{"id":24863,"date":"2016-03-04T12:09:29","date_gmt":"2016-03-04T20:09:29","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/?p=24863"},"modified":"2016-03-04T12:37:45","modified_gmt":"2016-03-04T20:37:45","slug":"street-outlaws-justin-big-chief-shearer-well-be-back-and-better-than-ever","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.racingjunk.com\/news\/street-outlaws-justin-big-chief-shearer-well-be-back-and-better-than-ever\/","title":{"rendered":"Street Outlaws\u2019 Justin \u201cBig Chief\u201d Shearer: \u201cWe\u2019ll be back and better than ever.\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Big<\/a>
Photo: Discovery.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

In June of 2013, following a rather rocky cancelation of Jesse James\u2019 Outlaw Garage, it became apparent that Discovery Channel was looking for something new and fresh to follow their Monday night smash sensation, Fast N\u2019 Loud.<\/p>\n

One has to credit the higher-ups at Discovery for heeding the tortured cries of their viewers on social media. Almost without exception, everyone was fed-up with heavily scripted build shows.<\/p>\n

Enter Street Outlaws<\/strong>
\nFans of Richard Rawlings and his Gas Monkeys hung in and kept their TVs tuned to Discovery as Street Outlaws was rolled off Discovery\u2019s hauler. In the days following its premiere, there was a strong buzz on social media about the show \u2013 and much scrutinizing \u2013 but more viewers checked it out during week number two. While the main attraction was the street racing and lots of talk about what the members of the \u201c405,\u201d (so named for their Oklahoma City area code), were running, something else happened: viewers quickly discovered a cast of very colorful characters that squabbled incessantly and tossed around insults that were clever and funny. The new audience identified with this gang of car guys from Oklahoma and quickly endeared themselves to the new series. Unlike the clashes many viewers had rejected on Velocity\u2019s Graveyard Carz, the boys of the \u201c405\u201d displayed camaraderie and mutual respect for each other. The bickering was real, yet their brotherhood as street racers had created a visible bond.<\/p>\n

When the dust settled in August of 2013, the original eight shows became sixteen: Discovery ordered and began airing a 2nd season just four months later in December of 2013. Discovery had a new hit show.<\/p>\n

\"Big<\/a>
Photo: midweststreetcars.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Discovery Discovers the 405<\/strong>
\nSo how did Discovery Channel end up with a new hit series from a relatively obscure location like the \u201c405\u201d?<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019d been racing and doing cash days for 20 years,\u201d explained Justin \u201cBig Chief\u201d Shearer, who has become the show\u2019s narrator and the groups most outspoken representative. \u201cAnd we\u2019d been posting our races up on YouTube. When the producers at Pilgrim Studios (Fast N\u2019 Loud, Wicked Tuna, Orange County Choppers) were looking for something new, they saw our videos and came out to Oklahoma to meet with us.\u201d<\/p>\n

When asked how the cars and drivers were chosen for the new show, Shearer explained.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe have a pretty good dynamic, so Pilgrim basically left it up to us,\u201d he said. \u201cThe slower drivers were out, of course, but the List (top 10) was the deciding factor. If you could make the list, you were in. We lose people who are slow \u2013 they just fall off the List.\u201d<\/p>\n

Naturally, there were drivers who challenged the List in order to be part of the Street Outlaws television show.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe way I look at it is, if you wanna be on TV, then go audition for American Idol,\u201d Shearer scoffed. \u201cIf you want to challenge us with a fast car then bring it \u2013 along with your money.\u201d<\/p>\n

One puzzling aspect is the longevity of Farm Truck and his sidekick, AZN. When asked how they\u2019ve remained on the show without being on the List, Big Chief attributed it to the fact that they\u2019ve always been a part of the \u201c405.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt became pretty obvious that the truck became too heavy to really compete, but I look to Farm Truck to make a move soon,\u201d Chief explained. \u201cHe and AZN are a staple and have been around for years.\u201d<\/p>\n

As a team, Farm Truck and AZN provide plenty of hilarity between races.<\/p>\n

\"Big<\/a>
Photo: Hotrod.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Pontiac Power<\/strong>
\nShearer didn\u2019t earn his \u201cBig Chief\u201d nickname solely based on his leadership role on Street Outlaws \u2013 he\u2019s adhered strictly to Pontiacs, despite others\u2019 pressuring that he switch to Chevy power. Chief remains Pontiac-powered with a well-massaged Rodney Butler engine.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy first car was a \u201972 Lemans,\u201d he recalls. \u201cWe were ready to drop a Chevy 350 into it, but I decided I wanted to make that Pontiac motor run. Once you start down that road, your sense of pride kicks in. You become an underdog and I picked up that challenge.\u201d<\/p>\n

When the striking white Lemans with GTO Judge striping named \u201cCrow\u201d crashed and burned last season, Big Chief salvaged the Butler-built Poncho engine and dropped it into \u201cCrow-Mod\u201d \u2013 a 1968 Firebird that looks more like a funny car than a street machine.<\/a><\/p>\n