Tyler ‘Flip’ Priddy was a talented American drag racer and restoration expert. Most racing fans fondly remember Flip for his stint on Street Outlaws.
He’d tear through the tracks in his infamous 1980 Chevy, ‘El Camino’, leaving a trail of racers in his wake. Flip’s friends and family will all attest to the fact that he was a gearhead.
His passion for cars was unrivaled, and he’d floor anything he got behind the wheel. Nine years ago, fans and friends alike were met with the shocking news that Flip had passed away.
Who was Tyler Priddy?
Tyler Priddy was a reality star and car enthusiast from Grady County, Oklahoma. He was born on November 30th, 1981, to Glenda and Gene Priddy. As kids, Tyler and his childhood friend Justin Shearer would regularly race around the streets on their bikes.
Before he found his footing in drag racing, Tyler spent over a decade at Warren Caterpillar, where he served as the warehouse manager.
Despite his commitment to his job, Tyler’s love for cars and racing did not diminish. He’d eventually acquire a Mustang before stepping into his renowned El Camino.
Interestingly, when Tyler was originally approached by the producers of Street Outlaws, he wasn’t exactly keen on appearing on television.
This wasn’t surprising, as drag racing was illegal back then. Priddy had a stable job and family to feed at the time, so he was wary about ending up in prison.
Gradually, however, the showrunners were able to convince Tyler to join his friends on the show.
What happened to Flip from Street Outlaws?
Tyler Priddy was found dead in his home on the 28th of May 2013 in Yukon, Oklahoma. At the time, his cause of death was not revealed.
Moreover, his family and friends asked for privacy during this time, reaffirming that they did not want to address the issue.
Flip’s funeral took place on the 1st of June 2013 at Chisolm Heights Baptist Church. He was later buried on a plot of land in Hinton Cemetery.
A short while after his death, news broke that Flip had died from a gunshot wound. Sources say that he had committed suicide after dealing with depression for some time.
https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/114744206/tyler-gene-priddy
We should also point out that some sources suggest that the whole incident was an accident. They go on to suggest that Flip might have been intoxicated at the time of his passing.