A legend steps back from public life
Darrell Waltrip is battling a brain disease and stepping away from public life, his family announced Wednesday. The statement did not soften the diagnosis: frontotemporal degeneration, complicated by suspected chronic traumatic encephalopathy likely tied to injuries from his racing career.
“Darrell has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) complicated by possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE), likely from injuries incurred during his racing career,” the family said in the statement. “While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms.” Waltrip, 79, remains otherwise healthy and is spending his time with his wife Stevie, his two daughters and three young grandchildren.
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Eighty-four wins and a voice everyone knew
Waltrip raced NASCAR’s premier series from 1972 to 2000 and built one of the sport’s defining resumes. He won 84 races, fifth on the all-time list, and claimed three championships, in 1981, 1982 and 1985, with 12 wins in each of those first two title seasons. He added the 1989 Daytona 500 to his trophy case, along with 59 poles and 390 top-10 finishes across nearly three decades behind the wheel.
Retirement from the cockpit did not mean retirement from NASCAR. Waltrip moved into the Fox broadcast booth in 2001 and stayed until 2019, turning “Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let’s go racing, boys!” into one of motorsport’s most recognized catchphrases. A generation of fans who never saw him race a lap grew up hearing his voice call the start of every Cup Series race.
What comes next
The family gave no timeline for how the disease will progress, only that it will. NASCAR loses one of its most familiar voices from public view at a moment the sport is still absorbing the news, and tributes from drivers and broadcasters who grew up on his commentary are likely in the days ahead.
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