Herm & Schrader: Daytona Delivers A Return To NASCAR's Roots
Date: February 18, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Wallace, Kenny Schrader
Guest/Co-Host: Dietz
Network: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Overview
The episode is a lively, irreverent, and laughter-filled deep-dive into the 2026 Daytona 500, with hosts Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader joined by co-host Dietz. The trio delivers unfiltered takes on the race, celebrates NASCAR’s roots, and explores broader themes in racing, sportsmanship, and the culture of NASCAR. From personal stories to racing strategy, iconic personalities to fresh controversies, this episode captures the energy and tradition that make NASCAR – and specifically the Daytona 500 – a keystone event.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Daytona 500 – A Return to Form and NASCAR’s Roots
- Energy and Vibe: The vibe and excitement surrounding the 2026 Daytona 500 are called the biggest in years, bolstered by a sold-out crowd and extensive pre-race hype.
- Wallace: "[75% of people thought the Daytona 500 was awesome]... the race to me was kind of like what the Jeff Gluck poll said, except I would go 90-10. I thought the race was full of excitement." (04:37)
- Fan Perspective: The event blended on-track drama with showbiz, bringing in celebrities like Michael Jordan, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, and John Daly.
- Schrader: "I just sensed... excitement, a lot of it." (05:07)
2. Race Analysis and Key Moments
- On-Track Action:
- The race featured 25 leaders (a new record) and 65 lead changes (second most all time).
- Five cautions, tying the fewest in modern history.
- 37 of 41 cars involved in some kind of incident.
- 15th last-lap pass in 500 history.
- Schrader: "Damn good Daytona 500, 25 leaders, 60-something lead changes... 37 of the 41 cars involved in something... It's Daytona." (20:13)
- Fuel-Saving & Stage Racing:
- The crew debates whether modern fuel strategies and stage racing enhance or hamper the spectacle. Teams exploit rules to maximize pit stop speed and fuel economy, a layer now exposed by TV coverage.
- Wallace: "Network has got to show you all this data... now we know they're running around, there's 60, 70%. But... they've been running around three wide, 11 deep for twenty years." (03:57)
- The crew debates whether modern fuel strategies and stage racing enhance or hamper the spectacle. Teams exploit rules to maximize pit stop speed and fuel economy, a layer now exposed by TV coverage.
- Last Lap Drama:
- Tyler Reddick pulls off a thriller – a stunning run through turns 3 and 4 to capture his first Daytona 500 for 23XI, outmaneuvering Chase Elliott on the final lap.
- Schrader: "To me it looked, it looked like nitrous. I mean, it was like, wow, you talk about a run now." (09:49)
- Wallace: "I was impressed that Chase Elliott... did not turn left like the young kids do... The young kids would have turned left and they all would have wrecked." (10:15)
- Tyler Reddick pulls off a thriller – a stunning run through turns 3 and 4 to capture his first Daytona 500 for 23XI, outmaneuvering Chase Elliott on the final lap.
3. NASCAR’s Storytelling and TV Coverage
- Emotional Specials: Praises for Fox’s emotional specials on Greg Biffle and Denny Hamlin, with tributes to Dale Earnhardt filling in the nostalgia.
- Dietz: "You hate to look at tragedies as drama, but... They’re stories... these are guys that come into your house for Sunday dinner with your family every Sunday." (14:43)
- Connecting Fans: The importance of personal stories and drama (like drivers honoring lost loved ones or their own career journeys) to draw fans in.
4. Daytona By the Numbers & The “Wreck Fest” Narrative
- Stats Recap: The episode dismantles the ‘wreck fest’ narrative.
- Only five cautions, but massive incidents involved the majority of the field (37/41 cars) – prompting interviews from the care center!
- Payouts & Significance: The purse climbs to $31 million — 15th place nets over $514,000.
- Schrader: "I got the entry form. It was $1.2 million. This year was $31,045,000. Fifteenth place paid $514 grand." (48:39)
5. 23XI, Michael Jordan, and Off-Track Optics
- 23XI Triumph: Tyler Reddick’s win is huge for Jordan and Hamlin, with all three team cars finishing in the top 10.
- Settling Disputes: They address recent legal tensions between Michael Jordan/Denny Hamlin and NASCAR, with Jim France’s handshake in victory lane as a signal of moving forward.
- Schrader: "They settled it for the good of the sport. So hey, when you settle it, that’s full speed ahead. Let’s worry about our sport." (26:08)
6. Controversies and Classic Stories
- Dropped Earnhardt Car: Dale Earnhardt Jr.'s racing car (driven by Justin Allgaier) gets dropped by a tow truck infield, drawing laughs and good-natured ribbing.
- Schrader: "It's no big deal... You just wreck the damn thing anyway out in a racetrack... Just drag it off the track, you know. It happens." (33:00)
- Annual Earnhardt Tribute: Discussion on the annual Lap 3 Earnhardt salute, whether it’s still necessary after 25 years.
- Schrader: "He was a big part of our sport. You know, he likes the King [Petty]. If they want to celebrate it, have at it." (36:06)
7. Jimmy Johnson’s Future
- Retirement or Encore? The hosts react to Jimmy Johnson’s ambiguous announcement that this might be his final Cup race, invoking both nostalgia and confusion.
- Schrader: "[Jimmy Johnson] quit a long time ago." (39:27)
- Wallace: "It pains me to see Jimmy run so badly, but I'd like to see Jimmy become an executive like Jeff Gordon." (41:29)
8. NASCAR’s New Caution Policy
- NASCAR lets final lap incidents play out if cars are out of harm’s way, resulting in more authentic finishes.
- Schrader: "I love seeing that. They have maybe changed directions a little bit..." (43:23)
- Dietz: "Maybe now you’re at a point... where you can eliminate a stage or be a little bit more open to eliminating stages." (44:50)
- The panel jokes about fans’ inevitable flip-flop: "Isn’t that funny that the fans complained for years, 'Why'd you throw the caution?' Now, they don't throw the caution..." (46:08)
9. Other Notables: Trucks, Xfinity, and More
- Truck and Xfinity Races:
- Kudos for green-flag finishes and controlled racing in the lower series—rare at Daytona.
- "The ARCA series did not have big wreck… it was up until the real professionals got out there." (55:07)
- Kudos for green-flag finishes and controlled racing in the lower series—rare at Daytona.
- Austin Hill’s Superspeedway Mastery:
- Performs as well as Earnhardt in plate races, but is described as “not a very likable guy.”
- Dietz: "He's as good in those O'Reilly cars at these restrictor plate tracks as Dale Earnhardt was..." (56:18)
- Performs as well as Earnhardt in plate races, but is described as “not a very likable guy.”
10. Playoff Format Changes
- Winning Daytona No Longer Automatic Playoff Ticket:
- Wallace: "I like it because it’s like the good old days... Winning the Daytona 500 does not mean you’re the greatest. It means you won that race." (57:43)
- Dietz: "Now it’s going to get back to that. It’s going to be a years-long championship and that’s the way it should be." (59:38)
11. Dirt Racing Updates
- Volusia Event Wrap: Nick Hoffman and Stuart Friesen’s milestones, with Friesen overcoming injury to return.
- Schrader: "Dirt and Brian Carter... have really grown that into an event, you know, it’s not just a race. Four weeks of racing down there. It was huge." (65:26)
12. Humor, Banter, and Jokes
- The episode is sprinkled with classic Herm & Schrader wit, ending with a “dad joke” segment.
- Dietz: “Why don’t eggs tell jokes? They might crack up.” (66:19)
- General tone: unfiltered, no frills, and filled with personal anecdotes.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
| Timestamp | Speaker | Quote | |------------|------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 04:37 | Wallace | "The race to me was kind of like what the Jeff Gluck poll said, except I would go 90-10. I thought the race was full of excitement." | | 05:07 | Schrader | "I just sensed... excitement, a lot of it." | | 09:49 | Schrader | "To me it looked, it looked like nitrous. I mean, it was like, wow, you talk about a run now." | | 14:43 | Dietz | "You hate to look at tragedies as drama, but... They’re stories... these are guys that come into your house for Sunday dinner with your family every Sunday." | | 20:13 | Schrader | "Damn good Daytona 500, 25 leaders, 60-something lead changes... 37 of the 41 cars involved in something... It's Daytona." | | 26:08 | Schrader | "They settled it for the good of the sport. So hey, when you settle it, that’s full speed ahead. Let’s worry about our sport." | | 33:00 | Schrader | "You just wreck the damn thing anyway out in a racetrack... Just drag it off the track." | | 36:06 | Schrader | "He was a big part of our sport. If they want to celebrate it, have at it. If they don't, this okay..." | | 39:27 | Schrader | "[Jimmy Johnson] quit a long time ago..." | | 41:29 | Wallace | "It pains me to see Jimmy run so badly, but I'd like to see Jimmy become an executive like Jeff Gordon." | | 43:23 | Schrader | "I love seeing that. They have maybe changed directions a little bit..." | | 56:18 | Dietz | "He's as good in those O'Reilly cars at these restrictor plate tracks as Dale Earnhardt was..." | | 57:43 | Wallace | "I like it because it’s like the good old days... Winning the Daytona 500 does not mean you’re the greatest. It means you won that race." | | 65:26 | Schrader | "Dirt and Brian Carter... have really grown that into an event, you know, it’s not just a race. Four weeks of racing down there. It was huge."|
Important Segment Timestamps
- Kicking Off, Rick Mast & Storytelling (01:31 – 02:59)
- Daytona 500 Vibe and Fan Polls (04:00 – 06:50)
- Tyler Reddick’s Winning Move (09:49 – 10:38)
- Pre-Race Show and Crowds (06:50 – 12:22)
- Notable TV Specials & Driver Stories (13:33 – 16:10)
- Race Stats Recap (18:22 – 20:13)
- 23XI, Michael Jordan & Post-Race Disputes (24:11 – 27:54)
- Earnhardt Tribute Debate (33:59 – 36:43)
- Jimmy Johnson’s Unclear Future (37:59 – 41:47)
- NASCAR’s Evolving Caution Policy (42:41 – 50:21)
- Truck/Xfinity Races & Austin Hill Analysis (53:25 – 57:18)
- New Playoff Format Reactions (57:43 – 59:38)
- Dirt Racing Updates (64:06 – 65:26)
- Joke Segment & Closing Banter (66:19 – End)
Tone and Style
The entire episode is unapologetically brash, authentic, and side-splittingly funny, reflecting the unique character of its hosts. Stories, opinions, and nostalgia are all served up “no filter,” for fans who crave both hard-hitting analysis and old-school racing charm. No topic is off-limits, and the chemistry among Herm, Schrader, and Dietz keeps the show moving at full throttle.
For New Listeners
Even if you haven’t watched the 2026 Daytona 500, this episode brings you right into the adrenaline and heart behind one of racing’s great American spectacles. You’ll get stat breakdowns, behind-the-scenes context, and the kind of war stories and punchlines only legends like Herm and Schrader can dish out. For fans old and new, this is NASCAR in all its glory – unpolished, passionate, and loaded with laughs.