J.R. Martinez, he of “Dancing With the Stars” fame, isn’t a big-time car geek. But he knows what he loves. His 1996 Nissan Maxima.
“It’s turned into a little toy,” said Martinez, speaking by phone en route to an appearance in Pennsylvania. Martinez had the car, which he drove as a teenager, painted royal blue. The Maxima also boasts a hydraulics-like air suspension system. “I have a hard time parting with it. I just love fixing it up.”
| If you go |
| The Washington Auto Show presents the Welcome Home Troops military tribute, with J.R. Martinez, WWE’s Sgt. Slaughter and pop ensemble Downrange. Free admission for all active-duty military and veterans, with military ID. Noon to 9 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 31. washingtonautoshow.com |
Martinez is scheduled to appear on Tuesday at the Washington Auto Show as part of the event’s Welcome Home Troops military tribute.
“I do like cars,” Martinez, 28, continued. He cited an early-’70s Chevelle as his dream vehicle. “I definitely like cars that are fixed up, that have custom work done to them.”
Martinez’s story has been repeated often. In 2003, while serving in Iraq, the U.S. Army infantryman was injured by an improvised explosive device. More than 40 percent of his body sustained severe burns. While in recovery, he discovered he had a calling as a motivational speaker, and since has spoken in front of countless veterans, activity-duty personnel and civilians.
After an acting stint on “All My Children,” Martinez earned a spot on “Dancing With the Stars. He ultimately won the dance competition, making him a household name.
“It pretty much introduced me to a brand new audience,” Martinez said of Dancing With the Stars.” “It’s allowed me to show my personality to people that have never heard of me.”
It’s been a busy time for Martinez, who was recently the grand marshal of the Rose Parade in Pasadena, Calif. He’s working on a memoir, and he and his girlfriend are expecting their first child later this year.
Martinez still finds time for plenty of speaking engagements and appearances from coast to coast. He talks of reaching for dreams, setting goals, and appreciating the importance of balance in one’s life.
“Ultimately, my biggest thing is encouragement,” Martinez said. “It’s trying to give motivation to people. It’s trying to allow people to see another example of perseverance, resilience and just being able to overcome adversity. Ultimately, it’s what it really comes down to.”
Sidebar
Getting Revved up for the 2012 Washington Auto Show
There’s just something exciting about an auto show. The newness of the vehicles. The opportunity to get up close and personal with a bunch of different vehicles. To sit in the driver’s seat of a luxury or sports car, dreaming. The energy.
The Washington Auto show is one of the country’s best. Taking up 750,000 square feet on two levels of the Walter E. Washington Convention Center, this year’s installment features more than 700 makes and models from more than 40 manufacturers.
In addition to all of the vehicles, highlights this year include the Advanced Technology Superhighway, Ride & Drive, Military Appreciation Day on Jan. 31, celebrity appearances, a career fair, contests and more.
The Auto Show runs from Jan. 27 through Feb. 5. The event is open from noon to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday Jan. 29, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Feb. 5, and noon to 9 p.m. Monday through Thursday.
Tickets are $12 for adults; $5 for children ages 6 to 12; free for children 5 and under; and $10 for seniors (65+) and military.
For more information, including a complete schedule, visit washingtonautoshow.com
