Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Waltrip
Darrell Lee Waltripis an American motorsports analyst, author, national television broadcaster, and former racing driver. He is also a three-time NASCAR Cup Series championand a three-time NASCAR Cup Series runner-up. Posting a modern NASCAR series record of 22 top five finishes in 1983 and 21 top five finishes both in 1981 and 1986, Waltrip won 84 NASCAR Cup Series races, including the 1989 Daytona 500, a record five in the Coca-Cola 600, and a track and Series record for any...
ProfessionRace Car Driver
Date of Birth5 February 1947
CityOwensboro, KY
We usually couldn't do it on Sunday. We had to wait until Monday because were about ready to kill each other.
These guys aren't having fun anymore, ... They have a lot of pressure on them. They have to perform and they have a lot of people they have to beat. When I was running, we had just a few people that we had to beat. You could have a bad day and still finish sixth or seventh. Now, if you are off a little bit, you finish 37th.
It's kind of appropriate that we're here at the Nashville Superspeedway today and he gets his first major win, ... ... He is not out of the championship hunt, and he's going to win some more races. I'm really excited for today, sure, but for what's going to happen down the road as well.
They're treated like prima donnas. But a lot of that is because pit stops are even more important now than they used to be. The cars are all so equal, pit stops are one of the few places you can gain an advantage.
I was shocked that he did it so blatantly. An older driver (usually) knows a way to do it subtly.
I do it because I want to continue to be in the driver fraternity, ... I was so happy at Martinsville last week. I had on my great big Toyota Tundra uniform. I've got my truck there. I've got my team there. I'm parked right next to Jimmie Johnson, and we're talking driver talk. Right next to me is Kyle Busch, and we're talking driver talk.
Physically, I have been working out since July -- really, really hard wanting to be sure that I was physically prepared for this race,
It's way too early to pass judgment. It's still got flaws. They need to tweak it. Is it better than it ever was? I think the verdict is still out on that.
Since I'm in Seattle, I'm pulling for Seattle!
I think any older driver would find it different than it was five years ago.
If you're running 20th, they hardly ever mention (you),
I've been fortunate to win many times, in many series. But there is still that goose egg in the truck series. I plan on changing that come Oct. 22nd, when it's one and done for me. The No. 17 made it to Victory Lane, so I'd like to get (my No.) 12 there, too.
It's not that I'm never going to get in a car or truck again. I'll probably hop in there every now and then just for fun.
I'm just going to let you in on a little something just to file away. I understand that there's a chance that they may have a Busch race at Martinsville next year. Just thought I would throw that out there.