Darrell Waltrip

Darrell Waltrip (born February 5, 1947 in Owensboro, Kentucky) is a NASCAR driver, active from 1972 to 2000, who won three Winston Cup (now Nextel Cup) titles (1981, 1982, 1985) as well as the 1989 Daytona 500 stock car race. His 84 Winston Cup race wins are the most by any driver in NASCAR's modern era, which began in 1971. He and his wife, Stevie, currently reside in Franklin, Tennessee.

Waltrip becomes a fan favorite

By the time he won the 1989 Daytona 500, fans loudly cheered the child-like exuberance of his post-victory celebration: shouting "I won the Daytona 500! I won the Daytona 500!" accompanied by a now-infamous "Ickey Shuffle" dance in Victory Lane. Of all of Waltrip's 84 victories, it was his only victory in the Daytona 500, NASCAR's premier event. Waltrip is currently 3rd on the all time winners list for NASCAR behind Richard Petty with 200 wins, and David Pearson with 105. Waltrip however, is recognized as the "Modern-era" leader in wins.

Related Topics:
1989 - Daytona 500 - Ickey Shuffle - Richard Petty - David Pearson - Modern-era

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He is now a color commentator for the Fox network's NASCAR telecasts. As the cars take the green flag to start each race, Waltrip shouts "Boogity Boogity Boogity!", a meaningless phrase that has become his trademark in recent years. (The phrase appears in the 1960 doo wop parody "Who Put The Bomp" by Barry Mann.) Waltrip also owns a Honda and Volvo dealership in Franklin, Tennessee and appears in advertisements for Toyota and for Aaron's alongside his brother, Michael.

Related Topics:
Color commentator - Fox - 1960 - Doo wop - Parody - Barry Mann - Honda - Volvo - Franklin, Tennessee - Toyota - Aaron's

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His younger brother Michael Waltrip is currently a top NASCAR driver, and winner of the Daytona 500 in 2001 (the race in which Dale Earnhardt was killed in a crash) and 2003. He and Earnhardt were close friends, and the finish of the 2001 race was an obviously emotional one for him, as he was torn between joy over seeing his brother take the flag and concern over Earnhardt's condition.

Related Topics:
Michael Waltrip - 2001 - Dale Earnhardt - 2003

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He was voted one of NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998 and was inducted into the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 2005.

Related Topics:
NASCAR's 50 Greatest Drivers - 1998 - International Motorsports Hall of Fame - 2005

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