Wait a minute, Murder Nova to the NHRA?! HUGE NEWS at PRI 2025!
At the 2025 PRI Show, drag racing fans were hit with one of the most exciting announcements of the year. In the video “Murder Nova to the NHRA?! HUGE NEWS at PRI 2025!”, the crew from 187 Customs revealed that Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington — one of the most iconic figures from the Street Outlaws universe — is poised to expand his racing footprint into the NHRA arena in the near future.
The announcement came live from the Hoosier Tire Stage at PRI, where Ellington and representatives discussed his racing future, the evolving relationship between street/outlaw racing and sanctioned drag racing, and what his potential NHRA involvement could mean for fans and competitors alike.
🔥 What Was Announced at PRI 2025?
The key takeaway from the video and event coverage is this:
Murder Nova is being positioned for a formal entry into NHRA competition, or at minimum a collaborative appearance in NHRA-sanctioned racing formats in 2026.
While specific series entries, classes, or dates were not yet fully detailed in the PRI announcement, the reveal itself was backed by significant buzz — including suggestions that Ellington’s famed black Chevy Nova could transition from outlaw/no-prep environments into the NHRA drag racing ecosystem, whether as part of exhibition classes, pro exhibition series, or the newly formed Outlaw Street showcase set to debut in 2026.
The video, hosted by the 187 Customs channel, featured:
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Cleetus McFarland making an appearance during the announcement
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Live coverage of Ellington discussing his career trajectory
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Reactions from the PRI crowd to the news
All signs pointed to a major bridge being built between grassroots outlaw racing and the traditional professional drag racing structure represented by NHRA.
🏁 Who Is Murder Nova?
Shawn “Murder Nova” Ellington is widely regarded as one of the most popular and successful drivers in the Street Outlaws and no-prep racing world. Racing a sleek black Chevy Nova that quickly became an icon of the outlaw drag community, Ellington is known for his precision, technical skill, and fearless driving in some of the toughest no-prep and street racing environments.
His popularity transcends just wins — fans admire his engineering insight, careful race craft, and the way he consistently pushes competitive combinations to their limits while entertaining a massive grassroots fanbase.
🚗 Why This Matters to Drag Racing Fans
The announcement is significant for several reasons:
1. A Crossover Moment
Historically, Street Outlaws and NHRA drag racing occupied different spheres — one rooted in outlaw culture and unstructured competition, the other deeply structured, nationally sanctioned racing. This PRI announcement suggests those worlds are converging in new ways.
2. Exposure for Grassroots Stars
If Ellington indeed takes his car into an NHRA context — even in exhibition or invitational format — it would bring grassroots personality stars to a larger professional stage that reaches millions of fans on broadcast and digital platforms.
3. Potential Growth of Outlaw-Style NHRA Events
In 2025, the NHRA confirmed a new showcase series for 2026 — the Right Trailers Outlaw Street Series presented by XPEL — which plans to bring Street Outlaws favorites like Murder Nova, Ryan Martin, and Scott Taylor into select NHRA events in an eight-car qualified, three-round format.
This expansion signals NHRA’s intent to blend traditional drag racing excellence with street and outlaw racing energy, opening new doors for crossover competition and fan engagement.
📊 What’s Next for Murder Nova and NHRA?
As of the latest updates from PRI:
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Specific NHRA event entries for Murder Nova have not yet been finalized in terms of class or schedule.
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Full driver, series, or broadcast details from NHRA on Ellington’s involvement may be forthcoming in early 2026 announcements.
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The PRI reveal ensures his name will be on everyone’s radar as the 2026 drag racing season approaches.
Fans of both Street Outlaws and NHRA are already speculating about how this crossover could impact future race weekends — from blending fan bases to reshaping competitive formats.
🎯 Final Thoughts: A Big Step for Outlaw Drag Culture
“Murder Nova to the NHRA?!” isn’t just a headline — it represents a watershed moment in drag racing culture.
This PRI 2025 announcement bridges the gap between the pure outlaw spirit of grassroots drag racing and the institutional tradition of NHRA professional racing. If Murder Nova makes official runs under NHRA sanction, it won’t just be about one driver — it could reshape how fans experience drag racing crossover and integration for years to come.
