Rio Grande resident wins Kindle Mustang contest

CAPE MAY COURT HOUSE -- Kindle Auto Plaza was filled to almost capacity on Friday night as hundreds of customers returned for the annual Customer Appreciation celebration. This year, which marked the 50th anniversary of the dealership, would prove to be the most exciting event yet with the Kindle Auto Plaza 50th Anniversary Mustang Giveaway commemorating this landmark anniversary.
Against a backdrop of tables laden with food and drink, and festive DJ music, five finalists took their turns with keys to see who would drive away with the coveted red Mustang displayed on the dealership floor. The finalists had been randomly selected from hundreds of entries competing in the giveaway contest.
Three finalists struck out to moans and groans from the crowd before Tracy DiMauro, of Rio Grande, slid into the driver's seat. With one turn of the key, the engine started humming, the crowd cheered and Tracy screamed. Her family and friends descended upon her, many screaming and jumping.
“I just couldn't believe it,” Tracy said later, once she had calmed down a bit from the excitement. “I thought, 'Just let me take this home right now.' Thank you, Kindle!”
With family and friends trailing her, Tracy drove her new Mustang out of the dealership doors. Outside, owner Bill Kindle presented Tracy with a bouquet of flowers and his personal congratulations.
Tracy expressed her sincere thanks to both Bill and his father, Robert Kindle, founder of the dealership, who returned for the event.
“You're certainly welcome,” said Robert, clasping her hands. “And I hope you enjoy it.”
Tracy has never owned a sporty car and she just loves Mustangs.
“When I heard that I was a finalist, I thought, 'I've just got to win that car!’ ”
Since that time, Tracy said she received many signs that she could be a winner. “Just a few days after I was selected to be a finalist, I got a Mustang catalog in the mail by mistake,” she explained. “Coming here, I just felt lucky.”
Robbie Walker, the salesman who sold Tracy her last car, was on hand for congratulations.
“It couldn't have gone to a better person,” he said.
Currently Tracy drives a Dodge 'Stow 'n Go' minivan that she bought from Kindle. Her husband Mike drives a purple Neon. Her teenage daughters were very excited, according to Tracy.
“They can't wait to ride in it, and eventually drive it,” she said.
That night, Tracy planned to surprise co-workers at a charity event where they were working.
“I told them I'd pick them up 'when' I won,” she said.
Tracy works for Cabrera Realty in Wildwood Crest. She and Mike reside in Rio Grande with their three daughters, 16-year-old Kayla, 14-year-old Amanda and 2-year-old Ciara.
The Kindle Auto Plaza 50th Anniversary Mustang Giveaway featured a Mustang V6 Coupe with an MSRP of $22,610. It has a five-speed auto transmission, a 4.0 L SOHC V6 engine, leather trimmed bucket seats and an interior upgrade package.
The Mustang is painted torch red with a pearl gold stripe and rear deck lid spoiler. The 2007 model comes with a 3 year/36,000 mile bumper to bumper warranty and a 5 year, Powertrain warranty.
The remaining four finalists in the 50th Anniversary Mustang Giveaway each received an auto detail and a year's free scheduled maintenance on their vehicles at Kindle Auto Plaza.
Call 465-5000 for more information.