Jason Gardner is just fine being the guy behind the scenes . Up until about a month ago he didn ’ t even have an Instagram account and is mostly seen in the background – if at all – on the wildly-popular Street Outlaws show on Discovery Channel . But avoiding that spotlight is getting harder and harder for the Midwest Street Cars crew member . The 29-year-old Gardner has gained notoriety for the work he ’ s done on Murder Nova and the Crowmod , and is the right-hand man for Justin “ Big Chief ” Shearer . As Shearer branched out to the Pro Mod world in 2016 , Gardner played a pivotal role , continuing to serve as the backbone of a group and team that seemingly gets more popular each week .
“ It ’ s definitely gotten a whole lot bigger than I ’ d ever expected ,” Gardner said . “ I was told when we started ( Street Outlaws ), it would be two seasons and that ’ s it . Now we ’ re in the middle of season nine . It ’ s cool to watch it grow and be a part of it , and something I never imagined in my wildest dreams .”
While Gardner may not be a star on the show , he ’ s critically important to the success of Shearer and the cars , earning him a spot on Drag Illustrated ’ s 30 Under 30 list . It ’ s the latest example of where this thrill ride has taken Gardner , who didn ’ t grow up around the sport and only
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jumped into the mix in 2009 when Gardner and his brother started racing a “ piece of crap Malibu .” He quickly got some nitrous help from Shearer , started working for him in 2011 and almost immediately
went to work on the Crow , and later the Crowmod after Shearer ’ s crash in 2015 .
“ Chief trusts me and lets me do what I want to the car , tuning-wise and suspension-wise ,” Gardner said . “ He ’ s definitely one of the smartest racers
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I ’ ve ever been around . He ’ s an all-around racer and he ’ s been hand-in-hand with me building his engine and being a part of everything .”
Gardner has always been a hands-on guy and is never afraid of a challenge . His father was a mechanic and was always quick to lend a helping hand , something Gardner has tried to carry with him , even in the midst of the pressures and rigors of a nationally-televised show .
“ That was just how I was raised ,” Gardner said . “ When we get to go test or test with some other big-name racers , any knowledge that I have of what I ’ ve learned working on Chief ’ s car , I try to share with them . I want to see everybody get as fast as they can . I don ’ t mind helping out .”
Gardner also invites the extra workload , which will surely happen in 2017 as Shearer and the Crowmod tackle more Pro Mod challenges . Shearer raced at the NHRA U . S . Nationals and No Mercy 7 to finish 2016 , and Gardner believes that is just a preview of what could take place next season .
“ He gave me full reign on chopping up his Pro Mod , redoing the chassis and all that ,” Gardner said . “ We ’ re going to venture out into this Pro Mod deal and make it a full-fledged racing season . If we make it an entire season and hit all the races we want , it would be a huge year .” – JOSH HACHAT DI
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PHOTOS : JOHN FORE III , DRAG ILLUSTRATED ARCHIVES |