Herm & Schrader Podcast | “Kaulig CEO Chris Rice: Return of RAM & Playoffs vs. Points”
Host: Kenny Wallace
Guest: Chris Rice (Kaulig Racing CEO)
Date: January 8, 2026
Podcast by: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Episode Overview
This energetic and revealing episode brings Chris Rice, newly named CEO of Kaulig Racing, to chat with longtime friend Kenny Wallace. The pair dig deep into NASCAR’s latest headlines—the return of Ram Trucks to NASCAR, what the manufacturer shift means for the team and the sport, and Chris’s personal and professional journey. Mixing heartfelt stories, racing wisdom, and locker-room honesty, they offer fans rare insights into leadership, the shifting face of NASCAR, and the life of a “racing lifer.”
Main Themes
- Chris Rice’s personal transformation (health and mindset)
- Kaulig Racing’s new partnership: Ram Trucks’ return to NASCAR
- Changing business and branding landscape in NASCAR
- NASCAR’s evolving points and playoff system
- Reflections on racing legacies and family
- The future direction of the sport
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Chris Rice’s Health Journey & Motivation (01:41 – 07:25)
- Background: Chris shares how witnessing his father’s health issues, as well as struggling with his own weight—up to 270 pounds—pushed him toward radical lifestyle change.
- Turning Point:
“…I decided that two and a half years ago, it was time to put it out to the world that I have a problem and I need to fix my body. And I have.” — Chris Rice (05:39)
- The Routine: Gym daily at 4:55 am, plus diet discipline, with support from a tight-knit group.
- Motivational Videos: Chris posts regularly, inspiring followers struggling with self-belief.
- Charitable Aspirations: Wants to launch a health-focused charity for those struggling like he once did.
Notable Quote:
“You can go to the bar or you can go do something for yourself. And I chose the gym.” — Chris Rice (04:25)
2. Lessons from Kenny & Stories from the Past (09:40 – 13:13)
- A candid story about honesty between crew chief and driver, and the importance of honesty in racing and life.
- Kenny’s motivational mantra:
“Your life won’t change until you change your life.” — Kenny Wallace (07:13)
3. The Ram Trucks Return & Kaulig Racing’s Role (15:02 – 20:42)
- The Process: Kaulig Racing, led by Chris, proactively positioned themselves to attract new manufacturers, eventually securing the Ram deal.
- The Pitch: Genuine, personal approach in meetings:
“If they want the true Kaulig Racing, we can provide that. If they want us to be somebody different—we can’t provide that.” — Chris Rice (16:13)
- Ram vs. Dodge Explained:
- Dodge = Cars; Ram = Trucks. Both under Stellantis.
- The rebranding and separation were simple market decisions, not complicated politics.
Notable Quote:
“We’re so much like Ram. We’re very aggressive. We’ll do anything they want to do.” — Chris Rice (18:43)
4. Chris Rice Becomes CEO (21:54 – 26:40)
- The Promotion: Chris was surprised by team owner Matt Kaulig in front of all staff at a company event.
“He did it in front of all of our peers and our people that work for us...I didn’t know the impact changing your title from president to CEO, how big a deal that was gonna make.” — Chris Rice (22:32)
- New Responsibilities: More scrutiny, must be more careful about personal conduct.
- Leadership Pressure:
- Over 150 employees now rely on Rice—expected to grow to 280–380.
- Rice ensures staff are cared for (“401(k)s, insurance...the opportunity to retire here with a good life”).
5. Kaulig Racing 2026: Truck Lineup and Direction (31:13 – 37:15)
- Five Ram Trucks:
- #10: Daniel Dye
- #12: Butterbean Queen
- #16: Justin Haley (returning from Cup)
- #14: Top-secret driver (to be announced January)
- #25: Rotating “free agent”—new driver announced each Monday
- Strategic Goal:
- Attracting global audiences
- Bringing excitement and “something special” to each truck entry
- Notable Fun: Online speculation about Tony Stewart driving leads to buzz.
6. Kaulig’s Cup Program & Manufacturer Change (37:15 – 41:02)
- Cup Cars: Will remain Chevrolets in 2026 with no more RCR alliance.
- AJ Allmendinger and Ty Dillon to drive.
- All former Xfinity cars sold to new teams.
7. Team Location & Facilities (39:07 – 41:02)
- Kaulig Racing is not on RCR’s property but owns its own buildings and 14 acres in an industrial park in Welcome, NC—a central distribution location for Matt Kaulig’s various companies.
8. About Team Owner Matt Kaulig (41:02 – 43:15)
- Background: Still partial owner of LeafFilter; also involved in 75+ companies.
- Personal Impact:
“[Matt] changed my life and I didn’t even know it. He’s taught me business… Now I’m invested in six different deals with Matt.” — Chris Rice (41:10)
- Culture:
- Positive Mental Attitude (“PMA”) a team cornerstone.
- Kaulig gives each employee $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice on “Giving Tuesday.”
9. The Rice Family Racing Story (44:54 – 55:10)
- Family Roots:
- Dad (built cars, started business to stay close to family)
- Mom (Kathy Rice): Ran South Boston Speedway for 30+ years, serves on key NASCAR boards.
- Racing Path:
- Early ambitions in football shifted by injury—ultimately dove into racing as crew chief.
- Stories of working with Hermes Sadler, Buckshot Jones, Bill Davis, and building the Kaulig Racing team from 12 to over 150 people.
- Emphasis on “giving every minute of every hour” to pursuit of success.
10. NASCAR Today: The Lawsuit, New Tracks, and Playoffs vs. Points (59:11 – 67:32)
- Lawsuit Reaction:
“I’m glad it’s over. NASCAR is a legacy…we didn’t know the ins and outs of people’s contracts… but we’re somebody that’s going to continuously bring the legacy.” — Chris Rice (60:01)
- Big Picture: “Let’s move on and make it good for everybody.”
- Playoff Format: Changes are coming, not a total overhaul.
- A tweak to increase fan excitement—described as aiming to please 75% of people.
- Finals will be less about a single-race decider (as at Homestead), more about consistent performance.
- Tracks and Venues:
- Back to tradition: North Wilkesboro, Rockingham, Bowman Gray.
- New adventures: San Diego Air Force Base street race (trucks and Cup).
- Openness to adapting schedule to cater to new and old fans.
Notable Quotes & Moments
- On Leadership:
“I know we have over 150 people here now, and I know that my job is to get up so they can pay their house payments…That’s my job.” — Chris Rice (26:40)
- On Racing Culture:
“You get them talking. Maybe Tony [Stewart] will call us.” — Chris Rice (33:23)
- On Building a Team:
“We started with 12 people. I’m proud to say we still have 9 of those people working for us today.” — Chris Rice (51:16)
- On NASCAR’s Changing Points System:
“We need an adjustment. Do we need an overhaul? No, but we need an adjustment…75% will love it, 10% will be okay, and 15% will hate it.” — Chris Rice (63:02-64:24)
- On Positive Mental Attitude:
“If I can continuously focus and push that out…my grandbabies and my daughters, they’ll follow along.” — Chris Rice (43:15)
Memorable Banter
- On Daniel Dye’s Famous Hair:
“If I had Daniel Dye’s hair, I wouldn’t worry about my [balding].” — Chris Rice (34:20)
- Kenny’s ‘Sock Sponsorship’ Story
“We could tattoo our forehead so we can put our name on that sock!” — Chris Rice (35:08)
Major Timestamps
- Chris Rice on health journey: 03:33
- Kenny Wallace’s motivational turning point: 07:25
- The Ram negotiation story: 15:02-18:34
- CEO announcement story: 22:32
- Kaulig’s five-truck lineup rundown: 31:13-32:06
- Selling old cars / Facility ownership: 37:15-41:02
- About Matt Kaulig: 41:02-43:15
- Rice family’s roots in racing: 44:54-55:10
- On the NASCAR lawsuit resolution: 59:11-62:23
- Changes to playoff format: 63:02-64:24
- Excitement over historic and new tracks: 65:00-67:32
Final Thoughts
Chris Rice emerges as an open-hearted, straight-shooting leader balancing deep blue-collar roots with the realities of top-tier racing business. The episode is a masterclass in NASCAR behind-the-scenes, management, resilience, and optimism. Kenny Wallace keeps the discussion lively and real, always tying past lessons to today’s spotlight moments.
If you want a blueprint for NASCAR’s future—both on the track and in the boardroom—this conversation is essential listening.
For more: Watch Kenny’s YouTube show or find the Herm & Schrader podcast via Dirty Mo Media.