Richard Rawlings

Richard Rawlings continues to embody the spirit of pure automotive passion and entrepreneurial drive. Hailing from Fort Worth, Texas, he first shined the spotlight on his visionary hot-rod haven—Gas Monkey Garage—when it burst into global fame with the Discovery Channel’s "Fast N' Loud." While the show may have ended its run, Rawlings never slowed down. He charted a new course, taking full creative control and channeling his energy into a thriving online content empire. Through YouTube and social media, he now delivers fresh episodes of garage builds, road adventures, and behind-the-scenes moments, keeping his fans tuned in and his brand revving.

Not one to stay stationary, Rawlings has accelerated his restaurant ventures with renewed momentum. In 2024 he opened Gas Monkey Sturgis in South Dakota—a buzzing hot-rod-meets-bar experience that quickly became a landmark for travelers and rally attendees alike. With live music, custom merch, and immersive car culture built right into its DNA, the venue expanded in 2025 with a new outdoor bar, adjacent retail store, and a short film chronicling its creation and rise.

Back in his Texas backyard, Rawlings returned to the Lone Star restaurant scene with a big splash. Gas Monkey Icehouse opened its doors in May 2025 at Grandscape in The Colony, just north of Dallas. The massive, car-themed eatery—with its neon flair, handcrafted industrial décor, courtyard bars, and casual menu of burgers, pizzas, nachos, beers, and signature cocktails—quickly became a hometown favorite and a live filming backdrop for his YouTube content.

Always looking to bring fans into the action, Rawlings inaugurated the first-ever “Trans Am Takeover” in Sturgis—an electrifying, free, multi-day car festival highlighting Pontiac Firebird Trans Ams, complete with live music, entertainment, and show-stopping rides curated by both Rawlings and a Smokey and the Bandit tribute act. It was a roaring reminder of how his brand blends classic car culture with high-energy events.

Adding to his legacy of pushing limits, Gas Monkey Garage recently unveiled “The Testa”—a jaw-dropping custom build based on a 1989 Ferrari Testarossa. Transformed into a full electric roadster featuring a center-driving-seat layout and high-end components, the Testa is a futuristic fusion of performance, art, and engineering that cements Rawlings’ garage reputation as a front-runner in automotive reinvention.

From newspapers to police and firefighting jobs before legal driving age, Rawlings’ diverse early experiences forged a work ethic and tenacity that fuel his drive to build legendary machines, businesses, and experiences. Today, his enterprises span global apparel, food and beverage lines, and multiple restaurant and entertainment venues, while his foundation work continues quietly in the background—driven by deeply personal inspiration.

Rawlings remains high-octane: the mastermind behind a multimedia empire, restaurant brands, live events, and one-of-a-kind builds. With constant content, new venues, and iconic car creations, he’s still doing what he loves most—turning up the heat, fueling adrenaline, and inviting the world to join the ride.