Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings Champion Mike Murillo Battles Stage 4 Lung Cancer While Continuing His Racing Career

Health challenges and family hardships amid cancer.

October 21, 2026

This article was last updated by Alisha Shrestha on October 16, 2026

Mike Murillo, the former No Prep Kings champion and fan-favorite star of Street Outlaws: No Prep Kings, has been courageously battling stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer since his diagnosis in August 2026.

His journey has included periods of remission, recurrence, multiple treatment regimens, and extraordinary resilience in the face of one of the most devastating diagnoses a person can receive.

Murillo first noticed troubling health symptoms in June 2026 while competing at a No Prep Kings race in Minnesota.

Feeling extremely ill, his condition worsened during a Houston race when he began spitting significant amounts of blood.

Having survived a critical COVID-19 infection in 2026—where he spent seven days in the ICU and was the sole survivor among seven patients on his hospital floor—Murillo initially feared a relapse of the virus. He eventually sought care at an emergency room.

Doctors discovered an enlarged heart with significant fluid buildup.

A CAT scan on July 22, 2026, revealed a mass on his lung, which had likely been present during his COVID-19 infection but had gone undetected amidst lung damage from the virus.

On August 15, 2026, Murillo received the official diagnosis: stage 4 non-small cell lung cancer (adenocarcinoma), with metastases to his left lung, right lung nodules, chest lymph nodes, and spine.

Rather than conventional chemotherapy, Murillo’s treatment benefitted from a rare genetic mutation, found in only 1–2% of lung cancer patients.

This made him eligible for entrectinib (Rozlytrek), an FDA-approved targeted therapy administered in pill form.

This approach allowed him to avoid a chemotherapy port and many of the harsh side effects of traditional treatments.

In addition to Rozlytrek, Murillo received Zometa bone infusions for spine involvement and underwent 10 sessions of radiation therapy to target spinal tumors.

While these treatments were effective, they caused significant side effects, including extreme heat sensitivity, severe skin rashes, and nerve pain.

Despite these challenges, Murillo maintained a positive outlook, often expressing gratitude for being alive and choosing to endure side effects over the alternative.

By January 2026, Murillo shared hopeful news with his fans. Scans from July and November 2026 showed remarkable progress: the lung tumor appeared as “dead scarred tissue,” lymph nodes had returned to normal size, and his spinal mass had healed. Most importantly, he achieved remission.

During this period, Murillo focused on improving his overall health. He lost approximately 60–70 pounds, reducing his weight from 321 pounds to around 250.

He attributed part of his cancer to years of dyno tuning cars without proper ventilation, noting he never smoked cigarettes or marijuana.

The remission was short-lived. In March 2026, Murillo revealed on social media that the cancer had returned.

Doctors responded quickly, initiating a new round of radiation therapy and adjusting his medication.

From March through May 2026, Murillo completed 30 sessions of radiation therapy over six weeks, far more intensive than his initial 10-day regimen.

He celebrated the completion of this grueling treatment publicly, acknowledging his wife Lisa’s support as his “Uber driver” throughout the ordeal.

Murillo’s health struggles affected his racing schedule. He missed significant portions of the 2026 No Prep Kings season while undergoing treatment.

However, he returned to the track when possible, attending benefit races and participating in small-tire competitions with his iconic NPK Mustang.

By October 2026, Murillo remained actively involved with Team Murillo at racing events.

Murillo’s cancer journey coincided with other health setbacks.

In February 2026, he underwent double knee replacement surgery but struggled with rehabilitation due to racing demands.

Later, a motorized scooter accident broke his kneecap in half, requiring additional surgery.

He also experienced intermittent flu-like episodes and joint pain, likely linked to elevated CPK levels and rhabdomyolysis, though the cause remained uncertain.

Adding to these challenges, Murillo lost his father in 2026 to an accidental fall, a personal loss he dedicated his 2026 update video to.

Throughout his journey, Murillo has received overwhelming support from fans, fellow drivers, and friends.

He remained transparent about his treatments, sharing updates to educate others facing similar challenges.

Fellow Street Outlaws star Lizzy Musi, who battled stage 4 triple-negative breast cancer, supported Murillo during the 2026 racing season before her passing in 2026.

Despite stage 4 cancer, multiple recurrences, and severe side effects, Murillo has maintained an inspiring and positive attitude.

His philosophy—“Either you fight or you flight”—reflects his determination to fight back, and he continues to pursue his passion for racing while serving as a beacon of hope for others facing life-threatening illnesses.

As of October 2026, Murillo actively participates in racing events with Team Murillo and maintains vigilant medical monitoring.

Social media updates indicate he continues to prioritize his health while pursuing his racing career, demonstrating that determination and resilience can coexist with the realities of a stage 4 cancer diagnosis.

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