Herm & Schrader Podcast – Episode: "Ricky Stenhouse Jr: A No BS Straight-Up Racer"

Host: Kenny Wallace
Guest: Ricky Stenhouse Jr.
Date: February 26, 2026
Podcast Network: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media

Episode Overview

This episode welcomes NASCAR driver Ricky Stenhouse Jr. for a candid, story-filled conversation with Kenny Wallace. True to the show’s unfiltered, irreverent vibe, it’s a laid-back exploration of Stenhouse’s racing roots, his historic Daytona 500 win, life’s biggest changes, and his thoughts on the state of NASCAR. The guys cover everything from growing up in Olive Branch, Mississippi, to the intense realities of today’s Cup Series racing. Expect laughter, genuine moments, a wealth of racing insight, and a few “No BS” reflections on competition, team dynamics, rules, and the evolution of the sport.

Main Discussion Points

1. Ricky’s Roots: Family, Olive Branch, and Growing Up Racing

(01:00–08:56)

• Where He’s From and Why It Matters (03:19)

  • Ricky expresses deep pride in being from Olive Branch, Mississippi, a name he and announcers love to say.
    • "I love where I’m from. You know, I always thought that when I made it to NASCAR, I’m like, oh, I’m going to move back home… but obviously that wasn’t the case. I love being from Olive Branch, Mississippi…" (03:19 – 03:38)

• Early Racing Journey (04:38–07:57)

  • Began with BMX at 3, go-karts at 5 (after also trying dirt bikes), and sprint cars at 15.
    • His father, himself a successful local sprint car racer and mechanic, encouraged Ricky’s independence.
    • Notable story: His dad retired on the day Ricky first practiced in a sprint car:
      • "Dad was like, alright, are you ready? ...about halfway through that practice day, ran 10 laps. And then my dad, when I came in, he’s like, ‘Alright, you’re racing next weekend, I’m done.’ He has not got back in a car since." (05:58–07:16)
  • "To be a real racer, you have to have a checklist…your dad, although that was crazy, he's a racer." – Kenny Wallace (08:41)

2. Life Highlights: Marriage and the Daytona 500

(09:03–11:24; 12:19–14:14)

• Marriage and New Beginnings (09:46–10:39)

  • Married in late October; honeymooned in Bora Bora after a gruelling season.
    • "For sure, the greatest time of my life..." (09:46)
    • "Going back for big reasons is always neat." (03:19)
  • Stresses how refreshing it was to truly disconnect while on vacation.
    • "On our honeymoon, it was… just spending time with each other and…not having to take the trash out… We just hung out and had a lot of fun." (12:53–13:42)

• Winning the Daytona 500 (14:14–21:32)

  • Reflects on the chaotic, adrenaline-filled week post-win with only 3.5 hours sleep nightly.
    • "I would go through that again. No sleep, man. It was just a whirlwind…” (15:14)
  • Emphasized pride in using that win to promote his team, sponsors, and the sport.
    • "That was something I got to do for a solid week… I took a lot of pride… and didn’t complain about being tired…” (16:14–17:01)
  • Talks about the prestige of being called “Daytona 500 Champion.”
    • "You’re not the Daytona 500 winner, you’re the Daytona 500 champion." – Kenny Wallace, quoting Kyle Petty (17:01)
  • Where are the mementos?
    • Trophy: Only major cup displayed at home; others are in storage.
    • Daytona ring and Rolex (Daytona): Both kept safe and worn only occasionally. (17:45–18:12)
  • Talks through “winner’s week” – breakfasts, Disney, team celebrations, and the tradition of the winning car going to the Daytona 500 museum.
    • "It literally probably costs us money to win… everything stayed in that car." (20:33–21:35)

3. Path from Dirt Racing to NASCAR

(22:03–32:16)

• Making it to NASCAR via Sprint Cars (23:10–28:22)
  • Recounts traveling for 410 sprint cars, signing with MMI talent agency, and driving for Carl Edwards and Tony Stewart in Silver Crown and sprint series. Key career break:
    • "We went to Manzanita and we won the sprint car and the Silver Crown race in the same, same night. Tony... had his cars there..." (24:32–25:32)
  • Meeting with Roush Fenway Racing led to eventual signing in October 2007; first ARCA start followed in 2008.
  • "I went from 2007 in January signing with MMI... to winning out there racing for Tony Stewart… to going through the gates of Daytona in February of 2008 to race an ARCA car. It was wild." (27:36–28:23)
• Transitioning to Stock Car Racing (29:28–32:16)
  • Candidly describes adjusting to longer races, learning to “take what the car gives you,” and maturing through early struggles.
    • "On asphalt, it’s not near as easy as it is on dirt to make it do what you want." (30:12–31:13)
  • Credits the introduction of the new NASCAR Nationwide cars for helping him find success and confidence in 2011–2012.
    • "That new car definitely helped my stock car career." (32:16)

4. Current Success: Why Is 2026 Going So Well?

(32:16–37:14)

• Building a Competitive Single-Car Team

  • Mix of last year’s hard lessons, stability with crew chief Mike Kelly (from his Xfinity championship years), stronger factory support from Hendrick and Chevrolet, and a refreshed mental approach.
    • "I feel like there’s a long list ... you know, getting Mike Kelly back over in my corner ... he knows me really well, he knows how to get the most out of me as a race car driver…” (33:37–34:45)
  • Team confidence and atmosphere cited as crucial with “everybody has the same chassis and same bodies… It’s the little things that push us forward.” (34:45–35:20)
  • Currently sitting 14th in points:
    • "If we could get back to, you know, 10th in points before the end of the regular season, that would be almost as big an accomplishment as winning the Daytona 500 for us this year." (36:28–36:45)

• Recent Heartbreak: The “Bitch Slap” Incident at Gateway (Worldwide Technology Raceway) (37:14–39:14)

  • Got caught up as “an innocent bystander” in someone else’s on-track feud, ruining a top-10 effort.
    • "It is just getting blindsided… you’re more in disbelief… what just happened?" (37:50–38:14)
    • Stresses team’s improvement at Gateway versus prior years, finding positives amid setbacks.

5. State of NASCAR: Hot Takes on the Big Picture

Rapid-Fire Fan Q&A: The “Three Questions” (41:20–50:08)

A. The State of NASCAR Today

• Believes the sport is trending up again after years of contraction.
  • "The state of NASCAR, you know, is in a really good spot… teams, fans, drivers… continually climbing…" (41:20–41:44)
  • Cites willingness to innovate, try new markets, and listen to feedback as positives.
  • "NASCAR is way more proactive now than they’ve ever been… they’re working… to continue to grow our sport.” (41:44–42:31)

B. Next Gen Car – Hits and Misses

• Praises the competitiveness but acknowledges mixed results on safety and certain performance aspects.
  • "I think we’ve nailed the next gen car in areas... and… swung and missed in other areas." (44:07)
  • Commends NASCAR for evolving based on driver feedback (e.g., on crash impacts, tire issues).
  • Notes no one dominates – "You show up each weekend, you don’t know who’s going to win… our sport was so predictable on Jimmy Johnson…” (45:39–46:02)

C. Fines, Penalties, and the New Era of Rules Enforcement

• NASCAR warned teams the new car would have severe penalties for tampering, and Stenhouse sees the harshness as warranted for blatant violations.
  • "They were pretty clear right off the bat… a lot of these issues are pretty blatantly obvious… it doesn’t seem like they’re learning very much at all." (46:45–48:33)
  • Amused by how large penalties now fund the NASCAR Foundation:
    • “The foundation’s probably not going to have to do any charity events this year. They got them in tech!” (48:33)

D. The “Hooking” Wreck Technique

• Wallace and Stenhouse discuss the rise of “hooking” cars to wreck them post-next-gen (because traditional bump-and-spin is less effective).
  • "I think that’s just because people get frustrated and mad, and that’s the easiest way to wreck somebody." (49:03)
  • "We kind of made NASCAR play their hand there a little bit." (49:03–50:08)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Family and Racing Heritage:
  • "My parents got married at noon on a Saturday. My dad raced that night. I was born at noon on a Saturday and dad raced that night. My mom's a saint." – Ricky Stenhouse Jr. (08:17)
• On Life’s Best Moments:
  • "Greatest time period of my life... looking forward to, you know, kind of building on that and building on our future." (11:08)
• On the Value of a Daytona 500 Trophy:
  • "That was the one trophy Madison let me put out… the other ones are in [storage]." (17:27)
• On the Harsh Realities of Success:
  • "It literally probably costs us money to win… everything stayed in that car." (21:35)
• On NASCAR’s Approach to Innovation:
  • "If you don’t try it and you don’t go to it, you’ll wonder about it... I think they’re doing a good job with it." (43:00)
• On the Sport’s Evolution:
  • "You show up each weekend, you don’t know who’s going to win… our sport was so predictable…" (45:39)
• On Team Leadership:
  • "...he [Mike Kelly] knows how to get the most out of me as a race car driver… he brings out the confidence in them." (34:45)
• Humor on Penalties:
  • "The NASCAR foundation probably isn't going to have to do any charity events this year. They got them in tech!" (48:33)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• Opening and Introductions: 01:00
• Ricky’s Racing Roots & Family: 01:34–08:56
• Marriage and Personal Life: 09:46–11:24; 12:19–14:14
• Winning Daytona 500: 14:14–21:32
• Path to NASCAR (Mid-south to Cup): 23:10–32:16
• Team Success Explored: 33:14–37:14
• Recent Gateway Disappointment: 37:14–39:14
• Rapid Fire on State of NASCAR, Next Gen, Penalties: 41:20–50:08
• Signature Quotes and Send-off: 50:59–51:18

Overall Tone, Style & Final Thoughts

This conversation is funny, honest, and laced with stories that reveal Stenhouse’s no-nonsense, blue-collar racer spirit—a perfect fit for the Herm & Schrader show. Wallace keeps the energy high and playful, drawing out insightful reflections on racing culture, team dynamics, and the personal growth that comes with a life spent chasing speed. The episode is a mix of affectionate roast, genuine admiration, and deep-dive racing talk, serving up both wisdom and laughter for fans and fellow racers alike.