Waltrip, Darrell (1947-…), was one of the greatest drivers in the history of American stock car racing. Stock cars are sedans that have been modified to increase their speed and power. Waltrip won 84 NASCAR Cup series races and 3 NASCAR driving championships. NASCAR is the organization that governs the most popular form of stock car automobile racing in the United States. Its full name is the National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing.
Darrell Lee Waltrip was born on Feb. 5, 1947, in Owensboro, Kentucky. He started racing in go-karts at the age of 12 and entered his first stock car race at the age of 16. In 1972, he entered NASCAR’s top racing series, winning his first race in 1975. Waltrip had particular success racing for legendary driver and car owner Junior Johnson from 1981 to 1986. Waltrip won NASCAR championships in 1981, 1982, and 1985. He set a NASCAR record in 1983 by finishing fifth or better in 22 races. From 1991 to 1998, Waltrip operated his own racing car team.
Waltrip retired as a driver in 2000. Since 2001, he has been a television analyst and commentator for NASCAR races. His autobiography, DW: A Lifetime Going Around in Circles, was published in 2004. Waltrip was inducted into both the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America and the National Motorsports Press Association Hall of Fame in 2003, the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005, and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.
