John Bommarito's Journey from Car Washing to Founding Two NASCAR Racing Teams
John Bommarito, a renowned figure in the automotive industry, is best known for his leadership of the Bommarito Automotive Group, a successful car dealership empire. However, his journey to the top was not a straightforward one.
Growing up in a family that valued hard work, John's entrepreneurial spirit was evident from a young age. At just 15, he began his career in the service department of the Bommarito Automotive Group. By the age of 12, he was already washing and parking cars at the family business.
Before making waves in the automotive world, John ventured into the world of motorsports. He started two NASCAR teams, demonstrating his ambition to join the racing world. One of these teams, on their debut race at the Circuit of the Americas, finished in the top 10, marking a significant achievement.
John's involvement in motorsports led to key partnerships, including one with racecar driver/owner Jordan Anderson. Another notable partnership was with Curtis Francois, the CEO and owner of the Gateway Motorsports Park. This partnership resulted in a multi-year agreement that brought competitors from all over the world to an INDYCAR series event.
Negotiation skills have been instrumental in John's success. At 19, he negotiated a deal with Mazda to add a new brand to his store, significantly increasing sales. In 1992, he bought a failing Oldsmobile-Cadillac store and, through his efforts, sold record-breaking units monthly. Under his leadership, the Bommarito Automotive Group now sells over 280 units a month, making it the top choice for consumers in all their automotive needs.
John's emphasis on partnerships and negotiation has been a cornerstone of his business philosophy. He befriended Francois, which led to the Gateway Motorsports Park agreement, and partnered with Anderson for one of his NASCAR teams. These strategic partnerships have given him and his partners a significant influence in the NASCAR world.
In 2022, the Bommarito Automotive Group was honoured to host the first-ever Nascar race at their hometown track, World Wide Technology Raceway. This milestone marked another achievement in John's illustrious career.
Despite his success, John's journey began at Stanford University Medical School. However, he chose to return to his roots and pursue his passion for the automotive industry and motorsports. While specific details about his time in Stanford or his exact timeline of achievements are not widely available, his impact on the automotive industry and the world of racing is undeniable.
John, who demonstrated an early interest in motorsports, started two NASCAR teams before dawning on the automotive world. Moveover, his participation in motorsports forged key partnerships, such as the one with racecar driver/owner Jordan Anderson, and led to a multi-year agreement with Gateway Motorsports Park, cementing his influence in the NASCAR world.
