Garrett Reed (@AmericanMuscleHD) has over 2.4 million followers on Instagram, making him one of the biggest automotive content creators today. But how did he actually build that kind of following and, more importantly, how does he turn it into real business?

In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting) sit down with Garrett to uncover:

• The early days of AmericanMuscleHD and how the page took off

• The shift from a faceless brand to a personal brand—and why it changed everything

• Where the money really comes from in content creation (brand deals, events, and beyond)

• Why relationships and showing up in person are more valuable than likes or DMs

• The next evolution for creators: building a team, moving into YouTube, and hosting events

If you’ve ever wondered what it actually takes to grow an audience in the millions and keep it thriving in today’s fast-changing creator economy, Garrett pulls back the curtain in this one.

Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of business, media, and the automotive world.

We just got back from YouTube and Google’s first-ever Automotive Content Creator Summit in Detroit, Michigan and it was a game-changer. In this episode, Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting) break down everything we learned inside Google HQ, including:

Why YouTube is now bigger than Netflix and what that means for your business

How “investable trends” are shaping the future of car content

Why 80%+ of car buyers use YouTube before making a purchase and how you can reach them

The “Full YouTube Canvas” strategy that the biggest creators are using (and how small shops can apply it)

The trap of sameness in automotive content and how to break out of it

Whether you’re a shop owner, content creator, or marketer in the automotive industry, this one is packed with takeaways that could change the way you think about video.

Subscribe for more insights on where car media and the performance aftermarket are headed next.

David Freiburger has shaped how millions of car enthusiasts experience automotive media. From his years as Editor of Hot Rod Magazine, to co-creating Roadkill, to building one of the biggest automotive shows on YouTube, David’s fingerprints are everywhere. 

In this episode of Automotive Advantage, hosts Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting) sit down with David to unpack:

• How he spotted and amplified trends that changed the industry

• The rise and fall of print, TV, and the birth of YouTube car culture 
• His formula for building authentic content, merch, and events 
• Behind-the-scenes of Hot Rod, Roadkill, and building an automotive show on YouTube 
• Why “don’t get it right, just get it running” is more than a catchphrase 
• The real economics of print, TV, YouTube, merch, and live events in today’s market 
• How to balance authenticity, advertisers, and audience without selling out 
• Why collaboration on YouTube isn’t always the growth hack people think it is 
• What brands get wrong about “going viral” and how to actually work with influencers 
• David’s goals for the next 12 months, and the pitfalls of building your career on platforms you don’t control 

If you care about cars, content, or the business of automotive media, this is a must-watch conversation with one of the most influential voices in the industry. 

Subscribe to the Automotive Advantage for more insider conversations!

The Voice of Drag Racing joins Automotive Advantage. Brian Lohnes (NHRA lead announcer, Dorkomotive host, super nerd,  @brianlohnes3079 on YouTube) walks us through the real climb… from quitting a trucking management job to building BangShift, crashing servers with a 2010 March Meet livestream, writing 20,000 stories to feed a family and a dream, to becoming the Voice of Drag Racing with the NHRA.We dig into prep, performance, and why curiosity beats “having a plan” every time. We also get honest about AI voice clones, YouTube revenue, and what NHRA looks like in the next 5–10 years, including the John Force moment and how the team responded.Hosted by Justin Cesler, Founder of Driveline Studios, and Dr. Jamie Meyer of 6757 Consulting. If you’re a builder, shop owner, or marketer in the performance world, this one hits you right where you work: consistency, storytelling, and making content your competitive edge.TOPICS:Why Brian walked away from a “safe” jobBangShift’s first big livestream winVolume beats luck: 20,000 stories laterHow to prep like a pro announcerDorkomotive, YouTube growth, and fighting AI clones“Get over yourself” and publishNHRA health check and the next evolutionLife after John Force and what changes nowAnd so much more!Subscribe for more Automotive Advantage with Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer.

Welcome to Episode 006 of The Automotive Advantage with Justin Cesler (Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting). This one hits different. After a powerful dinner with an aftermarket veteran, we pause our usual format and dive straight into the truth: the automotive aftermarket has changed... radically. Print ads, racing credentials, and phone calls aren't enough anymore. Customers haven’t disappeared, they’ve just moved.

We break down:

• The new sales funnel for speed shops and manufacturers

• Where your customers really are (hint: it's YouTube, not the track

)• Why your website, content, and shipping speed matter more than ever

• How shops like Badass Broncos are closing $300K+ deals in the DMs

• What to do if you're feeling overwhelmed, stuck, or isolated

We also discuss the rise of the Clubhouse Era, AI's role in transforming your customer service, and the real cost of ignoring change.This is your roadmap to staying alive and thriving in 2025 and beyond.

Subscribe, like, and share to stay ahead of the curve.

What does it take to turn a city street into a world-class drag strip? Kurt Johnson, owner of Total Venue Concepts and the man behind some of the best racing surfaces in the world, joins us for a deep dive into track prep, drag strip operations, and the state of drag racing today.

From the evolution of traction compound and “rubber stretch” science, to the business realities of running a successful track, Kurt shares decades of hard-earned knowledge plus where he sees the sport headed next. We also cover how he’s applying motorsports expertise to other industries, why the fan experience matters more than ever, and the cultural changes drag racing needs to thrive.

If you’re a racer, track operator, or motorsports fan, this episode is packed with insights you won’t hear anywhere else.

Topics include:

• Roadkill Nights and building a drag strip in the streets of Pontiac

• The art and science of track prep (and why it’s not “witchcraft”)

• How to run a great drag strip from the front gate to the finish line

• Revenue, margins, and the hidden challenges of track ownership

• The future of slicks, radials, and class trends

• Lessons from consulting for Tony Stewart Racing

• Using AI, new tech, and cross-industry skills in motorsports

• The cultural side of racing and why personality sells

#AutomotiveAdvantage #DragRacing #TrackPrep #KurtJohnson #TonyStewartRacing #RoadkillNights #MotorsportsBusiness #NHRA #IHRA

Justin Keith went from street racing in Kansas City to building a multi-million dollar brand that spans performance shops, massive racing events, and viral YouTube content. In this episode of The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler and Dr. Jamie Meyer sit down with Justin to unpack how he's grown Killer Performance and now reimagines automotive events with RPM Revival.

Topics covered:

• 80% of shop revenue from YouTube alone

• How one idle video sold 4 Escalade V builds

• Why event promoters should entertain as much as they race

• Lessons from building a 7-figure event business

• The launch of RPM Revival and Boost & BBQ

Whether you're a shop owner, racer, or just a car guy with a dream, this one's for you.

Featuring:

Justin Keith – Founder, RPM Revival / Killer Performance

Justin Cesler – Founder, Driveline Studios

Dr. Jamie Meyer – Founder, 6757 Consulting

Is print dead? Are kids really done with cars? Or are we living in the greatest era the car world has ever seen?

In Episode 005 of The Automotive Advantage, Justin Cesler (Founder, Driveline Studios) and Dr. Jamie Meyer (6757 Consulting) sit down with Mike Galimi, Network Director of Hot Rod, to talk about the state of the media, the revival of project builds, why 80s and 90s cars are surging, and how AI is changing content creation.

Mike shares what it's really like behind the scenes at Hot Rod, how they choose stories, what speed shops should pitch, and how to future-proof your business in this new automotive economy.

Plus: The truth about Fox-bodies, O3 Cobras, and why your unnamed project car might never be remembered.

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Want to grow your business and get smarter about the industry? Subscribe now for more conversations like this every week.

Featuring:

• Justin Cesler, Founder, Driveline Studios

• Dr. Jamie Meyer, Founder, 6757 Consulting

• Mike Galimi, Network Director, Hot Rod

Sky-high car payments… EV growth hitting a wall… the aftermarket off 25 percent. In this week’s Automotive Advantage we unpack what all that really means for builders, brands, and everyday enthusiasts and then show you where the hidden opportunities lie.

Why watch?

• Action-ready marketing tips you can steal today

• Honest industry stats you won’t see in press releases

• Step-by-step AI demos that cut content time in half

• A no-fluff promise: every segment is built to help you grow your business

Resources mentioned:

• Substack

• OpenAI

• Motor City Foxfest

Like the vibe? Smash Subscribe, hit the 🔔, and share with the one friend who still thinks cup-holder size doesn’t matter…

Ready to turn your passion for cars into serious profit? In Episode 2 of The Automotive Advantage, Dr. Jamie Meyer and Justin Cesler break down ten revenue-generating opportunities you can launch right now, from AI-driven marketing services to niche events, car storage, and more!What you’ll learn in under an hour:How to spot untapped gaps like reliable video production, HubSpot CRM setup, and AI content curationWays retirees and C-suite vets can cash in through coaching, speaking, and authority booksWhy small, local “cars & coffee”-style events still mint money…and how to host one without breaking the bankThe truth about EV tax-credit changes, PPF demand, and other trends shaping 2025 profitsPractical tips for staying visible as Google and ChatGPT rewrite search resultsListen if you are:A shop owner, marketer, or side-hustler hunting new revenue streamsAn industry veteran ready to pivot experience into passive incomeAnyone curious how AI and changing tax laws reshape the automotive landscape👍 Like this episode if you grabbed at least one money-making idea…🔔 Subscribe for weekly tactics that grow your automotive business…💬 Got a question or success story? Drop it in the comments so we can feature you next week!#AutomotiveBusiness #AutoIndustry #Entrepreneurship #CarCulture #AI