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The Car Dealer Who Caddied for Presidents and Built an IndyCar Team | Tom Kelley, Kelley Automotive Group
On today's show I chatted about everything automotive with Tom Kelley, president of family-owned Kelley Automotive Group, founded in Fort Wayne in 1952 by his father, Jim, the day Tom was born. Tom joined the business in 1974 after earning a business degree at IU and playing college golf, using the sport to build relationships with figures like Bobby Knight and George H.W. Bush. He explains how dealership growth accelerated after GM relaxed multi-store restrictions, expanding into multiple brands and markets including Atlanta, Clearwater, and Oklahoma, and how GM's 2010 bankruptcy eliminated divisions like Saturn and Saab, forcing closures, layoffs, asset sales, and new partners to survive. Tom also recounts entering IndyCar through Tony George and George's grandfather Tony Hulman, running the Indy 500, and later selling Kelley Racing to form what became Ed Carpenter Racing. He highlights Fort Wayne's civic collaboration, philanthropy, youth career pathways, and why Indiana's people, opportunity, and sports history make it home. If you like this episode and want to hear more Get IN. episodes where I interview Hoosiers making a difference, visit getindiana.com/podcast. You are going to learn about: - How Tom Kelley Scaled Kelley Automotive Group - Why Tom Started an IndyCar Team - Tom's Caddying Experience with Presidents Thank you to our partners: NCW Check out these great clips from the show: 00:00 Survival Mindset Teaser 01:18 Guest Introduction: Tom Kelley, Kelley Automotive Group 02:29 Born Into Dealerships and Flying 04:39 Golf Dreams and Career Choice 06:27 Golf Connections and Bobby Knight 08:47 Dealership Growth Rules and Strategy 12:32 Atlanta Expansion and GM Shutdowns 17:05 After Dad Passed Estate Decisions 18:34 How Dealership Financing Works 21:45 Fair Deals and Repeat Customers 24:51 IndyCar Team Origin Story 30:19 Calling the Indy 500 32:24 Caddying for Presidents 36:03 Fame Privacy and Social Media 37:44 Surviving GM Collapse 39:37 Tsunami Bankruptcy Fallout 41:19 Hard Calls With Empathy 41:59 Credit Lines Crisis 43:15 Partners and Sacrifice 44:45 Fort Wayne Rally Crew 45:50 Electric Works Breakthrough 47:34 Sweetwater and Chuck 51:21 Career Pathways For Kids 55:12 Passion Beats Quitting 57:45 Why Indiana Feels Home 59:06 Golf and Fort Wayne Eats 01:02:44 Bring Back The Pistons 01:05:09 Indiana Sports Legacy 01:07:20 Hidden Gem Northeast 01:08:13 Hoosier To Watch Get IN. is brought to you by our friends at Sweetwater. Whether you are looking to start a podcast or level up your current show you need to hit them up.
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