Herm & Schrader — "Jeremy Clements: The Next Mayor of the O'Reilly Series!"
Host: Kenny Wallace (joined by Jeremy Clements)
Date: December 10, 2025
Podcast Network: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Overview
This episode of Herm & Schrader is a celebratory, funny, and deeply personal conversation between Kenny Wallace and Jeremy Clements, as Jeremy prepares to break Kenny’s all-time starts record in NASCAR’s newly named O’Reilly Auto Parts Series. The discussion spans Jeremy’s racing upbringing, the gritty realities of running an underdog team, family roots, life-altering injuries, his new technical alliance with Haas, and broader reflections on the NASCAR world—told in the authentic, good-humored, and unfiltered style Herm & Schrader fans love.
Key Discussion Points and Insights
1. Breaking Records and Becoming "Mayor"
- Kenny Wallace kicks off (01:31) with news that Jeremy is set to break his 547-starts record at the June 20th Coronado Naval Base race in San Diego.
- Jeremy’s Reaction:
“I remember being at your last race, Iowa, 10 years ago, and racing with you... I’m just honored to race against [you]... I grew up watching you as a kid and now to, you know, still be here that much longer and able to hopefully break your record. Good lord willing, I’m still here then…” [03:23]
- Jeremy reflects on the longevity needed in NASCAR and how legends like Mark Martin raced into their fifties:
“As long as I can stay healthy and keep going. I don’t see any quit in me.” [04:35]
2. Career Longevity and Racing Philosophy
- On staying in the sport:
“I’m just a racer. I’ve raced since I was 7 years old. It’s all I’ve ever done, it’s all I’ve ever known...as long as I can just, like I said, stay healthy and keep going, baby. We’re gonna keep the train rolling.” [05:44]
- Kenny asks if Jeremy can get to 800 starts, which Jeremy calls “definitely achievable.” [05:44]
3. The Haas Alliance: A Game-Changer for Jeremy
- Major news: Jeremy’s team now has a technical alliance with Haas Factory Team [07:24].
- Jeremy:
“Drive their cars out of their shop, built and maintained by them, is going to be huge for a driver like myself who really never got that opportunity.” [07:34]
- On the struggle for funding and working with his dad Tony:
“You go to sleep thinking about it. You wake up thinking about it…you gotta keep it going. It’s stressful.” [09:14] “This deal just happened because we’ve been trying to buy new chassis and we couldn’t. It’s been a struggle. We went to talk to Joe [Custer], and he said, ‘I’m not gonna sell you any cars, but I’ll offer you this instead…’” [10:11]
4. Family, Love, and Life Behind Racing
- Kenny gives a shout-out to Jeremy’s wife, Courtney—formerly Kenny’s team secretary. Their love story and family life intertwines with racing.
- Jeremy:
“I met her at the racetrack, Kenny...I was never the type that wanted to get married and settle down…but with her, it was different…I think it was definitely a God thing...” [11:15–11:48]
- Their daughter Kennedy will be two in January; the couple are about to celebrate nine years married. [12:18]
5. Clements Family Legacy
- Kenny recounts Jeremy’s deep family roots—his grandfather Crawford and uncle Lewis were legendary NASCAR engine builders, continuing today with Tony and Glenn Clements.
- Jeremy:
“My grandfather, Crawford…he’s the reason why I got started racing…when I turned seven, he got me a go-kart…from there it was just—oh man, I loved it.” [18:45] “I was never interested in the engine side. I was just…groomed. I watched racing as a kid…I just wanted to drive.” [20:17] “Those guys, that generation is one hard working generation. And I don’t know if we got it in us, Kenny, I really don’t.” [21:31]
6. Grassroots Grit: Childhood Racing & Dirt Dominance
- Jeremy’s odyssey: racing go-karts, then dirt super late models at Cherokee and Thunder Valley (with his brother Jason and friend Chase Masterson), winning $28,000 in back-to-back races to fund a late-model car. [22:32–25:03]
- Hardcore racing and earning respect:
“We did a lot to those cars. Everything we could within the rulebook. And trust me, we got protested all the time...I was like 12 or 13, 14, 15...I can’t be fighting these grown men!" [25:33–25:51]
- Admiration for legends like Mike Duvall ("Flintstone Flyer"), who personally mentored Jeremy:
“Just getting the opportunity to be on the same track as him was a privilege. And then outrun him was just…amazing.” [29:49]
7. Catastrophic Injury and Comeback
- The drive shaft accident at 3Eleven Raceway (31:19):
“...the car just kind of starts moving…Then it was like a few seconds go by and I was like, whoa, something hurts. And I just looked down and my damn arm is going one way and my hand’s hanging off…” [33:02] “They wanted to amputate it, Kenny...good Lord willing, we were at a great hospital with amazing hand surgeons, and they were able to save this hand and my arm…” [32:07–35:24]
- Jeremy endured 10+ surgeries, having his hand sewn to his hip for a month, and a long, painful recovery—missing at least a season [35:45].
- On coming back:
“Wrapped the wheel…the dirt late model wheel up with some padding…could grab big stuff…started racing again…” [37:53] “God has a plan for us, so it just wasn’t meant to be [to go directly to Xfinity then]...” [37:53–39:06]
8. NASCAR Wins and Professional Milestones
- Two wins in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series:
- 2017 at Road America — a notoriously tough road course
- 2022 at Daytona
- One ARCA win at Nashville
- Kenny:
“If you follow the bouncing ball...this is not an easy business. But the man you’re looking at is a winner.” [40:39]
9. Chasing Speed and Equipment Upgrades
- The years-long quest for competitive cars—buying old equipment from big teams, running cars built pre-2019, dealing with Goodyear tire changes.
- Finally reached “wit’s end”:
“These same cars...they’re just wore out, man...the cars need to be built different. So we really going to have to cut these cars up, put new front clips on them...” [41:19]
- Jeremy expects the Haas alliance to let his driving and hard work finally yield big results:
“I drive my car hard as hell. 110% [and] they’re like P22, buddy. I’m like, damn. It’s just going to be so much fun for me to be able to still drive hard, but you have speed." [43:26]
10. The Realities of NASCAR as an Underdog
- Kenny Wallace, as a “super sub,” relates his own experience:
“You cannot win on a slow horse…me and you, God put us in this position because only you and I can handle driving slow cars. So have fun next year.” [46:52]
- Jeremy:
“It’s just going to be fun to finally have a great opportunity to drive those fast cars.” [47:10]
11. Recognition and Community in the Garage
- Both Jeremy and Ryan Sieg recognized by Xfinity for starting every sponsored race so far:
“That was very special. I do have it hanging in my office…but it was really cool, and to be one of the two drivers to do that is amazing.” [49:35]
12. The State/Future of the O’Reilly Series, Cup Guy Participation, and NASCAR’s Direction
- On new rules allowing Cup drivers to run 10 O’Reilly Series races (up from 5), Jeremy is not a fan:
“When these guys drive for the cup teams they already drive for...those are the best cars out there. So it makes them look invincible...it’s not even close.” [54:23]
- On NASCAR wooing new fans—and returning to traditional tracks:
“Yeah, like you said, we left our core fans…trying to pursue other people that maybe aren’t…ever going to be interested in the sport, whatever you do to it…We need to go back to what made NASCAR so popular in that 90s, early 2000s run.” [56:45]
Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments
- On the pain and perseverance after his hand injury:
“They had to do bone grafts from my hip, tendon graft from my right foot. Like you said. 10 surgeries…Went through hell, for sure...” — Jeremy Clements [35:24]
- On being inspired by Kenny’s “super sub” story:
“Don’t change your driving. Just keep racing. And you’re going to look up and you’re going to go, damn, I’m…quick time.” — Kenny Wallace [46:52]
- On finally getting to race competitive equipment:
“It’s going to make it so much easier…so much fun for me to be able to still drive hard…but have speed.” — Jeremy Clements [43:26]
- On what it takes to survive in the O’Reilly Series:
“I’ve seen so many comers and goers, so many big names…The funding runs out pretty quick because it’s hard to do this.” — Jeremy Clements [52:21]
Timestamps by Segment
- [01:31] — Show start & announcer, Kenny’s intros; Jeremy set to break the starts record
- [03:21] — Jeremy reflects on racing against Kenny, honor of breaking his record
- [07:24] — Announcement of Haas Factory Team technical alliance
- [09:14] — The worry and grind of NASCAR funding for small teams
- [11:15] — Jeremy and Courtney’s racetrack love story, family life
- [18:45] — The Clements racing legacy: engines, dirt, and grit
- [22:32] — Early racing days, winning big on dirt, grassroots struggles
- [31:19] — The catastrophic hand injury; year-long recovery and comeback
- [40:39] — NASCAR, wins, O’Reilly Series career stats for Jeremy
- [41:19] — Equipment struggles; finally going to Haas
- [43:26] — What it means to finally have “fast cars”
- [46:52] — Kenny’s “super sub” career & advice
- [49:35] — Recognition for race streaks; camaraderie with Ryan Sieg
- [54:19] — Cup drivers running more in O’Reilly (Xfinity); changing rules
- [56:45] — NASCAR, returning to its roots, bringing back old fans
Tone and Language
- Kenny Wallace: Boisterous, nostalgic, supportive, comically blunt; brings humor and wisdom from his decades of racing.
- Jeremy Clements: Down-to-earth, grateful, humble, determined; frequently credits family, faith, and persistence.
Episode Wrap-Up
Jeremy expresses gratitude and excitement for 2025, especially the historic day he’ll break the starts record. Kenny reflects on the long journey and the brotherhood of racers who do it because they love it—no matter how hard it is.
“I feel like I’ve definitely earned my way to this and yeah, it’s going to be amazing...Can’t wait to drink a beer with you after we break the record.” — Jeremy Clements [58:00]
For anyone who wants a masterclass in perseverance, racing family tradition, overcoming adversity, and the hard truths about NASCAR’s business, this episode provides both genuine insight and laugh-out-loud moments in equal measure.