Darrell Waltrip has announced he will retire from his position as a commentator with Fox Sports before the end of the 2019 Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series season.
Waltrip, who was a member of the original FOX NASCAR broadcast team that debuted at Daytona in February of 2001, said he wants to spend more time with his family and the demanding NASCAR Cup Series schedule prevents him from doing so. His last race in the booth will be the Toyota/SaveMart 350 from Sonoma.
“My family and I have been talking this over the past several months, and I’ve decided to call 2019 my last year in the FOX Sports booth,” Waltrip said in a statement. “I have been blessed to work with the best team in the sport for the past 19 years, but I’m 72 and have been racing in some form for more than 50 years. I’m still healthy, happy and now a granddad, so it’s time to spend more time at home with my family, although I will greatly miss my FOX family.”
Waltrip is a three-time NASCAR champion with 84 wins to his name and was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. He finished his 29th and final NASCAR season in 2000 and, much like Dale Earnhardt Jr., immediately moved into the booth and began commentating on races. His first two championships came with Buick, while the final was with Chevrolet.
Waltrip has spent the last 19 years with FOX, providing commentary for over 330 races and 1,500 practice and qualifying sessions.
Known for his trademark race-opening “Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, Let’s Go Racing Boys and Girls!” quip, Waltrip is considered a fan-favorite part of the FOX broadcast, the network says. He received a Sports Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Sports Person – Event Analyst in 2006 and is a three-time recipient of NASCAR.com’s Fan Voice Awards.
Waltrip wins at Daytona in 1989
“DW’s unmatched charisma and passion helped FOX Sports build its fan base when we first arrived at Daytona in 2001, and he has been the cornerstone of our NASCAR coverage ever since,” FOX Sports CO Eric Shanks said.
Waltrip’s final race calling Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series action will be at Sonoma Raceway on Sunday, June 23rd.
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Comments
Great on the short tracks when NASCAR was in it’s prime. Will be missed.
Sam, a big change is coming to Canada this year. Can you guess?
Nobody cares about Nascar these days unless you are a left-winger socialist. Hillbilly socialists.
Only you
that was the stupidest thing I ever heard. know they need to get rid of Larry.
What was the stupidest thing you ever heard? No capitalization and using “know” instead of “now”, the most stupid thing I’ve heard today.
Going to miss Darrell. Have ALWAYS enjoyed his insight and commentary. Boogity, Boogity, Boogity, Let’s Go Have Some Family Time!
You know it gets tiresome talking about the tire pressure and the side draft and “Here comes the big one” oh and “how’s the mileage holding up Larry?” Every friggin race