LAS VEGAS — There were some pretty happy phone calls between Las Vegas and Newburgh, Ind., Thursday afternoon.

During the ASA awards luncheon Thursday at NACE and CARS, Motor Age honored Menke’s Automotive Repair as the 2009 Top Shop. Owners Vernie and Barb Menke follow in the footsteps of 2008 winner Aaron Clements, of C&C Automotive in Augusta, Ga., as the winners of the fourth annual contest.

“It has been a passion of mine ever since I saw you come out with this contest,” says Vernie Menke. “I’ve always had the passion, because my father was one of the mechanics I ever met. And it was his passion to do the best, and I got that from him. It’s just unbelievable.”

The award announcement comes on the heels of a couple of a record-setting period at the shop, which also has hired on more employees to accommodate the new business. Those employees, including the four ASE certified techs listed on Menke’s submission before the recent growth, are key to the success of this shop.

“They bought into this. It meant as much to them as it did to us. It was a team effort. It is every day with us,” adds Barb Menke. Everybody works together and we all want the same goals and that is to be the best”

Barb and Vernie Menke (from left), owners of Menke's Automotive Repair, stand with Larry Silvey, Motor Age's editorial director, after being named the 2009 Motor Age Top Shop.

Menke’s Automotive Repair opened its doors in 1976 in a 2,000-square-foot rented space. After 17 years of growth, the Menkes decided to move to an industrial park outside of town. But as Barb noted after the lunch, if you build it, they will come. And come they have.

The shop’s customer base is solid, with people driving past the competition to get to Menke’s Automotive. The business utilizes the latest in diagnostic tools and service equipment in its 7,200-square-fool facility. It utilizes online parts ordering and computers in the bays for better service.

Daily morning meetings along with thoroughly cleaning the bays between vehicles are strong attributes of the shop, as are its AAA and ASE Blue Seal Shop designations. Overall, Menke’s topped the close competition this year with its forward-thinking drive to better serve its customers.

In addition to the Motor Age award, ABRN honored Auto Body World in Tolleson, Ariz., as its inaugural Top Shop winner during the lunch.