Toronto, Ontario -- CARSTAR Oakville West took top honours in CARSTAR’s banner-wide 2025 Raptor plushie naming contest after the network voted in favour of the shop’s submission: CarRex.
According to owner Lorenzo Pellicciotta, the network-wide initiative was designed to bring “a bit of lighthearted energy into the shops.” His team joined in immediately. “We loved the idea right away — anything that boosts morale and gets the team laughing is a win for us.”
The winning name came from store manager Jeff Gurney. “He’s the one who came up with CarRex. As soon as he said it, the team lit up. It fit the Raptor plushie perfectly: tough, fun, and a little bit mischievous… basically like a collision centre mascot should be,” said Pellicciotta. “Jeff’s been strutting around the shop like Spielberg just called him for Jurassic Park 5.”
Pellicciotta said the shop erupted when they learned the name had won. “You could feel the pride in the shop — lots of laughs, lots of ‘I told you that name was a winner!’ energy.”
CARSTAR leadership, including senior marketing manager Oghogho Oteju, visited Oakville West with lunch to mark the win, a gesture the team appreciated. “Anytime leadership takes the time to show up in person, it reinforces that what we do matters. The team felt recognized, appreciated, and seen.”
He added that engagement activities like the naming contest strengthen morale across the network by creating connection beyond daily repair work. “It sparks friendly competition, pride, and a sense of belonging. The team is already asking what the next contest will be.”
