Our Story
The Crain family’s business legacy began over 75 years ago with Larry Crain Sr., who built a retail sales business by traveling across Arkansas, selling goods to gas stations and small businesses. That early entrepreneurial drive led to the creation of Kar Pro, a regional automotive parts distribution company that grew to 16 locations before being sold in the 1990s.
In the early 1990s, the Crain family officially entered the retail automotive industry with the founding of Crain Automotive. What began with a single dealership has grown into one of Arkansas’s largest dealership groups, now operating more than 20 locations statewide. Crain Automotive represents a wide range of trusted brands, including Chevrolet, Ford, Hyundai, Kia, Buick, GMC, Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Ram, and Genesis.
In the 2000s, the family further expanded into broadcasting through the formation of Crain Media, which owns and operates multiple FM radio stations across Central Arkansas, helping local businesses connect with their communities.
Larry Crain Jr. and Chris Crain were instrumental in expanding the automotive group’s footprint during the 1990s and 2000s, building on the foundation laid by their father. Their leadership helped shape the company into a recognized and respected name in the automotive industry throughout the state.
Today, the fourth generation of the Crain family is carrying the legacy forward. Christian Crain is helping lead the organization with a renewed focus on people, innovation, and customer service, setting the stage for the company’s continued growth in a changing automotive landscape.
The Crain family also oversees the Larry and Janett Crain Foundation, one of Arkansas’s largest private charitable foundations, dedicated to supporting causes in education, healthcare, and youth development.
Crain Automotive isn’t just a car business—it’s a family legacy built on hustle, service, and the belief that doing right by people is the best way to do business.
Larry Crain Jr.
President & CEO, Crain Automotive Holdings
Larry Crain Jr. is the third generation to lead the Crain family’s automotive business and currently serves as President and CEO of Crain Automotive Holdings. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1985, Larry spent decades growing and operating dealerships across the state, playing a key role in building Crain Automotive into one of Arkansas’s largest and most recognizable dealership groups.
In 2023, Larry returned to the helm with a renewed focus on operational discipline, long-term stability, and generational growth. Today, he is working alongside his sons to expand the company at a rapid pace, combining deep industry experience with fresh energy and bold vision for the future.
With a steady hand and an eye on expansion, Larry Crain Jr. is guiding the organization into its next chapter while honoring the legacy established by his father and grandfather.
Chris Crain
Chief Manager, Crain Automotive Holdings
Chris Crain is a third-generation member of the Crain family and currently serves as Chief Manager of Crain Automotive Holdings. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 1994, he joined the family business and has been a key contributor to its long-standing success across the state.
While he holds a leadership role across the organization, Chris primarily focuses on the operations of three dealerships under the Crain umbrella: Chris Crain Hyundai, Chris Crain Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram, and Genesis of Conway. His personal involvement in these stores reflects his commitment to delivering outstanding customer service and building strong community relationships in the Conway area.
Chris is known for his hands-on leadership style, his focus on people, and his dedication to upholding the values and reputation of Crain Automotive Holdings.
Christian Crain
Chairman, Larry and Janett Crain Foundation
Vice President, Crain Automotive Holdings
Christian Crain is a fourth-generation leader in the Crain family and a driving force behind its future. After graduating from the University of Arkansas in 2021 with a degree in accounting, he returned to the business with a mission to modernize operations while staying rooted in the values that built the company.
As Chairman of the Larry and Janett Crain Foundation—one of Arkansas’s largest private charitable foundations—Christian is committed to giving back to the communities that have supported his family’s business for generations.
Focused on people and obsessed with customer experience, Christian is bringing fresh energy and a long-term growth mindset to the car business. His leadership is centered on extreme customer service, team development, and building a culture that delivers at the highest level.
Chandler Rackley
Chief Financial Officer, Crain Automotive Holdings
Chandler Rackley serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Crain Automotive Holdings, where he leads all financial operations with a focus on long-term strategy, disciplined growth, and operational efficiency. A native of Little Rock, Chandler graduated from the University of Arkansas with a degree in accounting and has been a key figure in modernizing the financial systems and processes across the organization.
With a strong attention to detail and a clear vision for sustainable growth, Chandler plays a critical role in driving performance and supporting the company’s continued expansion. His leadership brings stability, structure, and a deep commitment to service that aligns with Crain’s customer-first culture.
