I started to restructure my YouTube channel and website in December to have a broader focus. Rather than just focusing on DIY auto body and paint, I decided to start including a little mechanical and a bit more fun and changed the name to Car Addict Garage. However, I have to set the videos and this website aside at times to focus on my job that pays the bills, which is teaching collision repair at a college.

I’ve put all my time and energy to the collision repair program, but it’s harder finding potential students interested in this career. The college and the industry support us, but we need to have students to keep it going. It’s not just the collision repair program, but also the auto tech, and welding programs. We all risk having our programs closed next semester.

If this happens, creating videos, and this website may not be for fun, as I may need to figure out how to generate more income. Obviously, I will need to do more work, time, and effort to make this happen, but it’s looking like I may have to do it.

I guess I will not know the outcome until August for sure, but I am going to continue working on videos until then.

No. 88 Axalta/CARSTAR Chevrolet Set to Race at Watkins Glen International on August 4

Hendrick Motorsports Driver Alex Bowman to Wear Unique Helmet Showcasing the Winning Artwork from the “Accelerate the Cure” Design Contest with Cystic Fibrosis Chapters Across North America

CHARLOTTE (June 17, 2019) – CARSTAR, North America’s premier network of independently owned collision repair facilities, will make its 2019 debut in the NASCAR Cup Series at Watkins Glen International. This opportunity is thanks to a joint promotion with paint partner Axalta Coating Systems, which sponsors the No. 88 Hendrick Motorsports team of driver Alex Bowman. 

The No. 88 Axalta/CARSTAR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will race on Sunday, August 4, at Watkins Glen. The CARSTAR logo will be featured on the roof and television panel.  In addition, Bowman will wear a unique helmet in the race featuring a design created through a contest with cystic fibrosis chapters across North America.

“What CARSTAR is doing by building awareness in the need for a cystic fibrosis cure is amazing,” Bowman said. “I’m excited to see the winning design of the ‘Accelerate the Cure’ contest and will be honored to wear that helmet at Watkins Glen.  Our team plans to put on a great show for everyone at Axalta, CARSTAR and their guests.”

“We appreciate the co-branding opportunity with one of our most important North American customers, CARSTAR,” said Seth Wilcox, Sales & Distribution Director, North America, for Axalta Coating Systems. “We’ve been partnered with CARSTAR for several years and our partnership has never been stronger. We are thrilled to go build on that relationship here and as we continue to grow together in the future. CARSTAR is one of the fastest growing MSOs in North America and we are fortunate to be their partner. We’d also like to acknowledge Alex for offering up his helmet to be custom designed in a promotion between Axalta, Hendrick Motorsports, CARSTAR and Cystic Fibrosis.”

“This year marks our 30th anniversary and we’re doing something special every month to celebrate this tremendous milestone, ” said Michael Macaluso, president of CARSTAR. “For our August celebration we are thrilled to take the CARSTAR brand to one of North America’s top spectator sports with a young star like Alex Bowman, as he helps us raise awareness for our charity of choice – cystic fibrosis. We can’t wait to see the No. 88 Axalta/CARSTAR Chevrolet on the track and share the CARSTAR story with millions of race fans.”

As part of the race weekend, Axalta and CARSTAR will host top CARSTAR franchise partners from across North America, along with prospective franchisees and corporate team members.

“Accelerate the Cure” Contest Give Cystic Fibrosis Families, Race Fans a Chance to Design Bowman’s Helmet

CARSTAR has supported the fight against cystic fibrosis for more than 20 years, and through a variety of fundraising initiatives, CARSTAR, its owners, partners and employees have raised over $3.7 million for cystic fibrosis research, care and advocacy. For the Watkins Glen race, CARSTAR is working with cystic fibrosis chapters across the U.S. and Canada to host a contest to design a special scheme for Bowman’s helmet.

The “Accelerate the Cure” contest allows participants to illustrate what a cure for cystic fibrosis would allow them the freedom and ability to do. The contest is open to those with cystic fibrosis, their families and those affected by the disease. To participate, visit the “Accelerate the Cure” contest page www.acceleratethecurecf.com to download the helmet design template and contest rules.  The contest runs June 17, 2019 to July 5, 2019.

The winning design will be selected by representatives from Axalta, Hendrick Motorsports, CARSTAR, Cystic Fibrosis Canada and the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The winner will receive a special VIP race experience at the Watkins Glen race from August 2-4, 2019, including travel and accommodations and suite passes for the NASCAR Cup Series race.

For updates on the No. 88 Axalta/CARSTAR Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 and Alex Bowman during the race weekend, visit CARSTAR.com and follow CARSTAR on Facebook and twitter.

About CARSTAR

CARSTAR is North America’s largest network of independently owned and operated collision repair facilities with more than 650 locations in 35 states and 10 Canadian provinces. A part of the Driven Brands family of automotive aftermarket franchise brands, CARSTAR delivers national scale, premier vehicle repairs, repeatable outcomes and the industry’s highest customer satisfaction ratings. Celebrating its 30th anniversary this year, CARSTAR has maintained its commitment to give back to the communities it serves through a variety of fundraising initiatives, including raising over $3 million for Cystic Fibrosis Canada, and has made fighting cystic fibrosis its cause, North American wide. For more information visit www.carstar.com and www.carstar.ca and follow on Facebook, twitter and LinkedIn. CARSTAR is actively seeking new franchise partners and interested parties should contact 844-906-9764.

About Axalta Coating Systems – Celebrating 150 Years in the Coatings Industry

Axalta is a leading global company focused solely on coatings and providing customers with innovative, colorful, beautiful and sustainable solutions.  From light OEM vehicles, commercial vehicles and refinish applications to electric motors, buildings and pipelines, our coatings are designed to prevent corrosion, increase productivity and enable the materials we coat to last longer.  With 150 years of experience in the coatings industry, the 12,800 people of Axalta continue to find ways to serve our more than 100,000 customers in 130 countries better every day with the finest coatings, application systems and technology.  For more information visit axaltacoatingsystems.comand follow us @axalta on Twitter and on LinkedIn.

I recently took a trip to Bowling Green, Kentucky.  We attended the Optima Ultimate Street Car Invitational and visited the National Corvette Museum.  This was an awesome trip that Pennzoil invited me to and I learned a little about oil.  In the video, I am going to share with you a little about the trip and give you five tips to get the maximum performance out of your engine.