The Crow is gone. For a decade, Justin "Big Chief" Shearer wasn't just a character on Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws; he was the show’s literal and metaphorical engine. He ran the list. He set the rules. He was the guy everyone wanted to beat and the only one who could keep the chaos of the 405 somewhat organized. Then, almost overnight, the face of the franchise vanished.
Fans noticed. People started asking what happened to Big Chief from Street Outlaws the second he stopped appearing on the starting line of No Prep Kings and the flagship show. He didn't get a grand send-off. There wasn't a "The Last Dance" style documentary. He just... left.
Honestly, the reality of his departure is a mix of contract disputes, personal friction with producers, and a guy who simply grew tired of the "reality TV" part of being a street racer. He wanted to race. He didn't want to follow a script.
The split heard 'round the 405
Justin Shearer didn't just wake up one day and decide he hated TV. The friction had been building for years. If you look back at the earlier seasons, you can see a guy who lived for the Midwest Street Cars shop and the integrity of the "Top Ten List." But as Street Outlaws exploded in popularity, Discovery and Pilgrim Media Group (the production company) shifted focus. They wanted No Prep Kings (NPK).
NPK is a different beast. It’s track racing designed to look like street racing, mostly because it's easier to insure and film. Big Chief was a purist. He famously said he didn't care about track trophies; he wanted to be the fastest on the asphalt of a public road. When the show began forcing the cast into the NPK circuit, the rift opened.
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The breaking point happened during the filming of America's List. Rumors swirled—and were later confirmed by camp insiders—that Chief had a massive falling out with the production crew over how the racing was being handled. He felt the rules were being manipulated for drama rather than fair competition. He packed up his trailer, loaded the Crow, and drove away. He hasn't looked back since.
It wasn't just about the rules
We have to talk about the personal side because, let’s be real, that’s what people whisper about at the drag strip. After his divorce from his longtime wife, Allicia, Chief’s life changed significantly. He began a relationship with Jackie Braasch, a racer in her own right from a legendary car family. While some fans were weirdly judgmental about his personal life, it clearly shifted his priorities.
He stopped trying to be the "boss" of the 405 and started focusing on his own happiness. Being the central figure of a multi-million dollar TV franchise is exhausting. You’ve got producers in your ear, fans dissecting your every move on Reddit, and a filming schedule that eats 10 months of the year.
Chief basically chose his sanity over a paycheck.
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The "Street" vs. "Pro Mod" debate
Another factor in what happened to Big Chief from Street Outlaws involves the cars themselves. Chief always pushed for "small tire" or "true street" style builds, even as he moved into the Pro Mod world with the later versions of the Crow.
The show moved toward "purpose-built" race cars that cost $500,000 and have never seen a gas station pump. Chief hated that evolution. He felt it killed the spirit of what they started in Oklahoma City. When he realized he couldn't stop the "Pro Mod-ification" of the show, he lost interest. He’s a guy who wants to wrench on a car in a shed, not manage a corporate racing team with corporate sponsors breathing down his neck.
Where is he now?
He isn't hiding. Justin is still very much active in the car world, but he’s doing it on his own terms. He’s been seen at various small-track events and continues to work on his own projects away from the Discovery cameras.
- He’s focusing on his YouTube presence and social media where he can talk directly to fans without an editor cutting his words.
- He still hangs out with some of the OG crew, though he’s distanced himself from the "TV" versions of those friendships.
- He’s literally just living a normal life. Well, as normal as it can be when you’ve got a twin-turbo engine in your garage.
People often think that when a celebrity leaves a hit show, there must be some dark, scandalous secret. Sometimes, the secret is just burnout. Chief gave a decade of his life to making Street Outlaws the biggest thing on cable. He made his money, he made his mark, and he decided he’d rather spend his Saturday nights racing for $500 in the middle of nowhere than for a TV trophy.
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The legacy of the Crow
The show hasn't been the same. Fans have complained that the "soul" of the 405 left when Chief did. Without his narration and his genuine passion for the list, the series has felt a bit more mechanical—more like a standard racing program and less like a brotherhood.
Shawn "Murder Nova" Ellington has stayed, as have Ryan Martin and the rest, but the dynamic is forever shifted. Ryan Martin has effectively taken the mantle as the "king" of the franchise, especially in the NPK world. But even Ryan would probably tell you that Chief was the one who paved the road they’re all driving on now.
If you’re looking to follow his journey today, you won’t find it on your DVR. You have to look for the "Midwest Street Cars" brand. He’s still building. He’s still fast. He’s just not doing it for your entertainment anymore—he’s doing it for his.
Actionable Insights for Fans
If you've been missing Chief's presence on your screen, you don't have to wait for a "reunion" episode that probably isn't coming. Here is how to keep up with the real Justin Shearer:
- Check YouTube: Chief has been more active on independent channels and his own platforms where he shares raw, unedited footage of builds and testing.
- Look for Independent Grudge Races: He often shows up at smaller, non-televised events in the Midwest. These are the "real" street-style races he always advocated for.
- Support the Shop: Midwest Street Cars is still a thing. Supporting the brand is the best way to support the man behind it.
- Stop waiting for a Discovery comeback: All signs point to the bridge being burned. Accepting that the "TV version" of Big Chief is retired allows you to appreciate the "Real version" of Justin Shearer much more.
The era of the 405 list being the center of the universe might be over, but the man who put it on the map is still out there, somewhere on a dark backroad, waiting for the light to drop.