Podcast Summary: Herm & Schrader — "The Old Voices Behind NASCAR's New Format"
Host: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media
Date: January 14, 2026
Guests/Regulars: Kenny Wallace (Herman), Ken Schrader, Alan Dietz
Episode Overview
This episode is a landmark for NASCAR fans: Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader, and Alan Dietz react in real time to NASCAR’s official announcement of a new championship format for the Cup Series. The trio delivers their signature blend of candid storytelling, industry insight, and irreverent humor while breaking down the big news. They also discuss the state of American motorsports—from record amateur car counts to questions about IHRA’s future, plus a segment on the controversial Nashville Fairgrounds. The episode is punctuated with personal racing updates, reflections on "old-school" NASCAR, and some classic dad jokes.
Key Discussions & Insights
1. Personal Updates and Racing Adventures
- [01:53] Kenny Schrader details his racing schedule at the Wild West Shootout in Arizona, describing mechanical issues and improvements from night to night.
- Schrader: "We had to start 16th in a B... decided to run. We run seventh. Didn’t have a yellow. So last night was a little better."
- [02:44] Herman (Kenny Wallace) shares about attending the DirtCar awards and winning the Missouri-Illinois regional championship.
- [03:30] Alan Dietz jokes about everyone's “forehead" on camera and shares personal and family updates.
2. Dirt Racing Satire & Community
- [04:01] The crew discusses the “Weber Valley Speedway” Facebook page, a satirical look at dirt racing so close to reality it fools even insiders.
- Wallace: “It pokes fun at dirt racing and rightfully so... honored to get one of the biggest wins in history.”
3. NASCAR's New Championship Format — The Big Reveal
[06:03–11:43] Announcement Explained & Reactions
- Details of New Format:
- 26 regular season races, followed by a 10-race Chase.
- Wins now worth 55 points (up from 40).
- Top 16 in points after 26 races make the Chase; “win and you’re in” is eliminated.
- Points seeding: First gets 2100, second 2075, third 2065, and then dropping by five per position.
- During the Chase, it’s a straight 10-race battle; no further eliminations.
- Immediate Reactions:
- Schrader [09:11]: “I like that... No more win and you’re in. If you’re top 16 in points, you’re in the Chase. That’s great... It’s back a lot more traditional.”
- Wallace [09:26]: “You just cleaned it up right there... The top 16 go all the way.”
- Dietz [12:27]: "I think this is the best combination... You can have a playoff but it includes the entire season. The fact that guys were making the playoffs and they weren’t in the top 30 was ridiculous. That loophole has gotten eliminated now.”
[13:39–14:49] Clarifying the Format & Consensus
- Wallace walks through the system again for clarity.
- Schrader [14:49]: “If you do the best all year, you’re going to win the championship. Very similar to the way it used to be... Still have a kind of playoff system, but you eliminate yourself by not performing.”
- Praise for the involvement of respected veterans:
- Wallace [14:49]: “NASCAR has Mark Martin on site... and Dale Jr. If fans don’t like it, they gotta blame Mark Martin and Dale Jr.”
- Schrader [15:38]: “Big attaboy for listening to Dale Jr. and Mark Martin... They really love it, not just the finances, but what makes people turn on the TV and go to the races.”
4. NASCAR’s Return to “the Old Days”: Media, Music, and Marketing
[17:50–21:16] NASCAR’s Rebranding Moves
- Fox TV to revive “Gong Show”-style racing reality series, co-produced by UFC’s Dana White.
- NASCAR ad campaigns and pre-shows returning to country music roots; Miranda Lambert to perform pre-race.
- Steve Phelps out as NASCAR President (noted for inside-baseball business moves, less so for connecting with fans).
- Wallace [19:53]: “For 20 years, everybody. We forgot about the older fans. NASCAR made a mistake and it failed miserably... It is cool to be old again right now."
- Schrader [20:19]: “Making a ton of changes won’t change anything overnight... I think it’s the right way, the right changes.”
[21:53–23:50]
- Discussion on the delicate balance between pandering and authenticity.
- Dietz [22:41]: “People don’t like being pandered to... There’s a natural way for this to happen.”
- Country music’s new pop/rap fusion trends still connect—if done "naturally."
5. On the State of NASCAR, Old Fans, and Traditions
- Wallace [23:50]: “We’re here because we forgot all the old people... I think this is a good move.”
- Schrader [25:01]: “Any generation... the fans could give a heck less about international affairs.”
- Reflects on NASCAR’s failed push for worldwide expansion, emphasizing the sport’s American, Southern roots.
6. Race Schedule, Start Times, & TV Issues
- [29:12] Frustration over race start times and lack of consistency.
- Wallace [29:14]: “We gotta work really hard... for 30 years we raced at one o’clock. Football games are beating us. That should be the next thing NASCAR works on.”
7. Record Grassroots Car Counts: Why is Amateur Racing Booming?
- [31:00–35:01]
- Record numbers at Wild West Shootout, Tulsa Shootout, Chili Bowl, and ARCA test.
- Dietz [34:03]: "The economy’s definitely got something to do with it... When you look at all those divisions and all those racetracks, they’re being run very well. Couple that with economy, and that’s why you’re seeing a lot of the cars."
- Wallace [35:01]: "It’s not going down, it’s going the other way."
8. Controversy: IHRA’s New Owners – A Boon or a Bubble?
[36:24–43:44]
- IHRA bought by Daryl Cuddle, owner of Durana Hybrid. Skepticism reigns:
- Fears he’s buying old tracks (Rockingham, Maple Grove, etc.) to repurpose as data centers.
- Offering huge purses and new series: Outlaw Nitro, Top Fuel, Funny Car, Pro Mod, Small Tire, plus an oval series with old Busch rules.
- Schrader [38:11]: “I’m not happy with any of it... When one person changes their mind... all money just went out. You can’t pay that purse. When the mess is gone, where are the facilities? Temporarily shut until someone else comes in. I don’t like anything about it.”
- Dietz [41:49]: “It is going to be a disaster right from the beginning... Why not just turn them into data centers instead of leaving all this wreckage? That stock car series is going to be an absolute cluster...”
- Discuss parallels to J.D. Stacy and previous failed racing entrepreneurs.
9. Nashville Fairgrounds: Nostalgia vs. Reality
[46:00–51:56]
- City of Nashville reportedly determined to remove the Fairgrounds.
- Limited parking, local politics, and preference to sell the land mean NASCAR may not return.
- Schrader [47:35]: “It was great. It’s a shame... But I don’t see anything big happening there.”
- Wallace [48:32]: “If you don’t love me, I don’t love you. Smash the racetrack if you want. Let’s move on.”
- Dietz [49:31]: “It’s the same story as Myrtle Beach. Town grew up around it; land’s too valuable and the writing’s on the wall.”
10. Bob Sargent: The Ultimate Promoter
- [51:04–51:56] Shoutout to Bob Sargent, ARCA/NASCAR race and facility promoter, and his work prolonging the life of tracks like Nashville and Rockingham.
Notable Quotes & Classic Moments
-
Kenny Schrader [09:39]:
“One of those last lap wrecks, and the 12th place car wins Daytona 500—which happens and’ll continue to happen—it just won’t put you in the Chase. So I like that... No 'win and you’re in.' If you’re 16, top 16 in points at the end of 26 races, you’re in.”
-
Alan Dietz [41:49]:
“That stock car series is going to be an absolute cluster... It is going to be a disaster right from the beginning.”
-
Herman Schrader [23:50]:
“For 20 years, everybody. We forgot about the older fans. NASCAR made a mistake and they forgot about all the older fans and they went for the new ones. It failed miserably... It is cool to be old again right now.”
-
Kenny Schrader [14:49]:
"If you do the best all year, you’re going to win the championship, right? Very similar to the way it used to be. But we still have a quote kind of playoff system..."
-
Dad Joke Segment [52:50]:
- Dietz: “Did you hear about the wig thief who escaped from prison? Police are combing the area to find him.”
- Dietz: “I wondered why the baseball was getting closer and closer. Then it hit me.”
- Dietz: “Where do surfers go for education? Boarding school.”
Timestamps for Key Segments
- Kenny Schrader's Race Recap: [01:53]
- Satire in Dirt Racing & "Weber Valley" Bit: [04:01–05:06]
- NASCAR Championship Format Announced: [06:03–15:38]
- Fanbase, Media, & Return to Tradition Discussion: [17:50–23:50]
- Race Start Times & Schedule Issues: [29:12–30:30]
- Record Entry Numbers in Grassroots Racing: [31:31–35:01]
- IHRA Buyout Controversy: [36:24–43:44]
- Nashville Fairgrounds Debate: [46:00–51:56]
- Bob Sargent’s Role in Racing: [51:04–51:56]
- Dad Jokes & Episode Wrap-up: [52:45–53:30]
- Hosts’ Upcoming Schedules: [54:08–56:22]
Summary & Takeaways
- NASCAR’s new format restores emphasis on season-long performance and removes the much-maligned “win and you’re in” rule. The feeling in the (virtual) studio is nearly unanimous: this is the right move, especially with respected veterans Dale Jr. and Mark Martin backing it.
- NASCAR’s efforts to reconnect with old-school fans—changing up music, marketing, reality TV, leadership, and even the championship system—are welcomed but met with the understanding that real change will take time.
- Grassroots racing is thriving, with huge car counts fueled by a strong economy and improved organizational quality at local tracks.
- IHRA’s future is met with deep skepticism, reminiscent of racing’s failed “big money” eras in the past. Both Schrader and Dietz worry about the track buyouts and ballooning purses.
- The Nashville Fairgrounds saga underscores the challenge of preserving racing history in growing cities.
- Classic camaraderie and humor shine throughout, making complex business and sporting topics approachable and fun.
For fans, this episode is must-listen material—come for the breaking news and unfiltered reaction, stay for the stories, insider takes, and relentless midwestern wit.