For nearly four decades, Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group (DWAG) has built a reputation that extends far beyond the automotive industry. Known throughout Middle Tennessee for its guiding philosophy, “Darrell Waltrip Cares,” the organization has redefined what it means to operate a dealership group. Now celebrating its 40th anniversary, DWAG marks the milestone with an impressive legacy: more than 400 employees, 152,000 vehicles sold, over 1.5 million service visits completed, and more than $10 million invested back into the communities it calls home.
Since its founding in 1986, DWAG has not only served customers with integrity and professionalism, but has also created a legacy grounded in compassion, partnership, and action.
“We opened the Honda store in 1986 and it was on the wrong side of the interstate,” said Darrell Waltrip. “When you crossed over 65 and started going east we were alone over here all by ourselves in the middle of a corn field. We built here 40 years ago, just a little Honda store. Along the way we added Subaru and Buick and GMC. We’ve got four great brands all right here on this campus now and it all started with that one little Honda store.”
At its core, the Waltrip Cares philosophy is simple but powerful. A business should be deeply connected to the well-being of its community. For DWAG, that belief has never been a marketing slogan. Instead, it has been a blueprint for meaningful, measurable impact. Over the past 40 years, Waltrip Cares has invested more than $10 million while working with hundreds of charitable organizations and hosting impactful initiatives of its own.
One of the most impactful examples of this philosophy in action is the Drive Away Hunger Challenge, a program that has become a cornerstone of DWAG’s community outreach. Launched in 2013, the initiative partners with local schools in Williamson County and the Franklin Special School District to collect food for families in need. What began as a grassroots effort has grown into a regional movement, engaging students, educators, and families in a shared mission to fight hunger.
Working closely with GraceWorks and other local partners, the Drive Away Hunger Challenge has reached an extraordinary milestone, with more than 2.4 million pounds of food collected and distributed to local pantries serving families in need. This achievement represents not only the scale of the program, but also the power of community collaboration.
“For 40 years, Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group has led with heart, not just business,” said Alicia Bell, Chief Executive Officer of GraceWorks. “Their partnership with GraceWorks, including efforts like the Drive Away Hunger Challenge, continues to make a meaningful difference for neighbors across Williamson County.”
While addressing basic needs like food security is essential, DWAG has also made it a priority to celebrate the individuals who strengthen their communities every day. Through its Hometown Heroes program, the organization shines a spotlight on teachers, veterans, first responders, and other local changemakers. Each month, one deserving individual is recognized with a personal visit, a commemorative trophy from Darrell Waltrip, and a $500 donation to the charity of their choice.
The spirit of giving is especially visible during the holiday season, when DWAG employees come together for the annual Salvation Army Angel Tree program. Since 2002, this employee-driven effort has helped brighten the holidays for nearly 100 children each year, providing gifts, clothing, and essential items to families facing hardship.
Healthcare and social support have also been central to DWAG’s mission. For more than a decade, the group has partnered with the Williamson Health Foundation to improve access to quality medical care. In 2022, DWAG became the first corporate sponsor of the foundation’s largest-ever capital campaign, “More for You. Close to Home,” helping fund major expansions to emergency, cardiac, and neonatal services.
“We are extremely grateful for the partnership and support of the Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group that has extended for nearly a decade,” said Leigh Williams, Executive Director of the Williamson Health Foundation. “They are much more than a donor; they are a cornerstone of our community’s well-being. Their culture of giving back has helped transform our health system and ensures we can continue providing world-class healthcare right here in Williamson County.”
Beyond healthcare, DWAG has demonstrated a long-standing commitment to housing and stability through a 15-year partnership with Habitat for Humanity of Williamson-Maury, helping build multiple homes for families in need. The organization has also supported major community enhancements, including the expansion of Williamson Medical Center and the development of a dog park at the Williamson County Animal Center.
Inclusivity has long been a focus as well. As early as 1994, DWAG became the first corporation to join the Waves Office Recycling Program, supporting Waves, Inc., and reinforcing its commitment to creating opportunities for individuals of all abilities.
In times of crisis, the group has not hesitated to act. Following the devastating 2020 Nashville tornado, DWAG made a $120,000 donation to support recovery efforts, demonstrating its role as a dependable partner in moments of need. That same spirit of loyalty to the community was evident again during Hurricane Helene relief efforts, when DWAG staff came together to load multiple trailers with much-needed supplies and personally deliver them to shelter locations, ensuring timely support reached those affected the most.
Support for veterans remains another important priority, with DWAG investing in veteran-owned businesses and initiatives that extend its impact beyond traditional philanthropy.
Over the years, each of DWAG’s dealerships has earned significant recognition for excellence. Darrell Waltrip Honda has received the Honda President’s Award 22 times and ranks as the number one Honda dealership in Tennessee by volume. Darrell Waltrip Buick GMC has been named Dealer of the Year and is also number one in volume in Tennessee. Darrell Waltrip Subaru stands out as Middle Tennessee’s only Stellar Performer dealership and has earned Subaru’s highest honor, the Pinnacle Award, eight times along with numerous Love Promise awards.
“My parents always taught us that with hard work you can do anything,” said Waltrip. “I think that’s the legacy they left my brother Michael and I and our sisters with. That’s just what we’ve done here with the Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group and I couldn’t be more proud.”
What truly sets the Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group apart, however, is not any single program or achievement, but the culture that drives them all. From porters and technicians to sales managers and executives, employees across the organization actively participate in community initiatives, turning charitable efforts into shared experiences that strengthen both the company and the communities it serves.
“My journey with Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group has been defined by continuous growth and a commitment to excellence,” said Jimmy Harris, General Manager of Darrell Waltrip Subaru. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to lead our team while also having the flexibility to deepen our engagement in the community and support initiatives that make a lasting difference.”
In many ways, DWAG’s success can be measured not just in dollars donated or vehicles sold, but in the relationships it has built over time. Schools, nonprofits, healthcare providers, and local families have all become partners in a broader mission, one rooted in compassion, collaboration, and long-term impact.
As the automotive industry continues to evolve, the Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group remains guided by the same principles that have defined its past. Growth is not pursued for its own sake, but as a means to do more good.
Ultimately, the story of DWAG is one of intentional impact. It is a story about recognizing that businesses have both the ability and the responsibility to make a difference. And after 40 years, that legacy is visible every day, in full food pantries, in families with safe places to call home, in patients receiving life-saving care, and in communities that are stronger because one organization chose to lead with heart.
—Charlotte Blackwell, DWAG Representative, Love Promise Champion www.darrellwaltripsubaru.com
