Herm & Schrader Podcast Summary

Episode Title: Daytona Dazzles, Playoff Predictions, & The History Of Open Wheel Midgets
Release Date: August 27, 2025
Hosts: Kenny Wallace (“Herman”) & Kenny Schrader
Producer/Co-host: Charlie Marlow
Podcast Network: Dirty Mo Media

Episode Overview

In this episode, Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader dive deep into three core topics: the spectacle and outcome of the recent Daytona race, their predictions and banter around the upcoming NASCAR playoffs, and a passionate, history-rich discussion about open wheel midget racing’s roots and heroes. With their trademark irreverent, beer-soaked camaraderie, the two Kennys swap personal anecdotes, challenge each other on racing lore, and celebrate both racing’s present and its tradition—all while squeezing in dirt racing updates, pay tribute to racing icon Forrest Lucas, and enjoy their infamous joke segment.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Life and Racing Updates

• Schrader’s Racing Schedule
  • Schrader gives a rundown on why he chooses to race in various local events: “How do you make these decisions?” (02:47)
  • Details on which cars they've been running, the logistics of working on vehicles, and his recent run at Indianapolis Raceway Park in an open wheel midget.
• Racing Anecdotes
  • Both Kennys share tales of their itinerant racing lives, traveling from local tracks, motorcycle rides, to racing in various classes and divisions.

2. Open Wheel Midget Racing: History & Heroes

• Nostalgic Reflections
  • Schrader: “I think first time went up there was probably 77 or so… The cars ain’t changed, track ain’t changed. Still just got two pedals and a steering wheel.” (05:38)
  • Discusses changes (or lack thereof) in midget racing cars and the cost escalation, particularly noting that modern Toyota midget engines can cost up to $70,000, while focus motors series can keep racing accessible at ~$25,000. (06:30–07:37)
• Rich History & Pathways
  • Midget racing in post-WWII America was a huge stepping stone for many drivers on their way to the big leagues (IndyCar, NASCAR). Schrader recounts its evolution, decline, and the way it was once the “stepping stone.” (09:23)
• Legendary Midget Drivers
  • Notable tribute to Mel Kenyon, Merle Bettenhausen, Jim Hurtubise—drivers who overcame injuries with remarkable grit:
    • Schrader on Mel Kenyon: “He’s got a glove with a metal thing on the bottom... That’s amazing.” (10:34)
  • Stories of physical adversity, prosthetics, and ingenious adaptations are highlighted. (11:07–12:08)
• Memorable Moment:
  • Jr’s fan moment at Belleville, Kansas—meeting Sleepy Tripp, with Schrader fondly recounting, “Junior was up on all his racing stuff and he met sleepy tripp. Tripp’s like, ‘Wow, your Dale Earnhardt Jr.’” (12:35–13:07)

3. Daytona Recap & NASCAR Playoff Predictions

• Daytona Race Highlights
  • Ryan Blaney’s Win:
    • Wallace: “Ryan Blaney wins the race… At lap 158 he was 13th. Two laps later, lap 160, he was leading.” (16:14–17:45)
    • Schrader, reflecting on seeing “kids” like Ryan Blaney win: “It’s always other people’s kids that make you feel older. Yours don’t make you feel older.” (15:56)
  • Race Quality & Car Debate:
    • The hosts push back on complaints about the current car package, calling the recent races “great shows.” (17:56)
    • They praise the photo finish: “I mean, Ryan Blaney won by feet... the photo finish nowadays is much needed and they, they just did not wreck.” (18:35–20:04)
• Playoff Analysis & Picks
  • Top 16 Rundown:
    • Charlie reels off the top 16 entering the playoffs, emphasizing diversity and a competitive field. (33:21–34:32)
  • Number of Race Winners:
    • Impressive statistic: 14 unique winners this year—a testament to the series’ competitiveness. (34:32)
  • Hosts’ Picks for the Final Four at Phoenix:
    • Wallace: William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, and Chase Elliott (36:26)
      • “Willie B... has won more races than he really won because he lost them all at the end... super consistent.” (35:24)
    • Schrader: Chase Elliott, Kyle Larson—undecided on the rest, admits to Hendrick bias. (37:09)
    • Charlie: William Byron, Denny Hamlin, Christopher Bell, Ryan Blaney (“As long as the championship is at Phoenix, we know Penske’s got the setup there.”) (37:36–38:26)
  • All three poke fun at their own “front runner” picks and pick a wild card for deeper playoff runs.
    • Wallace’s wild card: Tyler Reddick (39:25)

4. Xfinity Series & Parker Kligerman’s Fill-In Victory

• Dale Jr. calls Parker Kligerman to sub for an injured Connor Zillich—Parker steps in, wins the Xfinity race.
• Comparison to racing history: Schrader recalls driver swaps, e.g., David Pearson filling in for Dale Earnhardt. (27:29–29:10)
• Conversation on the struggles drivers face today to find sponsorship and the financial realities of the Xfinity series.
  • Wallace: “Parker, like, you’re really a good race car driver. Why’d you give up on racing so quick?... It’s so hard to find the money.” (29:51)
  • Minimum salaries debated—pure speculation that most are under $100,000/year. (32:00)

5. Dirt Racing News & Tribute to Forrest Lucas

• State of Dirt Racing
  • Bobby Pierce’s ongoing dominance in dirt late models discussed: “He is winning everything against half the cars.” (42:42)
  • Field divides between Lucas Oil and World of Outlaws—World 100 and other big dirt races as convergence points. (43:51)
• Tribute to Forrest Lucas (Lucas Oil Founder):
  • Deep respect for the man’s impact as a sponsor, event builder (Lucas Oil Stadium, Wheatland, etc.), and racing advocate.
    • “What a good, good man...built his empire from humble beginnings...such a supporter of motorsports.” (44:43)
    • Lucas Oil products reach 40 countries and 30,000 auto parts stores. (47:33)

6. Traditional Segments & Closing Banter

• Upcoming Schedules: Schrader’s running at DuQuoin, Wallace’s local dirt plans, and details about the legendary status of venues like DuQuoin Mile and their unique traditions. (51:01–52:22)
• Joke Time!
  • Classic and corny jokes, including:
    • “What do you call a nun that sleepwalks? A Roman Catholic.” – Richie3635 (54:36)
    • “What’s the difference between a tire and 365 used condoms? One’s a Goodyear, the other’s a great year.” (56:20)
• Garage Sale Tales
  • Wallace talks about a successful fan/garage sale, selling memorabilia (particularly fire suits) – with Schrader sharing laughs about Social Security allowance and casino winnings. (58:44–60:56)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Open Wheel Midgets:

  "The cars ain’t changed, track ain’t changed. Still just got two pedals and a steering wheel. It’s not like anything’s changed. Just get in there and go."
  — Ken Schrader (05:38)

• On rising racing costs:

  "A new Toyota midget engine is $70,000 for a four cylinder midget engine."
  — Ken Schrader (06:30)

• On injury and resilience:

  "Mel burnt all the fingers off his hand... and he just do it like that..."
  — Ken Schrader on Mel Kenyon (10:32)

• On finances in racing:

  “It is so hard for me… to see Parker Kligerman doing straight up TV… but yet he's a winner. It's hard to get the money to run these damn cars.”
  — Kenny Wallace (29:51)

• On the Daytona race:

  "Ryan Blaney wins. Comes from 13th to the win, two laps, incredible finish."
  — Kenny Wallace (24:11)

• On playoff unpredictability:

  “I mean, we got 10 races left and we’re going to whittle it down to the final four. And NASCAR doesn’t like us to say Final Four…”
  — Kenny Wallace (21:00)

• On legacy losses:

  "This weekend we lost Forest Lucas...built his empire there from very humble beginnings...such a supporter of motorsports."
  — Ken Schrader (44:43)

Major Timestamps for Reference

• Open wheel midget history and driver stories: 04:44–13:32
• Daytona race recap and playoff discussion start: 15:09
• Ryan Blaney’s win and Cup playoff implications: 15:56–20:04
• Xfinity Series fill-in, Parker Kligerman’s win: 26:17–32:05
• Playoff picks and wild cards: 33:13–39:39
• Dirt racing and Forrest Lucas tribute: 42:45–48:15
• Key schedule updates and DuQuoin history: 51:09–53:15
• Joke segment: 54:03–56:27
• Garage sale & fan interaction stories: 58:44–60:56

Tone & Final Thoughts

This episode encapsulates Herm & Schrader’s signature blend of wisdom, irreverence, deep racing knowledge, and sharp comedic timing. Fans of both stock car and grassroots dirt racing will relish the depth and candor, especially when the hosts get personal—whether remembering legends, debating modern NASCAR, or bantering over garage sales and Social Security. The episode pays heartfelt tribute to Forrest Lucas while never losing sight of the fun at the sport’s heart.

For fans interested in a full journey through racing's past, present, and future—with plenty of laughs and not a single solitary damn given—this episode delivers.