Schrader's Shootout Win & Chili Bowl Madness

Summary

Herm & Schrader Podcast: "Schrader's Shootout Win & Chili Bowl Madness"

Date: January 21, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Schrader, Kenny Wallace ("Herman")
Guest/Co-host: Dietz
Produced by: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media

---

Episode Overview

This episode of Herm & Schrader dives deep into the adrenaline of grassroots racing, the gritty realities of racing economics, and the ever-evolving world of NASCAR and dirt track action. Kenny Schrader recounts his recent Wild West Shootout victory and its wild moments, while Kenny Wallace brings tales from the 40th running of the famed Chili Bowl. The trio banter about the shifting landscape for young drivers, the economics (and sacrifices) of racing, and relive iconic moments from their own storied careers. From big personalities clashing on and off the track, to heartfelt reflections on what keeps them coming back to the sport, this episode is equal parts racing religion and Midwestern storytelling.

---

1. Schrader’s Wild West Shootout Victory (03:16–05:20)

• Schrader recounts his recent success:
  • Won 1 of 6 features at the Central Arizona Raceway’s Wild West Shootout
  • Track had over 50 cars in each class; praised organizers for running shows on time
  • Notable racers present: Davenport, Marlowe, Little, Pierce, Overton
• On coming through the field:
  • Schrader started mid-pack, not on the front row; “if you win from the front, you better win.”
• Kenny Wallace:
  • “You made national news... you won, buddy. And you kicked their butt.” (02:23)
• Aging racers:
  • Discussion of oldest competitors (Schrader not the oldest at the Shootout)

---

2. Kids in Racing—Too Young, Too Soon? (05:20–09:46)

• The rise of child prodigies:
  • 14-year-old Jet Barnes impresses at the Chili Bowl, raising the question: do you have to start racing at 5 years old now?
• Schrader:
  • "You're not going to start at 16 and race against the kid that started at 5."
• Dietz on racing longevity:
  • By age 40–45, many prodigies have simply had enough—"it's a grind."
• On the impact of money and family legacy:
  • Debate about the necessity of financial backing vs. talent
  • Wallace defends kids with family backing: "If your mom and dad got money, what are you supposed to do? I mean, not race, because it might upset people?" (09:46)
• Memorable moment:
  • Wallace recalling Dale Jr.'s approach to racing; “He said, ‘I can't help it.’”

---

3. NASCAR’s New Chapter: Star Power and Crossovers (12:12–16:56)

• Big names, unexpected rides:
  • Travis Pastrana racing NASCAR Trucks, Cletus McFarland in ARCA, Tony Stewart in Trucks
  • Wallace: “Not a bad start for NASCAR.”
• Schrader on Tony Stewart:
  • "I text Tony... He said, 'someone hold a gun to your head.' And he said, 'kind of.'"
• The impact of star power:
  • Discussion of cross-pollination appeal with fans from outside traditional NASCAR circles

---

4. The Endurance Racing Angle—Daytona Memories & Money Math (17:57–25:20)

• Daytona’s ‘Roar Before the 24’:
  • Light discussion on what the pre-race event is (testing, spectacle)
• Legendary Daytona strategy recount:
  • Schrader retells Dan Gurney’s clever win: “He stopped. Comes to a coasting stop right before the start finish line and noses it downhill ...and rolls across the finish line to finish the race.” (19:42)
• Racing for a living:
  • Schrader describes the economics of racing in the 1980s–1990s
  • Not all positions pay equal—sometimes less is more due to bonus payouts
• On modern racing finances:
  • Guaranteed NASCAR charter money discussed (“$145,000 before the green flag drops... that’s big” - Wallace at 24:41)
  • Schrader counters: “Yeah, yeah, that's big. Now, you know, we gotta remember it cost you six or seven hundred thousand dollars to go run that race...” (25:05)

---

5. Wilkesboro & the Return of Classic Tracks (25:20–34:19)

• NASCAR’s grassroots revival:
  • Wilkesboro and Rockingham are seeing major crowds during tests; locals show up because the tracks matter
• Dietz:
  • “You go almost 30 years without having cup racing there... you appreciate what you got.” (26:07)
• Track characteristics:
  • Wilkesboro’s lack of grip leads to fewer yellows, more respectful racing
• Old feuds rekindled:
  • Schrader and Jimmy Spencer’s run-in (1994) retold
• Classic memories:
  • Turn 1 drama: “Turn one at Wilkesboro will create massive drama...” (31:20)

---

6. Legends of Racing Broadcasting—Alan Bestwick’s Return (34:19–39:06)

• Alan Bestwick returns to the Trans Am Series at Sebring
• Wallace and Schrader fondly recall working Monday night shows with Bestwick; call him one of the very best
• Dietz on racing media jobs:
  • "You're probably asking the wrong person right now about that." (35:05)
  • Notes the challenges and politics of finding full-time work, even for greats like Bestwick

---

7. Dirt Racing Deep-Dive: The Wild West Shootout Showdown (40:37–49:30)

• Recap of the Wild West Shootout:
  • Focus on big-money lap bonuses; Bobby Pierce claims $52,000 on the final night—had been “in the negative” all week before (52:52)
• Heat Race Controversy:
  • Turbo (Tyler Erb) slides Jonathan Davenport (“JD”) for position—sparks fly, tempers flare
  • Notable quote: “JD had two choices. He chose the one that created the most work.” — Turbo, after being confronted about his move (43:30)
• Aftermath:
  • JD blocks Turbo’s pit, sparking words but no punches
• Schrader:
  • “It was close... [Turbo] just skated across the nose... Jonathan got his right front up in the loose stuff and got a defense, had to work on the car, run a B main...” (41:45)
  • “It's always easier to slow someone down… than it is to speed them up.” (47:52)

---

8. Economics of Dirt Racing—“Counting the Money” (52:52–57:21)

• Bobby Pierce’s honesty:
  • “We have been in the negative the whole trip.” (52:52)
  • The final win finally put the team in the black
• The true cost of dirt racing:
  • Late model operation costs cited around $5,000 per night—“That’s what Billy Moyer tells me when he rolls out: five grand. But he told me that 15 years ago.” (53:46)
  • “It’s not just a sport—it’s a hobby for most car owners. To break even is rare.” — Schrader
• On sustainability:
  • Most winning at the top requires a car owner or sponsorship, like in NASCAR

---

9. The Reality: Talent vs. Money (57:21–59:42)

• No matter your age, if you can't fund it, you can't race.
  • Wallace sums it up: “If you don't got money, you're not going racing.”
  • Dietz: “I’m sure you guys know a hundred, five hundred guys that had the talent ...didn’t have the money and the opportunity and the resources to do it.”

---

10. The Chili Bowl Madness (62:17–72:45)

• Chili Bowl’s shifting landscape:
  • Kevin Swindell emerges as “the new Keith Coons”
  • Emerson Axum wins, passing Kyle Larson late—a dramatic finish
• Wallace:
  • “Emerson Axum takes the lead from Kyle Larson. He passes. Kyle Larson makes 54 laps perfect, on the last lap pops the nose over in 2. All hell breaks loose coming down to the white flag.” (62:20)
• On the meaning of Chili Bowl:
  • Schrader: “Chili Bowl’s not just a race, it’s an event... people want to go to events.” (66:02)
  • Over 300 entries—bigger than other open wheel midget events
• “Big Three” don’t win:
  • Favorites (Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell, Logan Seavey) all fall short—competitive depth is getting crazier
• On rivalries and competitive drive:
  • Wallace highlights Kyle Larson’s comments: “I want to win the fourth one before Christopher Bell.” (70:46)
  • Schrader: “It’s not a big three... it’s a big 30.” (68:29)
• Showmanship in racing:
  • Comparing Kyle’s competitive spirit to Scott Bloomquist’s fan engagement (“If I don’t win, the fans will hold me to it.” — at 71:40)

---

11. Life on the Road—Looking Ahead (73:58–77:46)

• Schrader prepares for more racing:
  • Heading to Volusia with a new car, five people, two haulers, and a full crew for the Dirt Car Nationals
  • Breakdown of race earnings vs. expenses: “...maybe $15,000 [to win], and I know we're not going to spend much more than 35 or 40...” (74:52)
• Wallace and Schrader’s enduring friendship:
  • Wallace: “Kenny Schrader is truly my best friend in life. ...Ain't none of us ever gonna catch Kenny Schrader.” (77:04)
  • Schrader: “We're not against each other ever. We're just doing different stuff sometimes, but we're definitely partners all the time.” (77:32)

---

12. Memorable Quotes & Moments

• On the state of racing:
  • “If you win from the front row, you better win.” — Schrader (04:42)
  • “You're not going to start at 16 and race against the kid that started at 5.” — Schrader (06:55)
  • “If your mom and dad got money, what are you supposed to do? I mean, not race, because it might upset people?” — Wallace (09:46)
• On racing style/aggression:
  • “Anybody can go out and wreck somebody, but it takes some talent to, you know, bump somebody and not wreck them...” — Dietz (50:02)
• On racing expenses:
  • “All you do when you go from your pickup truck ... to your big feather light with 500 employees ... is add zeros.” — Schrader (57:21)
• On showmanship:
  • “When I do it, I'm taking a chance ... if I don't win, the fans will hold me to it.” — Scott Bloomquist, as retold by Wallace (71:40)

---

13. Jokes Segment & Lighthearted Closing (73:07–73:58)

• Dietz delivers a few groaners:
  • “Did you hear about the circus fire? It was intense.”
  • “How do you catch a squirrel? Climb a tree and act like a nut.”
  • "I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes, and she gave me a hug."

---

14. What’s Next? Racing Schedules & Final Words (73:58–end)

• Schrader heads to Volusia; Wallace flying in, preparing gear and merch
• Both look forward to mixing it up with the dirt racing crowd, celebrating their ongoing partnership
• Shout-outs to upcoming Volusia events, anticipated “hero drivers” at Cordeal/Cordell, and the continued grassroots momentum in both dirt and pavement late models

---

TL;DR

An episode jam-packed with racing war stories, razor-sharp insights on today’s motorsports landscape, hilarious Midwestern banter, and razor-sharp honesty about money, talent, and why they keep doing it. Schrader and Wallace embrace both the romance and the realities of racing, celebrate the return of legends to the booth, fight for old tracks, and look to the future with pride, grit, and a good laugh.

Transcript

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits plan features in Texas and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credit stop if you cancel any lines.

[Marie Callender's Advertiser]

Qualifying credit required for delicious meals. You could go out to eat or you could just make a Marie Callender's meal. Marie Callender's classic chicken parmigiano bowl is so good. It has marinara sauce that's made from scratch and creamy mozzarella cheese over pasta. It's delicious with no artificial flavors, colors or preservatives. And 30 grams of protein. You can find it in the frozen aisle. Marie Callender's what having it all tastes.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Like Herman Schrader The Dirty Mo media platform from the middle of America in St. Louis, Missouri starts right now. The following is a production of Dirty Mo Media. I'm looking at Kenny Schrader right now.

[Kenny Schrader]

He's a drinker in the show. I mean.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah. How in the world did we agree to do a podcast?

[Kenny Schrader]

I like spending time with you.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

That makes me happy.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, it's all about making you happy.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

We're always honest.

[Kenny Schrader]

We don't know that we're not in trouble already. And sometimes truthful. What, you think you're not a little different?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You're weird. Herman Schrader.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, two of us are in St. Louis. We didn't get here till 2:00 clock last night. And I'm sorry, I'm overslept. I set my alarm for 7. I thought I went to bed at 3. Thought set at 7. I 4 hours sleep will be great after this week. And I didn't. I screwed up. So here we are.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

My Lord, you are so much tougher than me. You drive from Arizona all the way halfway across America and you're like, I only need four hours of sleep.

[Kenny Schrader]

I only drove halfway. I had Joey with me. We split it up good. I had a small map and if you take that shortcut, it's not that bad.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I'll never forget, you know. You remember Sue Siffer? Yeah. So you know, you have a big map and it's like, how far do we have to go? And they're like, you know, they take their fingers and they like show you. Like, we have that far to go like one inch, you know, that's a hundred miles. Well, let's start like this, Kenny. Nine. I know you're gonna get embarrassed, but I'm sorry. You made national news because you're known throughout America and you know your races out there at the Wild West Shootout, they were on flow. So I call that national tv. In other words, everybody can see it. And you won, buddy. And you kicked their butt. Tell me about that night.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, we only won one of the six we did run. Second one. We let it for most of the way. And then I think it's Blake. Blake Adams, Buzzy's kid or grandkid is it just rolled around us after a yellow because he was a lot, a lot faster. But we had, we had a good trip. It was six nights. Chris Kearns and his whole staff and Brad Whitfield out at Central Arizona Raceway. Man, they did, they did a great job and started on time every day. Track was good. You know, we're out in the desert. So you had to redo track a couple times, tune it up, still got over early. 50 plus cars in each class, basically good shows. I don't know all the numbers, a great flow TV audience. And that's up against the same week as the Chili Bowl. So, you know, that's, that's quite a challenge there. But good races had Davenport, Marlowe, Little, Pierce, Overton. I mean, they had, they had a lot of good guys in the late miles and put on good shows. And the one night we were able to run pretty good. Wound up winning. Damn thing. It's a lot of fun.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Well, you started what, third, fourth row. So it was exciting because as you taught me, if you win from the front row or if you are on the front row, you better win. So you were not on the front row when the race started.

[Kenny Schrader]

And second place started 19th and third place started 14th. Chrissy Adams, you know, from El Paso. From our. Christy Barnett. From El Paso. Barnett, Harley and her husband Sherm, who's 91, was out there racing. So, see, I wasn't the oldest. Yeah, that was older than me.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, it's good stuff. Well, listen, we are going to get to dirt racing later in the show and yes, I do have that whole race covered. And we're going to talk about the Chili Bowl. So you heard what Kenny Schrader was up to. I went to the Chili bowl and I had a really good time. Of course, it was the 40th running of the Chili bowl and we're gonna get to all that, Kenny. We got A lot of notes here today and I just thought it would be fun to start with something different. So let's do that. Let's, let's start with something different and then we're going to get to NASCAR right away. There's a lot of news. Let's go to the Chili bowl for a minute and I want your opinion on this. This, this kid named Jet Barnes, 14 year old, he was a child. He, he got out of the car and I had to take a double look. He won the, the B main and, and he was running seventh in the big race track got gnarly. He ended up getting into the fence. So my question to you is this, Are we officially in an era now that if, if your child does not start at 5 years old, you don't have a chance. Do, do you have to start at 5 now compared to our days?

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, it sure doesn't hurt, you know, I mean, here we are, you know, that young man like said 14 years old and he's competing with them at the highest level with the Chili Bowl. Now, you know, that's, that's the Chili Bowl. It's not like Belleville, Kansas or something, but, you know, probably faster there because he's got no fear yet. But yeah, I mean these, these, these kids start so early and they get, they get that experience and they've just got thousands and thousands of laps, you know, before they're 10 years old and under different type of vehicles and different conditions. So yeah, you're, you're not going to start at 16 and race against the kid that started at 5.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Deets on your take on this. But, but then the opposite end of that, which is, okay, I talked to Clint Boyer and I said, Clint, you're only 42. Why'd you quit? He said, kenny, I, I've been racing my whole life. You, you look at Jeff Gordon, Jeff, you know, of course his lower back started hurting him. But like Kenny says, you know, it doesn't hurt to start at 5, but by the time you get to 40, most of these people have had enough. What's your thoughts?

[Dietz]

Well, I remember about 25 years ago, Jeff Burton said in the interview, he's like the days of guys racing into their 50s in cup or numbered. And I think, I think a lot of it's got to do with, with what you're talking about. You know, you think about a guy like, like Dale, Jared or, or Bill Elliot. They didn't start racing anything, I think till they were about 18 years old. How old was Rusty when he Started.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Racing about the same 16 against Kenny at Lake Hill Speedway.

[Dietz]

Yeah, I think now, I, I just, I don't think you got a shot. The thing I hate about it is if you got money, you can go as far as you want. And that's, that's what I hate about it. You know, you got a few drivers out there like that, didn't have family names, but like Denny Hamlin and, and a couple of guys out there like that that literally kind of earned it on their merit. And, And I just don't think you see that now. And, And I'll be honest with you, there's been cup races in the last five years that didn't have as much talent in as some late model and sprint car races I've seen from top to bottom.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So, so my opinion on that is, now, this has nothing to do with you, but, but I don't like, I don't like you talking like that. And here's what I. Here, here's what I mean by that. Now, I love you, D. Here's why I, I, I told Dale Jr. One day I was up in his RV at Atlanta, and I said, Dale Jr, you sure are famous. And his response to me was incredible. He said, I can't help it. So if your mom and dad got money, what are you supposed to do? I mean, not race, because it might upset people. But, but I understand, but what I'm saying is, what are we going to do with Chase Elliott? We all know the story, you know, because Bill Elliott told us. Bill Elliott told us that he sat down with Rick Hendrick and he said, rick, I got a plan for Chase. And that. He said that. So now do we get mad at Bill? Anyway, it's just a great discussion. And I just.

[Dietz]

There, there. One thing I will say is when you look at Chase and Ryan Blaney and some of those guys, and I talked to Bill and Dave about this, and they both said, I've taken them as far as I'm going to take, okay? And they're either going to go to the next level and get sponsorship or, or not, but this is as far as I'm taking them. And, you know, I remember when Dale Jr. Started out at Myrtle Beach. Myrtle beach, yeah. And he, Kelly and Carrie, they didn't get anything given to him. And I remember he told me one time, he said, he said he'd call his dad after the race and say, dale Senior. To say, well, how. How'd you do? So we qualified on the poll and finished third. And he said, well, who finished first and second. And he said, Robert Powell and Charles Powell iii. He said, well, you hadn't done anything. That's the reason I sent you down there was to outrun them and hang up on. I mean, there are guys that, that have had to earn it.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay, all right, well, this, this can be an hour long discussion, so we'll just end it right there. But the bottom line is, is Jet Barnes, whether he has money or not, Forget about money. He's a child. And I was in the infield, Kenny. And oh my God, did he make center of the corner speed? And he was pushing, he wasn't sideways. And I, I found that really interesting, you know, you know how the sprint car or the, the midget guys will come in sideways. He come in straight. And I mean, man, he. Yeah, it was pretty incredible. Okay. All right, everybody switching gears. NASCAR gets help. Listen to this. Kenny Schrader, Travis Pastrana is going to drive for nice in the Truck series. Now hold on. Cletus McFarlane is going to run the ARCA race. Tony Stewart is running the truck race. My point is Travis Pastrana, superstar in the X Games, that whole different genre of, of a crowd, and of course Cletus, a YouTube superstar. Tony's back. Not a bad start for NASCAR.

[Kenny Schrader]

No, I mean, Tony, I text Tony, when I read that, I said, someone hold a gun to your head. And he said, he said, kind of. Then I got thinking about, of course, I mean, why would you not want to go run truck, right? Well, I can think of a couple reasons. It's at Daytona. You're going to be in a big brand new Ram truck, which is, it's no big deal. All I got to do is mess with the body a little bit. It's the same old stuff he's always driven with. Everybody's got the same engines. Mopar is big on all his drag racing activities, right? Heavily involved in that. So there was the gun. I'm sure Tony's not climbing in that thing because he doesn't want to. Cletus, you know, ran the ARCA race last year, has messed with Samarka stuff. Pastrana ran Xfinity for Bush before, didn't he? Yeah, yeah, yeah. So, I mean, yeah, these guys coming to run the media, you're part of it. I'm not, I'm just talking a show sometimes. But NASCAR this, NASCAR this, NASCAR dead NASCAR trying to re NASCAR and we gotta worry about doing anything. They just try to make the people happy again and keep doing what they, what they've been doing. For however many years, it's by far from dead. It's. That's a shot in the arm for those three guys to go run. You know, I mean, that, that'll be neat.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, I thought we would just acknowledge that. What a great start. You know, it's like, I don't know, I mean, we're just doing Herman Schrader with deets. We're just, you know, I thought it'd be a great discussion where, you know, NASCAR is making this comeback and we haven't seen these drivers in the last so many years, or at least, you know, I mean, and I, I thought, you know, I saw this morning Travis Pastrana and I said, wow, look at this lineup for speed weeks. You know, fans have got a reason to go with these different genres. You know, there's gonna be a lot more people watching because of Travis Pastanic. I mean, Travis Pastrana, he's the guy that, you know, jumps the jumps at Caesar's palace. So his crowd's way different. Yeah. Just thought it was something interesting to bring up.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, no, it is. Travis, you know, think about what he does and where he's made his name. So he's already got some mental issues, you know.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah.

[Kenny Schrader]

Wonder if I can take this motorcycle and jump off this jump and flip over backwards a couple times. I see you try that, see how that works out. But I mean, those guys are great at what they do and yeah, it's good for our sport. It's fantastic. We'll take all them heavy hitters in different venues that we can.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Hey, this is Dalenhardt Jr. And for the latest Herman's Trader gear, you need to go to shop.dirtymomedia.com We've got plenty of options for everybody and we're adding new stuff all the time, so go to shop.dirtymomedia.com.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math. @t mobile.com switch and now T Mobile is in US cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits. Plan features and Texas and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits, credit stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Kenny Schrader]

They say if you want to go fast, go alone. But if you want to go far, go together. At Amica Insurance, we're built for our.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Customers and prioritize your needs.

[Kenny Schrader]

Visit amica.com and get a quote today.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Just a quick drive by, Everybody. The, the 24 hours of Daytona is starting I think tomorrow or right now. This is Wednesday, Kenny. They do something that I never paid much attention to. It's called the roar before the 24. Are you aware of that? What, what is that?

[Kenny Schrader]

It's a big test, isn't it?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I mean, I think, I think so.

[Kenny Schrader]

I don't know what it is, but I know that, that race. Oh, you've run it before the one time, right?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah. You and I have, yeah, I've run it twice.

[Kenny Schrader]

But I mean it. You know, you talk about everything changes. Well, that race used to be just, just endurance. Now they race their ass off and somebody wins by, you know, split seconds or, or quarter lap or something. I mean, you know the Dan Gurney story up there.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I don't.

[Kenny Schrader]

All right, now I get my ears mixed up. I want to say mid-60s. You got to be running to win the race. You got to be, you got to be running at the end. In my mind, this is the way it works. Yeah, he breaks, he breaks with. I don't know how many minutes to go. Half a dozen minutes to go. You ought to be able to look this up, sir, and get the details here, deets, dates. But he stopped.

[Dietz]

I think I noticed Corey, but I'll get the details.

[Kenny Schrader]

He stops. Comes to a coasting stop right before the start finish line and noses it downhill. You have to be, you have to cross the finish line. You have to be running. You can't be piled up in the tires. Piled up in the tires over there somewhere with the three lap lead, I don't think, and win this race. So he stops. Something breaks, he stops. He's got a good lead. Points it down the bank. Because no one runs up there because you're going into that first turn and waits till the clock across 24 hours and rolls across the finish line to finish the race. I know that part's right. I don't know how many details I got screwed up, but I know that part's right.

[Dietz]

Well, it, I think this was in 1962 and it was before it was, it was what led up to the 24. So that inaugural sports car race there was a three hour race. But it's exactly what you said. The, it don't matter how big a lead you got. That car has got to cross finish line. He, he was far enough ahead when the clock hit 3 or 24. Whatever it was, he would have won. But the car had to cross the line and he Pushed it across the line.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, that's it.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So I guess he was broke. Obviously. Motor quit or what? Yeah.

[Kenny Schrader]

Oh, yeah.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

He couldn't another.

[Kenny Schrader]

He couldn't make another lap, so he stopped up there.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Man, that's. He. You and him have got the same mind because, you know, I always listen to you. You know, in the years past, you're like, hey, I'm running 12th. This doesn't pay anything. But the sheet said if I run 15th, I get a thousand dollars more.

[Dietz]

You.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You always were good at that.

[Kenny Schrader]

I got that from Mr. Dyne. Levy.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Hey, let me preface this. Let me set you up for this. Okay, Everybody in the day. Kenny Schrader obviously raced for a living. And NASCAR would give us a sheet, and it would say, the winner gets this. 10th place gets this. Well, Kenny realized that there was what we call bonus money for different spots. Let's say Edelbrock, who made motor parts. Like, if you finish 15th. Well, 15th would pay more than 13th. Okay, Kenny, now you go ahead with the story.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, you know, Mr. D. Levies, we was on tight, tight budget. And 15th, 20th, 25th, always paid a lot more. But you didn't know where in hell you were running them. You know, there was no. I mean, you just kind of thought you knew where you were running them. Top 10, you could be pretty close. But, yeah, you were a lot better off to finish 15th. I'm talking mid-80s.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah.

[Kenny Schrader]

You know, 85 and 6, 87. We was trying to, you know, win rate, trying to win races. Didn't work, but we were trying. But you were a lot better off to run 5th, 10th, 15th, or 20th.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, yeah. Once you. Once you get there, it's like, 13th. Fifteenth is better, you know, good stuff.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, then maybe 15th. I got every entry fee over there. Entry. Entry form over there in a file. Fifteenth then might paid $5,000, you know, and 13th might pay 2800. And, you know, that's another reason with. With those guys not racing anymore. That's a big reason. Because of the trial. You know, we already knew. We knew what everyone makes now. So you're making a ton of money, and you've had a lot of fun, and, like, hey, I might want to do. I'm 45 years old. I might want to do something else in my life, and, oh, I have the money to go do it. So that's another good reason compared to, you know, I mean, our generation was good, but the generation before that, you know, when they. They raced longer because they didn't make near as much money. And if you go back, guys, you know, they, they got hurt, so they, they quit in their earlier mid or, you know, mid-30s and stuff because they were hurting a lot of them. But then you always get those guys like the King that just, you know, race and race and race.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I, it does amaze me during all this NASCAR trial situation, I, I, I guess right now, if you're, if you're a part of a charter, you're guaranteed like $145,000 before the green flag drops is what I, what I see. That's, that's, that's big.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, it's big. Yeah, that's big. Now, you know, we gotta remember it cost you six or seven hundred thousand dollars to go run that race to get to 140 something thousand dollars. So we gotta factor that in too.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, good stuff makes it. My mind is going everywhere right now just thinking about everything. Okay, we'll keep moving along in the news here today, everybody. While we were, you know, doing our deal over the week, I saw something that I thought was really nice. NASCAR says, okay, guys, let's take this, you know, we got 50 more horsepower. Let's take 750 horsepower up to Wilkesboro. And that really wasn't the story. The story to me was there was a lot of people in the grandstands. Dietz, you're shaking your head. I'll let you go first on that one. What'd you think of that? Good looking? It just, it was good optics.

[Dietz]

Yeah. And I think The Trucks O'Reilly auto parts series cars had a test at Rockingham and they had some of the grandstands open there and they had a pretty good crowd. But, you know, I remember years ago when we were trying to keep North Wilkesboro alive in the mid 2000s, and people up there would say, if you open the gates and let these folks in, they're going to come. You know, you're still going to get a lot of people at this racetrack that are just locals. And, you know, you go, you know, almost 30 years without having cup racing there. After you've had it there for 50 years, you appreciate what you got. And I can tell you those folks around Wilkes county appreciate what they've got. And I just, I hope, I don't even know that the racing hadn't been really good there. But I think now with it being longer, you're getting through tire runs and things like that, I think the racing will be better. And I mean, you guys raced there whenever, you know, in the late 90s and stuff, and you never had the wrecks at North Wilkesboro like you did at Martinsville or Bristol or maybe even Richmond. You know, for whatever reason, North Wilkesboro, you could get long runs, but I think that this, this pavement now that's got a little age in it. I think the racing is just going to keep getting better and better. I think it's going to be real good this year.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Well, Kenny, Wilkesboro brings out the best in everybody. Getting down into turn one, as you know, because you're going downhill. Easy to get that right front in somebody's left rear. As we saw, Kyle Busch got into Ricky Stenhouse and that, of course, Ricky was waiting for him and kicked his ass pretty much. Tell me about Wilkesboro, Kenny.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, it just, you know, tracks with, I mean, like you said, Dietz, Wilkesboro has no grip. And tracks with no grip, we tend to. You don't run right up, you know, one inch off someone's door because you don't have no grip. So you leave, you know, a few more inches there in case, you know, thing wiggles a little bit more than you think it's going to. And so a lot of times those tracks, we have less yellows like, like you said. And I mean, it's gonna. It's gonna be good racing. I don't know. Drive yourself crazy talking about this junk. It's just, you know, I remember we left Narc Whirlpool and so we're not going to come back here. Oh, heck, we gotta go to Fontana or something. Wherever we went then, you know. But Fontana's gone. We are going back to Chicago after it's been shut for a while. Kentucky. We don't know what's going to happen in Kentucky. You know, Kansas City's going strong. It just.

[Dietz]

I don't know what was the deal with you and Jimmy Spencer at Wilkesboro?

[Kenny Schrader]

We didn't.

[Dietz]

That's the one.

[Kenny Schrader]

I always.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, we.

[Kenny Schrader]

We weren't agreeing that day or what was going on. I. I love Jimmy, man. Jimmy's great. I was. I was up to his door and he cut left and I turned him around and then he turned me around on the yellow and just. We got over it, you know, he.

[Dietz]

Said he lost his brakes. I think under caution is what he told.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, you gotta say something. You can't say. Well, you can, but I don't know about the new regime, if you can. I fessed up once with the old regime and it paid off for me. But, yeah, we just. We was just arguing over space that day. We wound up 9th it was in 94. The only reason I know it was a 94 is because I saw a clip of it the other day, and that's the only year that Kodiak car was painted like that. So it wasn't 94. But, you know, Jimmy. I mean, we. We ran into each other at Charlotte once, too, in the Winston. But he. He. Jimmy's great, man. He's so much fun to be around. But we didn't agree that day.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So I'm in the truck race. You know, I didn't run very many truck races. I think I run 11. But I'm in the Red Dog truck. I'm going down the front straightaway, and I'm going underneath the spears, the blue and white 75. At that time, it was Dan Press, and. And he arched in, and I'm. I'm lapping him, and I'm running, like, third, and I get into him. I don't mean to get into him. So Kevin Harvick told me. He goes, herman. He says, I raced against Dan Press. He's got a memory like an elephant. So time goes on, and we. We go. We go. We go out to. What's those tracks out there in California. We, with the trucks, ran. Anyway, we're out there in California.

[Kenny Schrader]

Bakersfield.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Bakersfield. That was it. And I'm getting ready to lap him again all the way across the United States, months later. And I'm. And I come up off of two, and I. I saw. I'm getting ready to lap Dan Press, and I'm like, oh, no. Sure enough. I mean, as I'm coming up on him, I'm thinking, okay, I remember what. And I go to the inside, and can you believe that? Dan Press, he hooked me. He hooked me. I mean, Kevin Harvick was right. Dan Press, I think we've lost Dan. But he had a memory like an elephant. And, buddy, I went spinning in 360s going down the back straight away. So the bottom line is turn one at Wilkesboro will create massive drama. Now, up there at turn three, you'll have your issues, but turn one is one of the most crazy corners in all of racing.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, we saw the big Ricky Rudd Dale Senior deal there.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh, yeah, yeah.

[Kenny Schrader]

That was far rusty.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

And what was it, Jeff Boin or Brett Bodine? Yeah, that was wild. Okay. Yeah, the bottom line was this. Everybody, they had a test at Wilkesboro, and, you know, 700 horsepower, 750. That wasn't the story. The story was, like you said, Dietz, it was a beautiful day, and it's like, damn. The locals said, let's go over to the racetrack. And it was sure was good to see. It was just a feel good optics. And so Wilkesboro's back, everybody. It is a points race. Let's remember that. And it is no longer a show. Wilkesboro is officially back. Okay, we got a lot to talk about dirt racing, but before we talk about dirt racing, just something feel good. Kenny, I brought this up for you and once I say it, you're going to realize why I brought it up for you in the news. And everybody was congratulating him. Everybody. Alan Bestwick is back announcing the Trans Am series for Sebring. It. It is amazing how these great announcers lose jobs. And it's like, how can they lose jobs? Bestwick, Michael Walter, you, Johnny Benson, you guys made that show famous on Monday nights and it was hosted by Alan Bestwicks. Now the, the Trans Am series is owned by Tony Perella. But I guess the point is, is that I thought it was worth bringing up because you worked with Alan and, and like Ray Everingham and everybody was congratulating Alan. Just your thoughts on Alan Bestwick.

[Kenny Schrader]

Oh, Alan's to me is definitely one of the, one of the best. You know, he just comes first. I just like listen to him. He does good, good job. I like his voice. He comes prepared. He's got all his notes, he's got his information. You know, he's, he's done a lot of different sports and stuff over the years, but I mean, he definitely needs to be doing some major TV in, in the sport, automobile racing. I'm glad to see it for him.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, Deets. I want to send this your way. It is odd to me when, when people are good and they end up not, not having a job. I, I guess that's what we call timing and circumstances.

[Dietz]

You're probably asking the wrong person right now about that.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Tell me why.

[Dietz]

I think there's a ton of people in this industry right now, I'd like to say, myself included, that don't have full time jobs for, you know, various reasons. And I don't think that Alan Bestwick is a, you know, it's a political game. And I, I think sometimes I don't think he's a. Got wrapped up in the politics of things or anything like that. I think in his case, it just, you, you kind of get left out. And when ESPN left, you know, a lot of times networks want to create their own identity. They don't want to, you know, bring along the past. So they want to bring in something new. The great thing about him is.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You.

[Dietz]

Would think that he will probably end up doing NASCAR races again if he wants to, because now what's old is new.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

He had.

[Dietz]

You know.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Let me interrupt you for a minute about Alan. You know Alan, he's like Casey Kasem or he. He don't age. What is. What is the deal with best week? He don't. He doesn't age.

[Kenny Schrader]

No, no. I mean, he. He still. He looks to me like he always did. I mean, now. Yeah, he doesn't age, but keep going. Yeah, I like, beats what you said about we're going back to the old stuff. That, that, that makes sense. All we gotta do is tell. All we gotta do is tell Dale. Dale Jr. And Mark. So, hey, why don't we have.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

That's a highlight reel right there. Yep, yep. Hey, hey, hold on. That. That is. That is. That is awesome. That's a great subject matter.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, but I. I am so appreciative that Dale Jr. And Mark have the love still for our sport and are very concerned about it and have been preaching and preaching about it and that people in Daytona.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Listen, Ben Kennedy, okay, for the most part, everybody go with me here. We know Jim France is the Grand Poopa, but Ben Kennedy is in line to own nascar.

[Kenny Schrader]

All right?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Ben Kennedy told the media we changed our mind because of Mark Martin. He said that in an interview. And I thought that's. That's pretty. That's pretty cool. Yeah, they. They said that they. They were zoning in on, you know, three, four race championship just with weeks or not long to go. And it was Mark Martin and, And Ben's. Ben mentioned that meeting that is made famous now where there's like 16 people in this big old meeting and Mark Martin is the only one calling in on Zoom. And they got the big screen up there and they said, well, what do you think, everybody? And they said Mark went in first and lit them up. Said there was dead silence afterwards.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, we're lucky. We're lucky.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah. Good stuff. Okay, well, Alan Bestwick is. It's going to be streaming, but I think the thing of it is, is just the industry is happy that Alan has a job. And listen, we don't know Alan's finances. What we're saying is that when people go to work, it's. It's just good. You know, nobody wants to sit on their couch all the time. So congratulations to Alan Bestwick.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20% versus Verizon by getting built in benefits they leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T mobile is in US cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits, plan features and Texas and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credits stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Kenny Schrader]

Psoriatic arthritis Symptoms can be unpredictable.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I had joint pain and I couldn't move like I used to.

[Kenny Schrader]

I needed relief. I got Cosentyx.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It helped me move better.

[Marie Callender's Advertiser]

Cosentyx Secukinumab is prescribed for people 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis. Don't use if you're allergic to Cosentyx. Before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. An increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur like tuberculosis or other serious bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Some were fatal. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms like fevers, sweatshirts, chills, muscle aches or cough had a vaccine or planned to or if inflammatory bowel disease symptoms develop or worsen, serious allergic reactions and severe eczema like skin reactions may occur. Learn more at 1-844-COSENTICS or cosentix.com.

[Kenny Schrader]

Ask your rheumatologist about cosentics.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay, everybody, I think we did good right there. We did well over a half hour of NASCAR and kids racing and let's go dirt racing. Let's go dirt racing. Well, Kenny, let's start with you. Let's start like this. We, we talked about you winning. You know, the, the X mods, your division look good out there, but I'll serve you up like this. Let's go with the controversial stuff. So the Wild West Shootout the last night. Just to let everybody know, I'm going to say it early so we get this kind of out of the way. Bobby Pierce wins, but there was a lot of lap money. So Pierce wins $50,000. Now, the reason I bring that up early is to let everybody know there's a lot of money on the line. Let's go to that heat race. Kenny Turbo slides Jonathan Davenport and we see a side of JD that we never see.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, he, it was, it was close, A very close slide job. I mean, he, he didn't hit him in the left front. You know, he just skated across the nose. You know that heat race, when you run that heat race, you're, you're racing for starting positions and you know when you put a bunch of good Cars on the track, any track. This was fairly top dominant a lot out there. Great racing though. But it was top dominant. And you want to, you want to start up front so you're racing for everything to get in that heat race to get that good starting position. And he slid him. And when you slide him, even if you don't hit him, which he did, he scraped the tail of his car across the nose of Jonathan's car. But even you don't hit him, it takes the air off the nose. And Jonathan got, you know, he's got his right front up in the loose stuff and got a defense had to work on the car, run a B main so he could run 4th and the B so we can start 23rd, I think in the feature. Still wound up second. But yeah, there was some. It was not. It was pretty exciting down there. They had some pretty good video. I rode the little bike down there. I stayed way back. But yeah, Jonathan was mad now going in turn three with Turbo on the inside. You do you know that this is coming?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So let me, let me interrupt you right there and I want to serve this up for you. You know, Turbo sells a lot of T shirts because first of all, he's a good. He's a good kid, but he, he's a bulldog. He reminds me of a Jimmy Spencer. So his quote afterwards, they, they go to Turbo and they put the microphone in their mouth and Turbo says JD had two choices. He chose the one that created the most work. In other words, in other words, JD could let off and he did not let off. Now he's working on his car. So he is entertaining.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, Jonathan didn't think so. So much wasn't that entertaining. But hey, it's just, you know, it's just. It's not a series, it's a miniseries, they call it. So it's not. We're not racing for national points with Jonathan. Jonathan has already said. They've already said they weren't going to race like the Lucas Series or the World Outlaws, anything for national points this year. They're just going to go where they want to. I don't know what Turbo does. I don't think Turbo's racing for national points. I don't think he has. There's so many good races now. You don't have to race one of those series full time. You can still run all those races you want to of that series. It's just when, hey, I got to go 500 miles that way this weekend. I don't want to go 500 miles that way. There's good races 100 miles that way. So I'm going to go that way and race. So we just don't usually see this kind of stuff right off the bat in January 6th race of the year.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, I think what was most interesting is JD is a Southern racer, grew up on red clay, runs a beautiful line. You know, him and Overton grew up down south and they just, you know, they kind of like a Scott Bloomquist, you know, or a Billy Moyer. But what we saw out of JD is now this is the other subject matters. After the heat race, JD comes off the track and JD parks his race car in front of Turbo's pit, so Turbo could not back in. So JD was forcing a conversation and all hell breaks loose. And then here comes, here comes JD's car owner, Lance Landers, and it was just good for the sport. But, but Kenny, I don't see. It's like JD had had enough of Turbo and he says, I'm a park my car so you can't park. And they talked it out. So tell me what you saw from your mini bike.

[Kenny Schrader]

Just exactly that. You know, there was no, there was no punches, there was no shoving. I didn't, I wasn't in the middle of it. I didn't hear words. Not my, not my business, don't care. But they both made their point and they went on. And I think Jonathan, when he drove by him in the feature from starting in the back, gave him a hell of a good slider, but wasn't even close. I mean, he cleared him by a mile, but just like. And we'll drive by and keep going, just so you know that I can.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So, so after the race, Bobby Pierce, we're going to talk about Pierce. He didn't win easily either. But when the race is over, okay, they interview JD and JD says, look, I want to talk and I want to be friends with Turbo, but basically he's always running into everybody and he is, has not learned anything. It seems like JD and those guys, you know, it's. It's like Dick Trickle would say to me, Dick Trickle said, my boy, we raised six out of seven nights in Wisconsin. We've got to get along because we raised six out of seven nights. Of course, that was back in the glory days. But Kenny, do. Do these guys got to get along because they race each other so much?

[Kenny Schrader]

We see some very, very talented people come in to different divisions and their whole mission, their whole mission is they got a lot of talent, they got good equipment and win that race, period. Win that race, and that's the job. You're supposed to win the race. Ernie Irvin made no friends in the Kodak car and ran over a lot of people. And he stood up in the driver's meeting and apologized to the world, to everybody in that driver's meeting at least. And your brother, there's video of him, your brother, he's sitting there listening and he's like, yeah, yeah, right. And Ernie was, you know, when he got hurt at Michigan, was contending for the championship in, In June, I think it was. So, I mean, he was, you know, he had changed his style a bunch. Still fast, still aggressive, just not hitting people. Hey, I always say, all the guys always say it's. I don't know if I always agreed, but it's always easier to slow someone down as far as the driver get him calmed down than it is to speed them up. Turbo, you know, Will probably before he, I mean, he probably calmed down a little bit. Calm down doesn't mean driving slower. It just means not getting into as many people. Not taking. Going over the edge and tearing up your stuff when you don't really need to dietz.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You're, you're, you're from a different point of view. In other words, you know, you're not a race car driver, you're not a fabricator. But yet you're in racing. We're all together. Does it upset you when you see a guy win but just roughs everybody up, or do you like that?

[Dietz]

I grew up a Bill Elliott fan.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh, he was Mr. Nice Guy.

[Dietz]

Yeah. And was not a huge Dale Earnhardt fan.

[Kenny Schrader]

But.

[Dietz]

You know, I always said that anybody can go out and wreck somebody, but it takes some talent to, to, you know, bump somebody and not wreck them and just slide them and be able to get by them. I didn't really see what Turbo, you know, I know why Jonathan was mad, but, you know, it's like Kenny said, it's, you know, it's racing. I mean, you ain't going out there to play tiddly winks. It is funny to me though, when he mentioned Ernie Irving because I, you know, I remember that race at Darlington where he was like nine laps down and you were leading and he wiped out half the feet.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I think, what the hell?

[Kenny Schrader]

Him and I wiped out after field.

[Dietz]

Okay. Yeah, but you wrong. You were leading the race.

[Kenny Schrader]

I was leading the race, but I also could have gave him his lap back.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You could have pulled over like Mark Martin.

[Kenny Schrader]

You could have given him his lap back.

[Dietz]

Why didn't you?

[Kenny Schrader]

Because I wanted the racing. I didn't want to give him a lap. I want him nine laps down. I want him to know I had his ass covered.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

But that's awesome.

[Kenny Schrader]

I gotta. I shouldn't. So Neil Bonnet gets hurt and I won't even go there. I'll tell you later. It's okay. I'll tell you.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay? We'll save it another day. Okay, so we're moving on, everybody. This is. This is really good stuff. Out Out West. And the Wild West Shootout, the late models, okay? So Turbo and JD they're into it. And we. We did the whole thing. Now Bobby. Bobby Pierce wins. Now I'm going to go somewhere where you didn't think I would go here on this one, okay? Bobby Pierce and Hudson o', Neal, they get into it. But I really want to zone in on Bobby Pierce's interview. And this has nothing to do with the wrecking because Pierce and Hudson, they both drive the same way. Very aggressive, very hard, but usually in control. Bobby Pierce said something that made me go, wow, listen to that. He's counting the money while they're out there. So Bobby has a good week, but he hasn't won. Right? So you said you're out there for almost two weeks. On the very last night, Bobby Pierce wins 50, $52,000. And Bobby said we really needed the night, Kenny, because he said we have been in the negative the whole trip. So there's a guy. I listened. I heard him. They were losing money until that last night. Just comment on Bobby counting the money. I think that's awesome. But give me your point of view.

[Kenny Schrader]

If you're racing for a living, no matter what you're doing for a living, you know what it you. You know what? Our profession so much different. It's not just like, I got to go put in my 40 hours and I'm going to get this much money. I got to go run these six races. But it's going to cost me a substantial amount to run these six races. I don't know. I don't know. I. We should ask them, guys, whatever it costs to unload that late mile now and run it for a night cost four or five grand. I don't know. Five grand.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

That's what Billy Moore. Billy Moore tells me when he rolls out five grand. But, God, Kenny, he told me that 15 years ago.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah. You know, and that's. That's counting everything. That's your help. Your insurance, your tires, your engine, your garage, utility. I mean, that's just bottom line, that's what you spend in the year and you divide it up by the number of races you run. So you got to get some money come in too. And they were trying to get as much in as they could, which they did a great job and got it done.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I think it's just a really good look, everybody on the sport of dirt racing. You know, I did a Kenny conversation with Brad Sweet and I might have brought this up before to you, but Brad Sweet really shined the light on the world of outlaws or high limit. But at the time we were talking about world Val. Brad Sweet said, kenny, the top three drivers, he says, like mine, he says, I drive for Casey Kane and we got nap auto parts. He said, the big three, you know, maybe like the David Gravel who's got good sponsorship. He goes, top three can make a living. He says, four, five, six. Gets really iffy. This is per Brad Sweet. Then he said, like seven on back. It's just vagabond. So I mean, it is a very expensive sport. If you try to do it for a living, you gotta win. I mean, it takes sponsorship. If you're gonna, if you're gonna do that and run 85 races a year. I mean, listen, me and you know this, I'm just creating this for the show right now. For the fans that are learning dirt racing. It's getting bigger every year. It's on flow, it's on dirt vision. And these, these sprint car motors are 90 grand for, for Knoxville because they got to have so much torque to pull the wing. The Durham Ford motors for late models are 60 grand. But the car count gets bigger.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, well, it's, you know, you call it a sport, it's hard to call it a profession. It's a hobby. Somebody, you know, it's a hobby. Usually for the car owner, it's a hobby usually. And then you have, that year, they win $2 million. But you know, by the time you take $2 million, you pay your expenses, pay the driver. Now the driver can make some money. You pay the driver and hey, guess what? I only lost a couple hundred grand. That's fun. I did my hobby and only lost a couple hundred grand. It's a.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It'S fair to say I'm going to say this and you just say yes or no. When you look at these big time dirt racers that are on the road. If you don't have a car owner like NASCAR, Lance Landers owns JD's car. My friend Nick Kaufman has an owner. If you don't have a Hoker trucking or a Petrov, you know, towing. I mean that is dirt racing to this day. Kenny, I really, I mean I don't know if anybody's out there doing it all by themselves. Just speak to that.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, no, I mean, yeah, you can, you can do anything all by yourself. Depends how much money you have to spend. It's racing. It's no different in nascar. It's worse in nascar. You know these cars when, you know, I remember years ago, Jimmy won championship, you know, and they won $12 million or something with, over the course of the year, you know, and that's when they're spending 30 plus, you know. But now the sponsorship comes in there, you know that that's what they won. That one didn't count the sponsorship. So it's still dear all, all you do when you go from your pickup truck and a little single axle trailer with your four cylinder car on it to your big feather light with 500 employees and you know you got three different teams and you pull in the daytona for the 500, all you did was add zeros. You know, you just added zeros to what you're spending and what you can win. But you just adding zeros is still what you're spending is bigger number than what you can win.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Dietz, we're going to move on to the chili bowl. But I, I just wanted to say this. No matter the age, you just heard it, I mean, and I'm not, I'm just creating a nice discussion to end this. You could be 45 years old and if you don't got the money, you're not going to be able to go racing. I, I, you know, I, I say this here Rusty would say or you know, it's sad to say no matter your age, if you don't got money, you're not going racing. Just, just your thoughts on it takes money to go racing. No matter your age.

[Dietz]

I'm sure you guys know a hundred, five hundred guys that had the talent to, to go race NASCAR or to go race the World Outlaws or, or race Lucas Oil that didn't have the money and the opportunity and the resources to do it. And you know, that's one thing I think that's, that's never changed. You had guys back in the old days that were independence, you know, that, that putzed around and, and they were just out there and they knew they weren't going to win the races and stuff like that. But at the end of the day, I mean that's kind of what makes.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

The world sad to say but that's the way it is. And Kenny Schrader, and there's Schrader right there in front of me right now. Kenny Schrader and myself and our family. Kenny had his dad, Bill. I had my dad, Russ. And none of us had a pot to piss in. We made it happen. We're as rural Midwest as you can get. And you know, I'd go by Bill's Automotive, Kenny's uncle. And you know, when your dad passed away, Kenny, I mean, that's all we know. And then you make it and then all of a sudden you're in trouble because you made it and, and you have a sponsor cycle you should have seen 20 years ago.

[T-Mobile Announcer]

Everyone deserves to be connected. That's why T Mobile and US Cellular are joining forces. Switch to T Mobile and save up to 20 versus Verizon by getting built in benefits. They leave out. Check the math@t mobile.com switch and now T Mobile is in US cellular stores.

[T-Mobile Legal Disclaimer]

Savings versus Comparable Verizon plans plus the cost of optional benefits plan features in Texas and fees vary. Savings with three plus lines include third line free via monthly bill credits. Credits stop if you cancel any lines. Qualifying credit required.

[Kenny Schrader]

Psoriatic arthritis symptoms can be unpredictable.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I had joint pain and I couldn't move like I used to.

[Kenny Schrader]

I needed relief. I got Cosentyx.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It helped me move better.

[Marie Callender's Advertiser]

Cosentyx Secukinumab is prescribed for people 2 years of age and older with active psoriatic arthritis. Don't use if you're allergic to Cosentyx. Before starting, get checked for tuberculosis. An increased risk of infections and lowered ability to fight them may occur like tuberculosis or other serious bacterial, fungal or viral infections. Some were fatal. Tell your doctor if you have an infection or symptoms like fevers, sweats, chills, muscle aches or cough had a vaccine or planned to. Or if inflammatory bowel disease symptoms develop or worsen serious allergic reactions and severe eczema like skin reactions may occur. Learn more at 1-844-COSENTIX or cosentix.com.

[Kenny Schrader]

Ask your rheumatologist about Cosent.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

All right, everybody. Well, that's good stuff. Okay, let's go to the chili bowl and then we'll have jokes and then we'll what's next? But Kenny, I'm gonna serve it up to you. I was there. But you know, you are an open wheel guy. They love you, they miss you, but they all understand you were out there racing.

[Kenny Schrader]

So.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

This Kevin Swindell is now the new Keith Coons. And when you go to the Chili bowl, there's no truck or no trailer with one open wheel midget. If you don't have five, I mean Kevin Swindell had three and that Jet Barnes at 14 year old was one of them because Kevin Swindell said that kid can drive. But anyway, Emerson Axum wins. For Kevin Swindell there's a lot to talk about. But Emerson Axum takes the lead from Kyle Larson. He passes. Kyle Larson makes 54 laps. Perfect on the last lap. Pops the nose over and 2. All hell breaks loose. Coming down to the white flag. And Justin Grant tries to take the lead. Flips caution. Did you see any of the finish? Because it was breathtaking.

[Kenny Schrader]

I, I watched Chili bowl every night. I could. I have yet to see the feature. That was during our feature.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh yeah.

[Kenny Schrader]

I want to just sit down, watch the whole replay. You know, I, I was supposed to call you last week. Did you get to see the Seymours out there?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh my God.

[Kenny Schrader]

They wound up third Saturday night.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh, well, I'll tell you what. Kevin Thomas came from like 22nd to second.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

But I don't know. I'm gonna. Let me just say this. I only know the Seymours because I know you worship them. And I mean that in a loving way. If I would have seen the Seymours, I'd have give them a hug and maybe I did see them.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah. Anyway, it, you're never out of that race. I mean a lot, 55 lapses on a little, little track. But a lot happens in that race. You know, I mean it's a, it's a heck of an event. I hear people talking about the biggest race of the year. Well, I don't quite agree with that. But it's the biggest race in Tulsa in January for sure.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, I want to, I want to. You know, we, we talked about this before, but not enough for the fans to remember it. Tony Stewart said. I, I didn't know there was 320 open wheel midgets in America. Is the Chili bowl their only race? I mean I know they race, but what is. And I don't get mad at me. All you open wheel people do not get mad at me. Do, do we even know about the open widgets? Unless it's the Chili bowl canning.

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, their stuff's changed. It used to be Terre Haute have the Hut Hunter, they'd have Belleville, Kansas, the midget nationals. Hell, they used to run them at new coin on the mile. Useac did years ago. But now they, you know, the Useac National Series. I don't know how many races it is. I mean, do not know. I'm guessing it's probably strong 50, but car counts. You know. Chillable is not just a race, it's an event.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I agree.

[Kenny Schrader]

It's an event. People want to go to events. You know, you can. I don't know what all you do in Tulsa in January, but you go into that town, you don't have to go to the Chili bowl every night, which is six nights, I guess, or seven nights. They. I mean, it's just grown into an event. 40 years. Emmett Hahn and Lanny Edwards started, lost money for a couple years, then made a few bucks and then has grown to what it is, which is beyond belief. Which they 300 and something cars. Thought I heard the other day, 405 entries or something. 380 something made it there.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You're right.

[Kenny Schrader]

That's still pretty small compared to the 1900 they had two weeks before for Tulsa Shootout.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, yeah, okay. Same thing, but just different subject matter. The. The big three. So we. We go into the Chili bowl and everybody, you know, people would say, who you got? Wallace. And I'm like, I'm gonna go. Kyle Larson, Christopher Bell and Logan Seavey. And not a third, not a. Well, not a one of them showed up. Well, CB Was close. C. Bell, he won the. What's that race they have the week race.

[Kenny Schrader]

The champion, I think it's Monday night.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, he started on pole, he won that. But he come from eighth. And he won his qualifier Seabell. Christopher Bell was extremely happy because this was his first shot at ownership. It was his own open wheel. I could see the emotion. Kyle Larson settles into second and somebody had a right front flat and was like almost dead in the water. And Kyle could not get off of him and flipped his own car. But just talk about how competitive that race is. The top three, you know, Kyle led for about three, five laps and. And the big, you know, quote unquote. We're having fun here. The big three. It was a shock that Emerson won.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, well, see, I don't. It's a big three. That's maybe, you know, three guys that might have been the favorites, but there's no big three. When you go in there, there's. There's a big 30 and it's 30 guys that say, oh, yeah, you know, I didn't pick him, but it's not surprising that he won. You know, I mean, it's just. It's. It's just our. Our sport. And I say our sport. I mean, just automobile racing. Used to be able to pick, you know, years ago, you could pick a half a dozen guys who had the best chance to win Daytona 500.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I want to give a shout out. I hung out with. With the boats. Billy Boat and his son Chad. Now, now, Billy Boat, didn't he win. Did he win the Chili Bowl? I mean, I was with him the whole time. Did he win it once? Billy.

[Kenny Schrader]

I don't know if Billy wanted or not. I think he did. I don't know. Yeah.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Should have asked. Yeah, I didn't want to do that. I. I did. I didn't. I didn't have enough balls to go, hey, if you won this race, Rusty would have beat my ass if I didn't. One last thing. And. And Dietz, I'll kind of serve you up this. I think it's interesting as a. As somebody from the outside looking in the con, the competitive spirit of Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell. They're interviewing Kyle Larson, and you got, you know, slamming Sammy Swindell, five wins. Kevin Swindell, four wins. Those are the grand masters. Now you got Kyle Larson and Christopher Bell at three wins. They're interviewing Kyle Larson, and I loved it. They said, Kyle, you've won three times. And he goes, yeah. He says, I want to win the fourth one before Christopher Bell. It caught me off guard, but just talk to that, you know, Kyle Larson wanting to get to four Chili Bow wins before Christopher Bell. Just your thought on com. Competitive spirit.

[Dietz]

Well, first off, I just looked it up. Billy boat won at 97. That.

[Kenny Schrader]

Thank you.

[Dietz]

That was around that time, I think, that he won all three USAC championships, major championships, something like that. If I'd have to go back and.

[Kenny Schrader]

Look that up, I don't think Billy. The Triple Crown. Billy never did that.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

No.

[Dietz]

I'm thinking of Yaley. Yay, J.J. yale. Yeah. I think it's great. I mean, you know, Kyle and Christopher Bell are clean race car drivers. They've raced each other. God, most of their lives now, and I think that's great. You know, anything to be a motivator to go out and try to win that next one. And for those guys, if it's the. To go out and beat the other guy in the record books, then I think it's one.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I thought it was good for the fans, Kenny. I thought it was good for the fans. Just kind of get everybody involved, you know, I remember I was talking to Scott Bloomquist, and I said, scott, I love it when you do that crotch chop. He says, I know when I Do it. I'm taking a chance because if I don't win, the fans will hold me to it. Because Bloomer knew the fans were involved. You know, you're. You're loved because you downplay everything and you're. You're the epitome of a racer. There are some racers, Kenny, that, that don't downplay it. What's your. What's your thought on. On just that?

[Kenny Schrader]

Oh, that's. I was thinking about the racing. Whatever.

[Dietz]

Everybody just do what they want to do.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

It takes everybody is my point. And it's good to see a little bit of showmanship. I did like it that Kyle Larson said, I want to get to four before Christopher Bell.

[Kenny Schrader]

It's like Richard Petty's I can't believe you won 200 cup races, Richard. He said, hey, dude, I lost over a thousand.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Good stuff. Okay. There's a lot to talk about, but we've gone plenty long enough. So where we at? Deets with our jokes. We got any jokes ready?

[Dietz]

Always. Always. I'm on top of it. Okay. Did you hear about the circus fire? It was intense.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

The circuses are intense now.

[Dietz]

I like this one. How do you catch a squirrel, climb a tree and act like a nut? And then this one. This one is very close to my heart because it sounds like something my wife would say. I told my wife she should embrace her mistakes, and she gave me a hug.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I gave you a hug.

[Kenny Schrader]

I knew where that was going.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay, Kenny, we always end the show like this. You know what's next? I think you and I are doing the same thing. But what's next for you?

[Kenny Schrader]

Well, unload all the bent up stuff from Arizona. Get. We're leaving Monday to go to Volusia, the dirt car nationals down there. We will stop Tuesday and test on the way down. We'll have a new car for Glenn Styers, A new lethal modified. I'll have mine modified. We'll have a backup car. We got five people and two haulers going down and a crew cab so they got something to drive down there and. And I in the motorhome. So we'll look like a bunch of gypsies leaving now. You want to do your money stuff? You know, we've got all this big money. Well, I think when we go down there, we have the potential to win.

[Dietz]

About.

[Kenny Schrader]

I don't know, maybe $15,000. And I know we're not going to spend much more than 35 or 40, so.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Spent that entire. So when do I need to have a.

[Kenny Schrader]

You.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You help me Every year. You know Joey Walsh, your crew chief? Joey's good to me. You're good to me. I'm gonna bring you my helmet bag, and I'm gonna bring you a couple boxes of my merchandise. And Nick Hoffman's wife, Lacy, she called me. She says, kenny, would you like to put some of your merchandise in our trailer? So you're. You're my boss. When do I need to have my helmet bag and my merchandise? When do I need to have it at your shop? So you take it to Volusia for me before Friday.

[Kenny Schrader]

Oh, so you. You pick today, you're going to come over and buy lunch.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Okay, so Thursday.

[Kenny Schrader]

Living down or flying down?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Hey, I'm a wimp. I'm flying down. I'm staying at Rusty's house, and I'm driving Nick Hoffman's race car, but I still got all my own stuff up here. You're still doing it like a circus act. I. My days are over. With that. I love your spirit. And you make me. You truly make me not slow down. I'm like. I'm. I'm thinking to myself sometimes.

[Kenny Schrader]

I'm like, you can't be slowing down. They gotta hustle to get through security so you can get on your plane and fly down there.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, that's true. I find it amazing that you drive everywhere. I know you find peace in it.

[Kenny Schrader]

I fly when I got to.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Yeah, you do.

[Kenny Schrader]

We just never figured out a way to get three, four vehicles and three race cars down there flying.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

So. Kenny Schrader operates at a higher level than I do. Everybody. And I admire that.

[Kenny Schrader]

Yeah, a little bit.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I love it. It's okay. We need that. By the way, I do want to say this. Kenny Schrader is truly my. My best friend in life. And I don't like it when people try to put me and you against each other. Schrader 1. What about you, Wallace? I'm like, you don't understand. Ain't. Ain't none of us ever gonna catch Kenny Schrader.

[Kenny Schrader]

We're not against each other ever. We're just. We're just doing different stuff sometimes, but we're. We're definitely partners all the time.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

I'm your. I'm your biggest fan. Okay. Yes. Deech, you got anything?

[Dietz]

Well, I got a feeling that we're going to be digging out of ice or snow here in the Carolinas, but if not, I'll be at my son's football and basketball. And I know. I know the pavement. Late models are supposed to race this weekend down at Cordeal. In Speed Fest. So that'll be something that kind of look at and see what happens and see how many cars they got down there and if this trend kind of continues it that we've been talking about in the last few weeks.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Kenny, did you catch that? He said Cordeal is anything like Cordell, Georgia.

[Dietz]

I'm pronounced it correctly.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

We're wrong.

[Dietz]

It's not Cordell.

[Kenny Schrader]

It's the same place. But I heard a rumor that there might be a hero driver there this weekend. I. I just heard the rumor.

[Dietz]

Well, you probably heard it from Bob Sergeant, so who is it?

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You're right.

[Dietz]

You're.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

You're exactly right.

[Kenny Schrader]

I don't know. I. I heard that Superman might be making a pavement race this weekend.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh, now that's.

[Kenny Schrader]

I don't. I don't know if it's been confirmed, but I heard there was a rumor. I think Josevar is going to be down there too.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Hey, he was at the Chili Bowl. Carson, Osbar, he's a racer. I love it.

[Kenny Schrader]

You know, in Chili's, it's a big deal, the Chili Bowl. And that's everybody.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Here we go. To end the Herman Schrader Show. Kenny Schrader and myself like Kenny's already told you about, y' all come out now here to Volusia Speedway park. We start racing January 29, 30, 31st, we are with the non wing USAC sprint cars. January 29, 30, 31st.

[Kenny Schrader]

ASCs wing cars, I believe.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

Oh, okay. Sunday, February 1st, we are off. And then we go seven straight nights. February 2nd, 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th. And then the late models come in. But we're a lot. All sprint cars are in there. What else, Kenny?

[Kenny Schrader]

Am I. I just swing with the wing sprint cars that whole second week. Well, with the wing sprint cars the whole time. The first week is. I think it's ascs. It is winged. And then second week is. I know the World Outlaws is last three or four nights, but it's basically all those guys every night.

[Dale Earnhardt Jr.]

All right, everybody, that's it. And remember, this show is on the Kenny Wallace YouTube show. Or you can check us out on Dirty Mo Media podcast until the next Herman Schrader show. We'll see y' all next time. Check out dirty mo media on twitter, facebook, TikTok and instagram.