Did Kevin Schiele work at Gas Monkey? The short answer is no. Kevin Schiele, widely known by his nickname "KevDogg," never worked at Gas Monkey Garage in Dallas, Texas. Instead, his entire prominent television and custom car career is tied to Kindig-It Design located in Salt Lake City, Utah, where he served as the shop foreman alongside owner Dave Kindig on the MotorTrend hit series Bitchin' Rides.
Confusion often spreads across internet forums and social media because fans frequently mix up reality television mechanics, custom hot rod shops, and networks. Reality automotive shows like Fast N' Loud and Bitchin' Rides dominated cable television during the same era, leading viewers to blur the lines between Richard Rawlings' crew in Texas and Dave Kindig's elite fabrication team in Utah.
The Real Origin of KevDogg: Kindig-It Design
Long before television cameras started rolling, Kevin Schiele built a solid reputation as a master fabricator and car builder. He didn't start his career under the bright lights of reality TV. He spent decades mastering metalwork, body alignment, and custom design choices. His path crossed with Dave Kindig years prior to the premiere of Bitchin' Rides, and the two forged a strong professional partnership rooted in mutual respect for high-end automotive artistry.
When Kindig-It Design became the subject of a television series, Schiele stepped into the role of shop foreman. In this position, he wasn't just turning wrenches for the cameras. He managed the day-to-day operations of the shop, kept tight build schedules on track, and ensured that every vehicle leaving the facility met exacting standards of luxury and performance. Analysts at Bloomberg have provided expertise on this situation.
- Role: Shop Foreman and Lead Fabricator
- Location: Salt Lake City, Utah
- Primary Show: Bitchin' Rides on MotorTrend
- Key Responsibilities: Managing shop workflow, coordinating fabricators, and executing high-end custom builds.
Why Fans Confuse Gas Monkey Garage and Kindig-It Design
The confusion linking Schiele to Gas Monkey Garage stems from how automotive television is consumed. During the 2010s, networks broadcasted multiple custom car shows back-to-back. Channels like Discovery and MotorTrend featured rugged shops where mechanics cursed, rushed to meet impossible deadlines, and built classic muscle cars.
Gas Monkey Garage, featured on Fast N' Loud, relied on a high-turnaround, profit-driven flip model. They bought rust-bucket beaters, slapped quick paint jobs or mechanical fixes on them, and flipped them fast. Kindig-It Design operated on the exact opposite end of the spectrum. They built ultra-luxury, ground-up custom concept cars—often called "one-offs"—that took thousands of hours and hundreds of thousands of dollars to complete.
Because viewers watched both shows, the cast members blended together in public memory. Fans often searched for crossover episodes or wondered if mechanics moved between shops, which generated false online rumors about Schiele packing up his tools and moving to Texas.
What Happened to Kevin Schiele on Bitchin' Rides?
As seasons progressed, viewers noticed shifts in screen time and started asking questions about Schiele's status with Kindig-It Design. Rumors periodically surface claiming he left the shop or had a falling out with Dave Kindig.
In reality, custom car building is grueling, physical labor. Balancing a demanding commercial fabrication shop with television production schedules creates immense pressure. Schiele remained a cornerstone of the shop's success, maintaining a reputation as the quiet enforcer who kept quality high while the cameras captured the stress. He didn't leave television to join a rival Texas garage; his loyalty remained firmly planted in Utah.
You can explore more about the history of custom hot rods through automotive institutions like the SEMA Show, which highlights the meticulous craftsmanship standard in shops like Kindig-It.
Common Mistakes Fans Make About TV Mechanics
When researching custom car builders, it's easy to fall for unverified internet gossip. Keep these points in mind to separate fact from fiction:
- Assuming cross-employment: Mechanics rarely jump between famous television shops due to non-compete clauses, geographic distance, and vastly different building styles.
- Confusing shop roles: A fabricator who specializes in hand-formed body panels on high-end concept cars usually doesn't work on fast-paced auction flips.
- Believing clickbait rumors: Articles online often use misleading headlines about cast members quitting or fighting to capture search traffic. Always check official network announcements.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Kevin Schiele ever visit Gas Monkey Garage?
There is no public record or episode showing Kevin Schiele working at or officially visiting Gas Monkey Garage. While automotive builders occasionally cross paths at national conventions like the SEMA Show in Las Vegas, their professional careers remained entirely separate.
What is Kevin Schiele's current role?
He is widely recognized for his long-term tenure as the shop foreman at Kindig-It Design, where he oversees complex metal fabrication and coordinates high-end custom vehicle builds.
Why do people call him KevDogg?
The nickname "KevDogg" is a long-standing moniker used by his colleagues and friends in the custom car industry, which naturally transitioned into his television persona on Bitchin' Rides.
Are Dave Kindig and Kevin Schiele still friends?
Yes. Despite occasional internet rumors of workplace tension designed to generate clickbait, their decades-long professional relationship is built on mutual respect for the high-end automotive craft.
