Take a look at this, Ryan Martin & Murder Nova Announce New Race “Outlaw Syndicate”: The Post-NPK Era?
The Street Outlaws universe is officially entering a new chapter. In a revealing and energetic podcast discussion, Ryan Martin and Shawn Ellington announced the creation of an all-new racing series set to debut in 2026: Outlaw Syndicate.
This is not No Prep Kings. It’s not street racing. And it’s not built for television executives. Instead, Outlaw Syndicate is a racer-driven, fan-focused small-tire series designed to bring raw speed, accessibility, and true outlaw energy back to grassroots drag racing—especially across the eastern United States.
A Racer-Owned Vision: Why Outlaw Syndicate Exists
For years, Ryan Martin and Murder Nova hinted that they wanted more control over how and where they race. The grind of massive schedules, corporate rules, and one-size-fits-all formats left a void—particularly for racers who wanted fast, safe competition without destroying their cars on sketchy surfaces.
Outlaw Syndicate is their answer.
The series is built by racers, for racers, with the goal of reviving packed grandstands, local legends, and true heads-up competition. Rather than chasing television drama, the focus is on performance, parity, and fan experience.
Prepped Tracks, Real Speed, and Safer Racing
One of the biggest surprises is a complete shift away from no-prep racing.
Outlaw Syndicate events will run on fully prepped tracks, supplied with traction compound from VP Racing Fuels. That decision was deliberate. Many racers avoided previous outlaw series because marginal surfaces destroyed equipment and budgets. By prepping the track, the series opens the door for local racers who have poured everything into a single car.
The result?
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Faster ETs
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Fewer wrecks
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More racers willing to show up and compete
This isn’t about taking the danger out of racing—it’s about letting horsepower actually work.
Three Classes Built for Fair, Fast Competition
Outlaw Syndicate will feature three core classes, each designed to keep the racing competitive while preventing Pro Mod domination.
🔥 Anything on 28s – The Main Event
The headline class runs a 28×10.5 tire with a simple rule: if it fits, bring it.
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$20,000 to win at every race
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Planned season points fund approaching $50,000
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No Pro Mods, no carbon-fiber bodies, factory wheelbase required
The goal is to make cars like Ryan Martin’s Fireball Camaro and the OG Murder Nova the benchmark—not ultra-short wheelbase aerodynamic machines.
🏁 All Steel / All Glass
This class is for true grassroots racers:
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Steel roof and quarters
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Factory glass
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No full tube-chassis “street car” loopholes
It’s built for back-half cars and local grudge legends who thrive outside national spotlight racing.
🎉 Outlaw 5.30 Index
The party class.
Run a 5.30 and have fun. Whether it’s a detuned fast car, a bracket setup, or a crew member jumping in, this class keeps everyone involved.
A Smart, Racer-Friendly 2026 Schedule
The inaugural season includes eight races, all strategically placed east of the Mississippi to avoid conflicts with NHRA and Midwest Pro Mod events. Tracks were hand-picked for character, history, and fan proximity—places where the stands are full and the action is close.
From Florida and Georgia to Tennessee, Alabama, and Kentucky, the schedule hits the heart of American drag racing country.
Every event will also feature:
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Burnout pits
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Car shows
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Festival atmosphere
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Professional multi-camera live streaming for fans worldwide
Ryan Martin Pushes Small-Tire Physics to the Limit
Beyond the series announcement, Ryan Martin dropped a technical bombshell.
On a 28×10.5 tire, Ryan has already shattered expectations—running deep into the 3.90s with a screw-blown combination. He revealed that his setup spins the blower at 92% overdrive, producing Pro Mod-level boost on a tire barely wider than a shoe.
When data showed competitors trapping nearly 200 mph, Ryan responded by adding nitrous on top of the screw blower. The result? A historic pass—and a prediction that 3.80-second runs are coming soon.
Small-tire racing is evolving at a terrifying pace.
Tire Wars: Mickey Thompson Takes Over
The podcast also highlighted a major shift in tire technology. While Hoosiers once dominated no-prep racing thanks to their softer sidewalls, the extreme horsepower of prepped-track small-tire racing has exposed their limits.
Teams are now moving toward Mickey Thompson tires, which handle wheel speed and distortion better under 3,000+ horsepower loads. Manufacturers are scrambling to keep up as small-tire cars reach performance levels once thought impossible.
Carson Baker: The New Wild Card
Outlaw Syndicate also introduces a new name fans should remember: Carson Baker.
A successful entrepreneur from the Carolinas, Carson partnered with Ryan and Shawn in business—then decided to go racing. Skipping the learning curve entirely, he jumped straight into a top-tier Jerry Bickel Pro Mod Camaro.
At the US Street Nationals, Carson shocked everyone by ripping a 3.88 at 199 mph, qualifying number one over seasoned veterans. He later lost in eliminations due to a slow reaction time, proving drag racing’s ultimate lesson: speed alone doesn’t win races.
With elite equipment, funding, and mentorship from Ryan Martin and Murder Nova, Carson Baker is poised to become a serious threat in the Outlaw Syndicate era.
What Outlaw Syndicate Means for Drag Racing Fans
Outlaw Syndicate isn’t just a new series—it’s a statement.
It represents:
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Racers taking control of their future
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Grassroots tracks getting national attention
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Fans seeing faster, safer, more authentic racing
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The evolution of small-tire performance into uncharted territory
As 2026 approaches, one thing is clear: the 405 isn’t leaving drag racing behind. They’re expanding it.
If you’re on the East Coast, these are events you’ll want to see in person. If not, the live streams promise front-row access to the fastest street-style cars on the planet.
The post-NPK era has officially begun—and Outlaw Syndicate is leading the charge.
