Herm & Schrader Podcast — "Hurricane Hocevar Storms Talladega"
Episode Date: April 29, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Wallace & Ken Schrader, feat. Dietz
Platform: SiriusXM & Dirty Mo Media
Episode Overview
This episode covers a raucous debrief of the Talladega Superspeedway NASCAR weekend, featuring a dramatic first Cup Series win for Carson Hocevar and the shifting culture of NASCAR fandom and leadership. True to form, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader serve up honest, unfiltered takes—veering from fan celebrations and media narratives, to electric vehicle controversy, to how the sport is evolving as entertainment. Dietz contributes stories, facts, and the trademark “old man on the porch” skepticism that makes the Herm & Schrader dynamic irresistible.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Dirty Mo Fan Day & Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Legacy
Timestamp: 01:00–06:00
- Wallace shares details about upcoming Dirty Mo Media Fan Day, highlighting the growth and community built by Dale Jr.
- Dietz reflects on Dale Jr.’s “student of the sport” intellect, his genuine appreciation for racing history, and the success of Dirty Mo Media.
- Schrader jokes about the show's existence as proof Dale Jr. doesn't always make smart decisions, keeping the banter lively.
- Quote — Schrader: "I question how smart they are. I do too, because they made this show..."
2. Weekly Racing Update from Wallace & Schrader
Timestamp: 06:10–08:00
- Recap of their own recent dirt track weekends.
- Wallace places second, Schrader laments his performance.
- Discussion of competitiveness in lower-budget racing divisions.
3. Talladega Weekend: The Race & The Crowd
Timestamp: 07:55–13:53
- This Talladega event is painted as one of NASCAR’s best weekends in years due to electric crowd energy and multiple “firsts”:
- First-time winners across ARCA, O’Reilly, and Cup.
- New NASCAR president not from the France family.
- Stands full and a lively atmosphere reminiscent of “Dale Sr. Days.”
- Quote — Wallace: “It was Dale seniorish. The crowd went nuts.”
- Schrader tempers the excitement with realism about the not-quite-full grandstands and crowd percentages.
Debate: Was It Really That Historic?
- Only 53% of polled fans said it was a “good race.” Sample size questioned.
- Quote — Schrader: “You know when you watch the Muppets and you got them two old men up there... That’s Schrader right now.”
4. The Hocevar Effect: Victory, Fan Reaction, & Comparisons
Timestamp: 13:53–25:43
- Wallace & Dietz debate whether Carson Hocevar’s celebration and popularity are genuinely new or media-driven.
- Schrader compares Hocevar’s infectious, Carl-Edwards-like enthusiasm to old-school drivers.
- “To see him win that race ... made me extremely happy. For him to become the 13th first time winner at Talladega...”
- The show discusses Hocevar’s aggressive, unapologetic style—drawing comparisons (rightly or wrongly) to Dale Earnhardt Sr.
- Quote — Schrader: “He’s driving like Senior did.”
- Dietz is critical: “Carson Hocevar couldn’t carry Dale Earnhardt’s helmet.”
5. Racing’s Entertainment Evolution
Timestamp: 25:43–32:28
- Discussion of how racing today is as much about entertainment as on-track competition.
- Hocevar’s showmanship stands out in an era of “corporate drivers.”
- Crossover appeal: NFL’s Jason Kelce’s appearance in a pit crew and YouTube star Cletus McFarland’s ARCA performance, bringing millions of fresh “eyeballs” to NASCAR.
- Wallace: “8 million new eyeballs possibly on our sport. I mean, is that a good thing?”
6. Social Media, Fame, and Old-School Credibility
Timestamp: 35:00–38:45
- Debate over the role of social media in shaping new stars.
- Schrader shrugs off social media: “I never knew who the hell he was until he came to a race…”
- Wallace pushes for its marketing value.
- Dietz reiterates skepticism about comparing new personalities to legendary drivers—emphasizing that history and dominance matter.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- Wallace: “He [Hocevar] put all that effort into waving to the fans. People want to be entertained. The cars go around in circles...” (25:46)
- Schrader: “You social media guys, you'll know he's super famous amongst you guys.” (35:28)
- Dietz: “Carson Hocevar ain’t Dale Earnhardt. I’m sorry, he just ain’t.” (37:07)
Electric Cars & Racing’s Future
7. Speeds and Electrification of NASCAR
Timestamp: 43:28–55:12
- Wallace is surprised current Cup cars were topping 198-199 mph at Talladega.
- Debate on NASCAR’s announcement about going fully electric in four years—skepticism reigns (“How are you gonna get an electric car to go 300 miles in O’Reilly?”).
- Schrader: “I've never drove a car on the street that has the acceleration that that [Tesla] thing has.”
- Host perspectives: hybrid might be a viable middle ground, pure EV doubted.
- Dale Jr. weighs in on social media, questioning why Cup cars aren’t SUVs if “win on Sunday, sell on Monday” meant anything.
- No consensus—hosts decide to “wait and see,” poking fun at the confusion over batteries, fans, and potential mass carnage with electric wrecks.
NASCAR Leadership: New Era
8. Passing the Torch: NASCAR's New Leadership
Timestamp: 56:36–63:42
- Jim France steps aside; Steve O’Donnell becomes the first non-France family NASCAR president.
- Schrader praises O’Donnell’s deep experience and connection with all sides of the sport: “He’s the guy to put in there right now.”
- Dietz on O’Donnell’s public letter to fans: “That shows that he gets it...he has heard some of the dissatisfaction of the fans over the last 10 or 15 years.”
- Discussion of Ben Kennedy’s future influence and the tilt toward making NASCAR events more of an “entertainment venue.”
9. Tracks as Entertainment Venues
Timestamp: 63:42–68:28
- Major Cup tracks have been renovated to be more attractive destinations—emphasis on concerts, food, atmosphere.
- Wallace: “They realized the cars going in circles don’t do it anymore.”
- Talladega and the Indy 500 cited as models for festival-like race weekends.
Dirt Track Roundup & Personal Highlights
Timestamp: 68:28–70:35
- Outlaw, Lucas Oil late model recaps; shout-outs to race winners like Ryan Gustin and Shepherd.
- Midwest weather woes: tornado warnings and rainouts.
Jokes, Stories & Final Thoughts
Timestamp: 70:35–76:00
- “David Letterman Top 10”-style jokes section led by Dietz, with playful banter about electric cars and self-driving taxis.
- Anecdotes about self-driving Ubers in Atlanta and Austin.
Closing: Next Adventures & Sign-Off
Timestamp: 75:44–78:16
- Schrader prepping for the Kyle Petty Charity Ride (cross-country motorcycle trip for charity).
- Wallace: “We are all headed for the Kyle Petty charity ride where they raised between 1.5 and $2 million for children...”
- Outro: Listeners directed to find more on YouTube and Dirty Mo Media.
Episode Highlights by Timestamp
| Timestamp | Segment/Discussion | Key Topics/Quotes |
|--------------|----------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 01:00–06:00 | Dirty Mo Media & Dale Jr. | Legacy, media growth, irreverence |
| 08:00–13:53 | Talladega Recap | Crowd energy, “one of NASCAR’s best weekends” |
| 13:53–25:43 | Hocevar’s breakthrough & fan culture | New star power, celebration debate, fan reactions |
| 25:43–32:28 | Racing is Entertainment | Hocevar as a showman, Cletus & Kelce crossovers, media narratives |
| 35:00–38:45 | Social media & old school vs new | Jabs at “influencer fame,” legacy cred, authenticity |
| 43:28–55:12 | Electric cars, future of NASCAR | Hot takes on upcoming EV rules, OEM motives, skepticism |
| 56:36–63:42 | NASCAR leadership changes | Steve O’Donnell as new president, Ben Kennedy, fan engagement |
| 63:42–68:28 | Tracks as entertainment zones | Fan experience, infield venues, comparison to Indy 500 |
| 68:28–70:35 | Dirt racing wrap | Race results, weather problems |
| 70:35–75:44 | Jokes & stories | Electric car jokes, self-driving Ubers, podcast banter |
| 75:44–78:16 | Looking ahead & final sign off | Kyle Petty Charity Ride, closing banter, where to find Herm & Schrader online|
Final Takeaways
- Hocevar’s win at Talladega is a flashpoint for the episode: his unpredictable style divides traditionalists and newer fans, sparking talk about the need for modern-day showmanship.
- NASCAR is entering a new era, not just in leadership but in how it courts fans—more entertainment, broader inclusivity, big names, and digital reach.
- Schrader & Wallace remain deeply nostalgic for “old school” racing but accept racing’s entertainment shift (though not without sarcasm).
- Electric vehicle future of NASCAR is met with incredulity and a dose of “wait and see.”
- Despite their wild banter, the hosts’ love for racing (and for keeping things real) shines through.
"All our cars have ever done—all NASCAR racing has ever done—is go cars go around circles. It's all I've ever done. But we're trying to give people more yet."
— Ken Schrader (66:07)
"He [Carson Hocevar] is a show. Whether we like it or not, they like him because…he's got Dale Jr. type deals."
— Kenny Wallace (39:38)
For more wild stories and racing insight, catch future Herm & Schrader episodes on Dirty Mo Media and YouTube.