You’ve seen the flat-black 1969 Chevy Nova tear up the concrete of Oklahoma City for over a decade. It’s a car that basically defines an era of television. But if you’re looking for Shawn Ellington on the Discovery Channel these days, you might notice things feel a little different. The world of "Street Outlaws" has hit a massive fork in the road, and honestly, Shawn—the man everyone knows as Murder Nova—is driving straight into a brand-new chapter that most casual fans haven't even heard about yet.
Forget the scripted drama. The real story in 2026 is about a massive shift from the street to the biggest stage in professional drag racing: the NHRA.
The NHRA Bombshell: Shawn Ellington’s Biggest Move Yet
For years, there was this weird, unspoken wall between "street" guys and the "professional" NHRA circuit. The NHRA was the suit-and-tie world of corporate sponsors; Street Outlaws was the wild west. Well, that wall just got knocked down.
At the end of 2025, Shawn Ellington made it official at the PRI Show. He’s joining the newly formed Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series. This isn't just a cameo. We’re talking about Shawn bringing a steel-roof, big-tire car to compete at actual NHRA national events starting right now in 2026.
It’s a huge deal.
Why the change? Shawn’s been pretty vocal about the fact that "Street Outlaws" as a TV franchise hit a pause button. No prep racing and the "Speed Promotions" era ran into some serious financial headwinds and a lack of clear communication from the powers that be. Instead of sitting around waiting for a camera crew to show up, Shawn decided to take the Murder Nova brand somewhere it can actually grow.
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He’s not going alone, either. Ryan Martin and Scott Taylor are in the mix too. But don't think for a second that because they’re "buddies" on YouTube, it’s going to be a friendly exhibition. Shawn’s already told the media that as soon as he pulls into that water box and the light turns green, the friendship ends. He’s there to take the stripe.
What Happened to 187 Customs and the "Midwest" Split?
People still ask about the split between Shawn and Big Chief (Justin Shearer). It’s the elephant in the room that never quite goes away. While the internet loves a good conspiracy theory, the reality was a lot more about business and life directions.
Shawn stayed the course with 187 Customs.
If you visit his shop in Oklahoma today, it’s a family operation through and through. His wife, Erin (often called Mrs. Murder Nova), handles the day-to-day chaos of the business. His son, Aiden, is no longer that little kid you saw in the early seasons. He’s a senior in high school now, building his own LS-swapped 1972 Chevelle.
The shop isn't just a TV set. It’s a real-deal performance hub. They’ve even partnered with companies like Ram Jack (an Oklahoma foundation repair giant) because, at the end of the day, Shawn is an Oklahoma guy who values local roots over Hollywood glitz.
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The Car: Why the OG Murder Nova Still Matters
There are actually two Murder Novas. Most die-hard fans know this, but it’s easy to get confused.
- The OG Nova: The 1969 Chevy Nova that started it all. It’s still around, usually rocking small tires and doing what it does best—dominating the street.
- The New Car: A Pro Mod-style beast designed for the track.
Shawn recently announced a major jump into the Pro Mod world for the 2026 season. He's running in the Drag Illustrated Winter Series and moving toward a twin-turbo Camaro setup for some events. The goal? To prove that he’s not just a "TV racer." He wants to silence the critics who think the 405 guys can’t hang with professional Pro Mod drivers.
Life Beyond the 405: The "Unfiltered" Era
One of the best things about Shawn Ellington in 2026 is his transparency. When the TV contracts started getting thin, he didn't disappear. He leaned into YouTube and social media.
On the 187 Customs channel, you see the stuff Discovery used to edit out. You see the 3:00 AM engine swaps. You see the frustration when a $50,000 engine makes a noise it shouldn't. You see him racing his son, Aiden, and realizing the kid doesn't even have a driver's license yet (true story from their vlogs).
It’s this authenticity that keeps him relevant while other reality stars fade away. He knows the "Street Outlaws" peak might be in the rearview mirror, but the racing career? That’s just getting started.
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Misconceptions About Shawn’s Wealth
Let’s get one thing straight: racing is a money pit. People see these guys on TV and assume they’re sitting on tens of millions. While Shawn is doing well—thanks to a mix of 187 Customs merch, YouTube revenue, and sponsorships—most of that money goes right back into the fuel tank and the turbochargers.
He’s a businessman who races, not a celebrity who happens to drive.
What’s Next for Murder Nova?
If you want to follow Shawn’s journey this year, you’ve got to look past the Discovery Channel schedule. Here is what his 2026 looks like:
- NHRA Outlaw Street Series: Watch for him at major NHRA national events. He’s bringing the "theatrics" of the street to the big stage.
- Pro Mod Transition: He is actively testing a new twin-turbo setup to compete in high-stakes Pro Mod classes.
- 187 Customs Expansion: The shop is doing more than just Nova parts; they are becoming a go-to for LS swaps and custom builds for the public.
- Aiden’s Debut: Keep an eye on his son. The next generation of Ellington racing is literally months away from hitting the track.
Shawn Ellington survived the reality TV craze because he was a racer before the cameras arrived, and he’s still a racer now that they’ve mostly left. Whether he’s on a sketchy backroad in Oklahoma or under the bright lights of an NHRA track, the Murder Nova isn't slowing down.
Actionable Insight for Fans: If you want to see the "real" Shawn Ellington, stop waiting for new episodes on cable. Subscribe to the 187 Customs YouTube channel and check the NHRA 2026 schedule for the Outlaw Street Series dates. That is where the actual racing is happening now.