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NASCAR Legend Darrell Waltrip Steps Back Due to Brain Disease
Confirmed
In Short: NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip has stepped away from public life due to a progressive brain disease, his family announced Wednesday. Waltrip, known for his signature call 'Boogity. Boogity. Boogity.
NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip has stepped away from public life due to a progressive brain disease, his family announced Wednesday. Waltrip, known for his signature call 'Boogity. Boogity. Boogity. Let's go racing, boys,' was diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD), which may be complicated by Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
Waltrip, 79, was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. He won three Cup Series championships in 1981, 1982, and 1985, and ranks fifth all-time in Cup victories with 84.
A fearless racer from Kentucky, Waltrip first appeared on the NASCAR scene in 1972 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama. He was known for his competitive spirit and outspoken nature, earning the nickname 'Jaws' from rivals.
After retiring from racing in 2000, Waltrip moved into broadcasting, becoming Fox Sports' first hire when the network launched its NASCAR coverage in 2001. His distinctive style and personality made him a household name in the sport.
Waltrip's family stated that the CTE likely developed from injuries he incurred during his racing career. As a result, he will be stepping further away from the public limelight.
Waltrip's career in NASCAR spanned nearly three decades, from 1972 to 2000, during which he became one of the sport's most recognizable figures both on and off the track.
What this adds
The family's statement provided new details about Waltrip's health condition and its potential origins, highlighting the risks associated with long-term exposure to head injuries in racing.
What's confirmed
- Waltrip was Fox Sports' first hire when the network launched its NASCAR coverage in 2001 and became widely known for his signature "Boogity. Boogity. Boogity. Let's go racing, boys" call.
- A fearless racer from Kentucky who first showed up on the NASCAR scene in 1972 at Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, Waltrip aggravated his competitors by beating them on the track then running his mouth out of the car.
- -- Darrell Waltrip, who parlayed a Hall of Fame driving career in NASCAR into a longtime broadcasting stint at Fox Sports, has stepped away from public life due to a progressive brain disease.
- Waltrip won 84 races and Cup Series championships in 1981, 1982 and 1985, before moving straight into the broadcast booth.
- He was inducted into the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2012.
- Rivals nicknamed him "Jaws," and Waltrip was at the forefront of parlaying his personality and fame into a lucrative side hustle of appearances, celebrity endorsing and the broadcast booth.
What's still developing
- Nothing material beyond the confirmed record.