Podcast Summary: Herm & Schrader — “Charlotte: The SVG Show ROVALs On”

Date: October 8, 2025
Hosts: Kenny Wallace (Herman) & Ken Schrader
Produced by: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media

Overview

This episode captures Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader at their most candid and entertaining, as they recap an eventful NASCAR weekend in Charlotte—dominated by Shane van Gisbergen (SVG), cover the drama and strategy of the ROVAL race, debate the points system, share tributes and stories about racing legends like Harry Gant, and delve into the ongoing NASCAR charter system lawsuit. Packed with strong opinions, sharp humor, and old-school storytelling, the two Kennys offer a ride through the sport’s present and history, maintaining their signature irreverence and love for racing.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Host Catch-Up and Recent Racing Activities

[01:46–05:35]

• Kenny Schrader and Herman Wallace catch up on life, racing schedules, and family. Wallace is in North Carolina after being invited on Harvick’s show and spending time with his mother and brother.
  • “My God, she's 88 years old racing a flat cart.” — Herman, about his mom (03:47)
• Schrader recaps Federated ‘play days’ (taking guests to tracks, letting them drive, eating, tuning up for Turkey Derby).
  • Shares thoughts on the Brownstown $10k multi-day race: “I'm not a big fan of those multi day races.” (05:54)
  • Big discussion on aging and preferences in scheduling:
    • “It doesn't make any difference. You have three days, whether you're 20 or 60.” — Schrader (06:48)

The Charlotte ROVAL Race & Playoff Drama

[08:29–13:54]

• Both dissect the thrilling playoff implications of the Charlotte ROVAL:
  • “The race was so damn exciting yesterday. And if we don't have the playoffs, we don't have those moments.” — Herman (09:28)
  • Tire strategy and pit stops were “like a Formula One race.” (10:06)
  • The fight for the final playoff spot (8th): “Who in the hell would give a crap about 8th place in the points with four races to go if it wasn’t for the playoffs?” — Schrader (10:42)
• SVG’s dominance on road courses (winning every road course this year, tying Denny Hamlin for most wins, tying Jeff Gordon’s five road course wins in a row):
  • “He never wrecked, he never had part failure, and he flat won five road course races…now he is tied with the most wins with Denny Hamlin. To me, that is worthy of hero.” — Herman (12:23)
  • “That he did that good in all those races…I mean, that he — as a driver — but also a big attaboy to the team and the pit crew.” — Schrader (12:55)

Key Moments, Driver Interactions, and ROVAL Highlight Reel

[16:09–23:46]

• Inside race story: Wallace had dinner right after the race and ran into Kyle Larson—no one recognized the “greatest race car driver of our era” at the restaurant, to Herman’s disappointment (18:47).
• Ross Chastain’s wild last-lap bid to make the playoffs:
  • “Ross Chastain had enough self awareness to put that thing in reverse and hit the gas wide open. He was smoking the tires going backwards.” — Herman (21:54)
  • “It was a valiant effort but it had like, you know, maybe 10% chance of working…” — Schrader (22:11)
• Hypothetical: If Chastain had wrecked Hamlin to get in, would NASCAR allow it?
  • “Anything isn't legal to get in the playoffs…” — Schrader (23:46)
• Rumors and fan perspectives: Some think Denny Hamlin “should not have passed” Chastain, fearing Logano is “too tough a competitor.”
  • “I am not going to play with the fans…if there's talk on the radio and they find evidence that you’ve changed the outcome… We've seen this in past NASCAR history.” — Herman (25:28)

Points System Rants and Historical Parallels

[28:23–33:53]

• Debate on “true” champions: If playoff format “steals” the title from the most dominant regular season drivers (Corey Heim, Connor Zillich, etc.).
  • “No, it’s not NASCAR’s fault because when we all went Daytona in February, we knew what the point system was…” — Schrader (28:57)
  • Recounts years when Rusty Wallace and Bill Elliott lost titles despite many wins.
• Mantra for fans: “Points are just a way to keep track, however you add them up. But individual races, you just keep winning those things and see where you wind up.” — Schrader (33:34)
• Fan pushback: “If we just change the point system, millions of people will start watching NASCAR again. And I call bull. I think that’s the stupidest thing.” — Herman (32:31)
  • Schrader points out the current racing is as good as it’s ever been, even if old fans grumble about points.

NASCAR Lawsuit & Charter System Controversy

[33:53–42:01]

• Roger Penske’s statement: “The new next gen car is saving NASCAR. It is cheaper...and the racing is really good.” (35:08)
• All 15 car owners want the lawsuit to end — fearing the charter system could be devalued or abolished if NASCAR loses. Joe Gibbs echoes the urgency.
  • “NASCAR made a mistake trying to please everybody. And they started the charter system. They should have never started the charter system.” — Herman (38:35)
• Schrader skeptical: “I wonder about charters sometimes…it’s not like you can start an NFL team, but you always could start a Cup team…I'm over it. Obviously, we’re going to just wait and find out.”

Dirt Racing Recap & Weekend Plans

[43:00–47:19]

• Both watched major dirt races remotely:
  • Lucas Oil in Pittsburgh: “That place looks amazing…Love that slick everywhere.”
  • World of Outlaws at Williams Grove: “PA Posse won Friday night…Sheldon Haudenschild won Saturday.”
  • World of Outlaws Late Models: Bobby Pierce penalized for adjusting air pressures after presenting his car to the chute, had to start last but rallied to 11th.
• Pierce’s penalty explained: “It had to be a brain fade because they run this series every week.” — Herman (45:44)
• Lucas Oil points tight: “There’s 15 points, I think, between Devin [Moran] and RTJ [Ricky Thornton Jr.].” — Schrader (46:33)

Harry Gant Hall of Fame Tribute & Storytime

[47:19–52:43]

• Wallace shares a Hall of Fame stage moment: Asks Gant about his 4-in-a-row streak, Gant credits “this right foot, not the camber.” (48:24)
• Schrader relays wisdom from Harry Gant: Gant would advise letting faster cars go early, lest you both lose time: “We're just racing the leader…don't jack with me, and I won’t jack with you.” (49:11)
  • “Harry was great. Handsome Harry.” — Both
• Alan Kulwicki connection: Kulwicki kept a comb in his glovebox to look presentable post-race.

Final NASCAR Pulse & Survey

[52:43–54:21]

• Fan race approval poll: “Was the Roval a good one?” 57% yes, 43% no.
  • “I'm a glass half full guy.” — Schrader (54:07)
• Tire strategy praised for creating drama and unpredictability.

Remembering Racing Legends & Closing Plans

[54:44–56:39]

• Tribute to Bobby Allen, “the original outlaw”, who passed away at 81: “He bounced his ass all over the country. He was like the original outlaw.” — Schrader (55:57)
• Upcoming schedule:
  • Schrader headed to Denver for Federated; David Stremmy in town, possible racing together.
  • Wallace running at Federated Auto Parts Raceway Park.
  • More discussion promised for next week.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On the 3-night race formats:
  “I'm not a big fan of those multi day races.” — Kenny Schrader (05:54)
• SVG’s unprecedented year:
  “To me, that is worthy of hero. That's incredible.” — Herman Wallace (12:23)
• On playoff drama:
  “Who in the hell would give a crap about 8th place in the points with four races to go if it wasn't for the playoffs?” — Kenny Schrader (10:42)
• On Chastain’s bold reverse move:
  “Ross Chastain had enough self awareness to put that thing in reverse and hit the gas wide open...” — Herman Wallace (21:54)
• Fan perspective on points system changes:
  “If we just change the point system, millions of people will start watching NASCAR again. And I call bull. I think that's the stupidest thing.” — Herman Wallace (32:31)
• Harry Gant’s self-deprecating wit:
  “It was not the camber. It was this right foot that won all those races in a row.” — Harry Gant (as quoted by Herman, 48:24)
• On fan and NASCAR owner lawsuits:
  “You don’t talk bad about my brother… but I will.” — Herman Wallace (40:37)

Segment Timestamps

• Opening banter, donuts, age conversation: 01:46–07:12
• Recapping their racing weekends: 04:27–08:29
• Charlotte race excitement, SVG’s streak: 08:29–13:54
• Larson dinner sighting & ROVAL battles: 16:09–21:54
• Chastain’s “reverse” moment and rules debate: 21:54–23:46
• Playoff what-ifs, Denny vs. Logano: 23:46–26:48
• Points system controversy/history lessons: 28:23–33:53
• Charter lawsuit discussion, Penske’s statements: 33:53–42:01
• Dirt racing recap: 43:00–47:19
• Harry Gant tributes and classic stories: 47:19–52:43
• Fan survey and race approval: 52:43–54:21
• Bobby Allen tribute, schedules, closing: 54:44–end

Closing Thoughts

The episode’s unfiltered banter, sharp race analysis, and deep racing roots make it essential listening for longtime fans. Beyond celebrating SVG’s Charlotte dominance, Herm & Schrader dive into NASCAR’s playoff structure, evolving business landscape, and the rich tradition and characters of the sport—ensuring racing’s past and present always remain “epically historic…and always hilarious.”