The name of the show 'Street Outlaws' insinuates that laws are being broken on the streets. What takes place on the show, to a certain extent, is illegal. How it all goes down is another matter.
The fact that the show Street Outlaws has been on television for 15 seasons speaks volumes to its lack of true outlaw authenticity. With the show being so popular, law enforcement must be aware of the show's presence and what all it entails. If there is an illegal event that is scheduled well in advance and information regarding time and location is readily available, then why would such an event not get raided by law enforcement? Well, if that were to take place, there would be an episode lost and money would have been wasted, and the Discovery channel cannot have that happen!
Some of the personalities on the show are very well known. Take 'Big Chief ' whose real name is Justin Shearer. Justin has close to one million followers on Facebook. Quite impressive. Nothing wrong with being a famous outlaw, but an outlaw with a huge following on Facebook - really? It does make sense to a certain extent; to become a famous outlaw, the media needs to be involved.
However, if someone is truly an outlaw, information such as where they work and live would need to be kept on the down low, else they get arrested and their escapades come to an end.
Common Knowledge - Police Help Shut Down Roads Before Races
The Discovery Channel reported that the show was going to film drag racing in Oklahoma City. The racing took place in Union City. Close but no cigar. Anyhow, the local police closed a section of the state highway for approximately 10 hours. Obviously, the top priority is to keep everyone as safe as possible. It is simply not feasible to have an open highway and safely conduct a drag race. You would think this kind of news coverage would have a negative impact on show ratings, but this does not appear to be the case. The show must be doing something right.
Tulsa City Council OKs Racing Permit
Back in 2014, there was a Street Outlaws race that was scheduled to occur in Tulsa City Oklahoma. Prior to the race, it was documented that Tulsa City city council signed off on a drag racing permit. This may come as a shock to some, but the reality is, this kind of race cannot be documented and shown on television without of course being secured and law enforcement aware. Can you imagine the city council approving a location for a drag race and not letting the local police force know about it? That would not go over well.
Anyhow, the permit also asked for several off-duty police officers and an emergency vehicle with paramedics. The city council passed the request 7 to 1. What would drive a city council such as the one in Tulsa City to allow such an event? Notoriety, putting the city on the map perhaps? Maybe there was a monetary gain to be had. Hopefully, this decision did not backfire on the council members or the city as a whole. Can you imagine the potential legal issues if someone were to get seriously injured during an illegal activity that was sanctioned by the city council? Come to think of it, who would be liable for any damage to a city-owned street or building that occurred during a drag race? There must be some die hard drag racing fans in Tulsa City. Regardless, this type of agreement adds to the show's lack of authenticity.
How The Cast Makes Money Legally Off Of The Show
There are conflicting reports as to whether cast members get paid by Discovery to be regulars on the show Street Outlaws. Depending upon the source, you will hear that cast members do not get paid by Discovery. Other sources say they do receive some type of stipend. This type of conflict seems to add to the shows outlaw persona, even if it is not warranted. What is true is that those who win races receive cash awards. It is also true that cast members make money by selling items that they endorse. Big Chief Justin Shear is a great example of how money is made selling merchandise on Facebook. T-shirts, replica toy cars, and posters can be had. It is like being a well-known robber while selling your own brand of crowbars. Big picture, there is nothing wrong with making some cash legally, especially when it does not damage your outlaw persona.
What is real is that at times tempers do flair and blood is spilled. Cars do get wrecked and egos are bruised. The drivers truly want to win, and bragging rights mean something.