Rodeo Ford lives up to its name with history, support of all things rodeo

Earnhardt Auto Centers is well known around the Valley and the state for their “No Bull” approach to selling reliable new and used vehicles. Earnhardt Auto Centers now owns 29 dealerships, including 27 locations in Arizona and two in Las Vegas. Also owned by the Earnhardt group, Rodeo Ford is located in the West Valley and offers a full line of Ford vehicles and service!!

Automotive

by
Carolyn Sostrom
07/17/2017

Rodeo Ford is aptly named because of the Earnhardt family’s involvement in rodeo, and the company’s support of rodeo overall. Hal Earnhardt, son of Earnhardt Auto Centers founder Tex Earnhardt, is president of Earnhardt Auto Centers.

Hal Earnhardt at Gilbert Days 2015

Hal Earnhardt also worked hard in his career in team roping for the Professional Rodeo Cowboys Association. Hal and his roping partner Victor Aros won the Pro Rodeo team roping event at the World’s Oldest Continuous Rodeo in Payson in 2011. During his rodeo career, Hal competed in numerous events including Cheyenne Frontier Days, California Rodeo Salinas and Prescott Frontier Days.

Hal started roping with dad Tex at a young age. Hal started competing in Junior Rodeo at age 5, and Hal and Tex also started roping in Arizona Junior Rodeo Association sanctioned rodeos. Over time, Hal progressed up the rodeo ranks, learning from the best in the sport of rodeo.

At age 22, Hal took a break from his roping career to work for Earnhardt Auto Centers. Hal’s hard work helped elevate Earnhardt Auto Centers to where it is today, the number-one auto dealership in Arizona.

The family’s background in rodeo, combined with Earnhardt Auto Centers’ support of rodeo events around the state, makes Rodeo Ford an aptly-named dealership. Check them out when you need a new or used car, or service on your Ford or other model vehicle. Rodeo Ford is located at 13680 W. Test Drive in Goodyear, near Litchfield Road and I-10. To reach sales, call 888-451-3558, or for service or parts, contact 888-864-2217. Or visit them online anytime!

Last Updated on 08/16/2023 by Carolyn Sostrom

About the Author:

Carolyn Sostrom

Biography:

Carolyn Sostrom is a long-time Arizona resident who loves desert sunsets, warm weather, Zumba, and the Western lifestyle.

She attended Saguaro High School in Scottsdale and then Arizona State University, earning a bachelor’s degree in journalism. Similarly to the protagonist in *The Devil Wears Prada*, Carolyn moved to New York City right after college. She started working for the fashion magazine company Conde Nast but never transitioned to the dark side. After a few years, she left New York in the rearview mirror and returned to her home state, taking a reporter job at the *Apache Junction Independent*.

With over 30 years of freelance writing experience, Carolyn especially enjoys writing about community events and profiling individuals who are making a difference in their communities. She had the pleasure of interviewing a variety of cowboy personalities for an article she wrote for the *Scottsdale Independent* about the history of DC Ranch and its roots as a working ranch. Now, her Western adventures with CLN have her diving into the rugged automotive scene, exploring the trucks and rigs cowboys rely on for work, home, and play, a niche where grit meets horsepower.

She works at Raising Special Kids, a nonprofit resource center for families of children with disabilities and special healthcare needs. Carolyn also volunteers with the Autism Society of Greater Phoenix.

Carolyn believes that everyone has a story, and she loves connecting with others to hear their stories. She’s dedicated to ethical journalism and accurate reporting, which shines through in her storytelling.