Danny Koker, the legendary car builder and star of History Channel’s “Counting Cars,” has finally broken his silence on the five worst employees to ever walk through the doors of Count’s Customs. In a candid revelation that has sent shockwaves through the automotive reality TV world, Koker detailed a series of betrayals, thefts, and creative clashes that nearly destroyed the shop he built from the ground up. The list includes a bookkeeper who stole more than $75,000, a beloved detailer accused of walking out with thousands of dollars in equipment, and a quiet master builder who simply vanished when the show’s 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 became too much.
The first name on Koker’s list is Joseph Frontier, a behind-the-scenes bookkeeper who most viewers never saw on camera. Frontier was entrusted with managing the shop’s finances, but instead used company funds to make a down payment on a Range Rover and purchase personal airline tickets. He even forged Danny Koker’s signature to cover his tracks.
When the theft was discovered, Count’s Customs filed a lawsuit against Frontier and the staffing agency that placed him. The betrayal cost the shop over $75,000 and forced Koker to overhaul his financial oversight. Frontier has since disappeared from public view, leaving no explanation or apology.
Next is Scott Jones, the shop manager and budget enforcer who appeared in the early seasons. Jones was the voice of fiscal reason, constantly clashing with Koker over costs and deadlines. Their on-camera tension was real, but Jones’s departure after season two was surprisingly quiet.
Contrary to rumors of financial mismanagement, Koker now confirms that Jones simply moved to Tennessee to be closer to family. He now runs his own automotive business and even appeared on Netflix’s “Swap Shop.” While not a villain, Jones’s rigid style made him one of the most difficult employees to work with during the show’s formative years.
The third name is Rolley Sabbo, the Hungarian-born detailer who became a fan favorite for his infectious laugh and meticulous work. Sabbo was the lead detailer from seasons two through six, ensuring every car left the shop spotless. But in 2017, thousands of dollars worth of detailing equipment went missing, and Sabbo vanished from the show without explanation.
Koker now confirms that the theft was tied to Sabbo, who quietly opened his own business, Rock and Rolly Custom Detailing, in Las Vegas. Fans were devastated, but the trust was broken. Sabbo never returned to the show, and his exit remains one of the most 𝓈𝒽𝓸𝒸𝓀𝒾𝓃𝑔 in “Counting Cars” history.
Shannon Iikow, the lead motorcycle builder, is the fourth name on the list. Unlike the others, his departure was not due to theft or conflict, but creative differences. Iikow was a quiet perfectionist who built some of the most iconic bikes on the show.
As “Counting Cars” leaned harder into staged 𝒹𝓇𝒶𝓂𝒶 and storytelling, Iikow felt his craft was being overshadowed. He slowly faded from episodes and eventually left without a public statement. Koker admits the loss was painful, as Iikow was one of the most talented builders in the shop.
Today, Iikow continues to build custom motorcycles in Las Vegas, staying true to his art away from the cameras.
The final name is Mike Henry, better known as Horny Mike. The airbrush artist with the horned helmet and wild mohawk was the show’s most colorful personality. But behind the laughs, Henry struggled with the pressure of TV deadlines and creative clashes with Koker.
Henry wanted to push boundaries with bold, experimental designs, while Koker needed to protect the brand. The tension grew until Henry stepped back to focus on his own business, Horny Mike Designs. He still collaborates with Count’s Customs on special projects, but his role on the show has been drastically reduced.
Koker calls him a brilliant artist who simply needed more freedom than the show could offer.
These five employees, from embezzlers to artists who outgrew the spotlight, have shaped “Counting Cars” in ways fans never saw on screen. Koker’s revelations come as the show continues to air new episodes, but the scars from these betrayals remain. The shop has tightened security, increased financial oversight, and learned to vet employees more carefully.
Yet Koker insists he holds no grudges, only lessons. “Every one of them taught me something about trust, about business, and about the price of fame,” he said in a rare interview. “The cars we built were always perfect.
The people? Not so much.”
As the automotive world digests this bombshell, fans are left wondering which other secrets might still be hidden behind the garage doors of Count’s Customs. One thing is certain: Danny Koker’s empire was built on passion, but it was nearly destroyed by the very people he trusted most.
