I want to first start off by thanking Dale Blasingame for the awesome class. This semester in FDOM has been an amazing learning process. The class has taught us the importance of media and what it has done for today’s society. While the lab has enabled us with the ability to learn the ins and outs of media and programs to create our own platforms. The FDOM program at Texas State has to be one of the best at teaching the students something that they can take with them into any situation in their future.

WordPress was our main focus throughout the semester and it has tremendously helped us build our own platforms. Their site is very organized and helpful in​ getting you started on new post all the way to adding new widgets or information. The dashboard was the most effective tool for me when using WordPress. With that,​ there were a couple tools that weren’t very effective. The only thing that stuck out to me that wasn’t very helpful was the various amount of ways to do add one thing. I would much rather there be one way to add something than give me options so it is easier to help others when using the site. Using a site like WordPress has definitely pushed me to get more of my work out there and pursue a media-based career. For instance, later on,​ I could be working with a company that needs someone to create a blog or review their product to bring attention to it. There are numerous ways that this experience can help me in the future.

Using WordPress Site Stats, my most popular week was the week of November 12, 2018. During that week I had 44 views and 29 visitors. My most popular post of the semester was on November 15, 2018, and it was the 2015 Cadillac ATS. This post, in particular, received 15 views that day. In today’s standards,​ most people are looking for reliable four-door sedans that look good and this car is the perfect fit. It was really surprising to think my sister’s car would receive more views than a revised 2019 Silverado. My Twitter account received some love with 18 views throughout the semester. Again I would like to thank Dale and the FDOM program for giving us this opportunity to build ourselves a platform.
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This day I was at the Texas Motor Speedway, which you should be familiar with if you have been to any huge automotive shows in Texas. March 26, 2016, I did something that I have never dreamed of doing before. This day I got to drive an actual Nascar around the track by myself. Through the Nascar Experience, the only aid when driving is someone talking to you in a headset. The only thing stopping you is a limiter at 165 MPH.

This whole event does sound kind of sketchy that anyone could come in and do the Nascar driving experience. However, Nascar was sure to provide a driver meeting before ever getting into a vehicle. During the meeting,​ we were guided through suiting up correctly and how to use the two-way radio so you can talk to an instructor for assistance. After going through all the safety meetings, we finally walked into the pit to be placed into lines for our turn. Soon enough it was my turn to give it a shot, and it was a ride I’ll never forget.

Overall the experience is very cool because it gives people the chance to do something they would have never thought of doing. The Nascar Racing Experience is a thrill you’ll never forget! It is exhilarating, completely real and you get to do them on the most iconic speedways in the nation. Needless to say, anyone and everyone should do this at some point in their life. I give the Nascar Experience a Matt’s Garage rating a 97 out of 100.
GoPro Footage From NASCAR Experience

Click the link below to see what a Ford guy thinks about his Ford Focus! Thanks Jon for a great interview.
Asking a Ford Guy 10 Questions

A BMW three series competitor. The 2015 ATS compact luxury performance car from Cadillac. Since its appearance in 2013, the ATS has stood its ground against the best four doors that others have to offer. This is the first Cadillac model to receive the brand’s​ new logo. With all new models and design changes,​ this is Cadillac’s quest to modernizing the brand for the future.

For 2015 there’s a sedan as well as a coupe version available. This 2015 model is the sedan with the 2.5-liter four-cylinder engine. Cadillac also offers a 2.0-liter turbo or 3.6-liter V6. There is even an optional ATS-V performance model with a 3.6-liter twin-turbo with 545 horsepower. Cadillac has also been on its “A” game when it comes to styling. With this, the ATS is readily equipped to keep up with the big boys in Germany.

Overall the ATS definitely falls into my top three Cadillac’s. If you’re looking at the German sedans at least stop by and give the new ATS a test drive. With the same features and specs but with a lower price range where could you go wrong?​ I give this a Matt’s Garage rating of 93 out of 100. Huge thanks to Rebecca Cochrane for allowing me to review her 2015 Cadillac ATS.
​The Cadillac ATS, Luxury Performance for Cheap

Today I am going to review the 2012 Chevrolet Silverado light-duty truck. The Chevrolet Silverado and its GMC Sierra twin are both capable trucks that are easy live with. Chevrolet’s design team created a functional truck that can be a daily driver and family vehicle. This model Silverado does a great job balancing the work that a truck should do with the option of luxury available. Here are​ some of the pros and cons of the 2012 Silverado.

This 2012 Silverado 1500 is the 9th generation of Chevrolet pickup​ trucks. Chevrolet offers three different models for this model Chevrolet. The LS and LT are more work concentrated with a little more function which is priced lower. As for the LTZ is the more luxurious package like something you would find in a Cadillac comes with a higher price tag. This Silverado model as tested is the LTZ Premium package which is the highest package at the time priced just under $55,000.

While the Silverado is not a sports car it does handle reasonably well for a two-ton truck. One negative is the 50-foot turning radius that is for some reason new to this body style of Silverado. A new great feature for the 2012 Silverado is the available full-time automatic four-wheel drive system which knows when to switch between two-wheel drive and four-wheel. New for 2012 on the Silverado’s is upgrading for the optional 6.2-liter V8 that puts out an astounding 403 horsepower and 417-foot-pound​​​ of torque. Like Chevrolet said, find new roads. I give this a Matt’s Garage rating of 85 out of 100.
An Era of Big V8’s
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The Straight Pipes automotive blog/vlog with Jakub and Yuri. You can find these awesome guys on just about any source of media. Primarily focusing on uploading to YouTube to reach their audience. Always creating high-quality​ content including new and used vehicles every Tuesday and Friday. They’ve found a unique way to review vehicles that move you to watch more when you’re not even in the market.

I just stumbled upon these guys recently and now an active follower of their channel. Great vibes and content from two Canadian dudes who look like they are having a blast doing what they love. These guys are cool and provide real opinions. Still doing it in a way that keeps your attention. You can always count on them to cover the little things that you would normally overlook in a vehicle. The box test is what everyone should be doing in vehicle reviews! Definitely my favorite reviews on YouTube.

One of the most informative and entertaining automotive channels out there. These guys produce some of the most professional reviews that make other car channels seem so boring. Jakub and Yuri know their cars and keeps car enthusiast like me always looking forward to their next video. I give these dudes a Matt’s Garage rating of 95 out of 100 for the awesome content. Thanks for inspiring others!
The Straight Pipes WordPress Content

Few vehicles receive more hype leading up to their redesign than the new Wrangler. Here is the highly anticipated JK replacement. Just as solid as before but smarter than ever. The 2019 Jeep Wrangler JL Rubicon. With the first comprehensive Wrangler redesign in over a decade, comes the Wrangler JL. Through Wrangler’s 77-year development, the design team was​ able to preserve its core values.

From the naked eye, the new Wrangler may look like a slightly updated JK, but it’s actually all new from the ground up. With closer examination reveals the new Wrangler’s improved aerodynamics, design features, and much more. Whether​ the Wrangler Sport, Sahara, or Rubicon, each Wrangler has its own appearance and performance. It’s the Rubicon that gets the Trail Rated badge with heavy duty axels, Rock-Trac transfer case, an electronic sway bar disconnect for greater wheel articulation, and the highest ground clearance. If this is your idea of off-road capability, the Wrangler Rubicon is the best vehicle for the job. It is ready to go straight from the factory.

Overall, the whole package of the JL is far more refined than the JK Wrangler it replaces. Jeep’s Wrangler is an incredible success that stays true to its roots, and it does so better than ever before. The new Wrangler JL takes a huge jump forward in terms of styling, technology, and the rest is how it’s always been. I give this a Matt’s Garage rating of 85 out of 100.
Check out the Jeep JL specifications