Herm & Schrader: Larry McReynolds – The Origins of "America’s Crew Chief"

Date: September 25, 2025
Podcast: Herm & Schrader (Dirty Mo Media, SiriusXM)
Hosts: Kenny Wallace & Ken Schrader
Guest: Larry McReynolds

Episode Overview

This episode of Herm & Schrader dives deep with legendary NASCAR crew chief and broadcaster Larry McReynolds, known as “America’s Crew Chief.” The conversation traces Larry’s unlikely roots in racing, his rise to NASCAR stardom, his historic Daytona 500 victories, behind-the-scenes stories with drivers like Davey Allison and Dale Earnhardt Sr., and his celebrated transition to TV and radio. The tone is candid, nostalgic, and peppered with humor—as always with the two Kennys.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Larry McReynolds’ Early Life & Racing Origins ([03:46]–[09:20])

• No Racing Background: Larry describes growing up in Alabama, with only his grandfather and aunt as racing influences; his parents were indifferent to motorsports.

  • “My grandfather, my mom’s dad, and my aunt... The three of us every Friday night would walk down about 10 or 15 minutes from my grandparent’s house to the local racetrack called BIR, Birmingham International Raceway.” (03:58, Larry)

• Aunt the Hot Rodder: His aunt’s challenge to build and drive a “street stock hobby” car was Larry’s first hands-on experience in racing.

  • “I didn’t know a three quarter wrench from a three quarter socket... But I learned quickly. I was like a sponge. My racing career started there...” (05:38, Larry)

• Local Racing Lore: Hilarious recollections about movies playing at the racetrack, including “once in a while they’d be an X-rated movie going on” ([06:30]), and how high school football conflicted with racing schedules.

• Influence of the Alabama Gang: Larry idolized neighborhood NASCAR legends like Bobby and Donnie Allison, recalling how Donnie encouraged him to pursue NASCAR—while warning wins would be rare and hard-fought.

  • “He said, ‘You need to go up there and pursue that. But...you need to find that checkered flag y’all won a couple of weeks ago—because it’s going to be a long damn time, maybe ever, before you see another one.’” (07:42, Larry)

• Childhood Experiences Mold Champions: Both Larry and Kenny agree that the formative memories and inspirations from youth continue to shape success, regardless of status.

2. Journey to NASCAR: Struggles, Breaks, & Early Crew Chief Roles ([11:25]–[15:01], [17:06])

• Breaking into NASCAR: Larry recounts his early years bouncing between teams, often impacted by tight budgets and teams closing their doors.

  • “There were some early years...I would go to work for a race team and we’d race for six or eight months and then they’d run out of money and close the doors and I’d have to go find another job.” (11:37, Larry)

• First Crew Chief Gig: Opportunity came with Mark Martin’s rookie season, thanks to the business savvy of Mark’s mother, Jackie Martin. Larry calls this his “first real crew chief job,” despite limited experience.

  • “Fifteen minutes into the conversation, they wanted me to be the crew chief...She said, don’t worry about it. Mark’s going to make his own calls on this race car.” (13:49, Larry)

• Reflection on Organization: Kenny notes—and Larry agrees—that meticulous organization and communication set him apart.

  • “If I was the smartest guy on the race team—woe be into us...But I always felt like I was a good communicator.” (17:54, Larry)

3. Leadership Insights, Competitiveness, and the Nick Saban Analogy ([19:05]–[23:21])

• Comparing Mindsets: Kenny links Larry’s leadership style—always extracting the best from his people—to Alabama football coach Nick Saban.

  • “We both hate losing more than we enjoy winning. And even when you win, it’s about the next race, it’s about the next game.” (20:31, Larry)

• Constant Pursuit of Perfection: Larry explains his career-long obsession with improvement, detailed in his book The Constant Pursuit of Perfection.

  • “If you think you’ve tapped out...you’re going to probably start not being successful. It’s always ‘Evaluate what you can do to be better the next time.’” (23:09, Larry)

4. The Two Daytona 500 Wins: Stories Behind the Victories ([24:08]–[35:50])

• 1992 with Davey Allison:

  • “We ended up winning that race with a backup car...after the top contenders crashed racing for halfway money. After that, it was ours to lose.” (27:52, Larry)
  • Larry recalls the misadventures leading up to the victory—wrecked primary car, last-minute substitute, chaos and luck.

• 1998 with Dale Earnhardt Sr.:

  • “I just happened to be the fortunate guy that was his crew chief...when he didn’t blow up, didn’t have a flat tire, didn’t hit a seagull...” (29:19, Larry)
  • Details how the infamous No. 3’s breakthrough was the result of months of secret testing, a unique car build, and Dave Marcis handling much of the testing because “Dale would just get bored” ([33:09]).

• Memorable Moment—The Receiving Line: Larry had no idea of the famous pit road celebration until he saw the replay.

  • “There was chaos in our pits...I remember everybody was...trying to talk at one time. Finally, I said, ‘Dale, make sure you make this lap at a good speed!’” (36:25, Larry)

5. Becoming “America’s Crew Chief” – TV & Broadcasting Career ([38:18]–[52:06])

• Transition from the Pit Box to the Booth:

  • Larry did pit reporting and booth work for TNN, TBS, CBS before Fox. The Fox role was presented by David Hill after seeing his audition.
  • “It was the toughest decision I’ve ever had to make in my life...If I didn’t take it, I would always look back and go, what if?” (41:02, Larry)

• Historic Chemistry in the Booth:

  • With Mike Joy and Darrell Waltrip, Larry formed one of sports broadcasting’s longest-running trios.
  • “The biggest thing...Mike Joy never tries to be an analyst...We stayed in our lane...that’s what made us work.” (45:41, Larry)

• Behind-the-Scenes Contributions:

  • Larry provides extensive notes and technical insight for broadcasts, focused solely on enhancing the show.
  • “The only ego I’ve got is let's just have a good broadcast...I'm not going to hide in the corner with all my notes...” (52:06, Larry)

• Longevity in Broadcasting:

  • Hopes to leave on his own terms, with a contract set to align with the new TV deal: “I do hope I get to go out on my own terms and not the terms of a decision by an executive.” (54:50, Larry)

6. Radio, Staying Engaged & Lifelong Learning ([56:19]–[59:03])

• Radio vs. TV:
  • More conversational, less rigid—Larry enjoys the freedom and the ongoing connection it affords him to the racing world.
  • “The biggest thing I like about doing it...it keeps me engaged. I never interview anybody...that I don’t learn something.” (56:41, Larry)
  • Notes how insights from radio interviews often feed into his TV work, and vice versa ([58:21]–[58:42]).

7. Fatherhood & Racing: Brandon McReynolds ([59:16]–[60:25])

• Pride in His Son: Larry’s joy at seeing son Brandon win at Talladega nearly equals his own victories.
  • “Twenty years later, he drives an ARCA car into victory lane. I’m telling you, that was the ultimate. As a dad that has a son that races.” (59:58, Larry)

8. Present and Future of NASCAR ([60:51]–[65:54])

• State of the Sport: Enthusiastic about NASCAR’s current leadership and direction.

  • “I love where we’re at right now. I really think we’re in a good place.” (62:04, Larry)

• Next Gen Car:

  • Acknowledges ongoing development, but praises increased competitiveness for smaller teams: “Without this car, could Trackhouse, 23XI, Colleg make a splash? Probably not.” (63:41, Larry)

• On Rules Enforcement and Penalties:

  • Supports NASCAR’s tough approach to keep costs and manipulation in check.
  • “Thank the good Lord I’m a broadcaster now, not a crew chief. I think it’s a necessity...they have to rule with an iron fist.” (64:16, Larry)

9. Reflections and Motivation ([66:48]–[68:22])

• Humble Beginnings: Larry ends with a motivating reminder that persistence and passion can deliver on even the most unlikely dreams.
  • “Dreams can come true. I’m a guy from Birmingham that barely got a high school diploma...but if you want it bad enough, you believe in it and you stay after it, dreams can come true.” (67:34, Larry)

Memorable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We all came on this earth equal, naked and screaming, and that’s the way we’re gonna leave it one day.” – Larry McReynolds ([18:36])
• “We both hate losing more than we enjoy winning.” – Larry McReynolds, on parallels with Nick Saban ([20:30])
• “I just happened to be the fortunate guy that was his crew chief ... when he didn’t blow up ... didn’t hit a seagull.” – Larry on finally winning with Dale Earnhardt ([29:19])
• “The biggest thing that made us work [at Fox] is we stayed in our lane.” – Larry ([45:41])
• “The only ego I’ve got is let’s just have a good broadcast.” – Larry ([52:06])
• “Thank the good Lord I’m a broadcaster now, not a crew chief. I’d be out of a trash can...” – Larry, on today’s tech penalties ([64:16])
• “I am walking, living, breathing proof ... dreams can come true.” – Larry ([67:34])

Notable Segments & Timestamps

• Larry’s Alabama roots and first exposure to racing: [03:46]–[05:48]
• Daytona 500 with Davey Allison: [24:08]–[28:20]
• Winning with Dale Earnhardt Sr.: [28:20]–[36:25]
• Transition to and philosophy on TV broadcasting: [38:18]–[54:50]
• Reflections on NASCAR’s evolution and regulations: [60:51]–[65:54]
• Closing reflections and motivation: [66:48]–[68:22]

Tone & Takeaways

This episode blends humility, behind-the-scenes candor, and racing-lore hilarity. Larry McReynolds is forthright, quick to credit others, relentlessly motivated by improvement, and passionate about the present and future of NASCAR. Both longtime fans and newcomers will find in his story proof that grit, communication, and humility lead to legendary accomplishments—on pit road or behind the mic.