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
bigger bonus charlotte damn diminished few handful million money paid pays races season sights southern three threw value won
With a $16 million purse, it's pretty damn important. Just a few years ago, we only had a handful of big races that paid big money that you really wanted to win. It was Daytona, the Charlotte 600; they threw Indianapolis in there and the Southern 500. They paid you a $1 million bonus if you won three of those races. Those are the ones you set your sights on when the season started. Now, everything pays $1 million, and that has diminished the value of some of our bigger races.
bigger bonus charlotte damn diminished few handful million money paid pays races season sights southern three threw value won
With a $16 million purse, it's pretty damn important, ... Just a few years ago, we only had a handful of big races that paid big money that you really wanted to win. It was Daytona, the Charlotte 600; they threw Indianapolis in there and the Southern 500. They paid you a $1 million bonus if you won three of those races. Those are the ones you set your sights on when the season started. Now, everything pays $1 million, and that has diminished the value of some of our bigger races.
ad appreciate believe campaign fun giving michael race seriously supportive wife wonderful
I can't believe it. The Aaron's ad campaign has been a lot of fun for me over the years, but I seriously thought I would never get to race that car. I really appreciate Michael and Aaron's and, of course, my wonderful and supportive wife Stevie, for giving me this opportunity.
chance craftsman definitely drivers feet gives great guys knowing last love nascar racing series time truck won
I love racing at Martinsville - always have. I've won there 11 times in the past, but knowing this is definitely the last time racing there does make me sad. I love the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series because it's a great place for these young drivers to get their feet wet, and it gives old guys like me the chance to go out and have some fun. But we're definitely one and done this time at Martinsville.
basically deal loose turned whatever willing
When we get to the track, we're basically turned loose to the masses. And you'd better be willing to deal with that politely, slightly, lightly, all nightly whatever it takes.
monday ready until wait
We usually couldn't do it on Sunday. We had to wait until Monday because were about ready to kill each other.
hard july physically prepared since sure wanting
Physically, I have been working out since July -- really, really hard wanting to be sure that I was physically prepared for this race,
fall far hanging hate starting tires
Just being out here and hanging out and working has been good. I hate starting that far back, but if the tires don't fall off, we'll be OK.
driver five older
I think any older driver would find it different than it was five years ago.
change future nascar races tracks
We can't change the past. Those tracks have always been there and those races have always been there. What NASCAR has to look at is the future -- and this place is the future.
behind points slate wipe
When you're that many points behind and they wipe the slate clean, that's what I don't like.
add came garage hard hype intensity media people pulled race tried worked
We could have had media day in a pup tent. You came down here to race and you went in the garage and worked on your car. They tried to hype it up and add TV. There wasn't the intensity that you have in the sport now. People are getting pulled in so many different directions; it's hard to have fun.
people sponsors understand
Understand that the sponsors are the people that are making this sport happen. It's not the purses; it's the sponsors. The sponsors want to be in Texas, they want to be in California, they want to be in Las Vegas.
beach beer buy cars case cover good hard hotel liquor lounge maybe next sit store time until
It's hard to have a good time and do your job. We'd get our cars inspected; we'd cover the car up and go to the beach. We'd go to the liquor store and buy a case of beer and sit on the beach or go sit in the lounge at the hotel maybe until it was time to come back the next day.