Now what we’ll gonna do when Street Outlaws Season CANCELLED… Now What? Summerduck Race Prep Drama, Slicks or Radials?!
The drag racing community has been shaken by shocking news—Speed Promotions has officially cancelled the remainder of the Street Outlaws season. For fans, racers, and track owners, this is a heavy blow to a sport already fighting for mainstream exposure. Meanwhile, as the dust settles, racers like Turbo John are pressing forward with race prep for the highly anticipated Summerduck Dragway event, all while facing tough decisions on whether to run slicks or radials.
Street Outlaws Season Cancelled – Why It Matters
Street Outlaws wasn’t just another racing series—it was the gateway for countless new fans into grassroots drag racing. The Discovery Channel show brought major personalities, packed stands, and drew spectators who may not have otherwise visited a track.
Now, with the TV show long gone and Speed Promotions struggling with low attendance and car counts, the cancellation of the remaining 2025 races marks a major setback. Fans are left wondering how drag racing can sustain momentum without the mainstream visibility the show provided.
Tracks thrive on ticket sales, merchandise, and fan energy, and without large-scale promotions like Street Outlaws, local racers fear the sport could lose vital exposure.
Racing Moves Forward – Summerduck Prep Weekend
Despite the disappointing news, the racing scene remains alive. This weekend, Turbo John and many others head to Summerduck Dragway for testing and competition. The OG 405 crew and small tire cars are expected to put on a strong show.
John also celebrated a recent win at Thunder Valley, though the excitement was tempered by tragedy—his close friend Kenny wrecked his Camaro. Kenny is now searching for a 1969 Camaro roller chassis to rebuild and return to racing.
Slicks vs Radials – The Big Decision
The biggest technical debate leading into Summerduck centers around tire choice. The event is advertised as radial-prepped, but with mixed classes running—including street cars on hard tires—the question is whether the surface can maintain true radial conditions.
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Radials: Faster on a perfect prep, with potential to run up to two-tenths quicker.
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Slicks: More forgiving on inconsistent tracks but require suspension changes and ballast adjustments.
Turbo John explained that switching setups involves adjusting the four-link brackets, swapping springs (from 50 lb to 95 lb), and adding rear weight. Though it’s a 30–45 minute job, the bigger risk is not having enough test passes to properly tune slicks.
The debate has gone on for days, with no clear answer—stick with radials and risk losing traction, or go with slicks for stability but potentially slower times?
What the Cancellation Means for Grassroots Racing
The loss of Street Outlaws and its high-profile $100,000 radial race at Galot raises concerns about the future of grassroots drag racing. Without big televised series to draw crowds, racers and track owners must rely more heavily on local promotions, YouTube coverage, and fan engagement.
Turbo John urged fans and racers alike to keep supporting local tracks, buy merchandise, and spread the word online. Grassroots racing is fueled by community, and the only way forward is to adapt and find new ways to keep the spotlight on small-tire racing, radial racing, and the culture that makes drag racing unique.
Final Thoughts
While the Street Outlaws cancellation is a major setback, it’s far from the end. Events like Summerduck Dragway prove that the passion for racing is alive and well. The slicks vs radials debate highlights the technical challenges racers face, but it also showcases the resilience of the drag racing community.
As fans, racers, and track owners adjust to this new reality, one thing is clear: grassroots drag racing survives on grit, community, and the drive to keep pushing forward—no matter the obstacles.
