Champion Tire and Automotive

10/18/2026

TOOL TRUCKS: THE ADULT TOY STORE ON WHEELS! 🔧

Every week, a toy store pulls into the parking lot of automotive repair shops across America.

It’s got air conditioning, snacks, thousands of dollars in shiny tools, and a payment plan that makes everything seem affordable.

Welcome to the tool truck!

After 21 years in the automotive industry, I still get excited when I see that truck pull up. I’m not against Snap-on, MAC Tools, or buying professional equipment.

But I’ve also watched technicians bury themselves in weekly payments because they confused wanting a tool with needing one.

Here’s something every young technician needs to understand:

Expensive tools don’t automatically make you a better mechanic. Knowledge, experience, and the ability to use those tools correctly do.

Buy quality. Invest in your career. But understand what you’re purchasing and what it’s actually costing you.

In this video, we’re having a little fun with one of the automotive industry’s most recognizable traditions while discussing a serious lesson about money.

Mechanics, I want to hear from you:

What’s your biggest tool truck purchase, and was it worth the money?

I’m building Champion University to share the lessons I’ve learned from over two decades in this industry, helping technicians, service advisors, and shop owners build better careers and stronger businesses.

Follow Champion University and join the conversation.

10/17/2026

Our training platform, Champion University, is growing fast. Free courses offered on the site, customer simulator for service advisors, DVI translation tool, clear and honest answers a lot of professionals don’t know how to say, AI in the Automotive Industry and so much more. Check out the Champion Standards, a fair expectation for what customers should expect from a repair shop. The site is still being built. Any feedback is appreciated.

09/07/2026

Hiring Technicians. Up to 2000$ sign on bonus. Give us a call or swing by. 919-294-4437.

08/14/2026

We’re still offering $25 off a full synthetic oil change when you bring in a non-perishable food donation.

It’s a simple way to take care of your vehicle while helping support people in our community.

If you’ve been putting off your oil change, this is a good time to get it done and make a difference at the same time.

08/12/2026

If you’ve ever picked up your car and still weren’t totally sure what was actually wrong with it, that’s the thing we work hardest to fix.

Before anything gets recommended, we inspect the vehicle and send photos of your car to your phone with notes in regular English — what needs attention now, what can wait a while, and what’s still in good shape. You look it over and decide from there. Nothing gets touched until you say so.

We handle tires, brakes, regular maintenance, and diagnostics, including the check engine light nobody’s been able to explain yet.

Our technicians are thorough about documenting what they find and our advisors take the time to walk people through it. That’s what got us to a 5.0 on Google with more than 300 reviews from folks right here in Durham.

Give us a call or schedule online.
Champion-Tire.com

Kevin Tarpley

07/13/2026

The biggest leadership mistake I made was training my team to hide mistakes by reacting poorly when they told me the truth.
When someone came to me with a mistake, I thought I was holding them accountable. In reality, I was teaching them to fear my response.
Fear doesn’t create accountability.
It creates silence.
When employees become afraid to admit mistakes, those mistakes don’t disappear. They leave the shop with your customers.
If you want an honest team, become a leader who people can tell bad news to.
Every mistake deserves a response.
Not every mistake deserves punishment.
The goal isn’t to make people comfortable making mistakes.
The goal is to make them comfortable reporting mistakes while there’s still time to fix them.

07/03/2026

https://share.synthesia.io/461d9ef8-86c5-4348-b915-554792426ba4

Click to watch the AI video "We’re Hiring Automotive Technicians" generated with Synthesia.

06/09/2026

Great way to support our community while getting your car serviced. Schedule online or give us a call at 919-294-4437.

06/01/2026

Durham — thank you.

We are honored to share that Champion Tire won Best of Durham for Best Auto Repair.

This means more than just receiving an award. It means our community sees what we are building.

When I opened Champion Tire, the goal was never just to fix cars. The goal was to build a shop people could truly trust — a place built on integrity, honest communication, high-quality work, and unmatched value.

Every inspection, every estimate, every conversation, and every repair is part of a bigger mission: to raise the standard of automotive service and prove that doing business the right way still matters.

To every customer who voted, left a review, referred a friend, trusted us with your vehicle, or supported us along the way — thank you.

We are grateful, humbled, and more motivated than ever.

Champion Tire is just getting started.

Champion Tire
Professionals You Can Trust

05/02/2026

DVIs are the best way to increase ARO if done correctly.