By SEMA News Editors
Content Creator Spotlight: Jordan Graff
Instagram: shipbox_garage
TikTok: shipboxgarage
Facebook: shipboxgarage
YouTube: shipboxgarage
Twitter: shipboxgarage
Twitch: shipboxgarage
Follower counts: Instagram: 282k; TikTok: 250k; YouTube: 4k; Twitter: 7k; Twitch: 2k
Focus: DSM, Drag Racing, Video Games and Chow Chows
1. How did you get into the automotive industry?
Like everyone else, I saw Fast and the Furious and wanted to street race. I bought a second-gen [Mitsubishi] Eclipse and then learned the North American model has a trash engine, so I sold it two weeks later and bought a '91 turbo, all-wheel-drive Eagle Talon (DSM gang). Then I learned DSM stands for "Doesn't Start Much," and because I was doing pizza deliveries, if it wasn't running, I couldn't make money--so I had to learn how to fix it.
I was lucky that I made friends with the person I bought my Talon from, and through him and his friends, they would teach me how to fix [it]. And by "help," I mean they would tell me what to do and make me do everything--which, in hindsight, was the best thing I could ask for.
It was kinda weird my parents were letting me hang out with three dudes in their 30s. Shoutout to Rich, Charles and Donny.
2. What's been your biggest motivator?
I just got out of the Navy after being in for 12 years, where I started out as an enlisted machinist's mate. I somehow got picked up to go to the Naval Academy and went into the officer side of the Seabees (Civil Engineer Corps).
I say that because there's no HR department in the military, and if I used the phrases I do now in a professional workplace, I would be fired before lunch. So I started to make below-average car content and it somehow really took off. I've been making content for less than two years and have more than 600K followers across everything.
So, to answer your question, my biggest motivator is to not have to get a real job.
3. What's been your favorite part of being a part of the automotive community?
I know people will disagree, but I truly believe it's how helpful and kind the car scene is. If you get off social media and go to a track event--or even Cars and Coffee--everyone's there for the same reason. We all enjoy going into heavy financial debt for our cars.
Sure, there are people that suck in the car scene, but people suck everywhere. Even before I did content, I've made lifelong friends from my local Cars and Coffee (shoutout to Pepe and Ceasar).
4. As a content creator in the industry, how do you hope to make an impact on your audience?
By creating and selling my own crypto coin so I can rip them all off, then make an apology video and continue on like nothing has happened.
Kidding aside, I just like to make people laugh. Everyone's having their best time when you're around your friends and they're all laughing. I can't stand most content that's being made--it seems like everyone's trying to turn you against someone or rip you off.
I like to pretend I'm a good person, so I try and put out videos that everyone can enjoy. Sure, I talk s***, but I'm just being silly. You can tell when I'm being sarcastic and that there's no hate intended. Unless you own an FRS--then I've meant every mean thing I've said.
5. Why is advocacy important to you?
The automotive community is larger now than it has ever been, but unfortunately that hasn't exactly translated to people attending track-sponsored events.
I started with drag racing. I was at the 2011 DSM Shootout and remember how much fun that weekend was. But then the last two drag-racing events I've had sold out their racing spots--but when you looked at the stands, they were empty.
Tracks are closing across the nation, and that will continue to happen unless we get people out there to enjoy these great places that let us do dumb things safely. SEMA has that voice and reach to do this, which is why I wanted to work with them.
6. What is on the horizon for you in 2025? Anything you're looking forward to?
After getting out of the Navy, I moved from San Diego, California, to Raleigh, North Carolina. So, once I finally get my life together, I want to start traveling more for track events.
I want a different car for everything--a drag car, a drift car, a street car, etc. I'm trying to be the Jay Leno of s***boxes.
I also want to get more into sim racing and streaming on Twitch because I genuinely enjoy talking with the people who watch my content, and streaming seems like the easiest way we can all just hang out.
7. What are you hoping to see from the industry in the next few years?
I want companies to keep putting out awesome cars that idiots like me can ruin with aftermarket parts.
I am by no means anti-EV. I think for 99% of the population, they do everything and more for what they need. But what I'd want from auto manufacturers is to keep making new cars that we can modify and fall in love with.
I have $30,000-plus in a '02 Lexus IS300 that cost $7,000 to buy. I will be buried in this car; I will never sell it. If I bought another car that was just as fast stock, I wouldn't have that same emotional attachment.
If car companies no longer make cars we can modify, this hobby that's financially ruined us all will go away with the next generation that doesn't grow up with it.
Are you a passionate automotive or racing content creator? Do you want to get involved with SEMA/PRI and spread the word about important advocacy initiatives? Contact Lauren Wilbor from the SEMA Washington, D.C., office at laurenpw@sema.org.