Cadillac just found out about The Shootout — the unique boat race that draws tens of thousands to Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri every August.

And the luxury car brand is showing up in a HUGE way to this year's races. 80 Escalades, a 682-HP Escalade V, a CT5-V Blackwing, and an ultra-rare $600K hand-built Celestiq that even the dealer hasn't seen in person. Plus a secret car we're not even allowed to mention, that you can see on Saturday.

In this short episode of Take on the Lake, Chris Wilson, a Kansas City Cadillac dealer, explains how he cold-called Detroit executives to bring a national luxury brand to one of the Midwest's most unbelievable events.

⏱️ Chapters:

0:00 — Teaser: A mystery Cadillac is coming

0:21 — The Celestiq: Cadillac's $400K–$600K electric car

0:36 — What is the Lake of the Ozarks Shootout?

0:59 — Cadillac's huge splash + Chris Wilson intro

1:33 — Chris's dealership connection to the Shootout

2:10 — "Why doesn't this event have a national auto partner?"

2:29 — Why Cadillac was the obvious fit

2:35 — Cold-calling Detroit executives

2:55 — Detroit execs had never heard of the lake

3:08 — Luxury car marketing vs. lake lifestyle

3:50 — "That dude owns that boat" — changing perceptions

4:30 — Year 1: 40 electric Escalade IQs at the Shootout

5:06 — Year 2: 80 Escalades on the lake

5:33 — These are Cadillac-built event cars, not dealer cars

6:13 — Free Cadillac shuttle service around the lake

7:28 — Thursday night: Performance Boat Center display

9:05 — CT5-V Blackwing & Escalade V (682 HP)

9:53 — The Celestiq: hand-built, 150 colors, a couple per month

11:08 — Escalade IQ customization: 100+ colors

12:09 — Matching your Cadillac to your boat

12:41 — Saturday: Cadillac showcase at the Oasis at Lakeport

13:17 — Building a display on a construction site

13:45 — 200+ dock slips — boat up and check it out

16:08 — "Performance meets performance"

19:54 — Escalade V: only 2,200 made, production cut 20%

21:19 — The Shootout as an economic driver & charity fundraiser

22:07 — Where to see all the Cadillacs this weekend

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