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United States Darrell Waltrip is a highly acclaimed former NASCAR driver and national television broadcaster, recognized for his three Cup Series championships and significant contributions to motorsport commentary.
Darrell Waltrip had multiple ties to Kmart and Sears, including sponsorships from Western Auto and Parts America (a subsidiary of Sears) from 1991-1997. Pegasus Marketing Group also arranged his Retirement Tour with Big Kmart, Kmart's Route 66 Clothing Brand and Carl's Jr.
The DiGard Racing entry driven by Darrell Waltrip and sponsored by Gatorade became one of the most iconic relationships in NASCAR history.
The partnership between Darrell Waltrip and Junior Johnson was a significant turning point in his career.
Darrell Waltrip's partnership with car owner Junior Johnson led to huge success with three NASCAR Winston Cup Series championships. He later joined Hendrick Motorsports from 1987–1990 and currently owns Honda, Volvo, Subaru, and Buick/GMC dealerships in Franklin, Tennessee, in partnership with Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports.
Twelve-time NASCAR Cup Series champions Hendrick Motorsports and Mtn Dew have extended their long-standing partnership through 2020.
NASCAR Legend Darrell Waltrip invested in a veteran-owned Nashville start-up. He and his team aim to build an iconic American brand.
Darrell Waltrip served as a color analyst for Fox Sports alongside Mike Joy, Larry McReynolds, and Jeff Gordon. He also worked as a columnist at Foxsports.com.
Waltrip voiced his support for saving the old Nashville Fairgrounds Speedway and in 2004, Waltrip built a Craftsman Truck Series team with Toyota sponsorship, furthering Toyota's NASCAR development program. He also appeared in Toyota advertisements.
Waltrip appeared in commercials for Aaron's alongside his brother, Michael, begging Michael's permission to drive the Aaron's Dream Machine.
In 2009, Waltrip appeared in commercials for Rejuvenate Auto, featuring his No. 11 Mountain Dew Chevrolet.
Darrell Lee Waltrip was born on February 5, 1947, in Owensboro, Kentucky. His racing career began at age twelve in go-karts, quickly progressing to stock cars. In 1972, at 25, Waltrip made his NASCAR Winston Cup Series debut at the Winston 500, driving a Mercury he acquired from Holman-Moody. Early in his career, Waltrip primarily drove his own cars, achieving his first Winston Cup victory in 1975 at his home track in Nashville. His talent quickly earned him a multi-year contract with DiGard Racing in mid-1975, marking his entry into the higher echelons of NASCAR racing. Waltrip’s aggressive driving style and outspoken nature earned him the nickname “Jaws” from fellow competitor Cale Yarborough.
Waltrip’s career flourished significantly during his partnership with Junior Johnson from 1981 to 1986. During this period, he secured three NASCAR Winston Cup Series championships in 1981, 1982, and 1985, alongside 43 total wins. A pivotal moment in his career occurred at the 1983 Daytona 500, where a severe crash prompted him to re-evaluate his image and build stronger relationships with fans and fellow drivers. This led to him being voted NASCAR’s Most Popular Driver for two consecutive years in 1989 and 1990. After his successful tenure with Johnson, Waltrip transitioned to Hendrick Motorsports in 1987, where he achieved his long-sought Daytona 500 victory in 1989 on his seventeenth attempt, employing a memorable fuel conservation strategy.
In 1991, Waltrip established his own team, Darrell Waltrip Motorsports, continuing his driving career as an owner-driver. He secured three more wins, including the Mountain Dew Southern 500 in 1992, which was his 84th and final NASCAR career victory. This tied him with Bobby Allison for third on the all-time wins list at the time. Following his retirement from active driving at the end of the 2000 season, Waltrip embarked on a highly successful career as a motorsports analyst for Fox Sports, working alongside Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds. His broadcast career began dramatically with the 2001 Daytona 500, a race his brother Michael won, but which was overshadowed by Dale Earnhardt’s death, an event that led Waltrip to become a vocal advocate for motorsports safety. He retired from broadcasting in 2019, leaving a legacy as both a racing legend and influential media personality.
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