Darrell Waltrip reflects on wild ride in NASCAR
By: Allen Gregory | Bristol Herald Courier
Published: March 16, 2012
BRISTOL, Tenn. --
Bristol Motor Speedway is one of the most brutal challenges in motorsports.
Darrell Waltrip remembers a day when Bristol was even more fearsome.
It was a time of no power steering, no custom-fitted seats, no cool suits and no media handlers.
You just strapped yourself in to that bad boy and took off. You had to man up, baby, he said.
Waltrip aced the physical and mental marathon at Bristol a record 12 times during his Hall of Fame career.
This weekend, Waltrip returns to BMS as a conquering hero and beloved television commentator.
With the help of author Nate Larkin, Waltrip profiled his wild NASCAR ride in the book Sundays Will Never Be The Same: Racing, Tragedy, and RedemptionMy Life in Americas Fastest Sport.
This is definitely not the typical memoir. In folksy fashion, Waltrip recounts ruffian days when he outsmarted the law on Kentucky backroads, outran the local leadfoots at Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, Tenn., and befriended a wild-eyed southern boy named Dale from Kannapolis, N.C.
The book begins and ends with the Feb. 18, 2001 edition of the Daytona 500. With Waltrip analyzing the race from the broadcast booth, Michael Waltrip posted his first Sprint Cup win while Dale Earnhardt lost his life on the final turn.
For the folk hero known simply as D.W., that final act at Daytona remains frozen in time.
That was important day in the history of the sport and the impact of that race is still felt in many ways, Waltrip said. Dales death affected everybody differently. There were a lot of emotions and feelings.
In his book, Waltrip offers insight into Earnhardts transformation from a Jack Daniels drinking dirt tracker to a dominating racer who could intimidate anyone with the simple twist of his busy mustache.
Dale was truly a diamond in the rough, Waltrip said. Everybody knew Dale could drive, but he worked hard to polish his image.
Earnhardt and Waltrip had their share of clashes on the track. But there were many similarities. Both men shook up the sport with their brash attitudes, courage and talent.
Dale really grew with the sport, Waltrip said. He has hard-working guy, smart businessman, great father and very good spokesman.
Earnhardt was also very stubborn. For example, he long resisted the use of full-faced helmets and safety harness.
Dale had his own way of doing things but his death helped to change the cars, tracks and driver, Earnhardt said. Thats part of his legacy. Like the book title says, Sundays were never the same after Dales death.
The most touching part of the book involves the enduring relationship between Waltrip and his wife, Stevie.
The refined daughter of a powerful and taciturn businessman, Stevie eventually had to convince her family that Waltrip was the right man for her.
Stevie has always been my biggest cheerleader, Waltrip said. Weve had a great partnership, and she was a pioneer in many ways.
Waltrip shares with readers how his wife gained admission to the pits, which was once the private domain of rugged mechanics, bootleggers and brawler.
Stevie was the first woman to sit on the pit box and be part of a team, Waltrip said. She loves the people in the sport and they love her.
Before each race, Stevie Waltrip handed Earnhardt a scripture from the bible. She continued that routine on the morning that fateful sunny Daytona day in 2001.
Stevie was a great witness to Dale, Waltrip said. She was determined to make sure Dale was a Christian, and I know he was.
Waltrip said each of his sentimental return trips to Bristol remind him of his special connection with wily crew chief Junior Johnson. That country boy connection produced seven straight wins at BMS from 1981-1984.
My six years with Junior were the best times of my life, Waltrip said. Junior is such a practical and unique guy, and he just knew what it took to get the most out of my engine and make my car go fast. That was especially the case at Bristol.
According to Waltrip, the key to success at Bristol has always centered around mental toughness.
Ill never forget the first time I went to Bristol, Waltrip said. Richard Petty and other drivers were on the radio talking about how much they hated Bristol and how hard the races were.
Well, I came with a different attitude and tried to turn those negatives of my rivals into a positive. That carried me a long way.
Waltrip won 84 career races and three NASCAR Cup championships. But he takes special pride in his mastery of Bristol.
Most drivers have a hard time just finishing seven races in a row at Bristol, Waltrip said. To actually win seven races in a row gave me a great sense of accomplishment. Bristol is a special place for me.
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updated by @dave-fulton: 12/05/16 04:02:07PM