings, and restoring historical buildings, items or even documents. He was now making more money and doing something he learned to love. ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 11

Chris soon realized that his family life was being impacted because he was spending so much time away from home. At that time, he only spent an average of about 16 days a year at home with his family. He knew he needed to make a change. This is where things started falling into place. His wife’s place of employment had a water loss and a local business needed help handling the situation and to their luck, the company was hiring. Here is what happened next: “So, I ﬁnished my job in the Cayman Islands. Flew back to Abilene, met with the owner and we worked out a deal. It was a huge pay cut but I saw the potential, and it didn’t take me that long to reach it.” Chris recalls. It was a great company that really invested in his formal technical training. That combined with his experiences is what made him a valuable asset to the restoration industry. After 5 years and 3 months with this company, it was time to move on.

“

Today, Chis now owns a property damage restoration company called A-Town Hi-Tech LP which is dba ServiceMaster by A-Town High-Tech. A vast network of experts providing both business and residential services including carpet cleaning, hard surface floor care, upholstery cleaning, disaster cleanup and restoration. They will have been providing these services for 50 years in the Big Country area come April of 2022. Chris always wanted to own his own company but didn’t want to start a new company and saturate the market. At the time, there were other similar businesses in the area. But, as soon as he heard a local business owner was interested in selling his restoration business, the late Mr. Gary Glenn, he wanted to know more. That particular business owner was technically an ex-competitor, who had always admired Chris. This is something he never knew until they met and in this same meeting he asked to purchase Mr. Gary Glenn’s company. These words, Chris will never forget.

After leaving the military, Chris hit a roadblock. He was young, wasn’t making the best decisions and felt like something was missing. That was until he crossed paths with his future wife, Sharon.”

Here is what the owner said: “Chris, do you know what 2 of the happiest days of my life have been… One, was the day you quit being my competitor and today, the day you’re asking to purchase my company.” “So, to know a competitor thinks so highly of me was pretty awesome. I still get goosebumps thinking about it today.” Chris said. His first year in business was very exciting. During that time, he would work closely with the team without them knowing his actual role. Similar to the TV show “Undercover Boss” no one knew, but the previous owner. This definitely helped him experience things on a micro level, and it worked like a charm. After officially becoming the owner, he doubled the revenue of the company the first couple of years. Today, the company has grown even more. In 2021, he has now increased the company’s annual revenue by almost 6 times.

Within 13 hours, I had a 53 foot tractor trailer, drying equipment, project managers, 75 supervisors, and even more workers. That all came to help me take care of our community.”

Earlier this year, there was a huge record-breaking snow storm that left many without water and electricity in Abilene, Texas. Being that it was a national disaster, it made equipment very hard to come by. In the background, Chris was making phone calls and ﬁghting to get equipment sent to Abilene. Through his hard work, he was able to get everything he needed for the customers he was able to service. The ServiceMaster family supports Chris in ways he couldn’t be supported if he was not part of a network. “Within 13 hours, I had a 53 foot tractor trailer, drying equipment, project managers, 75 supervisors, and even more workers. That all came to help me take care of our community.” Chris said. During the freeze, his team had to prioritize over 700 calls a week coming in. They chose nursing homes, hospitals and hotels because these places couldn’t shut down.

“

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 13

Behind the scenes they worked very hard to do any and everything they could to help the city they call home and love very much. Chris is extremely grateful for the support network ServiceMaster has and his team that worked day and night to help the community. This is something they will continue to do, day in and day out, 365 days a year. Chris says his business, family, and life would not be where it is today without God. He says faith has become his foundation in life. Attending church has been a big part of his family and his growth as well. He regularly attends Baker Heights Church of Christ and has been doing so for almost two decades. He openly gives credit to his wife who encouraged him to go to church and to be consistent. His growth as a Christian, has helped him become a better husband and business owner as well. His company, ServiceMaster by A-Town Hi-Tech is a Christian-based organization, and the name actually stands for “Serve the Master”. This is one of the reasons he went ahead and made the big decision when he ﬁrst bought the business to stay with ServiceMaster. Those core values let him know he was making the right decision.

14 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

Chris is extremely grateful for the support network ServiceMaster has and his team that worked day and night to help the community. This is something they will continue to do, day in and day out, 365 days a year.”

“

ServiceMaster by A-Town Hi-Tech’s mission is to provide the most outstanding service experience ever and is backed by following the company’s five values. Those values are their reputation, systems, education, experience, and guarantee. This is what gives the company an unmatched reputation in the community. The company focuses specifically on team building and training. The company invests on average $6,000 a year per employee in training and education for them to be able to be the best at what they do. This has definitely paid off too! They have been voted and recognized as one of Abilene’s best companies for over seventeen years of which fifteen years were consecutive. If you live in the Big Country area, you’ve probably seen one of the best company trucks in the city owned by ServiceMaster. It definitely stands out from the rest. Chris owns this beast. The 2016 Chevrolet one ton dually turbo diesel, was initially brought to pull some of the bigger trailers. Over the years, he has added his own flair to his “work truck”.

Much of the work was done locally; like the cool LED light system that was done at Danny’s Auto Clinic. The aftermarket trunk bed lining, rocker arms and suspension were done locally at Rhino Linings & Truck Accessories. The unique paint color is trademarked by ServiceMaster Restore and was done locally by Big Country Collision using an Imron paint that needs no waxing. Don’t get it twisted, it is a cool looking truck but a beast under the hood. For example, when the roads are covered with ice and everyone is advised to stay home. Chris loves to drive around helping people who are stuck in the snow with his fourwheel drive and chains. Now that is awesome! Exploration is human nature and most deﬁnitely interlinked with success, satisfaction and overcoming obstacles no matter how great. Seizing opportunities has almost always resulted in beneficial outcomes, or at least a fulﬁlled state of mind, free of thoughts of regret. Just like Chris, when you work hard, have faith in yourself and your dreams, anything is possible.

“

The 2016 Chevrolet one ton dually turbo diesel, was initially brought to pull some of the bigger trailers. Over the years, he has added his own ﬂair to his “work truck.”

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 15

TOYS CARS GREAT CAUSE &

FOR A

12TH ANNUAL TOYS FOR TOTS CAR SHOW AND TOY DRIVE BRINGS JOY TO THE COMMUNITY ABILENE, TX - Christmas arrived early for car enthusiasts during the 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show and Toy Drive - the biggest car show of the year in Abilene, Texas. Car lovers from all over the state of Texas ﬂocked to the event, which is also the longest running car show and toy drive in the Big Country area. This event supports a great cause as well. Car show organizers collect toy donations that are used to help the U.S. Marines’ Toys for Tots campaign in Taylor County. As their website states, the basic mission of this campaign is to collect new unwrapped toys and distribute those toys to less fortunate children at Christmas. Seeing so many people in the community getting together and taking pride in helping those who are less fortunate is truly amazing. Another part of the event that many people look forward to is the award ceremony. Right before, the car enthusiasts who registered their amazing rides received their awards. The U.S. Marines stand front and center, suited and booted. The national anthem is played and everyone pays their respect to the best ﬂag on the planet.

18 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

“

Christmas arrived early for car enthusiasts during the 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show and Toy Drive - the biggest car show of the year in Abilene, Texas.” ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 19

The 2021 iteration of this event marked the year for many broken records when compared to previous years. This year, there were over 700 toys donated to the car show. Close to $4,000 dollars was also raised and donated to the Marines. The car show even saw a record number of registered participants. Over 190 cars, trucks, motorcycles, and more from all over the state participated in this event. Which is a big jump from last year’s total of 132. It was hear twarming to see so many people in the community joining together to show off their rides and support a great cause. Hosting this lively event is the Big Country Car Clubs, a non-profit group made up of members from the local car clubs in the Big Country. Their main purpose is to help local car clubs with planning of local car shows and events. They also assist local car clubs with raising money for charities and awareness for local events. At this year’s car show, there were so many different makes and models, all types of cars, bikes, and lowriders. Anything that you could think of was there this year. From lifted trucks to bagged trucks, people even brought their unfinished projects for people to see what they are working on. You had a lot of older guys with street rods, which are the guys with the best stories to tell. And of course, the muscle cars were represented well as usual. There is a huge muscle car scene here in Abilene.

“

ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

Hosting this lively event is the Big Country Car Clubs, a non-profit group made up of members from the local car clubs in the Big Country.”

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 21

We got a chance to speak with Steve Longmire and Daniel Salsman, two of the many familiar club members at the event. The men explained how excited they were about this year’s successful event.

“They have to go through a class to make sure the cars are judged fairly. It is not a popularity contest.”

“We were excited to ﬁll up the U.S. Marines’ six ton truck with toys,” Daniel said. “This year’s success would not have been possible without the support of our event sponsors and the area people in the community that donated toys. With your help we were able to exceed expectations and help so many unfortunate kids.”

Big Country Car Clubs make sure that the cleanest, best prepared, best painted, best detailed cars win. The judging is taken very seriously because they want people to know that when your car is getting looked at, it’s getting looked at by trained judges. Steve takes a lot of pride being the judges’ supervisor. He says this job also has its perks, it gives him a chance to get up and close to some of these beautiful cars and see what a lot of people don’t see.

With so many things going on during the event, people sometimes think the car show is just there to ﬁll the spot. In reality the judging criteria is extremely serious. Steve Longmire, a Supervisor of Judges and Senior Judging Instructor of the Big Country Car Clubs, shared some key points regarding this: “We train our judges every 2 years,” Steve said.

If you missed this year’s show, mark your calendars for the next one. It is always the 2nd weekend of November. Big Country Car Clubs want to break every record again next year. This will only be possible with the support of event sponsors and the community. We deﬁnitely believe they won’t have any problems achieving that goal and making even more kids smile next Christmas.

22 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

Big Country Car Clubs want to break every record again next year. This will only be possible with the support of event sponsors and the community. We definitely believe they won’t have any problems achieving that goal and making even more kids smile next Christmas.”

“

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 23

SAWYER GOES RACING

TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON & KATLYNN THOMAS

MECHANIC AT TOM’S TIRE PROS FINDS A NEW HOBBY FOR HIS SON THAT THE WHOLE FAMILY ENJOYS ABILENE, TX - If Justin Thomas of Abilene, Texas had a motto, it would probably be something like, “The family that races together, stays together.”

The Ceniglis family, which owns the business, has been good to him and his family. That is why Justin says he has no plans to look for another job any time soon.

Justin’s son Sawyer, 6, is already a budding race cart driver, having racked up several racing awards in competitions throughout Texas. The story is similar to how racing created a special bond between Justin and his father when he was just a lad.

Growing up, Justin used to go and watch his dad race at the circle track. It’s a joy he’s starting to share with his son Sawyer who he takes to Outlaw Kart Racing on the weekends. It’s a trip that strengthens their father and son bond, just like it did with Justin and his father once.

Justin, who has been a mechanic for about 4 years at Tom’s Tire Pros. He says he loves his job because the fast paced environment makes the atmosphere really enjoyable and productive every day.

Sawyer started racing last April in the Young Guns Class, but recently moved up to the Junior Class, Justin proudly boasts. “He loves going fast and meeting new friends at different tracks,” Justin added.

26 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

Justin, who has been a mechanic for about 4 years at Tom’s Tire Pros. He says he loves his job because the fast paced environment makes the atmosphere really enjoyable and productive every day.”

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 27

Even at his young age, he is pretty competitive too. Sawyer has placed in several races in the state of Texas. Justin feels immense satisfaction in supporting his son and making these victories possible. “I feel very lucky to be able to do this sport with my kids,” Justin says. “ I love seeing Sawyer light up when he has a good race night.” When he’s not competing, Sawyer is your normal first grader. He likes playing football, baseball, reading, when he’s not playing with his Legos and Hot Wheels as well.

“

28 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

Racing does come with risks, both Justin and Katlynn are aware of the potential risk involved. So, they always keep a check on the safety equipment their son wears and has on the cart. All tracks have a good reputation for safety standards as well. As for the preparations, the family loads up the toy hauler, and swings by the grocery store, before heading to the track. Sawyer’s current cart is a trick chassis down tube. The cart motors are all Honda clones. His graphics were printed by Danny DeAnda with Danz Designs. All carts are custom-made for the drivers, including the chassis and all the metal work, and Sawyer’s cart features a rebuilt motor, as well as axles and steering, Justin explained. Most of this has been possible with the help of some amazing sponsors including Hunter Thomas with Rough Creek Taxidermy and Thomas Lawn Care, Joey Allsup and Karen Lisman with Homes by KL Designs, Alan Spry with Matco Tools, Danny DeAnda with Danz Designs and Johnny Brazell with Outlaw Karts & Parts of West Texas.

“

Although only 2, Evalynn loves to watch her big brother race. If she decides to join Sawyer on the race tracks someday, she has her parents’ full support. Who knows what this brother and sister duo could achieve together in years to come. As we all know, with your family’s love and support anything is possible. ”

29 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 29

R EM EM B ER ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE CELEBRATES 1 YEAR ANNIVERSARY TEXT BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON | JALEN MCGEE | TWOFIVE3SHOOTER

ABILENE, TX - This issue marks the one year anniversary of Abilene Motors Magazine. It was around this exact time last year that the first ever issue was released. At the time, Creative Director and founder, Joushua Haynes did not know what to expect because it was a new concept that had never been done on a local level. “When the first issue was released I was very nervous. I did not know how the magazine would be received by the automotive community. I had a great idea but these guys are hard core car enthusiasts and the car clubs are tight knit groups. They have known each other for many years.” Joshua said. Since the first issue was released in December of 2020, there has been an overwhelming positive response and local support of Abilene Motors Magazine. One of the main reasons is the human interest, story driven content that features local people that live right here in the community. People are now collecting and anticipating every issue that is released. “I meet people all the time now, that ask when the next issue is coming out. That keeps me motivated and excited about the future. I love getting to know the car club members and people in the area who just love cars. They treat me like I am a member too. Which is pretty cool. I love building those relationships. They have a lot of amazing local car groups.” Joshua said. Abilene Motors Magazine is a digital and print platform. They print thousands of magazines every quarter that are strategically distributed to their target demographic.

30 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

Their followers are able to get free copies at advertising partners’ business locations. Advertising partnerships allow Abilene Motors Magazine to give aways thousands of free copies every issue. The company is grateful for the support of local businesses. “Without the support of local businesses, there would not be an Abilene Motors Magazine. So, we are truly grateful for our advertising partnerships. They believe in our brand and our mission. They took a risk because it was new and different from what you would normally see on a local level. As we celebrate our one year anniversary, I am excited about the future. It is our mission to go above and beyond their expectations.” Joshua said. The 4th issue is a very special one because it is the company’s one year anniversary. It is also special because it is dedicated to honor two men who are not here with us anymore. This year, both Oscar Avila and Carrol Johnson passed away. They were both featured in the second issue that was released in the Spring of this year. “I would like to dedicate our 4th issue to both Carrol Johnson and Oscar Avila. These two men were loving fathers, business owners and more. Carrol Johnson loved drag racing but loved his family, even more. He was a great guy, a hard working, honest man. Oscar Avila was the owner of Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant. I would have lunch with him regularly and we became friends. On this journey I have met so many amazing people. I am blessed to have had the honor of sharing their stories with our community.” Joshua said.

Oscar Avila was the owner of Oscar’s Mexican Restaurant. I would have lunch “ with him regularly and we became friends.”

Carrol Johnson loved drag racing but loved his family, even more. He was a great guy, a hard “ working, honest man.” ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 31

TEXAS DIESEL

MADNESS TAKEOVER

34 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE 34 SPRING ISSUE 42021 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

ABILENE, TX - Diesel fans have something to look forward to every year in the Big Country. This is because an event called Texas Diesel Madness is held locally, right here in Abilene, Texas. The team behind this amazing annual event is called Abilene Diesel Performance. They were motivated to create the event after noticing there was nothing similar in existence in the area. There was once a series called the National Hot Rod Association that got shut down a couple years ago. This slowly resulted in the diesel scene fading out a bit. So, the group decided to start their own event. This year, Abilene Diesel Performance is hosting their third annual event. Texas Diesel Madness, which has given diesel scene fans something to look forward to. The event is now thriving exponentially with the growing number of participants and audience year after year. The ﬁrst ever Texas Diesel Madness was held in July, 2019. The second event was in October, 2020. This year, the event took place on October 15th and 16th. Scotty Bergeron is the event founder and owner at Abilene Diesel Performance. He takes pride in all that the event has achieved. “We have seen this event grow and have had nothing but positive feedback from all the spectators as well as racers over the ﬁrst three years,” Scotty said. If you live in the Big Country area, you likely have heard of Abilene Diesel Performance. It is located at 3001 E Hwy 80, in Abilene.

Diesel fans have something to look forward to every year in the Big Country. This is because an event called Texas Diesel Madness is held locally, right here in Abilene, Texas.”

“

TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR PHOTOS BY SHAYE EVANDER VAN HORNE & RILEY SMITH

ABILENE ABILENE MOTORS MOTORS MAGAZINE MAGAZINE | SPRING | ISSUE 20214 35

They have abundant experience in the diesel game and are recognized as one of Abilene’s leading Diesel Performance and Repair Shops. As well as custom exterior and interior builds, they can work on just about any make and model. They even build their transmissions and motors in-house. So, if there is ever an issue, it’s much easier to get warranty work done - which is why they conﬁdently offer one of the best warranties in the area - a 2-year unlimited mile warranty on just about all repairs. The entire team at Abilene Diesel Performance is super optimistic with the expected growth of the event for next year and the years to come. One more thing they’re pumped about is being able to host this yearly event at the Big Country Race Way in Abilene, whose operators are also huge supporters of the event! There are several activities that take place on both event days. With a frenzy of local cars on Friday at the test-n-tune, and big companies with their booths all set up to interact with their fans. As well as potential customers to showcase their products and services. There’s also a dyno available on both days where participants compete for the biggest power numbers and prize money. All this and more is why the turnout has always been impressive to say the least.

36 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

This year, the event took place on October 15th and 16th. Scotty Bergeron is the event founder and owner at Abilene Diesel Performance. He takes pride in all that the event has achieved.”

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 37

In addition to the passionate participants and amazing races, the event features some of the fastest trucks, extremely energetic audiences, and an overall incredible vibe. That’s what the event delivers every single year. This past year’s competitions were drag racing, dyno competition, and shown-shine. They also did raffles, giveaways, and prizes. For the campers, they have RV spots available with electrical hookups so all the basic needs are catered. “This past year’s event doubled its audience compared to 2020,” said Scotty. He is also very thankful for the overwhelming support from the event sponsors, helpers, attendees and the participants for making this a memorable experience. The success has set the bar super high for 2022. Scotty and his team are already kicking things up a notch with big plans. We tried to get an idea for what was in store for next year, but he didn’t break and simply asked us to stay vigilant for updates. As he states here, “We aren’t ready to spill the beans just yet, but it’s going to be bigger and better. Keep an eye on the Facebook page.” So we’ll make sure we don’t have any commitments for the days this event takes place next year. We would also suggest everyone to do the same. This event is something you deﬁnitely want to experience!

38 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

The success has set the bar super high for 2022. Scotty and his team are already kicking things up a notch with big plans. We tried to get an idea for what was in store for next year, but he didn’t break and simply asked us to stay vigilant for updates.”

KEY CITY TRUCKERS R

LOCAL CAR CLUB CELEBRATES 35 YEAR ANNIVERSARY AT CAR SHOW IN ABILENE, TEXAS TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON & GORDON BARLETT

ABILENE, TX - Bonds grow stronger with the passage of time, and if destiny decides that a person is to part ways, there’s no stopping that. Since occurrences like these are bound by fate, with time we learn to accept them. Though it still leaves a void when the dearest people in our lives leave. 40 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

We should always find ways to remember the good times and cherish those great memories. November 13th, marked the 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show and Toy Drive. It is the biggest car show of the year in Abilene, Texas! Car lovers come from all over Texas, to attend the event and support a great cause.

For one local car club, it was much more than that. It was the 35th Anniversary of Key City Truckers. They were established in 1986, for truck enthusiasts of all makes, models and years. With this year being their anniversary, it was fitting that the members arrange a reunion at the 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show and Toy Drive. The Key City Truckers utilized the event to pay tribute to two members that passed away, Dean Sullivan and Matt Guinan. With the blessings of their families, their beloved trucks were showcased at this year’s 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show & Toy Drive. Matt owned a flawless 56’ Ford. Dean owned a beautiful red 58’ Chevrolet pickup truck. We had the opportunity to take a closer look at the 58’ Chevrolet and it is a beauty.

“

For one local car club, it was much more than that. It was the 35th Anniversary of Key City Truckers. They were established in 1986, for truck enthusiasts of all makes, models and years.”

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 41

It was 35 years ago, when Dean Sullivan and Steve Longmire started the Key City Truckers on April 29th, 1986. So, this day was also very special to Steve Longmire who is the owner of Longmire Plumbing in Abilene. “To have some of these older trucks out and see all of the old Key City Truckers together, was pretty awesome,” Steve said. “Honoring the memory of Dean and Matt made this year’s event even more special,” he added. It was a very special day for the Key City Truckers, and one that they will never forget. By honoring both Matt and Dean, they show that their friendships are as powerful as the V8 engines in those beautiful classic trucks.

42 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

The Key City Truckers utilized the event to pay tribute to two members that passed away, Dean Sullivan and Matt Guinan. With the blessings of their families, their beloved trucks were showcased at this year’s 12th Annual Toys for Tots Car Show & Toy Drive.

“

It was a very special day for the Key City Truckers, and one that they will never forget. By honoring both Matt and Dean, they show that their friendships are as powerful as the V8 engines in those beautiful classic trucks.” ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 43

AUDIO HISTORY

HOWARD RADIO HAS BEEN PROVIDING AUDIO PRODUCTS AND SERVICES FOR OVER 65 YEARS IN ABILENE, TEXAS TEXT BY FEDERICO MARTINEZ | PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

ABILENE, TX - There’s a reason why the Howard Family name is synonymous with radio and automobiles in Abilene, Texas. Howard Radio has been operating for 68 years, an astonishing feat for any business, but even more so for a small business that employs less than 5 employees. Today, owner Robert Howard oversees Howard Radio. As the second generation owner, he still leans on the wisdom given by his late father RL Howard and grandfather WD Howard. Robert Howard was born at Hendricks Hospital in 1961 and raised in Abilene. A 1979 graduate of Abilene High School, he was raised 5 miles north in the country on a 150-acre farm.

48 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“My dad had quarter horses when I was younger,” Robert Howard said. “I got my first motorcycle at 7-years-old and have been riding them ever since.” Howard admits he never really had a choice but to be in the automotive industry. That’s because both his dad and grandfather owned automotive businesses. “During spring break and Christmas, while the other kids were out and about, I was here in this building at Howard Radio,” Howard recalls. After graduating high school, Howard attended TSTI in Waco, Texas for 2 years and earned an associates degree in electronics. He majored in 2-way radio.

“We used to do a lot of 2-way, business radio,” Howard said. “I learned a lot working here at Howard Radio; working with my dad for so many years. I did this to get more experience and knowledge about the business. You can say it runs in the Howard family bloodline.” The Howard Family has a deep history of relatives that excelled in the automotive industry and even the racetracks. Robert’s uncles, Gene and Carroll, built hot rods. His uncle Carroll won the Winter Nationals in 1957, with a hot rod he built. He was also a Navy pilot, and ﬂew jets as a commercial pilot for Eastern Airlines. Robert’s mother, whose name is Emma, once worked as a secretary at Howard Radio. Several family members have been part of the business throughout the years.

Robert’s daughter, Madeline Howard, was a secretary at Howard Radio for several years before she unexpectedly passed away in 2009. In 2017, Robert met his wife Gerra, who helped him down a new path, which included accepting Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior. His faith is the foundation that has gotten him through his toughest storms. “(Gerra) had a soup kitchen and on Wednesdays they fed people,” Robert Howard said. “One day I decided to volunteer and that’s how I met my wife. It was definitely ordained by God.” Today, Gerra Howard works as a nurse and Chaplain.

There’s a reason why the Howard Family name is synonymous with radio and automobiles in Abilene, Texas. Howard Radio has been operating for 68 years, an astonishing feat for any business, but even more so for a small business that employs less than 5 employees.”

“

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 49

These days, Howard Radio is led by his loyal staff members. Jessica, the office manager, has been employed since 2009. Robert calls her the “boss” because she runs the show. Brandon is his tech and has been with the business for 5 years. They’re all very hardworking and knowledgeable, and work great together, Robert adds. Like his ancestors, Robert has had a long, passionate affair with automobiles. His first car was a 67’ Ford Galaxie 500 four door. “I bought that car from the original owner in Clyde, Texas,” Howard said. “ It sat behind his house for 27 years. On the day I went to buy the car, I pulled it out of his backyard. Then I put the key in the ignition and it started right up to my surprise.” Robert still owns that car. In 2009, his closest friend Brian gave him a 63’ Ford Galaxie. Which is the car he decided to bring with him on the day of our photoshoot. To be specific it’s a 63 - ½ Ford Galaxie 500 Flashback 2 Door. It has a solid lift 6.4L/390 Big Block V8 engine, C6 automatic transmission, and bucket seats that he purchased at a swap meet. The center console came out of a 63’ Comet. His theme was a 60’s hot rod. You definitely get that feeling with the stickers on the windows, traction bars, and the distinct look without the hood.

It came out of a wrecking yard without a motor or transmission. It took a lot of time, money and hard work to get that car where it is today. Robert did a lot of the mechanical and electrical work on the vehicle himself. The origins of the family’s businesses began with Robert’s grandfather, WD Howard, and his father, Robert “RL” Louis Howard. His father, Robert “RL” Louis Howard built the original Howard Radio from the ground up. Right next door to his grandfather’s mechanic shop. He bought the land, tore down the old building, and built Howard Radio. Robert’s father ﬁrst opened Howard Radio in 1953. The original location was on Pine St. Right next door to his grandfather’s auto shop which was called Howard and Son Garage. Today, a local business called National Body Works resides at that location. “I have a lot of fun memories growing up in this business,” Robert Howard said. “My original goal was to harass my co-workers at 7 years old. I was the boss’s son. So, I could do no wrong. As I grew older I would go on service calls around town. We ﬁxed televisions, I would go around and pick them up. In high school, I got my 1st paycheck.”

50 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

In 1968, we moved into the business’s current location at 4235 North 1st St., in Abilene, Howard said. Robert officially took over ownership from his father in 1999. Since then, car audio has been their expertise. Their motto is the “One stop 12 volt shop”. They can pretty much handle anything 12 volts: Car audio, 2-way radio, ignition interlock, alarms, remote start, keyless entry, mobile video and more. Robert is also grateful for his military customers that support him. Many Dyess Air Force Base airmen are customers of Howard Radio. He loves talking to them about life in the military and what they do on base. This type of customer loyalty is why Howard Radio had been a staple in this community for many years. He learned from his father and grandfather to put the customer ﬁrst. This is why so many people love and respect his business for so many years. “I’ve probably got 2 or 3 generations of customers,” Robert Howard said. “My customers are like family and I have known a lot of them since the 70’s. There is no one that does what we do. That is one reason I keep the business open because who’s going to take care of them?” ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 51

COOL CARS & DELICIOUS CANDY

2ND ANNUAL TOM’S TIRE PROS CARS AND CANDY TRUNK OR TREAT IS A HUGE SUCCESS 54 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 55

ABILENE, TX - If you were in the vicinity of Tom’s Tire Pros on Halloween weekend, you probably saw a bunch of cool cars, trucks and motorcycles everywhere. All accompanied by kids running around in costumes of all kinds like Minecraft characters, Spiderman, police officers, fairies and everything in between. The parking lot was full of smiles, candy and excitement! This would be an accurate description of the 2nd Annual Cars and Candy Truck or Treat. People brought some amazing vehicles to showcase and hundreds of kids showed up as well. It was a great family oriented event with a mellow yet exciting vibe from start till end. We received some very positive feedback that was satisfactory and pleasing for us, to say the least. The fact that last year was the ﬁrst ever Cars and Candy Trunk or Treat, did make us hold our expectations back a bit this year. To say that we were pleasantly surprised how much of a hit the event was, is an understatement! The turnout simply exceeded our expectations with twice as many cars as last year and way more people who showed up to be part of the occasion. Just like last year, the event was hosted by our partnership with Tom’s Tire Pros, who are always a pleasure to work with.

56 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

People brought some amazing vehicles to showcase and hundreds of kids showed up as well. It was a great family oriented event with a mellow, yet exciting vibe from start till end. “

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 57

That is the very reason why our gratitude can never be enough for Tom Ceniglis Jr. and his wife Angie Ceniglis, the owners at Tom’s Tire Pros. Just like them, their staff also deserves all our admirations for the amazing job they did ﬂawlessly assisting with everything at the event. They even had staff members travel from their store location in San Angelo, to help out on the day of the event. We can’t say enough about their team. They are truly class acts!

This would not have been possible without the huge support of local car club members who showed up and showcased their amazing rides.”

“

58 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

This year, there were so many different types of vehicles at the event. There were vintage Mustangs, Camaros, GTOs, Corvettes, Challengers, and even buggies. There was both quality and quantity for sure. This would not have been possible without the huge support of local car club members who showed up and showcased their amazing rides! We can say this with absolute surety that the car guys had an amazing time at the event. To show them our appreciation, they received an exclusive one full year special discount at Tom’s Tire Pros! With a signiﬁcant difference in this year’s turnout and the event being a huge success. We are undeniably sure that the 3rd Annual Cars and Candy Trunk or Treat will be even bigger and better. So, don’t forget to mark your calendars and we hope to see you guys next year!

THE

LAST CHANCE CAR CLUB TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR

PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

A GROUP OF FRIENDS FORM AN AMAZING BOND THROUGH THEIR LOVE OF CARS ABILENE, TX - A group of individuals is not just identified by the similarities among all members, sometimes it’s more about the differences, and variations. These differences become the very reason all members become closer as a strong group with deep connections and understanding.

62 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

That’s the story behind the Last Chance Car Club, whose members share close friendships and a brotherhood that is immediately evident. It all began with a simple weekly plan for grabbing a bite to eat with a couple of close friends, according to several members.

It just so happens, all these friends owned classic cars and were total gear heads. Over the years, the group just morphed into a car club. The guys ﬁnally gave it an official name, after attending a local car show together. The main reason for that was also a pretty basic one. The group needed a name to park together.

There aren’t any added hassles like roll calls or membership dues. You can come as many or as few times as you want. The group started out with Mickey Lawrence, Ron Smith, David Coker, Dan Nevil and Cal Sumrall. Now, they have grown close to 15 members who are mostly above the age of 60. They attend all sorts of local car shows and take road trips together.

Mickey Lawrence, one of the group’s co-founders, was the one who came up with the name Last Chance Car Club, and this happened after six whole years of not having a name. Unlike most other car clubs, the type, make or model of a car is the last thing that matters to them when someone new is joining the group.

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 63

Most of the members have multiple cars from different manufacturers, but the most common brand is Ford. There’s always some healthy and friendly competition going on with the ﬁnesse of these vehicles. They sometimes playfully give each other hard times about the cars; all in fun of course. The most beautiful thing that stands out about this particular group of people is that they are always there for each other no matter what. They’ll help out if it’s something related to a car, house remodeling, or any sort of problem. If one member needs assistance with something, there will always be someone in the group who is good at it and they’ll take care of that task like it’s their own. The guys also love to eat and enjoy all of the different local restaurants in Abilene, Texas. On the night of our photoshoot with Last Chance Car Club, they were enjoying pizza and wings at Potter’s Pizza. Every month, they choose a different local restaurant, this way they keep trying new food, meeting new people and enjoy a change of scenery. The Last Chance Car Club has kept the tradition of meeting every week for years. To put it in even simpler words, they’re basically a bunch of guys that love cars and enjoy each other’s company.

64 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

“

The Last Chance Car Club has kept the tradition of meeting every week for years. To put it in even simpler words, they’re basically a bunch of guys that love cars and enjoy each other’s company.”

ALL I NEED IS Local Military Veteran Loves Classic Cars

TEXT BY KANWAN M. UMAR and PHOTOS BY CHRISTOPHER MAWSON

68 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

MY HOT ROD

ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 69

HAWLEY, TX - Born in Stamford, TX, and currently living in Hawley, TX, Anthony Castillo was a pretty quiet kid but at the same time, very creative too. He loved drawing, arts and crafts, anything along those lines. Staying on the topic of hobbies and interests, he really liked old cars. Anytime he could go to the store to buy car magazines was always the highlight of his day. As soon as he was able to buy an actual car for the ﬁrst time, he bought a 58’ Chevy Pickup. A fixer upper that he got for $200 bucks, but definitely one he cherished with all his heart. This love for cars was heavily inﬂuenced by his father, Juan Castillo. His dad was very neat, he would keep his vehicles all cleaned and polished. Whereas his admiration for motorcycles came from his uncle, Armondo Lopez who would regularly attend car shows. He even won a few awards too! Anthony mother’s name is Myra Castillo. He also has one older brother, and his name is John Castillo. Anthony is a retired military veteran and was in the Texas Army National Guard. As he states here, “I really enjoyed my time in the military, I did 22 years in the infantry.” He retired as an E6 Staff Sergeant but held an E7 slot as a Platoon Sergeant. It was a great experience for him with 5 deployments under his belt. With two being overseas, and three stateside. He always considers himself blessed to have worked with his brother John Castillo, and two of his cousins when he was sent to Iraq. Being far away wasn’t as hard with these close relations around. Talking a bit more about family ties, he has a very good relationship with his mom, Myra Castillo. MaryAnn Hernandez, his significant other, shares a common interest with him because she also loves cars! Her dad is a military veteran and an automotive enthusiast as well. Now that is pretty cool! In fact, they first started dating back when they were in the 5th grade for a short period of time and recently reconnected around four years ago.

70 ISSUE 4 | ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE

He always admired the way his father maintained and took care of his trucks. His dad was very neat, he would keep his vehicles all cleaned and polished.”

“

Despite being in the car scene, he’s not associated with any of the local car clubs. The feeling he gets when people compliment his rides always puts a smile on his face. One of his most prized possessions is a 32’ Ford 3-Window Coupe that he got from an older gentleman this year in April. It has a tangerine metallic paint job, a 2001 Corvette LS motor in it, suicide doors, power windows, AC, beautiful ivory leather interior, hidden stereo system and it rides like a brand new car. Here he expresses his reasoning behind choosing this beautiful hot rod, “I chose this particular vehicle because the 32’ Ford is an iconic vehicle for the hotrod community.”

“

One of his most prized possessions is a 32’ Ford 3-Window Coupe that he got from an older gentleman this year in April. It has a tangerine metallic paint job, a 2001 Corvette LS motor in it, suicide doors, power windows, AC, beautiful ivory leather interior, hidden stereo system and it rides like a brand new car.”

Car shows are truly a treat for him and he’s been to two since buying this ride. The 8th Annual Tuscola Car Show was by far the best one he attended this year, according to him. There he placed in the Top 20 and won the People’s Choice Award. Anthony also owns a 62’ Chevy Impala, 58’ Chevy Apache Pickup, 46’ Ford Coupe, 06’ Custom Sportster, and a 2016 Harley Breakout. This collection is enough to tell anyone that he has amazing taste in cars, classic & custom. And good for him, this military veteran deﬁnitely deserves every one of these beauties! ABILENE MOTORS MAGAZINE | ISSUE 4 71