Darrell Waltrip facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Darrell Waltrip |
|||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
.jpg)
Waltrip at Bristol Motor Speedway in 2019
|
|||||||
| Born | Darrell Lee Waltrip February 5, 1947 Owensboro, Kentucky, U.S. |
||||||
| Achievements | 1981, 1982, 1985 Winston Cup Series Champion 1989 Daytona 500 Winner 1992 Southern 500 Winner 1978, 1979, 1985, 1988, 1989 Coca-Cola 600 Winner 1977, 1982 Winston 500 Winner 1985 The Winston Winner (inaugural race) 1981 Busch Clash Winner 1976 Snowball Derby Winner 1987 All American 400 Winner 1986, 1987 World Crown 300 Winner 1970, 1973 Fairgrounds Speedway Track Champion |
||||||
| Awards | 1989, 1990 Winston Cup Series Most Popular Driver Named one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers (1998) International Motorsports Hall of Fame (2005) Motorsports Hall of Fame of America (2003) NASCAR Hall of Fame (2012) Fairgrounds Speedway Hall of Fame (2001) Named one of NASCAR's 75 Greatest Drivers (2023) |
||||||
| NASCAR Cup Series career | |||||||
| 809 races run over 29 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 1st (1981, 1982, 1985) | ||||||
| First race | 1972 Winston 500 (Talladega) | ||||||
| Last race | 2000 NAPA 500 (Atlanta) | ||||||
| First win | 1975 Music City USA 420 (Nashville) | ||||||
| Last win | 1992 Southern 500 (Darlington) | ||||||
|
|||||||
| NASCAR Xfinity Series career | |||||||
| 95 races run over 14 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 22nd (1986) | ||||||
| First race | 1982 Mello Yello 300 (Charlotte) | ||||||
| Last race | 2006 Goody's 250 (Martinsville) | ||||||
| First win | 1982 Miller Time 300 (Charlotte) | ||||||
| Last win | 1989 Goody's 300 (Daytona) | ||||||
|
|||||||
| NASCAR Gander RV & Outdoors Truck Series career | |||||||
| 17 races run over 6 years | |||||||
| Best finish | 37th (1996) | ||||||
| First race | 1995 Heartland Tailgate 175 (Heartland) | ||||||
| Last race | 2005 Kroger 200 (Martinsville) | ||||||
|
|||||||
| NASCAR Grand National East Series career | |||||||
| 1 race run over 1 year | |||||||
| First race | 1973 Salem 100 (Salem) | ||||||
|
|||||||
Darrell Lee Waltrip (born February 5, 1947) is a famous American stock car driver. He raced in the NASCAR Cup Series from 1972 to 2000. He is best known for driving the No. 11 Chevrolet for Junior Johnson. Waltrip won the Cup Series championship three times: in 1981, 1982, and 1985.
Many people think Waltrip is one of the best drivers in NASCAR history. He won 84 NASCAR Cup Series races. This includes the 1989 Daytona 500 and a record five wins in the Coca-Cola 600. He also holds a record 12 wins at Bristol Motor Speedway. Waltrip is fifth on NASCAR's all-time wins list in the Cup Series. He also has 59 pole positions, which means he started in first place many times. Over his 29-year career, he finished in the top five 271 times and in the top ten 390 times. He was the first NASCAR driver to earn over $10 million in prize money.
Waltrip also won 13 NASCAR Busch Grand National Series races and other events. He holds the record for 67 wins at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tennessee. Even today, he still holds many NASCAR records. He has received many awards, including being named "NASCAR's Most Popular Driver" twice. He is also in the NASCAR Hall of Fame. After retiring from driving, Waltrip became a popular TV commentator for Fox Sports. He is the older brother of former NASCAR driver Michael Waltrip.
Contents
Early Racing Days
Darrell Waltrip was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, on February 4, 1947. He started racing Go-karts when he was 12 years old. Just four years later, he entered his first stock car race. He and his father built a 1936 Chevrolet car for this race.
His first race was not a success, as he crashed the car. But Waltrip soon found his talent on asphalt tracks. His smooth driving style, learned from go-karts, helped him a lot. He raced at local tracks like Kentucky Motor Speedway. His success caught the eye of P. B. Crowell, a car owner from Nashville.
Waltrip moved to Nashville to race at the Fairgrounds Speedway. There, he won two track championships in 1970 and 1973. He was known for promoting races on local TV. He would even playfully tease other drivers to get people excited. This helped sell tickets and made him popular.
He became friends with radio host Ralph Emery. Waltrip often appeared on Emery's TV show. This helped him become well-known and prepared him for NASCAR's big leagues. In 1983, Waltrip became a Christian. He supports charities like Motor Racing Outreach (MRO), which helps racers and their families.
NASCAR Career Highlights
Starting in NASCAR: 1972–1975
Waltrip began racing in the NASCAR Winston Cup Series when he was 25. His first race was on May 7, 1972, at Talladega Superspeedway. He drove a 1969 Mercury Cyclone he bought from Holman-Moody. He finished 38th in that first race due to engine trouble.
In these early years, Waltrip raced against legends like Richard Petty and Cale Yarborough. He quickly earned their respect. He preferred car No. 17, as his hero, David Pearson, had used it. As a car owner and driver, Waltrip raced part-time. His first Winston Cup victory came on May 10, 1975. He won at his home track in Nashville, driving his own No. 17 Chevrolet.
The DiGard Years: 1975–1980
In mid-1975, Waltrip joined DiGard Racing. This was a big step for him into the top level of stock car racing. His first race with DiGard was in August 1975. He got his second career win in October 1975 in Richmond, Virginia.
During the late 1970s, Waltrip became very strong on NASCAR's short tracks. He had 12 wins at Bristol International Speedway and 8 pole positions at Martinsville Speedway. In 1976, Gatorade became his main sponsor. He won six races each year in 1977 and 1978. This included his first win at Talladega Superspeedway and his first of five wins in the Coca-Cola 600.
The 1979 Daytona 500 was a very famous race. Waltrip was a favorite to win. On the last lap, Cale Yarborough and Donnie Allison crashed while battling for the lead. This allowed Richard Petty to win, with Waltrip finishing second. Waltrip and Petty then had a close battle for the 1979 championship. Waltrip won seven races that year. But Petty won the championship by only 11 points, one of the closest finishes ever.
Waltrip was known for his aggressive driving and outspoken personality. Rival Cale Yarborough gave him the nickname "Jaws," like the shark in the movie. Waltrip preferred "D.W." but played along, even putting an inflatable shark in his pit. Fans either loved or hated him because of his success and strong opinions.
Junior Johnson Years: 1981–1986
In 1981, Waltrip joined Junior Johnson & Associates. This partnership was incredibly successful. In his first two years with the Mountain Dew-sponsored Buick Regal, Waltrip won 12 races each year. He also won his first two NASCAR Cup Series championships in 1981 and 1982.
Waltrip worked with Jeff Hammond, who was a pit crew member for Johnson. Hammond learned to appreciate Waltrip's smooth driving style. They worked together for most of their careers, even later as broadcasters.
In 1981, Waltrip won 12 races and 11 pole positions. He won the championship over Bobby Allison by 53 points. In 1982, he repeated his success, winning 12 more races and his second championship.
At the 1983 Daytona 500, Waltrip had a serious crash. His car spun at high speed and hit a wall. He was taken to the hospital for observation. This crash made Waltrip realize how unpopular he was. He decided to improve his image and relationship with fans. Years later, fans voted him "Most Popular Driver" in 1989 and 1990.
Waltrip continued his success with Junior Johnson, winning his third championship in 1985. He also won the first-ever All-Star race, The Winston, in 1985. He earned a total of 43 wins with Johnson's team.
NASCAR was growing quickly, with more TV coverage and new sponsors. Waltrip saw the future of the sport, which involved new technology and multi-car teams. Junior Johnson, a pioneer, was less eager to change. Waltrip left Johnson's team at the end of 1986. They remained good friends.
Hendrick Motorsports Years: 1987–1990
Waltrip joined Hendrick Motorsports in 1987. He drove the No. 17 car, sponsored by Tide. His first year was not as successful as his previous ones, with only one win. In 1988, he won two races, including his fourth Coca-Cola 600.
In 1989, Waltrip won the 1989 Daytona 500 for the first time in his 17th try. He used a smart fuel-saving strategy with his crew chief, Jeff Hammond. His excited post-race interview became famous. He shouted, "I won the Daytona 500! ...Thank God!" and did a dance.
Later that year, at The Winston all-star race, Rusty Wallace hit Waltrip's car on the last lap, costing him the win. Waltrip was very upset. Despite this, Waltrip's popularity grew, and he was voted NASCAR's Most Popular Driver in 1989 and 1990. He won six races in 1989, his best year with Hendrick. He also helped develop the new Chevrolet Lumina race car.
In 1990, Waltrip did not win any races. He had a controversial second-place finish at North Wilkesboro Speedway. Later that year, he had a serious crash at Daytona, breaking his arm and leg. He missed several races but still finished 20th in points.
Owner-Driver Years: 1991–1998
After four seasons with Hendrick Motorsports, Waltrip decided to start his own team in 1991. He had always wanted to drive his own cars again. He continued with Chevrolet and had Western Auto as his sponsor. He hired his long-time friend and crew chief, Jeff Hammond.
In 1991, Waltrip won two races as an owner-driver. His first win was in April at North Wilkesboro Speedway. His second was in June at Pocono Raceway. Just two races later, he was in another serious crash at Daytona. His car went airborne and tumbled several times. Luckily, he only had minor injuries.
In 1992, Waltrip won three more races. This included the Mountain Dew Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, a major race he had never won before. This was his 84th and final NASCAR career victory. This tied him with Bobby Allison for third on the all-time wins list at the time.
In 1993, Waltrip had four top-ten finishes but no wins. In 1994, he finished 9th in points, his last time in the top ten. His results began to decline in the following years. In 1997, he failed to qualify for a race for the first time in over 20 years.
.jpeg)
By 1998, Waltrip's team was struggling to find sponsors. He eventually sold his team. His last race as an owner-driver was at the TranSouth Financial 400. He drove a special "Tim Flock Special" car to help raise money for former champion Tim Flock, who was ill.
Final Years of Racing: 1998–2000
After selling his team, Waltrip filled in for injured driver Steve Park at Dale Earnhardt, Inc.. He had a fifth-place finish at the California 500. Later in 1998, he returned to his former team, now owned by Tim Beverly, driving a Chevrolet Monte Carlo with Tabasco sponsorship.
In 1999, Waltrip joined Haas-Carter Motorsports, driving the No. 66 Ford Taurus with Big K sponsorship. On August 5, 1999, he announced he would retire from NASCAR at the end of the 2000 season. His best finish in his retirement year was eleventh at the Brickyard 400. His final race was on November 20, 2000, at Atlanta Motor Speedway.
Broadcast Career: 2001–2019
Before retiring from racing, Waltrip had already done some TV commentary. In 2001, after his last season as a driver, Waltrip became a lead analyst for Fox NASCAR telecasts. He worked with Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds.
Early Broadcasts and Safety Advocacy
Waltrip's first race as a Fox commentator was the 2001 Daytona 500. His younger brother, Michael Waltrip, won the race. However, the victory was overshadowed by a serious accident involving Dale Earnhardt. Waltrip and Earnhardt had been rivals but became close friends. After the race, Waltrip went to the hospital to be with Earnhardt's family.
Waltrip became a strong supporter of safety in motorsports. He believed that too many drivers were getting hurt. He pushed for mandatory head-and-neck restraints, like the HANS device. He even demonstrated the device on TV to explain its benefits. Seven months later, NASCAR made these devices mandatory.
Broadcast Style
Waltrip became famous for his unique phrase at the start of each race: "Boogity, boogity, boogity, let's go racing boys and girls!" This fun phrase became his trademark. He said he started it because he was tired of hearing "green, green, green" at the start of races.
He also used special words in his commentary, like "coop-petetion" for drivers working together. He would say "s'perience" for a veteran driver's skills. And "using the chrome horn" meant a driver purposely bumping another car. In 2007, Waltrip was nominated for an Emmy award for his commentary. He retired from broadcasting in June 2019.
After Full-Time Racing
After retiring from full-time racing, Waltrip still stayed involved in NASCAR. In 1995, he started his own Craftsman Truck Series team. His team found success in 1997, winning three races. He later re-entered the series in 2004 as a team owner for Toyota.
Waltrip made a few more appearances in the Craftsman Truck Series and Busch Series races after 2000. These were usually at tracks like Martinsville Speedway. He was also an honorary starter for some races.
In 2009, he appeared in commercials for Rejuvenate Auto. He also supported saving the old Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway, where he had early success. In 2017, Waltrip had knee replacement surgery due to an old racing injury. Today, Waltrip owns several car dealerships in Franklin, Tennessee, with his former team owner Rick Hendrick.
Legacy and Impact
Many people in racing see Darrell Waltrip as a true ambassador for the sport. He is very passionate about all kinds of racing, especially American stock car racing.
Waltrip is often called NASCAR's first "total package" driver. He was good with the media, spoke well, and had amazing driving skills. His style attracted big sponsors, which are very important for funding expensive NASCAR teams. Today's NASCAR drivers often fit the mold that Waltrip helped create in the 1970s.
As a Fox Sports analyst, Waltrip's opinions were highly respected. He was never afraid to share his views, even if they were controversial. He has also worked as a design consultant for newer race tracks.
Waltrip has a building that displays many of the race cars he drove. He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 2003. In 2011, he was chosen for the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2012. His 84 wins in the Cup Series place him fifth in NASCAR history.
Media Appearances
Movies and TV
Waltrip's TV appearances were influenced by his early work in Nashville. He often filled in for Ralph Emery on Nashville Now. He later hosted his own shows, "Music City Tonight" and "Prime Time Country."
He worked on the movie Days of Thunder, helping with cars and drivers. He also voiced the character Darrell Cartrip, a car version of himself, in all three Cars movies by Pixar. He appeared in the movie Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby. In 2006, he played Mother Ginger in the Nashville Ballet's The Nutcracker.
Waltrip appeared in commercials for Toyota and Aaron's with his brother Michael. He often joked about wanting to drive Michael's "Aaron's Dream Machine." He also appeared in funny segments during his Fox broadcasts. In 2011, he was in "The Day," a documentary about Dale Earnhardt's accident.
Waltrip also shared his Christian faith on IamSecond.com, talking about how his relationship with Jesus Christ changed his life. In 2017, Waltrip, Mike Joy, and Jeff Gordon made a cameo appearance in the movie Logan Lucky.
Books and Magazines
Waltrip has also been successful with books. In September 1994, he was featured on the cover of Guideposts.
His autobiography, DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles, was a New York Times best-seller. It was released around the 2004 Daytona 500. He also wrote a devotional book called Darrell Waltrip One-on-One: The Faith that Took Him to the Finish Line.
Images for kids
-
DiGard Gatorade Chevrolet Monte Carlo that Waltrip drove to victory in the 1978 World 600, Concord, NC, May 28, 1978
-
Darrell Waltrip, discussing his 5th-place finish and prospects for winning his first NASCAR driving championship after the Dixie 500, Atlanta Motor Speedway, November 4, 1979, driving his DiGard Gatorade Chevrolet Monte Carlo
