Justin Shearer Bio 2026: Age, Wife, Street Outlaws Career & Net Worth

Justin Shearer, widely celebrated across the motorsports world by his moniker Big Chief, is an American professional drag racer, television personality, and custom automotive builder. Rising to international fame as the central figure and race master of Discovery Channel’s hit reality series Street Outlaws, Shearer cemented his status as a legendary figure in underground racing culture. Operating out of Oklahoma City, his relentless passion for raw horsepower, master race orchestration, and dedication to his signature 1972 Pontiac LeMans—affectionately known as “The Crow”—turned him into a household name for speed enthusiasts worldwide.

Quick Facts

Within the modern drag racing and automotive media landscape, Shearer shares the spotlight alongside prominent street and track legends including Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington, Kye Kelley, Ryan Martin, James “Doc” Love, Jeff Lutz, and Farmtruck & AZN.

Early Life & Education

Justin Shearer was born on December 9, 1980, in Louisville, Kentucky. His fascination with high-performance mechanics sparked during his earliest years, nurtured in part by the classic car culture thriving in Kentucky during the 1980s. When Justin was just a young boy, he spent weekends riding his bicycle to nearby cruising spots, watching local drivers tweak carburetors and light up their tires down back roads.

Tragedy struck during his youth when his father, Donald Shearer, passed away. His mother, Brenda Shearer, took on the responsibility of raising Justin while encouraging his drive and self-reliance. In 1992, at the age of 12, Justin moved alongside his mother to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. The transition proved pivotal: Oklahoma City was the undisputed heart of grassroots American street racing.

Shearer attended Putnam City High School in Oklahoma City. While he fulfilled his academic duties, his mind remained firmly fixed on the garage. By age 16, he saved enough money from working odd jobs at gas stations and repair shops to purchase his first serious project car: a beat-up 1972 Pontiac LeMans. That very chassis would eventually evolve into one of the most feared drag racing machines in television history.

Career Journey

Grassroots Beginnings & Midwest Street Cars

Long before television cameras descended upon Oklahoma City’s back roads, Justin Shearer made his reputation through late-night street matches on Route 66 and secluded industrial corridors. He established himself not just as a fearless driver, but as a calculated mechanical strategist who understood suspension setups, chassis dynamics, and turbocharger tuning.

Recognizing the need for a central hub where elite street-driven cars could be built, tested, and modified, Shearer joined forces with longtime friend and fellow racer Shawn Ellington (known universally as “Murder Nova”). Together, they operated Midwest Street Cars Automotive in Oklahoma City. The shop quickly grew into a revered sanctuary for high-horsepower builds, dyno testing, custom engine packages, and hardcore drag tuning.

The Rise of Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws

In 2013, Discovery Channel scouted the underground racing scene of Oklahoma City, seeking authentic drivers to anchor a new unscripted docuseries. When producers met Justin Shearer, his natural leadership, encyclopedic knowledge of race politics, and dry wit made him the obvious choice for Race Master. In June 2013, Street Outlaws made its national debut.

As the overseer of the “405 Top Ten List,” Shearer was responsible for establishing rules, mediating explosive driver disputes, inspecting vehicle eligibility, and organizing clandestine racing events under the cover of night. His own flagship race car, “The Crow”—a heavily modified, twin-turbo Pontiac powered by a monstrous big-block engine—became a central character on the show. Big Chief’s battles against rival drivers pushed Street Outlaws into a global television sensation, routinely topping cable ratings across multiple seasons.

The 2015 Crash and the Birth of The Crowmod

Racing on unprepped surfaces carries undeniable peril, and Shearer experienced the reality of the sport firsthand in late 2015. During a head-to-head matchup against Brian “Chucky” Davis for a special crossover episode, Davis lost control of his Fox-body Mustang and collided with Shearer’s 1972 Pontiac LeMans at extreme speeds. The violent wreck obliterated “The Crow,” flipping the vehicle into an off-road ditch.

Shearer was rushed to the hospital with a broken collarbone, cracked ribs, a punctured lung, and severe contusions. While the loss of his beloved first car was an emotional blow, the accident prompted a major evolution in his safety and performance standards. Refusing to step away from competition, Justin engineered “The Crowmod”—a purpose-built 1968 Pontiac Firebird Pro Mod chassis equipped with state-of-the-art carbon fiber components, extensive roll cage safety systems, and twin turbos designed to dominate both the street and the sanctioned drag strip.

Evolution into NHRA & National Drag Racing

Shearer demonstrated that his driving abilities extended well beyond unpaved back alleys. In 2016, he fulfilled a lifelong dream by entering the NHRA (National Hot Rod Association) U.S. Nationals at Lucas Oil Raceway in Indianapolis. Competing in the ultra-competitive Pro Mod category, Big Chief silenced skeptics who claimed reality television racers could not match certified professional drag racers on an official NHRA prepped track.

His crossover between street-style grudge racing and sanctioned quarter-mile drag racing broadened his fanbase and cemented his reputation among automotive purists.

Justin Shearer’s Recent Activity and Racing Ventures in 2026

Heading through 2026, Justin Shearer has recalibrated his focus toward private automotive builds, high-stakes grudge matches, and direct-to-consumer digital media. While his active role on traditional cable television transitioned into independent production, Shearer remains deeply entrenched in competitive motorsport operations.

In 2026, Shearer continues to engineer custom Pontiac powerplants, collaborating with elite aftermarket manufacturers on custom twin-turbo configurations and high-performance EFI management systems. His presence at premier drag events, trade showcases like SEMA, and private invitational shootouts keeps him at the forefront of the American horsepower community.

Career Stats & Television Highlights

Personal Life

Marriage to Alicia Shearer

Justin Shearer met Alicia Shearer (née Smith) when he was just 19 years old while working at a local full-service gas station in Oklahoma City. The couple dated for several years as Justin established his career in automotive repair. They officially tied the knot on April 29, 2006.

Alicia worked as a respiratory therapist at Integris Southwest Medical Center in Oklahoma City. Throughout Justin’s early street-racing hustle and the launch of Midwest Street Cars, Alicia served as a steadfast support system. However, the grueling filming schedules, sudden worldwide fame, and continuous travel demands created strain. After more than a decade of marriage, the couple amicably separated and completed their divorce around 2017, remaining committed to co-parenting their two children.

Children: Covil and Corbin

Justin and Alicia are parents to two sons: Covil Shearer (born in 2007) and Corbin Shearer (born in 2010). Despite his relentless work ethic in the garage, Shearer has frequently spoken about how fatherhood reshaped his outlook on risk management and safety. He regularly shares his passion for outdoor sports, go-karts, and mechanics with his boys.

Relationship with Jackie Braasch

Following his separation from Alicia, Justin began dating Jackie Braasch, a highly accomplished competitive drag racer from Rock Falls, Illinois. Jackie is an active member of Car Chix—a prominent organization dedicated to empowering women in motorsports—and an elite driver in her own right, piloting a 500+ horsepower dragster in bracket racing events.

Their shared passion for automotive engineering and track competition made them a natural pair in the motorsport world. The couple frequently collaborates on garage builds, travels to drag strips together, and maintains a private, grounded home life away from media hype.

Awards & Achievements

• Multi-Time #1 Holder on the 405 Top Ten List: Defended the crown against the fastest street-legal cars in North America across multiple seasons.
• Discovery Channel Flagship Icon: Spearheaded Street Outlaws from a regional experiment into a multi-million-viewer cable powerhouse.
• NHRA Pro Mod License Holder: Successfully transitioned from underground street racing to certified professional NHRA competition.
• Master Pontiac Specialist: Renowned worldwide for tuning traditional Pontiac big-block architecture to output several thousand horsepower under twin-turbo boost.
• Automotive Culture Pioneer: Key influencer in revitalizing mainstream interest in American grassroots drag racing and no-prep track events.

Physical Statistics

Quotes

“If you’re going to build something, don’t build it to impress people you don’t even like. Build it so that every time you turn the key, your heart beats out of your chest.”

— Justin Shearer

“Street racing isn’t about the cameras or the lights. It’s about knowing you took an idea in your head, welded it in your shop, and put it on the asphalt against the baddest guy in the country.”

— Justin Shearer

“When you crash at 170 miles an hour, you learn real fast what matters in life: your family, your safety, and how fast you can rebuild.”

— Justin Shearer

Controversies & Safety Debates

Operating in the high-adrenaline world of high-horsepower racing inevitably invites scrutiny. Over his career, Shearer navigated several public controversies:

• NHRA Sanctioning Warnings (2015): In 2015, the NHRA issued formal letters to competitors appearing on Street Outlaws, warning that participation in televised illegal street racing could result in the revocation of their official competition licenses. Shearer openly challenged this stance, defending the grassroots heritage of the sport before eventually collaborating with the NHRA to demonstrate track safety compliance.
• The Brian Davis Collision: The terrifying 2015 crash during filming sparked heated debates among racing purists regarding the safety limits of high-horsepower cars on unprepared public roads. The incident prompted major upgrades in vehicle construction and track safety protocols across subsequent production seasons.
• Departures & Franchise Shifting: In later seasons, Shearer’s reduced presence on certain spin-offs led to intense fan speculation regarding disagreements over the show’s creative direction. Shearer maintained his commitment to authentic, true-to-roots racing rather than scripted reality entertainment.

Favorites

Salary & Net Worth in 2026

As of 2026, Justin Shearer’s estimated net worth stands between $2.5 million and $3.0 million. His wealth has accumulated through multiple high-yielding income streams developed across more than two decades in the motorsports and entertainment sectors.

During the peak seasons of Street Outlaws, Shearer earned an estimated $20,000 to $45,000 per episode as both race coordinator and primary star. Beyond television salaries, Shearer generates substantial revenue through Midwest Street Cars apparel sales, custom parts manufacturing, race win purses, personal appearances, and brand partnerships with major automotive performance companies.

Interesting Facts

• Lifelong Pontiac Loyalist: While most modern drag racers choose Chevrolet or Ford platforms due to widespread parts availability, Justin has remained steadfastly loyal to the Pontiac brand, investing hundreds of hours into custom machining rare Pontiac components.
• Fitness Buff: Shearer is an avid weightlifter and fitness enthusiast, maintaining a strict gym routine to handle the intense G-forces experienced in high-speed drag cockpits.
• Early Nickname Origins: He picked up the nickname “Big Chief” early in his racing years not just because of his commanding personality, but because he was always the one organizing the street matchups and calling the final shots at the starting line.
• Equestrian Skills: Growing up in Kentucky, Justin developed an affinity for horses and learned horseback riding long before he ever got behind the wheel of a race car.

Did You Know Already?

• Justin purchased the original 1972 Pontiac LeMans that became “The Crow” when he was just 16 years old.
• His partner, Jackie Braasch, has been racing competitively since age eight, having started in Junior Dragsters before advancing to full-sized Pro bracket competition.
• Despite driving cars capable of exceeding 200 miles per hour in seconds, Justin considers patience in the engine dyno room to be his greatest mechanical asset.

Social Media Links

• Instagram: @bigchiefokc
• Facebook: Midwest Street Cars Official
• Official Shop: Midwest Street Cars Apparel & Performance
• YouTube: Dedicated race features and garage highlights via Midwest Street Cars and community automotive channels.

Frequently Asked Questions

How old is Justin Shearer in 2026?

Justin Shearer was born on December 9, 1980, making him 45 years 8 months old years old.

What happened to Justin Shearer’s car, “The Crow”?

The original 1972 Pontiac LeMans was catastrophic destroyed in a violent high-speed crash during a race against Brian Davis in late 2015. Justin subsequently built “The Crowmod” (a 1968 Firebird chassis) and later rebuilt another traditional steel-body Pontiac to preserve the heritage of the original car.

Who is Justin Shearer dating now?

Justin Shearer has been in a long-term relationship with competitive drag racer Jackie Braasch. Both share a love for high-performance motorsports and frequently attend drag racing events together.

What is Big Chief’s real name?

His birth name is Justin Shearer. He earned the alias “Big Chief” as the central organizer and race coordinator for street racing in Oklahoma City.

What is Justin Shearer’s net worth in 2026?

His estimated net worth in 2026 is between $2.5 million and $3.0 million, accumulated through television earnings, race prizes, merchandise sales, and custom automotive fabrication.

Summary

From pedaling his bicycle to watch street races in Kentucky to commanding prime-time television and mastering NHRA drag strips, Justin “Big Chief” Shearer represents the pure essence of American muscle car culture. His mechanical ingenuity, perseverance through near-fatal adversity, and unapologetic passion for raw speed have established his legacy as an automotive titan.

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Sources Consulted: Discovery Channel Official Broadcast Records, NHRA Official Driver Profiles, Midwest Street Cars Official Archives, SEMA Industry Publications, Verified Motorsport Interviews.