STREET OUTLAWS – Heartbreaking Tragedy Of Big Chief From “Street Outlaws” | HO!!

For nearly a decade, Justin “Big Chief” Shearer was the beating heart of “Street Outlaws.” He was the face of the 405, the man behind the Crow, and the one racer every fan and rival respected. Then, seemingly overnight, he vanished—no farewell episode, no press release, just silence. Fans were left to chase rumors and online whispers, but none of it truly explained his sudden exit or the pain that followed. Now, as new details emerge, the real story of Big Chief is more complicated—and more heartbreaking—than anyone realized.

Born for the Streets

Justin Shearer’s journey began far from the bright lights of reality TV. Born December 9, 1980, in Louisville, Kentucky, Justin’s childhood was anything but easy. His earliest memories are of turning wrenches with his dad and helping his mom train horses. When his parents divorced, his mother moved the family to Oklahoma City, working nights and attending nursing school just to keep them afloat. For Justin, the struggle was formative. By age nine, he was obsessed with racing, riding his bike to Old Route 66 to watch the street racers tear up the night.

Money was always tight. Professional tracks were out of reach, so the streets became his proving ground. He was behind the wheel by ten, and by sixteen, he’d scraped together enough to buy his first car—a battered 1972 Pontiac Lemans. That car would become the cornerstone of his legend, but his first race ended in defeat. Humiliated by a Chevy Beretta, Justin swore he’d never lose again. Every dime he earned went into making the Lemans faster, tougher, and meaner.

Love, Loyalty, and the Rise of the Crow

As his reputation grew, Justin’s life changed in other ways. In 1999, he met Alicia at the gas station where he worked. Despite their different paths—Alicia was focused on college, Justin on the underground racing scene—they made it work. By 2006, they were married. At the same time, Justin was cementing his status as one of Oklahoma’s top street racers, landing a spot on the original 405 list—the region’s unofficial ranking of the fastest cars.

In 2013, everything changed. Discovery Channel, looking for the next big thing, stumbled on a race video featuring the OKC crew. Viewers were tired of scripted car shows; they wanted real racers, real rivalries, and real stakes. “Street Outlaws” was born, and at the center was Big Chief. He quickly became the show’s breakout star. Fans connected with his authenticity, his relentless drive, and his loyalty to his Pontiac roots. While others chased the easy power of Chevy engines, Big Chief doubled down on Pontiac pride—building the Crow into a street legend.

The Crow: More Than a Car

The Crow wasn’t just a car—it was a symbol. Built from off-the-shelf parts and endless hours in the garage, it ran on methanol and packed a twin-turbocharged 482ci Pontiac engine. Despite being the smallest engine on “Street Outlaws,” it was one of the fiercest. Big Chief tuned it himself, shifting at a wild 8,600 RPM. The car’s name had nothing to do with its color; it was about making rivals “eat crow” after a loss.

By 2015, the OKC crew had taken no-prep racing mainstream. At the inaugural Outlaw Armageddon event—dubbed the World Series of No Prep Racing—Big Chief sealed his legacy, taking home $20,000 after beating 32 of the toughest competitors in the game. He was on top of the world.

The Crash That Changed Everything

But tragedy struck on November 14, 2015. While filming for Discovery, Big Chief was racing Brian Davis when Davis lost control, clipping the back of the Crow at over 100 mph. The Pontiac spun out, slammed into a ditch, and was destroyed. Big Chief was rushed to the hospital with broken vertebrae, a shattered collarbone, and bruised lungs. He was lucky to be alive.

From his hospital bed, he thanked fans and promised to return. But the crash marked the end of an era. The Crow—his first love, the car that built his career—was gone. In an emotional post, he called it “the machine that carried me into the world of street racing.” But true to form, Big Chief got back to work.

Rebuilding and Unraveling

He built a new car, the Crowmod—a 1970 Pontiac GTO transformed into a sleek, lightweight promod. It was safer, faster, and more aerodynamic, built with titanium and carbon fiber. Under the hood was the same Butler Racing 482ci Pontiac engine, paired with twin 88mm turbos. It was a statement: Big Chief wasn’t done.

But while the car came back together, his personal life was falling apart. In 2017, after more than a decade of marriage, Justin and Alicia separated. On his podcast, he admitted the relationship was beyond repair. Rumors swirled, but he insisted he didn’t begin dating Jackie Brash—another respected racer—until after the divorce was finalized. Jackie brought new energy and a shared passion for racing. For a while, it seemed like Big Chief was finding his way back.

The Disappearance

Then, in 2023, Big Chief disappeared from “Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings.” Fans noticed his absence from both season 4 and 5. He’d posted on Instagram about prepping for the new season, so his vanishing act sparked wild speculation. Was he fired? Did he quit? Was there drama behind the scenes?

Rumors pointed to a falling out with fellow racer Precious and alleged tension involving Jackie. Eventually, Big Chief broke his silence. In a video, he explained his absence was about integrity. The show, he said, had lost its way. The rules weren’t fair, the racing wasn’t real, and he couldn’t stand behind decisions he didn’t believe in. Not everyone bought his story. James “Doc” Love, another cast member, accused Big Chief of manipulation and making life difficult for the crew. The feud spilled onto social media, dividing fans.

A Return to Roots

Despite the drama, Big Chief never stopped racing. He skipped the big-money TV events and returned to grassroots tracks. At the War in the Woods event, he piloted the Crowmod to victory, beating out some of the region’s toughest competitors. Promoter Jeff Thomas confirmed Big Chief wasn’t paid a cent—he just wanted to race, no special treatment.

At the event, a miscommunication meant he had to shut down his car and wait in the heat for a chip draw. When the race finally started, he kept his cool and handled it like a pro. It was a reminder of what made him a fan favorite in the first place: humility, grit, and a love for racing that had nothing to do with cameras or contracts.

Life After Street Outlaws

Today, Big Chief is focused on his own path. He’s building Midwest Street Cars, growing his YouTube channel, and staying active in the 405 scene. He tunes the Crowmod, shares behind-the-scenes footage, and mentors younger racers. He’s made it clear that the only “Street Outlaws” spin-off he’d consider is the original 405 show—if it ever returns to its roots.

But the heartbreak lingers. The crash, the divorce, the exit from the show—each took a toll. Yet through it all, Big Chief’s passion never faded. He remains a legend, respected by fans and racers alike, proof that you can take the man out of the streets, but you can’t take the street out of the man.

A Legacy Beyond Tragedy

The story of Big Chief is one of triumph and tragedy, of love lost and loyalty tested. It’s the story of a man who built an empire from nothing, only to lose it all and find himself again in the place he started: the streets of Oklahoma City. Whether or not he ever returns to TV, his impact is undeniable. For the next generation of street racers, Big Chief’s legacy is a lesson in resilience, authenticity, and never backing down—even when the odds, and the world, are against you.