Big Chief of “Street Outlaws” Reveals New Car at PRI
Justin “Big Chief” Shearer, of Discovery Channel’s “Street Outlaws,” unveiled his new car today–a white 1968 Pontiac Firebird-themed Pro Mod–during an event at the WELD Booth at the 2015 PRI Show in Indianapolis. Keeping in the Pontiac family the car Dubbed “Crowmod,” is a Pontiac Firebird that replaces Big Chief’s beloved 1972 Pontiac LeMans, known as “The Crow,” which was famously wrecked during filming of the show Nov. 14.
“I want to thank WELD for hosting my big event today,” said Shearer. He told the PRI audience that his new car will sport WELD Racing V series on the front and WELD Racing Delta-1’s on the rears, “because they are the highest quality, most durable, lightest and best looking forged wheels…period!”
Shearer said he chose the 1968 Pontiac Firebird Pro Mod because he could modify it with the same 482ci Butler Performance Pontiac engine that he had on the original Crow, but eliminate the heavyweight construction to make it a lighter and faster car.
“You have to give up a lot to stay competitive. Every city is playing by zero rules to outrun me, and I’m tired of playing by the rules and getting outrun by Pro Mods,” explained Shearer. “I couldn’t build another Crow that takes two years and weighs 3,200 lbs. It just didn’t make sense.”
Though happy to unveil Crowmod at PRI, Shearer will always remember the original “Crow” “because it was my first car that I got when I was 16.” The 1972 Pontiac LeMans included a lot of “firsts” for Shearer. “I took my wife on our first date in it,” he fondly remembered.
In addition to the car unveiling, “The Chief and Shawn Show” podcast will originate live Saturday, Dec. 12, at 1 p.m. from the WELD PRI Booth. The show is co-hosted by Big Chief and his partner at Midwest Street Cars, Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington.