NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip Steps Back from Public Life Due to Progressive Brain Disease
· Yahoo Sports
Credit: Keith Griner/Getty
NEED TO KNOW
- Darrell Waltrip is stepping back from public life after being diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, his family said in a statement
- The NASCAR legend won three Cup Series championships and 84 races during his career, ranking fifth in all-time victories
- Waltrip retired from racing in 2000 and spent 19 years as a lead NASCAR analyst for FOX Sports
NASCAR driver and broadcaster Darrell Waltrip is stepping back from the spotlight, his family has announced.
The family of the 79-year-old confirmed the news in a statement to the Associated Press, FOX Sports and ESPN on Wednesday, Sept. 23. They also revealed that the decision was prompted by a recent health diagnosis.
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“Recently, Darrell has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) complicated by possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE) — likely from injuries incurred during his racing career,” his family said.
FTD is a progressive form of dementia causing the atrophy of the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control personality, behavior, and language, according to the Mayo Clinic. Symptoms include compulsive behavior, loss of vocabulary and stiff movements or loss of balance.
NASCAR racer Darrell Waltrip before the Winston Western 500 at California Speedway, November 17, 1985.Credit: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
As for CTE, it is a “rare, progressive degenerative brain disease caused by repeated blows to the head,” per the clinic.
“While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully, it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms,” his family said. “As a result, he will be stepping further away from the public limelight.”
They added that Waltrip “is happy and otherwise healthy” and is “spending his time” at home “with his wife, Stevie, two daughters and his three young grandchildren.” The family concluded the message by thanking fans for their “continued prayer, love and support” before signing off with Waltrip’s signature catchphrase: “Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!”
Waltrip had a legendary career in NASCAR from 1972-2000. He made his NASCAR debut in 1972 at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama, and won Cup Series championships in 1981, 1982 and 1985, according to AP. The racer, who also won 84 races, ranks fifth all time in Cup victories, according to FOX Sports.
NASCAR racer Darrell Waltrip celebrates his 7th place finish in the Winston Western 500 at California Speedway in 1985.Credit: Bob Riha, Jr./Getty
The racer from Kentucky was eventually inducted into the third class of the NASCAR Hall of Fame in January 2012, and he was named as one of NASCAR’s 75 greatest drivers in 2023, according to AP and The Tennessean.
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Waltrip retired from NASCAR in 2000 before starting his full-time television broadcasting career in 2001 as the lead analyst for FOX Sports, when the network launched its live NASCAR Cup Series coverage.
He spent 19 seasons on the program before announcing his retirement in June 2019.
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