Podcast Summary: Herm & Schrader – "Vic Hill: Dirt Racing’s Greatest Motor Builder"

Date: March 19, 2026
Hosts: Kenny Wallace, Ken Schrader (Schrader not present in this episode)
Guest: Vic Hill
Produced By: SiriusXM, Dirty Mo Media

Episode Overview

This episode takes listeners on the wild, unfiltered journey of Vic Hill, widely recognized as dirt racing's preeminent engine builder. Through Kenny Wallace's trademark animated style, the conversation covers Vic’s path from a Tennessee kid with racing dreams, through the trenches of NASCAR engine shops and crew roles, to his emergence as an innovator in dirt late model powerplants, and finally to racetrack promoter and the creator of Thrill TV.

True to the show’s ethos, expect humor, honesty, and plenty of “back when” tales from racing’s golden eras, all seasoned with lessons on grit, technical mastery, and unapologetic Midwestern hard-headedness.

Major Discussion Points and Insights

1. Upbringing and Early Racing Aspirations

• Vic Hill’s roots are in Knoxville & Sevierville, Tennessee, with no family ties to racing – his grandfather was a hospital chief of staff, and he was “supposed” to become a doctor ([04:10]).
  • “I was supposed to be a doctor…maybe a doctor of engines.” – Vic Hill ([04:24])
• Became a self-proclaimed “redneck athlete,” excelling in high school sports while hot rodding and developing an interest in engines.
• Vic moved to North Carolina at 18 to pursue a racing career, showing gumption by showing up daily at Childress Racing shop hoping for work ([05:34]).

2. Breaking Into NASCAR & Early Career

• Paid his dues at Richard Childress Racing, starting in cylinder head work ([05:50]).

• Key mentors included Bob Guerrell, who gave Vic his first break in the sport ([06:12]).

• Described how he began racing himself, building his first engines and driving in street stock divisions.

• Moved between several teams, including stints with Cale Yarborough’s operation, and has several stories about being fired, rehired, and the culture of “revolving door” employment in NASCAR shops ([09:44]).

  • “It’s not you; we want this other guy…but the only way he’ll come is if you leave.” – Vic Hill, on NASCAR team politics ([09:45])

• Poignant story of learning and competing against more advanced shops, chasing elusive 700 horsepower benchmarks ([23:09]).

3. Crew Chief Antics & Tales from the Pits

• Laughter-filled recollections working with legendary drivers like Dick Trickle, serving as crew chief and pit crew with ragtag friends ([12:31-16:49]).
  • “I've got my high school buddies as a pit crew. This was a catastrophe. We qualified 15th…” – Vic Hill ([13:39])
• Memorable pit stop mistake at Bristol – tires falling off due to radio miscommunication, becoming an ESPN blooper highlight ([14:49]).

4. Departure from NASCAR – Back to Tennessee and Engine Building

• After further stints with teams as cylinder head expert, Vic returned to Tennessee as the opportunity arose to work for Larry Clark’s Custom Race Engines and eventually launched Vic Hill Race Engines ([24:35-26:34]).
  • “Every time they fired me, I just learned more somewhere else. Self-education.” ([25:45])
• Built on his NASCAR knowledge, began porting and developing parts for dirt late model racing.
• Detailed anecdotes about how he developed winning manifolds, including for Kyle Petty’s Daytona pole-winning car ([26:34-27:35]).

5. Founding His Own Business & The Mike Fryer Acquisition

• Vic gained the backing to launch his own engine shop after success and detailed his partnership deal with Volunteer Chevrolet ([32:01]).
• Bought out respected builder Mike Fryer, inheriting both equipment and—and humorously—Fryer’s famous toupees in the company’s cabinets ([33:10]).
  • “When I got the cabinets, you’d open up and there were toupees in all of them.” – Vic Hill ([33:17])

6. Revolutionizing Dirt Late Model Engine Design

• Vic tells how he originated the modern “dirt super late model engine” – innovating the aluminum block, big cubic inch, high-flowing design now common in the sport ([38:48-41:15]).
  • “Did you design what is known as the dirt super late motor today? …That was me.” – Vic Hill ([38:48])
• Discusses collaborating with LSM Engineering and Vic Edelbrock to develop blocks and cylinder heads that dominated the sport, first for Scott Bloomquist ([40:03-41:06]).
• Explained the unique porting and intake properties of these engines, and how his design outperformed both Ford and Chevrolet in their traditional RPM ranges ([42:09-42:51]).

7. Return to Roots: Bulls Gap Speedway & Thrill TV

• Vic details how he took over management/operation of the iconic Bulls Gap (Volunteer) Speedway, just two miles from his shop ([45:28-46:11]).
• Originally began by assisting the Levins but went on to lease and improve the facility, even operating the equipment personally ([47:45]).
• Epic “Kyle Larson Night”: Peak audience turnout when telecasting with Flow; the biggest ratings in Flow history ([48:25]).
  • “Larson’s quick time, knocking the wall down all the way around the top.” – Vic Hill ([48:18])

- Business Realization: The Importance of “TV Money”

• Vic explains how streaming rights are critical to making events profitable and sustainable, leading to his launch of Thrill TV—his own subscription platform ([49:24-52:59]).
  • “What I figured out in this business is the television part of this business… To pay the drivers what they need, there aren’t enough seats in these venues. You have to have TV to compensate for that.” – Vic Hill ([49:24])

8. Thrill TV and New Ventures

• Thrill TV will air Bulls Gap’s crown jewel event, The Gauntlet—a four-night spectacular with escalating purses and a $100,000 bonus ([60:44]).
• Vic is launching an Engine Sweepstakes: a subscriber-supported contest where users can watch an engine built start-to-finish, then enter to win it—designed to drive engagement, education, and support for the track ([55:02]).
  • “If you buy a one year subscription to Thrill TV…you can watch us build this engine through the summer, and we’re going to give it away in August.” – Vic Hill ([55:56])

9. Vic on Social Media and Mentorship

• Vic’s open, hands-on approach—sharing videos and real advice—has expanded his reach and influence in the industry ([57:18-59:59]).
  • “I’ve always enjoyed helping people in this industry…it’s just my nature. I try to help people and give them enjoyment.” – Vic Hill ([57:57])
• Shares a story of helping a Minnesota racer fix chronic overheating, which led to his first big sponsorship—a testament to “paying it forward.” ([58:35-59:28])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On racing dreams:
  • “Everybody wanted to be Dale Earnhardt. Rusty Wallace—get in line!” – Kenny Wallace ([05:36])
• On hard-earned progress:
  • “Long story short, you’re a badass, Vic. You are a badass.” – Kenny Wallace ([10:39])
• On industry evolution:
  • “You kids have it good…You have the aluminum bits all in your body. Back then…it was just grinding and grinding.” – Kenny Wallace ([10:22])
• On pit road chaos:
  • “Tires fall off of it before he gets into turn one. Just a bunch of redneck kids, really.” – Vic Hill ([14:55])
• On why he innovates:
  • “You are Andy Petrie. You’re a thinker. You’re a leader. You don’t know at this time you’re a leader working for people, but this is part of your journey. I’m with you.” – Kenny Wallace ([24:11])
• On business and TV:
  • “The only way you can pay the drivers and the venue is TV. There aren’t enough seats. You’ve got to have television to compensate for that.” – Vic Hill ([49:23])
• On paying it forward:
  • “If you don’t know, you just don’t know. It’s nothing to be embarrassed about…but it is funny when people don’t know. Let me help you, and now they know.” – Kenny Wallace ([59:59])

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Vic’s Upbringing & Getting Into Racing – [02:23] – [05:34]
• First NASCAR Jobs, Transition to Racing & Engine-Building – [05:34] – [12:10]
• Pit Crew Antics with Dick Trickle – [12:31] – [16:49]
• Return to Tennessee, Custom Race Engines, Starting Vic Hill Engines – [24:24] – [33:32]
• Innovating the Dirt Late Model Engine – [38:48] – [43:12]
• The Bulls Gap & Thrill TV Era – [45:28] – [53:47]
• Launching The Engine Sweepstakes – [55:02] – [56:34]
• Social Media, Sponsorship, and Mentoring Stories – [57:18] – [59:28]
• The Gauntlet Four-Day Event & Finale – [60:44] – [62:11]

Final Thoughts

This episode is a celebration of hard-won success through curiosity, relentless work, and a love of the sport—whether in the engine room, behind the wheel, or running the show at the dirt track. Vic Hill’s story is equal parts inspirational guide for dream-chasers and master class on adapting, innovating, and staying true to your community.

For anyone who cares about the culture and evolution of grassroots racing, this is an essential listen—or, with this summary, an essential read.

(For race schedules & sweepstakes details, visit The Thrill TV and Bulls Gap Raceway online. Hear more stories from Herm & Schrader wherever Dirty Mo Media podcasts are found.)