Shawn Ellington “Murder Nova” wiki, bio, net worth, height, married life and wife.

Shawn Ellington, widely known by his racing alias “Murder Nova,” is a seasoned drag racer and television personality recognized for his long-standing presence on Discovery Channel’s Street Outlaws. Known for piloting the iconic Murder Nova, Shawn built his reputation in Oklahoma’s underground racing scene before transitioning to the national stage. Outside of racing, he spends much of his time in the garage, maintaining and fine-tuning performance vehicles alongside his crew. This biography explores the key milestones of his career, including his rise through No Prep Kings, his business ventures, family life, and estimated net worth.

Wiki/Bio Facts

Fact	Description
Full name	Shawn Ellington
Date of birth	November 15, 1977
Place of birth	Merced, California, United States
Age	47 years old
Zodiac sign	Scorpio
Nationality	American
Ethnicity	White
Education	Unknown
Occupation	Street racer, reality TV star, business owner
Net worth	$2 million (estimated)
Sexuality	Straight
Marital status	Married
Spouse	Erin Ellington
Children	Aiden Ellington (son)
Residence	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Car model	1969 Chevy Nova
Car name	Murder Nova
Car color	Black
Car features	Titanium and carbon fiber body
Car debut	2013 on Street Outlaws
Car rank	Former king of the streets for three years
Former Business	Midwest Street Cars
Former Business partner	Big Chief (Justin Shearer)
Business location	Oklahoma City, Oklahoma
Challenges and rumors over the years	Being threatened by the National Hot Rod Association (NHRA) to stop participating in illegal street racing or face legal consequences, Being shot at by an unknown gunman who fired several bullets at his shop, Midwest Streetcars, in 2015, Losing his title of “king of the street” to Daddy Dave after being undefeated for three years. Struggling to perform well with his new Murder Nova, which he revealed in 2017

Early Life, Family Roots, and Athletic Beginnings

Shawn Ellington, widely recognized as Murder Nova, was born on November 15, 1977, in Merced, California. In 1982, his family relocated to Sayre, Oklahoma, where his father, Richard Ellington, operated an auto body shop. As a child, Shawn assisted with basic tasks around the shop, including sweeping floors, gradually gaining exposure to automotive work. This hands-on environment sparked a lasting interest in cars and engines, providing a strong foundation for his future in motorsports.

During his school years, Shawn developed a strong interest in sports, particularly baseball. He played as a left-handed pitcher and first baseman in college, with a fastball that reached speeds of up to 87 mph and a well-rounded pitching arsenal that included a curveball and changeup. Although he briefly played the saxophone in sixth-grade band, music never became a central focus.

Shawn has often spoken about the importance of family and how his priorities evolved over time. While earlier years may have been centered around social events and weekend gatherings, he later came to appreciate quieter moments with loved ones. Christmas stands out as his favorite holiday, largely because of the opportunity it provides to spend uninterrupted time with family.

A particularly transformative experience occurred when he took up snowboarding for the first time. Initially challenged by the physical demands of the sport, Shawn committed to improving his fitness and lost over 100 pounds. Motivated by a desire to remain active and involved in his son’s life, he embraced a healthier lifestyle. Today, his family regularly visits their vacation home in Angel Fire, New Mexico, where snowboarding and time in the mountains have become part of their routine.

In 2005, seeking new opportunities, Shawn moved to Oklahoma City. It was there that he purchased the car that would later be known as the iconic Murder Nova, marking a pivotal step in his racing career.

Career and Net Worth

Shawn Ellington’s racing journey has evolved from local street racing to national recognition as one of the leading competitors on the Discovery Channel’s “Street Outlaws” and its spin-off “No Prep Kings” (NPK), which launched in 2018. Debuting on “Street Outlaws” in 2013, Shawn quickly rose to prominence and earned the title “King of the Street,” a position he held for three years until Daddy Dave succeeded him. Known for his signature car, Murder Nova, Shawn gradually transitioned from outlaw street racing into the structured and highly competitive no-prep drag racing world.

Shawn began participating in NPK from the early seasons but initially treated it as a learning experience. It wasn’t until the 2021 season that he fully committed to the series, shifting his focus from street performance to track consistency. At the time, he ran a turbocharged setup but faced ongoing reliability issues. In 2022, he and his longtime crew chief and business partner, Phantom, made a pivotal decision to switch to a ProCharger HEMI combination. Despite the investment and intense testing, a win still eluded them—though they finished top five overall.

Determined not to repeat the past, they entered 2023 with a renewed focus, testing three weeks before the season opener and upgrading nearly every component on the car, including titanium headers and a lightweight front end. Their dedication culminated in April 2024 at Virginia Motorsports Park, where they secured their first NPK Invitational event win—a long-awaited and emotional milestone for the Moron Nation crew. That season, Shawn also finished fourth in the Great 8 and fifth in the Invitational standings, both career highs.

Ellington credited the turnaround to a more scientific, data-driven approach led by Phantom, who meticulously tracked variables like weather, tire wear, and engine performance. This shift from instinctive to calculated racing marked a significant evolution in their strategy. Shawn also adopted a healthier lifestyle during the off-season, shedding 30 pounds to optimize car weight and performance.

Outside the track, Shawn was formerly involved in “Midwest Street Cars,” a brand he helped popularize alongside longtime racing partner Justin “Big Chief” Shearer. While the two once collaborated on the podcast “The Chief and Shawn Show,” they have since moved on from that partnership, and the YouTube channel is no longer operated by either of them. Archived episodes, however, continue to circulate online.

Shawn’s path hasn’t been without challenges. In 2015, Midwest Street Cars was the target of a shooting incident, though no injuries occurred. More recently, the increasing financial demands of NPK and Discovery Channel’s reduced involvement have forced several teams to drop out. Shawn emphasized the critical role of sponsors like RamJack in helping him remain competitive.

As of 2025, Shawn Ellington’s net worth is estimated at $2 million, earned through racing, business operations, sponsorships, and television exposure. This figure reflects a decade of dedication, growth, and resilience in one of motorsport’s most demanding circuits.

Married Life, Wife and Children

Shawn Ellington shares his life off the track with his longtime partner and wife, Erin Ellington. The couple has been together for over two decades, marrying in the winter of 2005. In social media posts, Shawn often expresses gratitude and affection for Erin, calling her his best friend and strongest supporter. In a May 2025 post, he shared a heartfelt tribute for “#WifeWednesday,” writing that despite a hectic week, he wouldn’t miss a chance to appreciate Erin. Another post in July 2025 reflected on a photo from nearly ten years ago, noting that they would celebrate 20 years of marriage in December.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Shawn (@murdernova)

Their bond is evident not just in words but in the way they’ve weathered the ups and downs of racing life together. Erin has been a steady presence throughout Shawn’s journey—from the early days of street racing to his national recognition in No Prep Kings.

The couple welcomed their son Aiden on February 8, 2006. Now a young adult, Aiden has shown interest in his father’s world of racing and often lends a hand in the shop. Despite the demands of travel and competition, Shawn emphasizes the importance of family, once stating that he would gladly miss a major race to attend his son’s high school graduation.

For Shawn, family remains at the core of everything he does. Whether celebrating milestones or simply spending time at home, he values the support system that keeps him grounded in a fast-paced world.

Physical Traits

Trait	Description
Height	About 6 feet (1.83 meters)
Weight	About 190 lbs (86 kg)
Face	Oval-shaped with a prominent chin and cheekbones
Hair	Dark brown, short and spiky
Eye	Brown, slightly slanted
Ear	Medium-sized, close to the head
Body	Muscular and fit
Tattoos	Several tattoos on his arms and chest
Dress style	Casual and sporty, often wearing t-shirts, jeans, hoodies, and caps
Accessories	A pair of sunglasses, a watch, a ring, and a necklace with a cross pendant