Take a look at this, Is Ryan Martin leaving the 405 for professional NHRA racing?

Ryan Martin to NHRA? What the Fireball’s 2026 Move Means for Street Outlaws and the 405

For years, one name has defined modern street racing dominance: Ryan Martin. Behind the wheel of his infamous Fireball Camaro, Martin became the face of Oklahoma’s 405 and the undisputed king of no-prep competition. But heading into 2026, the biggest question in drag racing isn’t who he’s racing next — it’s where he’s racing next.

Is Ryan Martin leaving the 405 for professional NHRA competition?

Here’s what the move really means — and why it could reshape both Street Outlaws and professional drag racing.

The Rise of the Fireball King

Ryan Martin’s dominance in Street Outlaws and the No Prep Kings series is undeniable. Back-to-back championships, unmatched consistency, and a precision-built Camaro that hooks when others spin — he has conquered nearly everything the street racing world has to offer.

For a competitor of Martin’s caliber, the natural question becomes:
What’s left to prove?

That question gained urgency in late 2025 when production on Street Outlaws was placed on pause. For drivers whose schedules, sponsors, and businesses revolve around televised racing, the hiatus created a major crossroads.

If the cameras aren’t rolling… where does the competition go?

NHRA Enters the Picture

The turning point came at the Performance Racing Industry Show when the NHRA made a groundbreaking announcement.

For the 2026 season, Ryan Martin — alongside fellow Street Outlaws standouts like Shawn Ellington and Scott Taylor — will compete in the newly formed Outlaw Street Exhibition Series at NHRA national events.

This isn’t a cameo appearance.
It’s a full-season commitment.

The exhibition will feature:

• Steel-roof, big-tire outlaw cars

• Eight-car qualified fields

• High-stakes eliminations

• Competition under NHRA’s national spotlight

For the first time, the raw energy of street racing will share the same stage as professional Top Fuel and Funny Car teams.

Is Ryan Martin Leaving the 405 Forever?

Not exactly.

Martin has made it clear that this move isn’t about abandoning his roots — it’s about evolution. With Street Outlaws on hold, the NHRA platform provides a way to:

• Keep the cars active

• Keep rivalries alive

• Keep fans engaged

• Maintain sponsor visibility

Rather than trading grit for corporate polish, Martin describes the shift as survival in a changing racing landscape.

But make no mistake — this is still a massive leap.

From Back Roads to National Stage

The NHRA is a different animal.

Unlike street and no-prep events, professional NHRA competition operates under:

• Strict technical regulations

• Corporate sponsorship frameworks

• National broadcast scrutiny

• Structured event formats

Critics are already asking:
Can the outlaw spirit survive in such a controlled environment?

Ryan Martin’s Fireball Camaro has built its reputation on adaptability and precision. The question isn’t whether it’s fast enough — it’s whether the culture that created it can coexist with professional drag racing’s structure.

The Bigger Picture: What This Means for Drag Racing

This move may signal something larger than just one driver changing lanes.

For decades, the NHRA and street racing communities operated in separate worlds. Now, those worlds are colliding.

If successful, this partnership could:

• Introduce street racing fans to NHRA national events

• Bring younger audiences into professional drag racing

• Create new hybrid competition formats

• Reshape the future of televised and live drag racing

With a newly revealed Pro Mod Camaro and a schedule packed with national appearances, Ryan Martin isn’t shrinking — he’s expanding.

Final Verdict: Evolution, Not Exit

So, is Ryan Martin leaving the 405?

The evidence suggests this isn’t a goodbye — it’s a transition.

Ryan Martin remains a racer at heart. Whether it’s the back roads of Oklahoma or the sticky prep of an NHRA national event, the objective stays the same:

Cross the finish line first.

The streets may have raised him.
But in 2026, the world is about to see what happens when the king of the 405 steps onto the biggest stage in drag racing.