In a year defined by celebration, legacy, and a renewed sense of connection across the country, The McLemore Boys set out to do something ambitious: bring people together in a way only they know how—through faith, family, fun, food, and freedom.
To do it, they needed more than transportation. They needed a platform.
They chose Newmar.
The McLemore Boys, father-and-son duo Big John and John Boy McLemore, have built their following around a simple but powerful idea: story telling where connection matters. Whether it’s gathered around a grill, at a racetrack, or in communities across America, their work centers on creating moments that feel genuine, celebratory, and rooted in values.
That philosophy aligns seamlessly with Newmar’s approach to building motor coaches. At Newmar, craftsmanship is only part of the story—the ultimate goal is to create spaces where life happens, where people gather, and where journeys become meaningful.
When The McLemore Boys began planning their “Grillin’ Across America” Freedom Tour—a nationwide celebration of America’s 250th anniversary—they needed a partner who understood that vision on a deeper level.
Newmar was a natural fit.
The result of that partnership is a one-of-one 2026 Newmar Essex, known as the "Freedom Bus"—a coach designed not simply to travel, but to tell a story.
Unveiled at Talladega Superspeedway during a high-profile NASCAR Jack Link’s 500 race weekend, the Freedom Bus immediately captured attention—not just for its scale or presence, but for what it represents: a rolling tribute to America celebrating America’s 250th anniversary, and the journey ahead and it will be featured on The McLemore Boys new hit TV show on Fox Nation, “Grillin’ Across America”.
At its core, the Newmar Essex delivers the foundation expected at this level - 45 feet of precision engineering, 605 horsepower performance, and a level of interior sophistication that defines modern luxury travel.
But what makes the Freedom Bus truly exceptional goes beyond spec sheets.
At the heart of the Freedom Bus is Newmar’s Artisan Series Custom Paint Process—a program reserved for the brand’s most discerning owners and rare collaborations.
Each Artisan design is created once, then permanently retired, ensuring that no two coaches will ever be the same.
For The McLemore Boys, that exclusivity mattered.
Together with Newmar’s Lead Specials Engineer, Interior Design Team, and Sales Coordinator, the McLemores created the bus of their dreams, one featuring a fully custom exterior -hand-painted in-house by Newmar’s talented team of paint artisans - celebrating America’s 250th anniversary. The result is a bold, patriotic visual statement that feels both iconic and deeply personal.
It’s not just a finish. It’s a narrative that travels with them from city to city, stop to stop.
The Freedom Bus isn’t a static showpiece. It’s designed to support a full-scale national tour, serving as the central hub for The McLemore Boys’ travels, appearances, and storytelling.
From Talladega to communities across the country, it will anchor experiences that bring people together—whether through live-fire cooking demonstrations, gatherings with fans, or moments honoring those who serve.
It’s a vehicle designed for movement, but also for meaning. According to "Big John" McLemore, “This journey is about celebrating America - its people, its stories, and the freedom we’re blessed to enjoy. Partnering with Newmar gave us the opportunity to do that in a way that feels truly special. The Freedom Bus is more than a coach to us - it’s a symbol of everything we’re setting out to share as we “Grill Across America”."
For The McLemore Boys, the decision ultimately came down to alignment.
· A shared belief in craftsmanship as an expression of care
· A mutual commitment to bringing people together
· A collective pride in America’s enduring spirit and hertiage and all that it represents
· And a recognition that true luxury is not just about what you build—but how it makes people feel
Newmar’s ability to deliver both precision engineering and deep personalization made it uniquely suited to bring the Freedom Bus to life.
Because this wasn’t just about building a coach. It was about creating something that could carry a message across the country.
“At Newmar, we believe true luxury is measured not only by what we build, but by the experiences it enables,” says Casey Tubman, President of Newmar. “Partnering with The McLemore Boys on the Freedom Bus is an opportunity to bring that belief to life—combining craftsmanship, personalization, and purpose into something that connects people across the country in a meaningful way. It’s a celebration of shared values, and we’re proud to be part of the journey.”
As America approaches its 250th anniversary, The McLemore Boys are taking to the road with a mission: to celebrate the values that define the nation—faith, family, fun, food and freedom—and to share them in a way that feels authentic and unforgettable.
With Newmar as their partner, that journey begins in a coach as distinctive as the story it tells.
A one-of-one expression of craftsmanship. A symbol of celebration. A platform for connection.
The Freedom Bus is more than a destination. It’s the journey itself.
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