Niel Stender is a dad and primarily an automotive journalist with five years of experience covering cars, technology, and the driving experience. His work has appeared in outlets including SlashGear, HotCars, and CarsForSale, and he is the founder of The Knocking Rod, where he publishes in-depth vehicle reviews and real-world testing results. His insight comes from hands-on experience driving and evaluating cars. He is also a member of the New England Motor Press Association (NEMPA).
Based in New Hampshire, Niel is a father of three teenagers and often brings a family-focused point of view to his writing about vehicles, travel, and everyday life. He now shares his unfiltered, honest, and often hilarious dad perspective and experiences as a parent in CafeMom’s The Fatherhood Files column every week.
