Herm & Schrader Podcast
Episode: Even Darlington Can't Tame Tyler Reddick!
Release Date: March 25, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Schrader (Schrader), Rick Mast (filling in for Herm), Alan

Episode Overview

This episode of Herm & Schrader delivers the usual mix of candid, irreverent racing talk, stories from racing days past, and real fan camaraderie—this time without Herm, but with guest Rick Mast joining Kenny Schrader and Alan. The focus is on Darlington’s spring race weekend, the remarkable season Tyler Reddick is putting together, nostalgia for old-school NASCAR, analysis of points and racing strategies, and the evolving NASCAR fan base. From breakdowns of race-day heat and racing technologies to the state of dirt racing and jokes to end it all, this episode keeps the spirit of grassroots racing alive.

Main Themes & Key Discussion Points

1. Darlington Race Weekend — Crowd, Nostalgia, and On-Track Action

• Big Turnout at Darlington
  • Massive crowd at Darlington with perfect racing weather.
    • “That looked like a humongous crowd to me from where I was sitting.” — Alan (07:25)
    • “Golly Boom. Looked around, people everywhere just packed.” — Rick Mast (07:50)
• History and Racing Conditions
  • Discussion of the unique heat and daytime toughness that defined Southern 500s of old.
    • “You got to be a man to run at that place on Labor Day in the heat of the day. These guys today don’t know how good they got it.” — Alan (08:40)
  • Commentary on modern cars, cool suits, and cockpit cooling vs. the grueling, sweaty old days.
    • “Little Reddick’s cool suit didn’t work, but he gets out of the car, he jumps on the roof, jogs up to get the checker flag, and his hair is not wet.” — Kenny Schrader (10:31)
    • “They put...a ton of air just directly in on the driver.” — Rick Mast (11:26)
• Racing Mistakes Happen to the Best
  • Even top drivers falter at Darlington’s razor edges.
    • “We see Denny Hamlin go in there and drop kick the 43 car. Now, that’s not Denny Hamlin style...that place is so demanding.” — Kenny Schrader (12:36)

2. Tyler Reddick’s Historic Start — Racing Analysis

• Reddick’s Four Wins in Six Races
  • First driver since 1992 (Bill Elliott) to pull this off.
    • “Tyler Reddick, fourth win in six races...First time since 1992.” — Alan (18:44)
• Debunking NASCAR Conspiracy Theories
  • Social media chatter about “NASCAR gives him wins after the lawsuit” called out.
    • “NASCAR’s going to let Reddick win all these races...If NASCAR had that power...Earnhardt Jr. would be a multi champion.” — Rick Mast (21:01)
    • “They never gave me the damn call. You and Michael never got the call. I don’t think there’s calls now.” — Kenny Schrader (23:05)
  • The real story: 2311 team found a marginal but crucial technical edge.
    • “If everybody’s got the exact same car, you only gotta find a little something...Now finding that is really hard, but they’ve got it right now.” — Kenny Schrader (23:49)

3. RFK’s Resurgence and Competition Parity

• Roush Fenway Keselowski Racing Strong at Darlington
  • Analysis of their standout Darlington performance, but uncertainty if it translates everywhere.
    • “They were good again this week...maybe certain tracks take a [certain setup].” — Rick Mast (26:38)
• Modern Car Setups: Margins Are Tiny
  • Details on how minute setup tweaks have huge impacts.
    • “You raise the car one quarter of an inch...you’re changing two or three or 400 pounds of downforce...these cars are ridiculously close.” — Rick Mast (27:11)

4. Driver Spotlights — The Rise of Carson Hocevar & Team Ownership Dynamics

• Carson Hocevar’s Popularity
  • Noted surge in young, Gen Z fans supporting him and Spire.
    • “I could not believe how many people in the grandstands are wearing Hocevar T-shirts...they’re Gen Z, they’re 20-somethings.” — Alan (32:41)
  • Debates if being “neutered” as an aggressive driver helps or hurts performance, using Ernie Irvan’s career as an example.
    • “A lot of guys can stop wrecking and keep going...a lot of guys, man, they stop wrecking, they just don’t have that edge again.” — Rick Mast (35:21)
• Hocevar’s Future and Contracts
  • Puzzlement over long-term Spire contract when a Hendrick seat may soon open.
    • “Why would you sign a long-term contract...with the possibility of having a chance to get into another Chevrolet and maybe it be Hendrick unless you absolutely know you’re not.” — Alan (37:15)
    • “What about if Spire and Hendrick are intertwined enough and good enough partnership that he’s in the fold?” — Kenny Schrader (37:53)

5. Point Standings, Race Results & Fan Pulse

• Deep Dive into Points
  • Top 10 after Darlington: Reddick, Blaney, Bubba Wallace, Denny Hamlin, Chase Elliott, William Byron, Chris Buescher, Christopher Bell, Brad Keselowski, Kyle Larson.
  • Joey Logano (16th), Chase Briscoe (22nd), Kyle Busch (23rd) struggling.
  • Young fans embracing new athletes like Hocevar.
• Fan Polls and Perceptions
  • 77% in Jeff Gluck’s Twitter poll say Darlington was a good race, showing fans appreciate tight, caution-free racing.
    • “That number really makes me happy because Darlington’s not a typically...track [with] a photo finish.” — Kenny Schrader (44:29)

6. The Generational Shift in the NASCAR Fanbase

• Young Fans Return in Numbers
  • Rick Mast notes a “ton of younger people” at Darlington, turning a corner after years of aging crowds.
    • “Something’s happening right now that we’re not picking up on...tons and tons of younger people.” — Rick Mast (47:29)
  • Alan’s experience brings it home: taking his 15-year-old son to his first Cup oval race and seeing him wowed by the speed up close.
    • “When those cars went into turn one, me and him both looked at each other like it still hadn’t changed...He looked like he just saw a space shuttle.” — Alan (49:14)

7. Old School Stories

• Schrader vs. Morgan Shepherd in 1990
  • A vintage NASCAR tale of paybacks, fines, and running hot and mad in the car after getting wrecked and being summoned by officials.
    • “I got him first lap back out on the racetrack...I was like a kamikaze pilot.” — Kenny Schrader (15:34)
• Going Upside Down
  • Rick recounts flipping a Cup car at Talladega and the surrealness of being airborne.
    • “If you look out the windshield and all you see is blue sky...you know something’s wrong.” — Rick Mast (29:01)
    • “It gets quiet and then it gets real loud again before it stops.” — Kenny Schrader (30:43)

8. Quick Hits and Loose Ends

• Blaney’s Pit Crew Troubles
  • Recurring issue of slow stops losing track position for Ryan Blaney—“man, it sure seems like his pit crew puts him in a bad spot a lot.” — Alan (19:59)
• Contract Culture Then & Now
  • Schrader reminisces about handshake deals: “If a better team calls you...you have the opportunity to go drive for them. What if a better driver calls you? Well, I’ll have the same option.” — Kenny Schrader quoting Mr. Donlavey (38:59)
• Martinsville & Track Challenges
  • History and family connection to Martinsville; pondering whether NASCAR’s new horsepower package will improve the show.
    • “More horsepower and less downforce...always puts more on the driver.” — Rick Mast (55:56)
• Dirt Racing Update
  • Headlines from STL-area openers, World of Outlaws, High Limits, and more.
    • “We had locked in our feature the night before. We started sixth, worked my way back...picked up a bad attitude and decided I’d push my way through...didn’t finish.” — Kenny Schrader (62:05)
• Bad Racing Jokes
  • Alan’s “bad jokes” segment brings groans and genuine laughs.
    • “These are so friggin dumb, they’re hilarious, man.” — Rick Mast (66:38)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On today’s fitness vs. old-school heat:
  “We thought we drove hard...But I just want to know what the hell is the difference? These cars are so hot...What am I missing?” — Kenny Schrader (09:47)
• On the ‘call’ myth:
  “They never gave me the damn call...No one got the message. So that’s all just bull for sure.” — Kenny Schrader (23:05)
• On the Darlington crowd:
  “Looked around, people everywhere just packed.” — Rick Mast (07:50)
• On generational racing awe:
  “He looked like he just saw a space shuttle whenever they went into turn one.” — Alan (49:27)
• On fanbase changes:
  “Man, we’re turning some kind of corner. Something’s happening right now that we’re not picking up on, because, man, for so long you go, heck, you just didn’t see young people.” — Rick Mast (48:01)
• On young star Hocevar:
  “There are people in the garage area walking around with the Hocevar stuff and I’m like, man, this thing’s taken off with this guy. I’m happy for him.” — Rick Mast (34:41)
• On classic contracts:
  “When they quit sending the money, I just figured they weren’t good anymore.” — Mr. Donlavey, as quoted by Kenny Schrader (39:01)
• Wrapping the show on the power of family & racing tradition:
  “My granddaddy went there to Darlington back in the 60s...and now to get there with my son, it’s just pretty good.” — Alan (70:13)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [02:24] — Show starts, Schrader introduces Rick Mast as co-host
• [05:42] — Alumni group at Darlington / race crowd size
• [09:47] — Heat, cool suits, and physicality of today’s races
• [12:36] — Darlington’s demanding nature, racing mistakes
• [15:13] — Schrader’s classic story of paybacks and NASCAR discipline
• [18:44] — Tyler Reddick’s historic 4 wins in 6 races
• [21:01] — Conspiracy theories on “getting the call” and NASCAR fairness
• [26:24] — RFK’s performance and competitive parity analysis
• [32:41] — Hocevar’s surprising Gen Z fanbase and driver brands
• [37:15] — Hocevar’s contract, driver market speculation
• [44:23] — Fan polls: 77% positive on the Darlington race
• [47:29] — Younger fans at Darlington: changing NASCAR demographics
• [49:14] — Alan brings his son to first Cup oval race, lasting impresssion
• [52:59] — Martinsville: racing memories and the power of tradition
• [55:26] — Horsepower vs. racing product at Martinsville
• [62:05] — Dirt racing and regional scene update
• [65:23] — Alan’s “bad joke” segment
• [69:39] — Alan’s son’s first Darlington race experience—multi-generational impact
• [71:47] — Closing thoughts, sign-off

Final Thoughts

The “Even Darlington Can’t Tame Tyler Reddick!” episode of Herm & Schrader perfectly encapsulates the evolving and yet enduring culture of NASCAR: the grind of today’s racing, cherished war stories, shifting demographics, and heartfelt reminders of what keeps generations coming back. If you love racing, stories from real racers, and a no-filter Midwestern sensibility, this episode is a can’t-miss.