Herm & Schrader – "Las Vegas: Denny Hamlin Hits The Jackpot"

Podcast: Herm & Schrader
Date: October 15, 2025
Hosts: Kenny Wallace, Kenny Schrader (with Rusty Wallace & Craig Moore)
Summary by Podcast Summarizer AI

Overview

This episode of "Herm & Schrader" dives deep into the Las Vegas NASCAR weekend, celebrates Denny Hamlin's milestone 60th career win, and explores the culture, drama, and upcoming changes within the sport. True to form, the two Kennys and their sidekicks keep things candid, funny, and revelatory, mixing current cup and Xfinity insights with rich stories from their storied racing careers. The second half of the episode sees a comprehensive breakdown of pending NASCAR rule changes, the playoff system, All-Star race shakeups, and notable dirt racing events across the country.

Key Topics & Discussion Points

1. Life on the Road & Racing Stories

[02:33–04:45]

• Schrader describes a recent cross-country drive to Colorado for a Federated Auto Parts event, explaining why he prefers driving long distances—even 12-hour stints—when air travel gets unpredictable.
  • "It's only 12 hours driving... the airplanes in Colorado, they said Denver was getting messed up. I said hell, I'm getting in the old Silverado and hauling ass." — Kenny Schrader [03:21]
• Craig Moore recounts the culture shock for European friends coming to the U.S. and realizing that a “short drive” can be half a day here.
  • "They couldn't comprehend that... in America, 12 hours is no big deal." — Craig Moore [05:18]

2. Weekend Racing Recap: Dirt Track & Xfinity

[06:20–14:41]

• Rusty Wallace boasts about his own recent dirt track win, navigating a strong field and the perennial challenge of racing nemesis Rick Canoyer.
• Schrader details not racing that week, letting David Stremme drive his car, and their shared experiences with dirt track chassis setups.
• Conversation shifts to Justin Allgaier's legendary Xfinity record:
  • "Justin Allgaier, 300th top 10, and he's only got about 520 total starts... that's insane." — Rusty Wallace [12:09]
  • Affirmed by Schrader’s quick calculation: "A lot. Yeah, it's not quite 60%." [12:34]
• Discussion of Eric Almirola’s partial Xfinity campaign and car-owner points.
• Standout statistical run by Connor Zillich is praised:
  • "18 straight top five, average finish of 2.1 in last 18 races. Best all-time average in 18 race span." — Rusty Wallace [14:05]

3. Las Vegas Cup Race: Denny Hamlin’s Statement Win

[17:21–25:57]

• The group gets animated about Denny Hamlin’s performance, analyzing his late-race battle with Kyle Larson:
  • "He was given Denny the utmost respect for the job that, you know, that he did." — Kenny Schrader [18:06]
• Wallace admires Hamlin’s bold moves on the outside:
  • "When Denny Hamlin got to the outside of Kyle Larson, I went, okay, this is big." [18:54]
• Schrader reflects on car handling as conditions changed late in the race.
  • "You gotta drive harder because it's just what it takes. The car, the track will handle it." — Kenny Schrader [19:42]
• The crew discusses Hamlin’s emotional victory lane interview and reference to his family's health struggles.
  • "This is the part where I usually give the fans some, but not today. I appreciate you all so much." — Denny Hamlin, quoted by Rusty Wallace [21:14]
• Humor around Hamlin's unfiltered TV remarks and cable vs. network censorship:
  • "Now if that were on one of the big networks... it would be an issue then. But where USA is a cable network, they're allowed to get away with some of that." — Craig Moore [22:04]
• Notable: Reflection on Hamlin’s unique tenure with a single Cup owner.
  • "Looks like Denny Hamlin will spend his whole career with one owner, Joe Gibbs... Who's the only one that's ever done that?" — Rusty Wallace [24:01]

4. The Big Wreck: Communication, Spotters, and Safety

[25:57–31:46]

• Breakdown of the big William Byron/Ty Dillon pit road collision.
• Schrader and the crew commend both drivers for avoiding blame, labeling it a “real accident.”
• Old-school safety advice:
  • "Keep your damn arms inside the cage… every time you lean up there, there's two more marks on the trailer where the hood was leaning. Just stuff." — Kenny Schrader [28:10], [31:18]

5. Playoffs & Rule Change Bombshells: Steve O’Donnell’s Interview with Dale Jr.

[36:03–59:01]

• NASCAR exec Steve O’Donnell’s high-level chat with Dale Jr. sends ripples through the podcast:
  • Playoff format will be changed, but “nothing announced before the end of the season.”
    • "I'm sure we're gonna maybe tweak on it. Not announcing anything is great. This year will crown a champion..." — Kenny Schrader [37:23]
  • Debate: Is the current playoffs system fair to multi-race winners? Should the title be decided in 1 or 3 races?
    • "My opinion is that they leave everything alone. But instead of one race determining the championship, I think it should be three races." — Rusty Wallace [41:52]
  • Schrader’s analogy to other sports:
    • "You win every football game all year long... And then you go to the first playoff game and lose. Load your ass up, package, you're done." [40:13]
  • O’Donnell’s concern that the playoff format may “hurt star power.”
  • Frustration over drivers publicly trashing NASCAR; Schrader and Rusty side with O’Donnell:
    • "We know what some of those guys make... and they're taken from the sport... They just need to be giving back in their speaking and their thoughts and how they represent the sport." — Kenny Schrader [46:07]
  • Unique relationships with teams; anecdotes about drivers (e.g., Carl Edwards’ first Roush contract, Justin Allgaier’s Cup years).
  • Strong opinions about balancing formats for new fans versus loyal base:
    • "The older fans, they're pissed off anyway because that's just what you get when you get older... I'm glad it's not the old days or I wouldn't be watching on Sundays...the old days weren't that exciting." — Kenny Schrader [51:13]

6. All-Star Race Changing Venues and Rules (Dover)

[51:53–54:54]

• Discussion about moving the All-Star Race to Dover and NASCAR’s plan for late-breaking, dramatic rule changes revealed days before the event.
  • "That just cost us more money. So it'll be curious how that's received, you know… Sounds like an unneeded expense." — Kenny Schrader [53:14]
  • Clear skepticism from the panel about the logic and appeal of the move.
  • Dover’s history as a venue is debated, with consensus that races tend to drag out and crowd support has dwindled.

7. Technical Rules: The 80-Horsepower Debate

[57:01–59:29]

• Why’s NASCAR going from 680 to 750 horsepower? O’Donnell attributes it to cost: $44 million to step up further, but this jump is relatively cheap.
• Schrader’s practical take:
  • “You gained 10, now everybody's gaining 80. I think it's great… financially, most of the teams agreed won't hurt them bad.” [58:14]
• Panel notes some drivers (like Kyle Larson) are less than impressed, but agree the change is generally positive.

8. Radio Communications Crackdown (Points Manipulation)

[60:23–64:43]

• NASCAR to ban radio chatter about specific points situations to prevent teams from manipulating races (e.g., "if you pass five more cars, you'll get more money").
• Schrader acknowledges the difficulty of enforcing the rule but gets the intention.
  • "Everybody's got four teams. They can change the course of direction… if they just got a guy that's out to do something wrong." — Rusty Wallace [62:08]

9. Notable Dirt Racing & Regional Event Highlights

[65:08–73:40]

• Bobby Allen honored in Pennsylvania; local Anthony Macri wins after injury.
  • "There's nothing to not like about him. He's just a grassroots racer... you just gotta respect that." — Kenny Schrader [65:29]
• Pennsylvania Posse’s continued supremacy over visiting Outlaws teams.
  • _"When they go up there, man, it's game on. It's divided." — Kenny Schrader [69:25]
• Super Dirt Week at Oswego: Matt Williamson wins Buzzy Reutiman Trophy (Buzzy still alive and racing, which amuses the crew).
• Tales of wallets stolen at racetracks close this segment.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Denny Hamlin’s Move:
  • "When you drive around the outside of Kyle, you did something." — Kenny Schrader [18:54]
• On the Playoff Changes:
  • "The point system is what it is. Everybody knows what it is at the start of the year. If you're going to win the championship that year, this is what you got to do." — Kenny Schrader [37:23]
• On Old vs. New NASCAR:
  • "I don't remember [the old days] being so great... I had fun. But, yeah, I like them now." — Kenny Schrader [51:49]
• On Younger Drivers and Privilege:
  • "They're taken from the sport... they just need to be giving back as far as just in their speaking and their thoughts and how they represent the sport." — Kenny Schrader [46:07]
• On Rule Tweaks and Racing Philosophy:
  • "You just want to race. That's all you want to do. And you're racing at a big, big level and your dreams come true. But now, oh, this is bull. I should be getting this. Now I'm cocky." — Kenny Schrader [49:00]

Timestamps for Key Segments

• 02:33 – The case for driving over flying as a racer
• 06:20 – Weekend dirt racing recap; Wallace’s heat win
• 11:21 – Xfinity highlights: Allgaier and Almirola
• 17:21 – Turning point: Denny Hamlin’s 60th Cup victory, Cup breakdown
• 25:57 – Safety talk; Byron & Dillon wreck review
• 36:03 – Steve O’Donnell interview, looming rule changes & playoffs analysis
• 51:53 – All-Star Race venue and rule changes
• 57:01 – Horsepower increase expectation and reactions
• 60:23 – NASCAR cracks down on radio manipulation
• 65:08 – Regional dirt racing and "PA Posse" dominance
• 73:40 – Trackside theft stories & the lighter side

Tone & Takeaway

This episode is characteristically loose, storytelling-heavy, and irreverent, but packed with hardcore racing insight and tributes to the sport’s blue-collar ethos. The two Kennys are unfiltered as always, but their love of racing, respect for tradition—and willingness to embrace change—anchor a must-listen for any real NASCAR or grassroots racing fan. Whether you tune in for the epic tales, frank analysis, or back porch wisdom, you leave with a smile, ready for Talladega and whatever surprises NASCAR serves up next.

For listeners: Don’t miss the Denny Hamlin segment [17:21–25:57] and the fiery discussion on playoff changes and driver attitudes [36:03–46:48] for the most compelling takes of the week.