Richard Rawlings Biography: Age, Height, Wife, Career, Gas Monkey Garage, Fast N’ Loud, Cannonball Run, Cars & Facts

Richard Rawlings is an American entrepreneur, car builder, cross-country racer, and reality television personality who turned a lifelong obsession with automobiles into a multi-million-dollar empire. As the founder of Gas Monkey Garage and the star of Discovery Channel’s Fast N’ Loud, Rawlings became one of the most recognizable faces in the automotive world, transforming rusted-out classics into six-figure showpieces while building a brand that spans television, restaurants, merchandise, and social media. With a record-breaking Cannonball Run under his belt, three marriages, and a garage that continues to thrive years after his hit show ended, Rawlings remains a defining figure in American car culture.

Quick Facts

Early Life & Education

Richard Ray Rawlings was born on March 30, 1969, in Fort Worth, Texas, into a working-class family where cars were more than just transportation—they were a way of life. His father was a devoted car enthusiast who took young Richard to auto shows and taught him to tinker with engines from an early age. Rawlings purchased his first car, a green 1974 Mercury Comet, at just 14 years old. By the time he turned 16 and could legally drive, he had already bought and sold several vehicles. In high school, he cruised around in a 1977 Pontiac Trans Am.

Rawlings graduated from Eastern Hills High School in 1987. Before finding his true calling in the automotive world, he pursued a remarkably diverse range of careers. He worked as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and paramedic—experiences that instilled in him a disciplined, militaristic approach to business and life. He has often credited these early jobs with shaping his work ethic and no-nonsense attitude.

Career Journey

Lincoln Press: The First Business (1999–2004)

In 1999, Rawlings founded Lincoln Press, a printing and advertising company in Dallas. He built the business from the ground up, learning the fundamentals of entrepreneurship, client management, and brand building. In 2004, he sold Lincoln Press to fund his true passion: opening a custom car shop.

Gas Monkey Garage (2002/2004–Present)

Rawlings launched Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, Texas, with a simple but ambitious mission: to find forgotten, rusted-out classic cars and transform them into high-end, show-stopping hot rods for customers worldwide. The shop quickly gained a reputation for bold builds, tight deadlines, and Rawlings’ relentless drive to flip cars for profit.

The garage became the centerpiece of his burgeoning empire. By the early 2010s, Gas Monkey Garage had evolved from a local Dallas shop into a globally recognized brand, with customers commissioning builds from across the world.

Fast N’ Loud: Television Stardom (2012–2020)

In 2012, Rawlings convinced the Discovery Channel to produce Fast N’ Loud, a reality series documenting the daily chaos, camaraderie, and craftsmanship at Gas Monkey Garage. The show premiered on June 12, 2012, and became an instant hit. Over 16 seasons and more than 160 episodes, viewers watched Rawlings and his crew—including lead mechanic Aaron Kaufman, painter Mike Coy, and office manager Christie Brimberry—scour barns and backyards for dilapidated classics, then race against the clock to restore and sell them.

Rawlings reportedly earned between $50,000 and $75,000 per episode, making him one of the highest-paid personalities on the Discovery Channel. The show spawned spin-offs including Misfit Garage and turned Gas Monkey into a household name.

The show ended in 2020, not because of poor ratings, but because Rawlings wanted out of his restrictive Discovery contract. He revealed on The Joe Rogan Experience podcast that the network contract included clauses that would fine him $25,000 for every negative comment about Discovery, and that he was blocked from launching independent projects like a podcast. He chose creative freedom over the security of a hit show.

Garage Rehab (2017–Present)

Since 2017, Rawlings has co-hosted Garage Rehab on Discovery Channel, where he, Russell Holmes, and Chris Stephens overhaul struggling automotive shops and help turn them into profitable businesses. Rawlings pitched the concept to the network around 2015.

Cannonball Run Record (2007)

In May 2007, Rawlings and his friend Dennis Collins set out to break the legendary 1979 Cannonball Run record from New York City to Los Angeles. Driving a black Ferrari 550 Maranello modified with extra fuel cells, they completed the cross-country dash in 31 hours and 59 minutes—allegedly shattering the previous record of 32 hours and 51 minutes set by Dave Heinz and Dave Yarborough in 1979.

The legitimacy of the record has been debated among automotive historians, as questions remain about the exact distance and route taken. Nevertheless, Rawlings and Collins remain the only team to officially claim a Cannonball record faster than the 1979 mark using the traditional Red Ball Garage-to-Portofino Inn route.

Dodge Partnership & Brand Expansion

Beginning in 2014, Rawlings became the face of Dodge in national television commercials, promoting the brand’s vehicles and financing programs. The partnership cemented his status as a mainstream automotive celebrity. He has also served as a brand ambassador for General Tire and continues to make appearances at major automotive events.

In 2022, Gas Monkey Garage became the title sponsor for Peter Hickman and FHO Racing at the prestigious Isle of Man TT Races, further expanding Rawlings’ footprint in international motorsports.

Food, Music & Merchandise Ventures

Rawlings has repeatedly attempted to expand the Gas Monkey brand beyond cars:

Autobiography

On May 12, 2015, Rawlings published his first autobiography, Fast N’ Loud: Blood, Sweat and Beers, chronicling his journey from a Fort Worth kid with a wrench to a television star with a global brand.

Post-TV Career & YouTube (2020–Present)

After leaving Discovery in 2020, Rawlings pivoted to YouTube and social media, where the Gas Monkey Garage channel produces weekly content documenting builds, auctions, and Rawlings’ automotive adventures. The channel has become a significant platform, allowing Rawlings complete creative control. He has also sold portions of his personal car collection through partnerships with Bring a Trailer, reinvesting the proceeds into higher-pedigree vehicles.

Career Stats

Personal Life

Marriages

Richard Rawlings has been married three times:

Karen K. Grames (1993–1994): Rawlings’ first marriage was brief, lasting only about a year before ending in divorce.

Suzanne Marie Mergele (1999–2009, 2015–2019): Rawlings married Suzanne in Las Vegas, Nevada, in 1999. They divorced in 2009, but in a surprising twist, remarried in 2015 in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The reconciliation was short-lived; on March 11, 2019, Rawlings announced via Twitter that he and Suzanne were separating and filing for divorce. He cited his constant travel and busy schedule as contributing factors.

Katerina Rawlings (née Deason, m. June 28, 2020): Rawlings met Katerina Deason, the ex-wife of billionaire Darwin Deason (founder of ACS, sold to Xerox for $6.4 billion), and the two began dating. He proposed on August 17, 2019, at the Be Tulum resort in Quintana Roo, Mexico, in a bed of sandy rose petals. They married on June 28, 2020, in Key West, Florida. Katerina, born December 5, 1967, is a TV personality and actress who appeared in Silk Stalkings and Pensacola: Wings of Gold in the 1990s.

Children

Rawlings has one son, Chandler Rawlings, from a previous relationship. Chandler has appeared at Gas Monkey Garage and is occasionally featured on Rawlings’ social media. Details about Chandler’s mother and upbringing remain largely private, as Rawlings has generally shielded his family from intense media attention.

Family

Rawlings has two known siblings: Daphne Rawlings Kaminski (who served as Vice President of Operations at Rawlinger Holdings LLC and appeared on Fast N’ Loud) and John Rawlings. His sister Daphne has been married to Kenneth J. Kaminski since 1987 and has three children.

Lifestyle & Personality

Rawlings is known for his militaristic discipline, clean-cut appearance, and relentless work ethic—traits he attributes to his early careers in law enforcement and firefighting. He is an avid car collector with a personal garage filled with rare and valuable automobiles. He also enjoys cooking, a hobby that surprises many fans. His dream road trip is driving the Pan-American Highway from Dallas to the southernmost tip of South America—a journey of roughly 19,000 miles.

Controversies

Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill Lawsuit (2018–2021)

In 2018, Rawlings became embroiled in a bitter legal battle with his partners at Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill and Gas Monkey Live, the Dallas restaurant and music venues that licensed his brand name. The partners filed a $6 million defamation lawsuit against Rawlings, accusing him of making “deliberate and deceitful attempts” to breach his contract and damage the business. Rawlings fired back with a $1 million countersuit for copyright infringement, alleging the venue operators had misused the Gas Monkey name.

The dispute was messy and highly publicized, but crucially, it was a civil matter, not criminal. In August 2021, both sides reached a settlement and jointly dismissed their claims. The venue rebranded as Amplified Live, publicly severing all ties to Rawlings and the Gas Monkey brand. Rawlings was never charged with any crime, and the case is now closed.

“Jail” Rumors & Clickbait

Since the lawsuit, Rawlings has been the target of persistent YouTube clickbait claiming he is “in jail” or facing fresh legal trouble. These videos recycle the settled 2018 civil case to generate views. As of 2025–2026, court records confirm Rawlings has no active civil or criminal cases against him and is not incarcerated.

Aaron Kaufman Departure

In 2017, lead mechanic Aaron Kaufman—one of the most beloved figures on Fast N’ Loud—left Gas Monkey Garage, citing creative differences and a desire to pursue his own projects. While fans speculated about bad blood, both Rawlings and Kaufman have maintained that the split was a “philosophical divorce” rather than a heated feud. Kaufman went on to open Arclight Fabrication and star in his own Discovery show, Shifting Gears with Aaron Kaufman. The two remain on friendly terms.

Awards & Achievements

While Rawlings has not won major industry awards like Emmys or Golden Globes, his achievements in automotive culture and business are significant:

• Cannonball Run Record Holder — 31:59 cross-country time (2007, with Dennis Collins)
• Two commissioned custom cars for Hot Wheels — immortalized as die-cast models
• Gas Monkey Garage — one of the most recognized custom car shops in the world
• Fast N’ Loud — 16 seasons, 160+ episodes, Discovery Channel flagship series
• 20+ million social media followers across platforms
• Dodge National Spokesperson — featured in major national ad campaigns since 2014
• Isle of Man TT Title Sponsor — Gas Monkey Garage sponsored Peter Hickman and FHO Racing (2022)

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“The greater the risk, the greater the reward.”

“Success is not about how much money you make, but about the difference you make in people’s lives.”

“I was a fireman very early on in my life and a police officer, so I’m very militaristic, clean.”

“Everything I do in business…” — On his disciplined approach to entrepreneurship

“Bottom line, if we’re gonna have fun, it better have a motor! Get you some of that!” — From Garage Rehab

Favorites

Earnings & Net Worth

As of 2026, Richard Rawlings’ estimated net worth is approximately $18 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth. Some sources place it closer to $15–20 million. His income streams include:

The Gas Monkey Garage brand itself is estimated to be worth between $15 million and $25 million, with annual revenue reported at approximately $13.7 million at its peak.

Interesting Facts

• Rawlings bought his first car at age 14—a 1974 Mercury Comet—before he could legally drive.
• Before Gas Monkey, he worked as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, and paramedic.
• He founded Lincoln Press, a printing company, in 1999 and sold it in 2004 to fund Gas Monkey Garage.
• He and Dennis Collins allegedly broke the Cannonball Run record in 2007 in a black Ferrari 550 with extra fuel cells.
• He has had two commissioned Hot Wheels cars based on his custom builds.
• He is a Dodge brand ambassador and has appeared in national commercials since 2014.
• His Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill partners sued him for $6 million; he countersued for $1 million. The case settled in 2021.
• He left Fast N’ Loud in 2020 because Discovery contractually prevented him from starting a podcast.
• His son Chandler has appeared at Gas Monkey Garage and on social media.
• He loves to cook—a hobby that surprises many fans who only know him as a car guy.
• He has 20+ million social media followers across all platforms.

Did You Know?

• Rawlings’ Cannonball Run record of 31:59 in 2007 remains controversial among automotive historians, with debates about the exact route and distance.
• The Fast N’ Loud episode salary of $50,000–$75,000 made Rawlings one of Discovery’s highest-paid reality stars.
• His third wife, Katerina, was previously married to billionaire Darwin Deason, who sold ACS to Xerox for $6.4 billion.
• Rawlings’ Gas Monkey Live music venue closed in May 2020 after six years of operation.
• He sold a massive portion of his personal car collection via Bring a Trailer to reinvest in higher-pedigree vehicles.

Social Media Links

• YouTube: Gas Monkey Garage
• Instagram: @rrrawlings
• Facebook: Richard Rawlings
• Twitter/X: @RRRawlings
• TikTok: @gasmonkeygarage
• Website: gasmonkeygarage.com

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Richard Rawlings in 2026?
Richard Rawlings was born on March 30, 1969, making him 57 years old in 2026.

What is Richard Rawlings’ net worth?
As of 2026, Richard Rawlings’ estimated net worth is approximately $18 million.

Is Richard Rawlings still married?
Yes, Richard Rawlings is married to Katerina Rawlings (née Deason). They wed on June 28, 2020.

How many times has Richard Rawlings been married?
Richard Rawlings has been married three times: to Karen K. Grames (1993–1994), Suzanne Marie Mergele (1999–2009, remarried 2015–2019), and Katerina Deason (2020–present).

Does Richard Rawlings have children?
Yes, Richard Rawlings has one son, Chandler Rawlings.

Is Richard Rawlings in jail?
No. Despite persistent YouTube clickbait, Richard Rawlings is not in jail and has no active criminal or civil cases against him as of 2026. A 2018 civil lawsuit involving Gas Monkey Bar N’ Grill was settled in 2021.

What happened to Fast N’ Loud?
Fast N’ Loud ended in 2020 after 16 seasons because Richard Rawlings chose to leave his Discovery contract. He wanted creative freedom to launch independent projects, including a podcast, which the contract restricted.

What is Gas Monkey Garage worth?
Gas Monkey Garage is estimated to be worth between $15 million and $25 million, with peak annual revenue around $13.7 million.

Did Richard Rawlings break the Cannonball Run record?
Rawlings and Dennis Collins claim to have broken the 1979 Cannonball Run record in May 2007, driving from New York to Los Angeles in 31 hours and 59 minutes in a Ferrari 550. The legitimacy of the record is debated among historians.

What is Richard Rawlings doing now?
As of 2026, Rawlings continues to run Gas Monkey Garage, produces weekly YouTube content, manages the Gas Monkey brand, makes appearances at automotive events, and serves as a brand ambassador for Dodge and General Tire.

Conclusion

Richard Rawlings’ journey from a Fort Worth teenager buying his first car at 14 to a multi-millionaire automotive empire builder is the quintessential American success story—built on grease, grit, and an unshakable belief that every rusted-out classic deserves a second chance at glory. Whether he’s breaking cross-country speed records, flipping cars for six-figure profits, or fending off clickbait rumors, Rawlings remains one of the most enduring and entertaining figures in car culture. With Gas Monkey Garage still thriving, a loyal global fanbase, and no shortage of new projects on the horizon, the man who made “Get you some of that!” a catchphrase shows no signs of slowing down.

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