Herm & Schrader – Episode Summary

Episode Overview

Title: Austin Dillon's Richmond Redemption & How Do Drivers Know When To Hang It Up?
Date: August 20, 2025
Hosts: Kenny Wallace ("Herman") and Kenny Schrader
Guest Contributor: Charlie
Network: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media

In this humor-filled, no-holds-barred episode, two midwestern racing legends, Kenny Wallace and Kenny Schrader, dissect upcoming and past racing action, reminisce about their storied careers, and debate the question: How do drivers know when it’s time to hang it up? The show also celebrates Austin Dillon’s redeeming win at Richmond and explores the unique psychology behind the racing lifer versus those who step away for good. As always, the discussion is frank and irreverent, with plenty of laughter, storytelling, and side journeys into dirt-track antics and racing culture.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Racing Schedules, IROC Recap & Vintage Car Experiences

• Schrader’s Racing Marathon: Schrader describes a whirlwind schedule, from Laguna Seca’s IROC event (with vintage cars and law enforcement escort) to dirt-track detours in Springfield and Sedalia.
  • "I was home last Monday night for two hours and then left again..."
  • [02:42]
• Laguna Seca and the IROC Vibe: They recount the spectacle and camaraderie of the IROC vintage event, mingling with legends like Labonte, Gordon, Kurt Busch, and Dario.
  • "Ray [Evernham] said last year, you know, we were running like 50% and this year we need to run like 80%. But you can’t run 80% and win that thing..."
  • [05:36]
• Ray Evernham’s Skill as an Organizer: The boys praise Ray’s ability to rally racing’s elite. Upcoming episode tease: Ray Evernham as a guest.
  • "They say in Kenny... with Charlie, I guess he started in the real IROC series under Jay Signore and that’s where his organizational skills came from."
  • [08:05]

2. Old-Timers' Games & Racing's Missed Opportunities

• Comparisons to Other Sports: Charlie draws parallels between racing’s “old-timers” events and baseball’s Old Timers' Games or the Savannah Bananas, highlighting the fun and risks as legends return to the field.
  • "You seen Mariano Rivera the other day?... He tears his Achilles."
  • [10:51]
• NASCAR’s Alumni Engagement: Wallace laments NASCAR’s failure to celebrate retired drivers like MLB teams do, believing fans crave those connections.
  • "I really think NASCAR is missing this..."
  • [11:41]

3. Racing, Family, and the Question of Retirement

• Dale Jr’s Honesty About Stepping Back: The guys discuss Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s open confession after his Cars Tour race, wrestling with guilt about time away from family and the intensity of racing.
  • "He said he can only run four races because the races are too hot for him."
  • [20:00]
• The Lifer vs. The Retired: Wallace and Schrader debate why some, like themselves, keep racing endlessly while others, like Jeff Gordon or Rusty Wallace, walk away entirely.
  • Wallace: "Why do I still run the dirt car?... It gives me something to do... I like racing."
  • Schrader: "He doesn’t want to."
  • [26:45]
• No Simple Answer:
  • Schrader: "It’s not weird at all. He doesn’t want to do it... It’s what somebody wants to do."
  • [28:09]

4. Austin Dillon’s Richmond Redemption

• Race Recap:
  • Dillon’s win at Richmond is celebrated as "a no doubter," with perfect execution on pit stops and a dominant run.
  • "He just whooped them. So that was neat." – Schrader [31:43]
• Sellout & Atmosphere:
  • They stress the packed stands, great on-track action, and high tire fall-off made for classic racing.
  • Charlie: "To me, it comes down to passing... it was just really quality racing." [32:42]
  • "83%" approval in the Jeff Gluck fan poll [33:37].
• Richard Childress Racing’s Turnaround:
  • Credit given to engineering changes and new hires following struggles; key to Dillon’s resurgence.
  • "Richard Childress racing was able to get the engineer [Richard Boswell, John Klausmeier]... took time to see results, but these cars are engineering driven now." – Wallace [35:23]

5. Tire & Car Talk: Goodyear’s Role

• Tire Management Is Crucial:
  • Debate over how much tire compound impacts racing quality; praise for Goodyear’s balancing act.
  • "A major NASCAR executive told me those tires are a lot more important than that car right now." – Wallace [37:14]
  • "Goodyear makes the rubber right... but do we want it to wear out and slow down... it's such a fine line." – Schrader [37:29]

6. Dirt Track & Outlaw News

• Tony Stewart & Donny Schatz Split:
  • After 18 years, Stewart and Schatz part ways; reflections on big careers ending and when is “too late” to quit.
  • "Eighteen years… It happens... you lose that magic..." – Schrader [42:26]
  • Charlie: "Most people stay one year too long. They don’t retire one year too early." [44:30]
• Dirt Racing Drama:
  • Bobby Pierce: On a “heater” – winning Lucas Oil and World of Outlaws races, racing with intensity and skill.
  • JD (Jonathan Davenport) Wins Batesville: Evidence of shifting chassis competition and the constant ebb and flow of dirt-track dominance.
  • Bobby Pierce vs. JD at Florence: Highlighted sliders, rivalry, and the “gangster” attitude of Pierce’s team.
  • K. Dillard vs. Garrett Alberson: Unexpected tempers flared; Dillard purposely wrecks Alberson after a perceived slight.
    • "He did get wound up there real quick." – Schrader [58:08]

7. The Psychology of Drivers: Winning, Regional Heroes, and Knowing Your Place

• Why Keep Racing?
  • Satisfaction, ego, and the fleeting nature of glory, even at small events.
  • "It gives me something to do... I can't stand doing black-tie affairs. I like racing." – Wallace [25:48]
  • Knowing Your Level:
    • "Know your place, stay your lane." – Schrader [49:44]
  • Regionalism in Racing:
    • Local legends may be unknown outside their region; “national champion” can mean local hero.
    • "Everything's regional... ump, national champion...” – Schrader [61:39]

8. Notable Quotes & Moments

- "You don't think I want to do it?" – Schrader, ribbing Wallace on podcast fatigue [63:38]

- "Just do what you want." – Schrader on the philosophy of racing forward [27:46]

- "There's not an answer to this." – Both, after extended debate on why some retire [28:41]

- "Let Kyle get it out of his system." – Rusty Wallace (relayed by Herm) on watching friends struggle in late-career racing [45:30]

- "You were the greatest in that race that night... for that 20 laps or whatever it was. That's all it is. But it feels good for a little bit." – Schrader on fleeting racing glory [61:09]

- "Goodyear nailed it. Congratulations. Hell of a race. Three wide for the lead..." – Wallace on Richmond's action [39:31]

Important Timestamps

| Time | Segment/Topic | |-----------|------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:42 | Schrader recounts his marathon racing week and IROC experiences | | 10:51 | Old Timers' games in baseball/Savannah Bananas–why they resonate | | 20:00 | Dale Jr opens up about racing less, balancing family and racing | | 26:45 | Why some drivers (Wallace/Schrader) keep racing and others quit | | 31:43 | Richmond race recap and Austin Dillon’s redemption | | 33:37 | Fan reaction—Jeff Gluck poll, “83% thought this was a fantastic race” | | 35:23 | Childress Racing’s engineering overhaul after struggles | | 37:14 | Goodyear’s tire compound vs. car design–what shapes the racing? | | 42:26 | Stewart and Donny Schatz’s split (“18 years... you lose that magic…”) | | 53:46 | Bobby Pierce’s winning streak, rivalry with JD at Florence, pierce’s style| | 58:08 | K. Dillard intentionally wrecks Garrett Alberson–tempers flare | | 61:39 | “Everything is regional”–the U.S. dirt racing scene | | 63:38 | Show-closing banter on podcasting, energy, and merchandise shoutouts | | 68:57 | Back-to-school, state fairs, and the rest of the racing season |

Tone & Style

• The show is rowdy, unapologetic, heartfelt, and full of insider banter.
• Wallace is animated and self-deprecating, Schrader is dryly acerbic and direct, Charlie brings wry journalistic perspective.
• Racing is both obsession and outlet, and both hosts are transparent about its joys and challenges.

Conclusion

This episode delivers a rich, breezy blend of deep racing discussion, behind-the-scenes gossip, and a philosophical look at why racers race and when they walk away. Highlights include Austin Dillon’s turnaround, Dale Jr’s candor on aging, Goodyear’s pivotal role in good racing, and drama both in NASCAR and the dirt world, capped off with trademark banter and a preview of the relentless American racing calendar.

For Those Who Missed the Episode:
You’ll come away understanding the unique mindsets of racing "lifers," why some drivers step away cold turkey, why the Richmond race was a classic, and how drama never leaves the pits—no matter the series.