Podcast Summary: Herm & Schrader – Devin Moran: The Story of An Underdog Champion

Podcast: Herm & Schrader (Kenny Wallace & Ken Schrader)
Episode: Devin Moran: The Story of An Underdog Champion
Date: October 23, 2025
Host: Kenny Wallace (with Kenny Schrader)
Guest: Devin Moran, 2025 Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion

Overview:

This animated, heartfelt episode brings listeners inside the world of dirt track racing through the eyes of newly crowned Lucas Oil Late Model Dirt Series Champion, Devin Moran. Hosted by the ever-charismatic duo of Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader, the show captures not only the technical mastery and strategy behind Moran’s remarkable championship run, but the personal family and emotional journey that made the achievement even more meaningful. Expect classic irreverence, camaraderie, and real behind-the-scenes insight into the highs, lows, and nuances of top-tier dirt racing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Devin Moran’s Championship Week: Personal & Professional Highs

• [02:15] Devin is elated, announcing that he’s both a new champion and a soon-to-be father of a baby girl.
  • "We're going two days strong where I'm just loving life on Top of the World... I know racing can be up and down, but I'm about as high as I can get right now." – Devin Moran ([02:15])
  • Due date for the new baby is March 12th; racing and family are equally centric to Devin at this huge moment.

2. Dirt Racing Realities: Money, Work Ethic, Humility

• [03:21–04:38] Despite winning over $225,000 with the championship, Devin’s out washing his own car because “the money’s spent before you get it,” given the immense cost of motors and tires.
  • "My guys do a really good job for me, but just my one guy, he was out of town, so I got it done this morning." – Devin Moran ([03:38])
  • Motors cost $60,000+ each, with six in their stable for the season.

3. Family: The Moran Legacy

• [06:13] Devin’s father, Donnie Moran, aka the “Million Dollar Man,” is a legendary racer. A touching moment unfolds as Devin describes their post-championship interaction.
  • “I said, dad, you might have won a million bucks, but you never won a Lucas Oil championship like I did.” – Devin Moran ([06:52])
• [08:13–12:49] Devin’s brother Wiley, who transitioned from working on Devin’s crew to running a detailing business, chimes in with sentimental reflection and pride in family ties and racing roots.

4. The Playoff “Heater”: Breaking Down the Championship Run

a. Brownstown – Starting the Final Push

• [16:52–23:09] Moran describes entering the playoffs with an 80-point deficit to Ricky Thornton Jr. and details his strategy:
  • Goal: “Two wins out of five. The others – all podiums. We were pretty close.”
  • Strong qualifying and consistent podium results (3rd in CJ Rayburn Memorial, 2nd in Jackson 100).
• Incident with “Superman” (Jonathan Davenport) in the Jackson 100: Hard, clean racing results in a minor tangle, but Moran’s focus remains: "I told the guys I said, my goal would be two wins out of five... right after it happened, I said, hey, I'm racing for a championship." ([18:18])

b. Technical Driving – How Moran Races the Cushion

• [23:49–26:22] Moran is lauded for his ability to keep his car straight and avoid damaging the right rear spoiler—crucial for downforce in dirt racing.
  • “I drive a lot straighter than a lot of people do... when I was younger... I couldn’t really afford to tear much up.” – Devin Moran ([24:13])
  • Spoiler size is “eight and a quarter inches" – Moran affirms aero is vital.

c. Pittsburgh – Turning Point

• [28:20–35:28] The Pittsburgher weekend becomes the pivotal moment:
  • Night 1: Moran wins, capitalizing when Ricky Thornton Jr. (RTJ) blows a tire. Moran admits: “I don't cheer for anyone to have problems. I was like, this just changed the ball game." ([29:52])
  • Night 2: Comes back from 7th to 3rd, outrunning key rival RTJ again: “A night like tonight, you have to finish in front of the 20RT… and that's what happened. Ended up running third."
  • By end of Pittsburgh, Moran has seized the points lead.

d. Testing & Prep – Smoky Mountain

• [35:56–37:28] Feeling vulnerable after Pittsburgh, Moran and team test at Smoky Mountain Speedway, finding crucial balance in the car.
  • "We came up with a game plan...found our balance...I left Smoky Mountain testing with confidence and just carried it right in [to Eldora]." ([36:42])

e. Eldora – Finale & Handling the Pressure

• [38:11–41:54] Moran focuses on routine and technical details; narrowly misses out on pole but lines up well for the final.
  • Moran shares qualifying and pre-race superstitions, inspired by advice from Dick Trickle: “Routine is important. Don't take yourself out of your routine.” ([39:39])

5. Eldora: 100-Lap Showdown & Managing Chaos

• [43:23–49:40] Moran details the mental challenge of racing at Eldora during the day, maintaining track position and composure as rivals RTJ and JD encounter troubles.
  • "Later in the race, I see JD...the whole back of his car is out. I was like, well, we don't have to worry about JD anymore. It's just Ricky. Well, I come around the front straightaway...Ricky stuffed it in the fence and JD hit him...I was like, holy, we might have just won the Lucas Oil championship." ([46:23])
  • Despite knowing he’s “getting numb” with nerves, Moran finishes fourth, clinching the title.

6. Post-Race Reflection, Technical Talk, and Next Year

• [51:01–52:48] Discussion turns to the nuances of “balance” and finding elusive forward bite exiting turn two, a product of that Smoky Mountain test: “We just found that balance...I could just run through that middle of one and two and carry speed."
• [53:13–55:36] Moran expresses emotion about the series finale moving close to his home at West Virginia Motor Speedway, the legacy of event promoter Carl Short, and the improvement in race safety and track management.

7. Legacy, Home, and Looking Forward

• Moran’s deep pride in his Dresden, Ohio roots; gratitude for his crew and family; and excitement for his future both as a racer and a new father.
  • "I'm in the race shop I grew up in that my dad worked out of his whole life. I've been here from day one." ([53:13])
  • On next year: “Hopefully everybody enjoyed it and yeah, I'm gonna enjoy this one. Before we worry about next year." ([57:02])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On balance, family, and the moment:

  • “God is blessing me without a doubt right now.” – Devin Moran ([02:44])

• On racing with humility:

  • “My crew chief's out of town for the day, so I had to take over his duties this morning...Life’s good.” – Devin Moran ([03:07])

• On the practical side of racing:

  • “We pretty much spent that money before we even got it.” – Devin Moran ([04:38])

• On the Brownstown incident:

  • “If anyone knows and watch me race, they know I try to be as clean as anybody... we just touched because we were racing hard. That happens.” ([19:38])

• On the Pittsburgher turning point:

  • "That was the turning point of our playoffs." – Moran ([29:50])

• On mental routine and nerves:

  • “I'm so weird about my shield. I wipe my shield three or four different times.” ([39:00])
  • “Dick Trickle taught me routine is important. Don't take yourself out of your routine.” – Kenny Wallace ([39:39])

• On clinching the title while rivals flounder:

  • “I didn’t really giggle or smile or laugh or anything...But at the same time I was like, holy, we might have just won the Lucas Oil championship.” – Devin Moran ([46:53])

Key Timestamps – For Reference

Family News & Emotional Highs: [02:15–04:08]
Financial Realities of Racing: [03:21–04:38]
Legacy & Dad: [06:13–07:34]
Brother Wiley Joins: [08:13–12:49]
Start of Playoff Heater (Brownstown): [16:52–23:09]
Strategy & Technical Driving: [23:49–26:22]
Pittsburgh – The Turning Point: [28:20–35:28]
Testing at Smoky Mountain: [35:56–37:28]
Eldora Finale Qualifying: [38:11–41:54]
Eldora Race & Title Clinch: [43:23–49:40]
Technical Deep Dive: [51:01–52:48]
Event Moves Close to Home: [53:13–55:36]
Closing Reflection: [57:02]

Final Thoughts

This episode is a master class in dirt track racing—a tapestry of humor, uncompromising honesty, technical acumen, and heartfelt family ties. Devin Moran’s championship run isn’t just a story of speed and tactics, but one of resilience, tradition, and humble hard work. With the two Kennys at the helm, listeners get an irreverent, inside-the-hauler perspective worthy of “Herm & Schrader” history.