Monza Johnston in 2026: New Business, Pro-Charged Hemi & Team Monza Future

Added: 2026-05-28

[00:00:00]Hey guys, where has Jerry Monza Johnston gone?

[00:00:04]That is the question echoing through the streets of Oklahoma and across every social media platform dedicated to the world of no prep racing.

[00:00:12]For years, the sinister split bumper Camaro was a permanent fixture on our screens. A heavy-hitting icon of the 405 that commanded respect every time it rolled into the beams.

[00:00:24]But as we move through May 2026, the silence from the Monza camp has been noticeable.

[00:00:30]While other drivers are posting daily updates about their point standings and cross-country tours, Monza has been relatively quiet. Is he retiring? Has the 405 legend finally decided to hang up the helmet?

[00:00:44]Today we are diving deep into the real story of Monza in 2026.

[00:00:48]We are looking at the massive business venture keeping him off the grid, the technical evolution of the most famous Camaro in drag racing, and the calculated strategy that proves Monza is playing a much smarter game than anyone realized. To understand where Monza is today, we first have to look at the massive news from West Virginia.

[00:01:08]Many of you were prepared to see the OG Outlaws in action at the Hilltop Hustle.

[00:01:12]This event, scheduled for May 22nd and 23rd at the 304 Motorsports Park, was supposed to be the ultimate homecoming for the veterans of the 405.

[00:01:23]The posters featured the faces we grew up watching: Doc, Dominator, and of course, Monza.

[00:01:29]It was billed as a return to the roots of outlaw racing, a place where big tires and big personalities take center stage without the overproduced drama of network television.

[00:01:40]However, Mother Nature had other plans.

[00:01:43]A series of severe storms and persistent rain forced the organizers to make a heartbreaking call. The Hilltop Hustle has been officially postponed. While the disappointment among the fans was palpable, the organizers have confirmed that the event is being moved to the fall of 2026, likely between September and November. This delay might seem like a setback, but for team Monza, it is simply more time to refine the beast.

[00:02:08]But, do not let the postponement of one event fool you into thinking Monza is just sitting at home.

[00:02:13]While he might be staying away from the cameras, he has not stayed away from the track.

[00:02:19]Recently, the team was spotted at the legendary Mo-Kan Dragway in Missouri.

[00:02:24]This is a place where history is made on a prepped surface, and Monza was right in his element.

[00:02:30]He shared a moment that sent chills down the spines of long-time fans.

[00:02:34]The split-bumper Camaro, front wheels high in the air, disappearing into a cloud of tire smoke.

[00:02:40]His message was simple but profound.

[00:02:43]He said, [music] "We are having fun again."

[00:02:46]Think about those words for a second.

[00:02:49]"We are having fun again."

[00:02:52]It implies that for a long time, the fun had disappeared. The pressure of being a television character, the stress of a points chase, and the politics of major production companies had turned a passion into a chore.

[00:03:06]By stepping back and choosing his own battles at local tracks like Mo-Kan, Monza has rediscovered the soul of the sport. So, why the lack of updates? Why is he not on our screens every week?

[00:03:18]The answer lies in a major life shift.

[00:03:21]Monza has officially confirmed that his focus in 2026 is split between the track and a massive new business adventure.

[00:03:28]He is spending hours every single day building this new enterprise, ensuring a legacy that exists outside of a roll cage.

[00:03:36]This is the reality of a veteran racer who understands that the checkered flag does not fly forever.

[00:03:42]By building this business now, he is securing the financial future of the Johnston family, allowing him the freedom to race on his own terms.

[00:03:50]He no longer has to say yes to every filming schedule just to keep the lights on.

[00:03:55]He is racing because he wants to, not because he has to.

[00:04:00]This business venture is the reason he cannot be on Facebook or Instagram every hour.

[00:04:06]But it is also the reason he can afford to keep the split bumper Camaro at the cutting edge of technology. And let us talk about that car. Because the 2026 version of the split bumper Camaro is a masterpiece of engineering.

[00:04:20]For years, Monza campaigned a twin turbo setup that was as fast as it was temperamental.

[00:04:26]But the world of racing changed. To stay competitive in 2026, he knew he had to evolve.

[00:04:33]He completely stripped the car down for a total overhaul.

[00:04:36]The biggest change? The twin turbos are gone.

[00:04:40]In their place sits a massive pro-charged Hemi engine.

[00:04:44]A powerhouse he acquired from Scott Taylor. This change was not just about raw horsepower. It was about reliability and a more linear power delivery.

[00:04:53]>> [music] >> The car also underwent a massive weight loss program. Even though it still retains its iconic steel roof and quarters, the team managed to get the weight down to a staggering 2,600 lb.

[00:05:05]They upgraded the front half of the chassis and adjusted the engine placement to ensure that every bit of that Hemi power goes directly into the pavement.

[00:05:14]In its current configuration, this car is no longer a 3.90 second contender.

[00:05:20]It is a 3.70 second weapon. But there is a deeper reason why you see Monza in a different role these days.

[00:05:28]And that reason is Brandon Johnston.

[00:05:32]We have watched Brandon grow up in the pits, learning the ropes and paying his dues.

[00:05:37]In 2026, Brandon is no longer just the kid helping his dad. He has emerged as a top-tier tuner and a formidable driver in his own right.

[00:05:46]Monza has effectively handed over the keys to the family shop to his son.

[00:05:51]While Monza focuses on his new business, Brandon is the one turning the wrenches and ensuring the fleet is ready for battle.

[00:05:58]This is the ultimate transition.

[00:06:00]We are seeing a two-car assault where Brandon handles the young blood Camaro, often competing in the 28-in small tire classes, while Monza handles the big tire duties.

[00:06:10]There are even whispers in the pits that Monza might eventually step out of the driver's seat of the split bumper to let Brandon take over, while the elder Johnston moves into a full-time general role using his decades of experience to tune the car to perfection. This shift in strategy is a direct response to what the racing world has become.

[00:06:29]By 2026, many fans feel that series like No Prep Kings have become a billionaire's playground.

[00:06:35]We are seeing Pro Mod-style cars with carbon fiber bodies and $150,000 engines backed by full-time engineering staffs.

[00:06:43]For a racer like Monza, who comes from a background in the oil and concrete industries, the math of NPK no longer makes sense.

[00:06:51]He has often said he refuses to spend $10 just to win $1. The split bumper Camaro, with its brick-like aerodynamics and steel body, was never meant to compete with a 2026 Pro Mod on a world tour scale.

[00:07:06]Instead of trying to force a square peg into a round hole, Monza chose the path of the freelance hitman.

[00:07:13]As a freelance hitman, Monza is more dangerous than ever.

[00:07:18]He does not care about season points. He does not care about television ratings.

[00:07:22]He cares about winning the race that is right in front of him.

[00:07:26]This freedom allows him to pick and choose the events that suit his car and his lifestyle.

[00:07:31]He can show up at an independent OG Outlaw event, draw a massive crowd, sell out his merchandise, and leave with a smile on his face. He is protecting the brand of Monza while protecting his own mental well-being.

[00:07:44]He is racing with his brothers like Doc and Dominator, the men who started this movement long before the million-dollar transporters arrived. The evolution of Team Monza in 2026 is also a testament to the power of community and fan engagement.

[00:07:58]Even while buried in the demands of his new business, Monza has never stopped listening to the people who put him on the map.

[00:08:05]He has been seen frequently polling his audience, asking for their expert opinions on everything from the aesthetic lines of a full bumper versus the classic split bumper look to the technical merits of Chevy versus Mopar power plants. This is not just casual social media interaction. It is a calculated effort to ensure that the next phase of his racing journey reflects the passion of his supporters.

[00:08:28]By involving the fans in the design process of his future projects, Monza is building a bridge between the old-school era and the digital age of racing.

[00:08:37]Furthermore, the physical transformation of the garage itself tells a story of a legacy in transition.

[00:08:43]With Brandon taking the lead on the mechanical side, the shop has become a laboratory for high-performance innovation.

[00:08:50]It is no longer just about maintaining a single race car. It is about building a brand that can survive the changing tides of the automotive world.

[00:08:58]>> [music] >> They are currently balancing multiple hot rod projects, each one serving as a canvas for Brandon to showcase the skills he has honed under his father's watchful eye.

[00:09:08]This shift has allowed Monza to step back from the grease and the grime when necessary, focusing his energy on the strategic growth of their family name while knowing the technical side is in the most capable hands possible. Looking ahead to the rescheduled dates this fall, the anticipation for the return of the OG Outlaws is reaching a fever pitch.

[00:09:28]There is something poetic about Monza, Doc and Dominator regrouping to reclaim the spirit of the 405.

[00:09:35]These men are the architects of the street racing movement, and their move toward independent grassroots events is a bold statement against the commercialization of the sport. They are proving that you do not need a massive television contract to draw a crowd or to prove who has the fastest car on the property.

[00:09:53]The fall season will not just be about win lights. It will be a celebration of the grit and determination that define the original Oklahoma City crew. The technical specs of the Camaro also suggests that Monza is preparing for a much more versatile racing calendar.

[00:10:07]By moving away from the rigid requirements of a specific point series, he has tuned the car to be a threat on a variety of surfaces, whether it is a perfectly prepped radial track or a slightly more challenging no prep surface at a local facility.

[00:10:22]The pro-charged Hemi and the optimized chassis are designed to adapt. This versatility is the hallmark of a veteran racer who knows that the key to longevity is flexibility.

[00:10:33]Monza is no longer chasing a trophy that someone else designed. He is chasing the thrill of the perfect pass, wherever that might be. We must also consider the psychological advantage that Monza holds in 2026.

[00:10:47]For the first time in over a decade, he is racing without the weight of the world on his shoulders.

[00:10:52]The stress of being a television personality often overshadowed the talent behind the wheel, but that burden has been lifted. You can hear it in his voice and see it in his interactions at the track.

[00:11:04]He is relaxed, he is focused, and he is dangerous.

[00:11:09]A driver who is racing for the pure love of the sport, backed by a stable business and a loyal family, is a driver who is almost impossible to beat. The competition should be very concerned about a Monza who is having fun again. Finally, the story of Monza in 2026 serves as an inspiration for the next generation of racers who are looking to find their own path.

[00:11:32]He is showing the world that there is life after reality TV and that success is not always measured by how many minutes of airtime you receive.

[00:11:40]It is measured by the strength of your family, the success of your business, and the roar of your engine on a Friday night.

[00:11:48]As we wait for the leaves to turn and the air to crisp up for the fall races, we can rest assured that Team Monza is working harder than ever.

[00:11:56]They are not just preparing for a race, they are preparing to remind everyone why they are the kings of the road. In conclusion, the Monza we see in 2026 is a man who has mastered the art of the pivot.

[00:12:09]He has successfully transitioned from a reality TV star to a savvy businessman and a mentor to his talented son.

[00:12:17]He has taken an iconic car and modernized it for a new era without losing its soul.

[00:12:22]The postponement of the Hilltop Hustle is just a brief pause in what is shaping up to be a legendary year for the 405 veteran.

[00:12:30]When that Camaro finally rolls out of the trailer this fall in West Virginia, it will not just be a car on the track.

[00:12:37]It will be a symbol of a racer who refused to be broken by the industry and instead chose to return to his roots.

[00:12:44]So, to all the fans wondering where he is, just know this.

[00:12:49]Jerry Monza Johnston is exactly where he wants to be.

[00:12:53]He is in the shop with Brandon.

[00:12:55]He is in the boardroom building his business.

[00:12:58]And he is at the track.

[00:13:01]Wheels up. Reminded once again why he fell in love with the sport in the first place.

[00:13:06]The legend of the split bumper is far from over.

[00:13:09]In fact, with the power of a pro-charged Hemi and the freedom of the outlaw life, the best chapters might still be unwritten. Keep your eyes on the track and your ears open for the whistle of that pro-charger.

[00:13:22]Monza is back and he is doing it his way.

[00:13:26]What do you think about Monza's new direction?

[00:13:29]Do you think Brandon is ready to take the full lead of team Monza?

[00:13:32]And how do you feel about the OG Outlaws creating their own independent path away from the big production tours?

[00:13:39]Let us know in the comments below.

[00:13:41]We love hearing from the true Street Outlaws fans.

[00:13:44]Don't forget to like and subscribe for more deep dives into the lives of your favorite 405 legends.

[00:13:50]We will see you at the next starting line.