Herm & Schrader: "Mike Ege: Will An Electric NASCAR Become Reality?"
Podcast: Herm & Schrader
Episode Date: May 7, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Wallace ("Herm"), Ken Schrader (not present in transcript)
Guest: Mike Ege (legendary NASCAR engine builder)
Network: SiriusXM / Dirty Mo Media
Episode Overview
This episode addresses the hot topic of electric cars in NASCAR, featuring renowned engine builder Mike Ege. The hosts, known for their humor, irreverence, and experience in racing, probe whether electric vehicles (EVs) really have a future in stock car racing. Ege brings technical expertise, industry perspective, and stories from decades in racing—from the glory days with legendary teams to his current post-NASCAR life. The discussion covers NASCAR's EV ambitions, technical hurdles, shifts in racing's business model, and nostalgia for the sport's heyday.
Sections & Key Discussion Points
1. Catching Up with Mike Ege
[00:44–05:58]
- Background: Mike Ege is living in Sun City, Arizona, working for Honeywell Aerospace "on stuff I'm not really supposed to talk about... military satellites." (01:37)
- He reminisces about his path into NASCAR via early stints at General Dynamics and building engines with west coast legend Doug Jones, ultimately landing a major gig with Kenny Bernstein, Larry McReynolds, and later working with big names like Ray Evernham and Richard Petty.
- Quote:
"Sometimes life deals you a deck of cards you got to deal with... but it's, you know, certainly miss the motorsports, the racing side of it." – Mike Ege (01:41)
2. A Personal Touch: Coffee Mugs & Carla
[06:55–09:20]
- Light-hearted banter about Mike's girlfriend, Carla (with a K), a Boeing veteran and recent NASCAR superfan making custom mugs, including a "We love Herman" (Kenny Wallace) mug.
- Carla is present running the switcher—a nod to their teamwork, philosophy, and shared passion for racing.
3. The Big Question: Can NASCAR Go Electric?
[09:27–13:15]
- The hosts react to John Probst (NASCAR) declaring a potential for electric vehicles (EVs) in the O'Reilly Auto Parts Series as soon as 2030.
- Mike Ege’s viral Facebook post breaks down the battery dilemma for a 500-mile, 750hp race:
- 11.3 Tesla Model S batteries would be required—each weighing 1,200 lbs; total battery weight would exceed 13,000 lbs per car.
- "Could the crews change 11 to 12 batteries per event? I doubt it."
- Quote:
"I’m not opposed to new technology. Actually, I love new gadgets. I’m just trying to put things into perspective." – Mike Ege (11:26)
- Ege’s Message: The math just isn't there for EV racing endurance at NASCAR speeds/distance.
4. Technical and Practical Challenges of Electric NASCAR
[15:18–16:14]
- Kenny inquires about shorter races, hybrid powertrains, and speed reduction.
- Mike notes that hybrids are more feasible, but "I don't see how you’re going to sustain 200 mile an hour... with strictly electric."
- Discussion about energy recovery and limitations of current technology: "The technology doesn’t exist yet for a fully electric 500-mile race."
5. Relevance of Racing to Car Brands: Does 'Win on Sunday, Sell on Monday' Still Matter?
[16:14–27:20]
- Dale Earnhardt Jr. questions whether Cup Series cars should resemble SUVs, since those dominate consumer sales ("Why hasn't the cup series then morphed into SUVs?" – paraphrasing Dale Jr., 17:03).
- Ege and Wallace debate brand identity, noting that F1 and IndyCar fans can’t buy a car that looks like those racecars either.
- Quote:
"For racing to continue in the future, it's not going to be as important as to what brand is... if you’re putting on a good show... it's an exciting event, then... I think the race fans will come to the racetrack." – Mike Ege (19:24)
- They agree that fans follow brands more for loyalty than direct car similarity; the manufacturer connection remains vital, especially financially.
6. Can Racing Survive Without Automakers?
[25:27–27:20]
- Wallace asks about the hypothetical of NASCAR losing automaker support.
- Ege: "I don't see how... they're providing help, you know, with wind tunnel and certainly the power plant side of it."
- Both emphasize the essential role of manufacturer $$$, technology, and hardware.
7. The Environmental Push: Is the EV Craze Waning?
[29:55–31:50]
- Ege argues the electric vehicle (EV) trend is already receding ("this electric vehicle craze, I believe it's waning"), as automakers return some production to gasoline and consumer demand remains uncertain.
- He notes practical limitations (charging infrastructure, time, long-distance travel) and suggests hydrogen power or future tech may supplant EVs before full EV NASCAR arrives.
8. Money Matters and Entry-Level Series
[33:06–34:21]
- Wallace highlights that the O'Reilly Series is supposed to be "entry-level" NASCAR, affordable for teams with budgets around $6 million/year.
- Where will the money come from when teams must buy entirely new electric cars? Ege replies: "Where's the money coming from?... All of motorsports is in kind of this fragile state."
- Nostalgia for the days when racing was more accessible for regular people and Saturday night teams.
9. Entertainment vs. Competition: The Changing Nature of the Show
[36:48–41:14]
- Stories about Cletus McFarland’s showmanship compared to the old-school, buttoned-up (Penske, Ganassi) approach.
- Quote:
"The days of NASCAR cars going in circles, I mean, that's all we got. The fans want to be entertained, Mike." – Kenny Wallace (37:25)
- Ege recounts an official in 1995: "We're in show business... we can't put on a show if the same guy wins every week." It took Ege years to accept: NASCAR now competes for entertainment dollars, not just as a pure competitive sport.
- "It's about putting on a good, safe show and give the fans their money’s worth." – Mike Ege (38:23)
10. Dumbing Down Horsepower—Why?
[42:28–46:28]
- Why are all major series reducing horsepower?
- Ege: Mainly for durability, cost, and safety ("They're trying to save us from ourselves when it comes to overspending on these engines." 45:45).
- He details the enormous cost escalation from the era of 10,000+ rpm engines and advanced engine tech.
11. Glory Days & Disillusionment
[50:25–55:47]
- Ege reflects on the "cookie cutter" era—engines became standardized, innovation stifled.
- He admits to a 10-year hiatus from watching NASCAR; the homogenization and loss of camaraderie made it hard to watch.
- Both lament the sport’s decline in popularity (estimated 70% decline in fan engagement, [51:14]), and how TV money is propping it up.
- Ege: "I had to force myself to just cherish the memories... What do they show all the time on TV, right? The replay of Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison fighting in the infield in 1979. That's the NASCAR I remember." (53:56)
12. Looking Forward & Closing Reflections
[59:53–63:18]
- Ege hints at returning to racing, possibly rekindling his career in the industry: "I've never wanted to quit racing... I just want to be in a position to win. So I'm working on a little something."
- Final thoughts focus on competition: "I've lost more races than I've won... but... I just want to be in a position to win."
- Kenny Wallace expresses gratitude; teases that Ege may become the podcast’s regular engineering guru.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote |
|-----------|----------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
| 11:26 | Mike Ege | "I’m not opposed to new technology. Actually, I love new gadgets. I’m just trying to put things into perspective." |
| 19:24 | Mike Ege | "For racing to continue in the future, it's not going to be as important as to what brand is... I think the race fans will come to the racetrack." |
| 37:25 | Kenny Wallace | "The days of NASCAR cars going in circles, I mean, that's all we got. The fans want to be entertained, Mike." |
| 38:23 | Mike Ege | "It's about putting on a good, safe show and give the fans their money’s worth." |
| 45:45 | Mike Ege | "They're trying to save us from ourselves when it comes to overspending on these engines." |
| 53:56 | Mike Ege | "What do they show all the time on TV, right? The replay of Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison... That's the NASCAR I remember." |
Episode Timeline: Key Segments
- 00:44–05:58: Mike Ege’s background and transition out of NASCAR
- 09:27–13:15: The electric NASCAR debate and Ege’s viral post on battery math
- 15:18–16:14: Technical limitations and hybrid vs. pure EV feasibility
- 17:03–22:00: Brand identity, "Win on Sunday, sell on Monday," and changing manufacturer dynamics
- 25:27–27:20: Can NASCAR survive without automaker involvement?
- 29:55–31:50: EV push and consumer realities—why the electric craze may be waning
- 33:06–34:21: Concerns about funding the shift to EVs, especially for smaller teams
- 37:25–41:14: The evolution from pure competition to show business
- 42:28–46:28: Why racing is intentionally "dumbing down" horsepower
- 50:25–55:47: Ege’s candid thoughts on the sport’s changes and nostalgia for the golden era
- 59:53–63:18: Mike Ege’s possible future in NASCAR and closing thoughts
Summary & Takeaways
– The episode delivers a lively, insightful, and at times sobering look at NASCAR’s technological crossroads.
– Mike Ege argues against the imminent feasibility of all-electric stock car racing, citing hard technical and financial realities.
– The crew explores how entertainment, not direct car relevance or technical innovation, now drives the business of racing.
– Nostalgia and storytelling intertwine with deep engineering analysis—reminding fans what’s been gained and lost as NASCAR changes.
– The role of car manufacturers remains paramount, both as technological suppliers and financial lifeblood.
– Ege’s passion for competition shines as he contemplates returning to the sport.
– The episode ultimately leaves listeners with big questions: Can NASCAR truly go electric? Who will pay for it? And what will fans value most in the years ahead?
For more episodes and to see Mike Ege’s “badass” custom mugs, check out the Kenny Wallace YouTube show or listen via Dirty Mo Media.