Herm & Schrader: "Talladega: Triumph for Chase Briscoe"

Host: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Date: October 22, 2025
Main Guests: Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, Craig Moore

Episode Overview

This episode blends raucous racing banter, honest life lessons, and inside scoops on NASCAR and the dirt track scene as only Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader can. The crew recaps an unexpectedly clean Talladega, Chase Briscoe’s milestone win, major dirt track updates, and personal reflections on racing careers, all in their signature irreverent, candid, and warm-hearted style.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Banter & Introductions (02:32 - 08:13)

• Kenny Wallace and Ken Schrader poke fun at themselves as “honest” and proudly “weird,” referencing their Midwestern roots and friendship.
• Wallace points out Schrader’s “Mike Hammerly” hoodie, which prompts stories about the legendary local racer and his uniquely engineered “race car house”—a basement so soundproof you can rev the race car below and never hear it inside the house.
  • “They said you could start the race car up right now. To this day, you can start the race car up under the house and you cannot hear the race car.” – Herman Schrader (06:11)
• Discussion of regional racing history, importance of grassroots legends, and camaraderie in racing.

2. Favorite Race Memories & Knoxville Nationals (08:13 - 10:30)

• Craig Moore reminisces about Jason Johnson’s thrilling Knoxville Nationals victory, highlighting the intense rivalry and crowd excitement.
  • “Of all the sporting events I've ever been to, that may have been the most thrilling, exciting sporting event I've ever been to.” – Craig Moore (08:36)
• Acknowledgement of losses in the racing community (Jason Johnson, Greg Hodnett).

3. NASCAR Playoff Picture & Championship Four (12:04 - 17:47)

• Analysis of Talladega’s impact on the playoff race and speculation about Joe Gibbs Racing possibly advancing three cars to the Championship Four.
  • Christopher Bell viewed as secure but not invincible heading into Martinsville.
    • “Odds are that coach [Gibbs] sends three to the playoffs, I believe.” – Kenny Schrader (13:40)
• Debate on point systems, luck, and whether past champions like Joey Logano “accidentally” win or simply take advantage of circumstances.
  • “You don’t accidentally win it... it’s no surprise the cars that run good every week are up at the top, no matter how you keep track of the points.” – Kenny Schrader (14:56)
• Emotional reactions from drivers: “Kyle Larson was not happy” to be just 36 points ahead, while Christopher Bell expressed relief (16:19-17:32).
  • “You could hear the relief in his voice. You're 37 points to the good... but then he started thinking about it, and he said, ‘I really don't know.’” – Craig Moore (17:24)

4. Chase Briscoe’s Breakthrough & Career Philosophy (21:27 - 25:42)

• Praise for Chase Briscoe’s character and suitability as Martin Truex Jr.'s successor at Joe Gibbs Racing, dismissing the idea he was a “risky” or “unusual” choice.
  • “Chase, just personality, family, the way he carries himself. There’s nothing not to like about Chase... It was just a good choice. Great choice.” – Kenny Schrader (22:02)
• Focus on Briscoe’s perspective:
  • “Thank God for opening doors and especially for closing some.” – (Herman Schrader quoting Chase Briscoe, 22:41)
  • Reflections on how setbacks or team closures, like Stewart-Haas shutting down, can create new opportunities.
• “No do-over” approach to career and life: appreciating the journey, even the tough parts.
  • “I don’t want to do over. It’s been really good.” – Kenny Schrader (24:13)

5. Talladega Recap: Surprises, Crowd, and Clean Racing (25:42 - 32:09)

• Breakdown of Talladega: low on "Big Ones," went cleaner than expected (only one multi-car accident).
  • “There was no Big, big Talladega wrecks.” – Kenny Schrader (25:42)
• Observations on a huge and lively crowd, Talladega’s enduring appeal, and why fans still show up in force.
  • “It's Talladega... it's amazing.” – Craig Moore (27:28)
• Notes on unique fan experiences, including a big infield building with large screens for watching the race (28:26).

6. Playoff Implications: Chase Elliott’s Dilemma & Hendrick Woes (28:54 - 34:41)

• Elliott’s crash triggers fan outrage, but the crew sets the record straight: luck is everything in the draft pack.
  • “If you're out there, you're vulnerable.” – Kenny Schrader (29:28)
• Consensus: Chase absolutely can win at Martinsville, but so can nearly all top contenders; six cars fighting for two spots (31:56).
• Recap of heartbreak for Hendrick Motorsports: Larson runs out of gas dueling for the win, Byron is spun before the finish, both miss out painfully.

7. The “Craig Moore Notes”: Stats & Milestones (36:06 – 39:20)

• Briscoe’s first Talladega/drafting win, fifth career win, third this season; six drivers with 3+ wins in 2025.
  • “Six drivers this year with three plus wins. That’s a competitive year, don’t you think, guys?” – Herman Schrader (37:12)
• 11 different winners in last 11 Talladega races, Joe Gibbs Racing up to 13 wins this season.
  • “I saw that, I saw that on TV yesterday... 10 races at Talladega had all been by different winners.” – Kenny Schrader (37:51)
• Championship battle analysis: the focus always comes back to the playoffs.

8. Mark Martin’s Upcoming Visit & Racing Community Camaraderie (39:20 – 40:40)

• Excitement about Mark Martin’s planned visit: “Mark Martin is rolling up the driveway.”
• Playful logistics about coffee, lunch, and race events with legends.

9. Xfinity & Dirt Series Highlights (40:40 – 48:23)

• Austin Hill’s dominance in Xfinity (4th win, swept Talladega, 10th drafting track win, Chevy’s 25th manufacturer win in single season).
• Dirt scene: Huge weekend with Rico Abreu’s first High Limit Sprint Car Championship and news of major retirements and team changes.
  • “Rico, winning the High Limit championship... that's huge. He's such a good guy. He's never won a championship before.” – Craig Moore (45:41)
• Discussion of Hall of Fame inductions: Shannon Bab and Sam Driger to Dirt Late Model Hall of Fame (49:01).

10. Dirt Track Titles, History & High Drama (49:30 – 57:24)

• Lucas Oil Late Model championship drama: Devin Moran wins points by 15 over Ricky Thornton after a tense finale.
  • “Have you ever been in that spot finishing a championship out or a big win? Everybody tightens up those final laps.” – Herman Schrader
  • Schrader’s personal story winning a tight championship at Nazareth, choosing to play it safe for the title over a single race win.
• Bobby Pierce takes his second straight Dirt Track World Championship at Eldora.

11. Personal Racing Updates: Pill Draws & B-Mod Mania (57:44 – 65:22)

• Schrader shares his "small quarter-mile" weekend in Cedar Rapids and the role of luck in IMCA’s infamous pill draws.
  • “Buddy, when you go to that pit gate and you draw that pill and that pill is dead last... that is a mother.” – Herman Schrader (59:39)
• Wallace debates building a B-Mod but decides to stick to one car, citing how trends shift quickly: “What I thought 8 months ago isn’t what I think now.” (62:14)
• Discussion of Kelly Shyrock’s versatility and recent IMCA stock car title (63:46).

12. Life, Laughter, and Closing

• Reflections on the importance of hard work, determination, and talking to oneself in the shop (with shoutouts to Joey, Schrader’s "buddy, not really relative").

• Kenny’s daughter Dorothy’s take on nicknames, and touching family vignettes.

• Craig Moore’s Joke Corner:

  • “How is my wallet like an onion? Every time I open it, I cry.” (69:18)
  • “Have you heard about the chocolate record player? Sounds pretty sweet.” (69:30)
  • “What did baby corn say to mama corn? Where’s popcorn?” (69:44)

• Quick look ahead: Kenny Schrader’s upcoming races at Tri City, Wallace’s run in Shane Jumper’s B-Mod, and Craig Moore covering the Whelen Modifieds and Cup Series at Martinsville.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• "Thank God for opening doors and especially for closing some."

  • Chase Briscoe (quoted by Herman Schrader, 22:41)

• "A lot of reasons happen. A lot of things happen for a reason, too, and it's because you made a stupid mistake."

  • Kenny Schrader (25:23)

• "If you’re out there, you’re vulnerable."

  • Kenny Schrader on Talladega chaos (29:28)

• "I don’t want to do over. It’s been really good."

  • Kenny Schrader on his career (24:13)

• “Buddy, when you go to that pit gate and you draw that pill and that pill is dead last — that is a mother.”

  • Herman Schrader (59:39)

• "You go to the battle of the barn in Des Moines, and you're like, there's 250 box stocks... I want to be over there."

  • Herman Schrader (62:14)

Important Timestamps

• 02:32 – Kenny & Herm catch up, local legends, Mike Hammerly stories
• 08:13 – Jason Johnson & Knoxville Nationals memories
• 12:04 – NASCAR Playoff standings and Martinsville predictions
• 21:27 – Chase Briscoe’s win, career journey, and gratitude for closed doors
• 25:42 – Talladega accident analysis and crowd observations
• 28:54 – Chase Elliott’s crash & Hendrick heartbreak
• 36:06 – Craig Moore’s statistical rundown
• 39:20 – Mark Martin’s upcoming visit
• 40:40 – Xfinity recap, Austin Hill’s dominance
• 45:41 – Dirt track news: Rico’s title, Hall of Fame
• 49:30 – Dirt late model drama: championship showdown
• 57:44 – Schrader’s racing weekend and IMCA pill draws
• 65:22 – Reflections on racing, trends, and self-talk in the shop
• 68:45 – Joke session
• 70:20 – Preview of Martinsville coverage and race schedules

Summary

This episode captures the true spirit of grassroots and professional racing: resilience, unpredictability, camaraderie, and humor. Listeners walk away with a better understanding of the NASCAR playoff tension, Chase Briscoe’s rise, the passion inherent in dirt track racing, and the life lessons these experiences impart. True to form, the “two Kennys” share stories and insights you won’t get anywhere else — and remind everyone to keep it fun, keep it honest, and keep racing.

Listen to Herm & Schrader for unfiltered tales, hard-earned wisdom, and enough race talk to satisfy any fan of life in the fast lane.