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.