Mark Martin dealership expands into Melbourne
MELBOURNE — For the past 12 years the sign at the corner of highways 9 and 69 in Melbourne read Tate Lawrence Chevrolet.
That may soon change.
Mark Martin Ford in Batesville will soon be expanding as it gears up to become a managing partner at the Chevrolet dealership in Melbourne.
“As of Monday we will be a managing partner,” said general manager Mooney Starr. “We will continue to operate the business as Tate Lawrence Chevrolet.”
Tate Lawrence bought the dealership more than 12 years ago. He is currently serving his second term as Izard County sheriff and is quick to point out it is not a nine-to-five operation.
“I haven’t been down there (the dealership) an hour in the last 2 1/2 years,” he said.
Lawrence said the dealership currently has 12 employees and has been awarded the General Motors coveted Mark of Excellence award for the past six or seven years.
He is excited to see someone with Mark Martin’s experience and name recognition onboard and believes it will be beneficial to the continued success of the dealership.
“I see Mark Martin as a draw for the community. It’s a positive for Melbourne,” Lawrence said.
Mark Martin and Lance Landers bought the former Independence Ford dealership in January 2004. The business was named Mark Martin Ford Mercury after being approved by the Ford Motor Company, and moved to the new location at 1601 Batesville Blvd. in February 2006.
Mark Martin, who has spent a majority of his racing career behind the wheel of a Ford, now drives the No. 01 U.S. Army Chevrolet. His No. 6 AAA Ford still sits front and center at the Batesville dealership.
The 40,000-square-foot building sits on 18 acres of land and includes a 6,000-square-foot museum filled with a variety of memorabilia including several of Mark Martin’s race cars, helmets, historic fire suits and his handwritten diaries dating back to 1974.
The facility also includes letters from his late father, Julian Martin, and several personal photo books that chronicle Mark Martin’s early success, as well as thousands of pictures and newspaper articles that show Mark Martin’s climb from a local dirt track driver to a NASCAR sensation.
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