Herm & Schrader – “Greg Biffle: Winning On & Off The Track”

Podcast: Herm & Schrader
Host: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Date: September 11, 2025
Guests: Greg Biffle
Hosts: Kenny Wallace & Ken Schrader

Episode Overview

This episode is a candid, wide-ranging, and often hilarious conversation between hosts Kenny Wallace and Greg Biffle (with Ken Schrader mentioned but not present in most of the discussion). Focused on Greg Biffle’s extraordinary career, the discussion covers Biffle’s origins in racing, the remarkable story of his unexpected break into NASCAR, his championship-winning journey across all three national series, his perspectives on racing’s psychological highs and lows, and his current life as a hands-on enthusiast, tinkerer, and YouTube creator. The tone is unfiltered, warm, and full of insider stories, balancing nostalgia with honest critique and infectious enthusiasm for racing’s community.

1. Getting to Know "The Biff"

[01:43 – 05:36]

• Kenny Wallace greets Greg Biffle, lauding his career and historic achievements, setting a friendly, informal tone:
  • “I call him the great Greg Biffle because Greg’s got a hell of a story and boy, he did it the right way.” (01:46, Kenny Wallace)
• Biffle shares his appreciation for the lasting nickname “The Biff” and how media features—especially John Roberts picking him every week on NASCAR RaceDay—helped popularize his persona and sell lots of T-shirts.
  • “He’d pick me every single week...those were pretty good odds.” (03:38, Greg Biffle)
• Kenny traces Biffle’s surname to German/English roots, and Biffle discusses his own family’s history and interest in genealogy.
  • “It was very, very interesting...but it’s interesting when you start looking at all of your history…” (04:54, Greg Biffle)

2. The Journey from Local Legend to NASCAR

[05:36 – 15:17]

• Biffle recounts his blue-collar beginnings racing hobby stocks in the Northwest, and the grind of running a tiny race shop with just three people, winning championships at Portland Speedway and Tri Cities Raceway.
  • “We’d race Friday night, come home at midnight...drive five hours...and race Saturday night.” (08:44, Greg Biffle)
• The pivotal Winter Heat Series in Tucson is described—televised on ESPN2, where Biffle won multiple races, caught Benny Parsons’ eye, and made critical connections.
• The story’s turning point: Benny Parsons recommends Biffle to Jack Roush. Because Tommy Kendall declined, Biffle got a call at his race shop—no test, no resume, just “We want to hire you.”
  • “No test, no resume. Hired me over the phone. That was it.” (14:40, Greg Biffle)
• The humble moment: Biffle signs his Roush contract on his parents’ fax machine, recognizing their support and the serendipity involved.

3. Roush’s Eye for Talent & The Infamous Gong Show

[15:17 – 18:59]

• Discussion turns to Jack Roush’s reputation for finding new talent, with Biffle crediting innovative methods—and himself a bit!—for broadening the scouting net.
  • “I think I was sort of the phenomenon because I came different than everyone else...” (15:50, Greg Biffle)
• The Gong Show tryouts: Biffle played a role in choosing Kurt Busch, recognizing his adaptability and car control—setting a precedent for drivers from non-traditional backgrounds to get a shot.
  • “I said, Kurt Busch is your guy...That guy has got car control like I haven’t seen in a long time.” (16:53, Greg Biffle)
• Anecdote about the process: Advice to just “sign it” when one big opportunity comes along is shared, drawn from both Biffle’s and Carl Edwards’ experiences.

4. Career Highlights & Emotional Reflections

[22:00 – 31:01]

• Kenny Wallace rattles off Biffle’s career stats—843 NASCAR starts, championships in both Trucks and Xfinity, 19 Cup wins, and his inclusion as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers.
  • “Does it really matter what this contract says? I’m signing it. Where’s the last [page]?” (14:40, Greg Biffle recalling signing his first big deal)
• Biffle talks about the surreal, goosebump-inducing feeling of hearing his own accomplishments:
  • “It’s…feels like it’s not real...I get goosebumps.” (23:42, Greg Biffle)
• Discussion of the psychology of elite athletes: Why do great drivers so often fixate on the one that got away—the near-miss rather than the wins?
  • “We always go to that one bad time…It’s the competitiveness inside you...It’s the will to want to win, and…the defining moment in your career as well as the successes.” (27:13, Greg Biffle)
• Biffle recalls narrowly missing the 2005 Cup title, reflecting on the emotional weight those moments carry through the years.

5. The Rare “Stair-Step” Progression to NASCAR’s Top

[31:01 – 35:06]

• Biffle achieved the rare feat of winning in late models, Trucks, Xfinity, and Cup—a “stair-step progression.”
  • “I think it just happened...when you succeed at a level, then you get the chance to go to the next level.” (31:08, Greg Biffle)
• He explains how winning is the only sure path to advancing, and how even missed opportunities (like Kurt Busch jumping straight from Trucks to Cup) balance out over a career.

6. On Talent Scouting – What Makes a Special Driver?

[35:06 – 37:31]

• Biffle reflects on evaluating drivers during the Gong Show: consistency gets you in the door, but adaptability and car control set a driver apart.
  • “You could tell Kenny that some of them had got to where they were...because they were very, very consistent...but didn’t, weren’t gonna go far, I didn’t think.” (36:50, Greg Biffle)
  • “You have to adapt. I saw that adaptability, I think, in Kurt.” (37:19, Greg Biffle)

7. NASCAR’s Alumni Initiative & the Importance of Community

[39:13 – 45:46]

• Discussion moves to NASCAR’s new push to bring past champions and drivers back into the fold, admitting previous missteps and now providing alumni hard cards for access and events.
  • “It’s mind boggling to me that NASCAR wouldn’t have taken that opportunity right from the get-go…But now they’ve come back…It’s gonna do well for them.” (41:03, Greg Biffle)
• Reflecting on the broader sports world, Biffle and Wallace champion the idea of having dedicated alumni suites at tracks, more fan interaction, and reuniting former legends as a way to build connection.
  • “I would go just for that experience to get to chat with you guys...it could be a reunion.” (44:25, Greg Biffle)

8. Personal Projects, YouTube Channel, and the Spirit of Building Stuff

[46:26 – 54:01]

• Biffle talks about the hands-on spirit that’s driven him since his racing days—now channeled into his YouTube content and his ongoing mechanical experiments.
  • “If there was a camera crew following me around, I would have my own TV series...I love building off the wall stuff.” (46:26, Greg Biffle)
• Details his shop’s state-of-the-art tools (H VF3, DMG Mori 5-axis machining center), and his goal for all side projects is cost-neutral enjoyment—a key insight into his philosophy.
  • “If I can do something else that will make enough money to pay for the machine and the tooling...then I’m happy.” (53:29, Greg Biffle)
• Wallace celebrates Biffle’s adventurous spirit—including his love of boats, planes, off-roading, and custom fabrication.

9. Off-Road Adventures & The Legendary Yuma Gatherings

[55:24 – 60:03]

• Wallace brings up private desert off-roading gatherings in Arizona, where Biffle, Rusty Wallace, Ray Evernham, Jeff Gordon, and other greats cut loose with dune buggies, good food, and camaraderie.
  • “It’s what dreams are made of. You gotta come out one time and enjoy it with us.” (59:33, Greg Biffle)
• Anecdotes include epic campfires with legends like Don “The Snake” Prudhomme and John Elway.

10. Rapid Fire: Biffle’s Thoughts on NASCAR Today

[61:04 – 65:46]

• Biffle offers a respectful, nuanced take on NASCAR’s ongoing challenges and its efforts to balance cost, technology, and exciting racing:
  • “The sport is to entertain the fans and put on a good competitive race...You’re always going to battle those things. And I enjoy watching the races. It’s a lot of fun...My theory is you can only catch the car in front of you when he lets off the gas.” (61:05 & 63:54, Greg Biffle)
• Wishes for lower downforce, grippier tires, and more horsepower to force drivers to manage the throttle—believing this makes for the best racing.
  • “Schrader says there’s a thousand spots in that gas pedal. That’s right, boys. He right.” (64:29, Kenny Wallace)

Notable Quotes and Moments

• On Identifying Talent
  • “You have to believe in yourself. If you don’t, you’ve got troubles.” (35:30, Greg Biffle)
• On Missed Championships
  • “I get goosebumps when you talk about the whole thing, but I also instantly…my brain goes to that memory of the 2005 season all the time.” (25:39, Greg Biffle)
• On Legacy and Memory
  • “Every great athlete will have that same instinct. It’s the competitiveness inside you…It is that championship you lost because…the trailing arm broke…That was your opportunity.” (27:13, Greg Biffle)
• On Being Cost-Neutral
  • “I look for a way to make it cost neutral…If I can do something else that will make enough money to pay for the machine and the tooling...then I'm happy.” (53:07 – 53:29, Greg Biffle)
• On Racing Philosophy
  • “My theory is you can only catch the car in front of you when he lets off the gas.” (63:54, Greg Biffle)
• On NASCAR’s Alumni Embrace
  • “You want Carl Edwards to walk down pit road and sign a few autographs…How can that be bad?” (41:03, Greg Biffle)

Episode Highlights (with Timestamps)

| Timestamp | Segment | Notes | |-----------|----------------------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 03:33 | Nickname “The Biff” legacy | The “stick with the Biff!” chant, fan recognition | | 07:45 | Early career – NW racing, family shop grind | Stories of working, racing, and winning with small teams | | 10:57 | Benny Parsons’ mentorship | The phone call that changed Biffle’s life | | 16:39 | The Gong Show & Kurt Busch discovery | Biffle evaluating emerging drivers, the Kurt Busch pick | | 23:37 | Reading out Biffle’s career stats | Emotional reaction, why the “almosts” haunt champions | | 31:01 | “Stair-step” progression to Cup | Rare feat of winning at every major NASCAR level | | 41:03 | NASCAR’s alumni initiatives | Inviting legends back, building community | | 46:26 | Biffle’s post-NASCAR life: YouTube & more | Shop projects, off-road racing, living life hands-on | | 55:24 | Arizona desert “Wally World” experience | Legendary gatherings with racing greats | | 61:04 | NASCAR today: cars, competition, and changes | Insights on where the sport is and what Biffle wishes could improve | | 63:54 | Racing philosophy and throttle management | Kenny & Greg’s “a thousand spots in that gas pedal” motto |

Final Words

The episode is brimming with laughter, humility, hard-earned wisdom, and stories that would thrill any racing insider or fan. Biffle is revealed as a down-to-earth, versatile competitor whose passion for building, tinkering, and competing shines through in every anecdote.

Ending Quote:

• “Thank you, Kenny. I appreciate it. And when I get big and famous like you, I’m gonna have you on my YouTube channel.” (66:32, Greg Biffle)

For those who missed it:
This episode is a masterclass in racing culture—a must-listen for fans who admire authenticity, humor, and the gritty reality beneath NASCAR’s gleam. Biffle and Wallace’s camaraderie is palpable, and the podcast covers the arc of a life spent chasing speed, success, and fun.