Chariot kicks off fourth ATEP program. Written on 09/01/2026 Photos courtesy of Chariot Automotive Group. This article is brought to you by Silver Birch Living of Kokomo. Silver Birch offers a full spectrum of personalized services to help older adults maintain their independence in a supportive, caring environment. For more information, visit Silver Birch of Kokomo online. Chariot Automotive Group (CAG) recently started the fourth year of Automotive Technician Education Pathway (ATEP), its educational program for high school students. This year's cohort consists of 45 students, and the program offers three classes, including two first year classes, one second year class at Academy and one second year class at Ivy Tech Kokomo. "Over the past four years, we have seen 150 students from 13 different schools through the ATEP program," said Rex Gingerich, CEO of Chariot Automotive Group. "We are excited to expand the program by offering another class at Button, creating more opportunities to give students a sense of direction and purpose for what's next in their career journey." The ATEP program allows high school juniors and seniors to participate in hands-on training while earning college credit - at no cost to them - toward an Associate Degree in Automotive Technology at Ivy Tech Community College. During the course, students spend the first hour in the classroom learning concepts crucial for effective automotive technicians, followed by two hours in the lab implementing teachings through hands-on training. Employment of automotive technicians and mechanics is projected to grow by 70,000 openings each year on average over the next decade, making the ATEP program critical to local workforce growth. Through the program, graduates are able to build careers that last long beyond a first job. "The most valuable part of the program is learning inside an active dealership," said Owen Montgomery, current ATEP student and service advisor at Chariot Automotive Group. "Being surrounded by employees and seeing the workflow firsthand provides a real-world experience that a traditional classroom simply can't replicate." After completing the program, students may be offered a full-time automotive technician position at one of CAG's four dealership locations. Additionally, the high school curriculum credits can be applied toward the Chariot Automotive Institute apprenticeship program, which is the only Indiana Department of Labor-accredited automotive technician program in the state. Chariot Automotive Institute has also collaborated with Snap-On to increase the value of ATEP program students' annual tool voucher. Chariot Automotive Group's Academy Dealership is the flagship location for the ATEP program and recently celebrated its fifth anniversary in business. For more information about the ATEP program at Chariot Automotive Group, please visit drivechariot.com.

Snap-on Extends Partnership with Milwaukee Race, INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway Reading Time: 3 mins read INDIANAPOLIS (Thursday, Aug. 27, 2026) - Snap-on Incorporated, Wisconsin State Fair Park and INDYCAR announced Aug. 27 that Snap-on will continue as title sponsor of the Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at the Milwaukee Mile for multiple years. Snap-on also has renewed its multiyear partnership with INDYCAR and Indianapolis Motor Speedway (IMS), continuing as the Official Tools & Equipment Partner of both organizations. Founded in Milwaukee in 1920, Snap-on operates 15 manufacturing facilities across the United States, including two in Southeast Wisconsin. Its partnerships with the Milwaukee Mile, INDYCAR and IMS reflect the company's broader connection to professional motorsports and the skilled professionals who drive it. "Bringing INDYCAR racing back to the legendary Milwaukee Mile in 2024 was a win for Wisconsin and a win for race fans everywhere," said Shari Black, CEO of Wisconsin State Fair Park. "We're extremely grateful for Snap-on's continued support and its long-term commitment to this event. We look forward to working together to deliver the fastest racing on earth at the world's most historic track." Said Nick Pinchuk, Snap-on chairman and chief executive officer: "Snap-on has been dedicated to celebrating the pride and dignity of Makers and Fixers performing critical work for over a century, and Milwaukee is a wellspring of the energy that has driven its enterprise from the very beginning. Extending its partnership with the Milwaukee Mile, INDYCAR and the Indianapolis Motor Speedway reflects its deep respect for the skilled professionals of motorsports who make spectacular race days possible." This weekend, the partnership will be in action at the Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 on Saturday and the Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 on Sunday. Fans can visit the Snap-on Experience to see demonstrations and the popular Snap-on truck parade, collect driver autographs and much more in the Free Fan Zone. "Our partnership with Snap-on reflects a shared commitment to the people, skills and technical excellence that drive INDYCAR," said Mark Miles, chief executive officer of INDYCAR and Penske Entertainment. "This extension demonstrates the strength of our extensive relationship across INDYCAR, IMS and the Milwaukee Mile. We look forward to continuing our work together and celebrating the people behind the performance." The weekend also will celebrate Makers and Fixers whose skill and expertise keep society moving, from repair garages and aviation hangars to plant floors. Saturday's Snap-on Makers and Fixers 250 will recognize technical education partners, students and instructors helping to address America's critical skills gap. Sunday's Snap-on Milwaukee Mile 250 will honor the Factory 15, select associates representing the thousands of Makers who produce the tools and equipment professionals rely on every day. As part of race weekend, the winning pit crews will again be recognized with the Snap-on Makers and Fixers Award for their highly specialized work and performance. INDYCAR and IMS will continue this initiative, including presentation of a similar award to the winning Indianapolis 500 pit crew. Tickets for the 2026 Snap-on INDYCAR Weekend at the Milwaukee Mile are available at MilwaukeeMile.com. Snap-on Incorporated is a leading global innovator, manufacturer, and marketer of tools, equipment, diagnostics, repair information and systems solutions for professional users performing critical tasks, including those working in vehicle repair, aerospace, the military, natural resources, and manufacturing. From its founding in 1920, Snap-on has been recognized as the mark of the serious and the outward sign of the pride and dignity working men and women take in their professions. Products and services are sold through the company's network of widely recognized franchisee vans, as well as through direct and distributor channels, under a variety of notable brands.

ASE Connects launches back-to-school giveaway with Snap-on prizes. August 7, 2026 ASE Connects has initiated a back-to-school giveaway to support instructors preparing the next generation of technicians for the automotive, diesel and collision industries. In collaboration with Snap-on, ASE Connects will award prizes to four schools. The prize package includes three $250 Snap-on gift cards and a grand prize consisting of a Snap-on cart and tool set, valued at more than $11,000. The giveaway is open to high school and post-secondary instructors who teach automotive, diesel, collision, technical education or related courses, as well as school administrators. This initiative aims to equip educational programs with essential resources, directly benefiting students entering the skilled trades. To enter, eligible individuals must log in or create a free ASE Connects (formerly WrenchWay) account and complete the ASE Connects back-to-school form. The form is estimated to take five to 10 minutes to complete. The deadline for submission is Oct. 2, 2026. The back-to-school form is designed to ensure schools begin the academic year with current information and clearly defined requests for industry support. Through the form, instructors can review, repost or add new requests for tools, shop tours, guest speakers or advisory committee members. Furthermore, the form allows instructors to share program updates with local shops and dealerships, detailing enrollment numbers, curriculum changes and new certifications. Participants can also review account access and add new instructors or staff, streamlining their connectivity with industry partners. Completing the form helps local shops and dealerships understand how they can best support instructors and their students, fostering stronger partnerships between educational institutions and the industry. Schools can create a free ASE Connects account to connect with local shops and dealerships, request support and share program updates. ASE Connects currently aids more than 3,500 schools nationwide in building industry partnerships with local shops, dealerships and original equipment manufacturers. This platform enables schools to access critical resources for their programs and students, which is vital for developing a robust technician pipeline. As a central hub for workforce development, ASE Connects brings together tools, data and resources to support technician education, career readiness and long-term retention. This collaboration with Snap-on underscores the industry's commitment to investing in technical education and addressing the ongoing demand for skilled labor. The National Institute for Automotive Service Excellence, established in 1972, is a non-profit organization promoting high standards of service and repair. ASE achieves this through the assessment, certification and credentialing of industry professionals. The ASE Blue Seal logo identifies certified professionals in dealerships, independent shops, collision repair shops, auto parts stores, fleets, schools and colleges. Aftermarket Intel tracks the signals shaping the global automotive aftermarket - news, trends and executive-level insight. Visit aftermarketintel.com. To share news, data, or strategic perspectives, contact Editor Mark Phillips at [email protected] or connect on LinkedIn here. Don't miss a single shift in the global automotive aftermarket. Subscribe today.