 |
| Darrell Waltrip (C) will call his final NASCAR race for Fox alongside Mike Joy (L) and Jeff Gordon (R) this Sunday at Sonoma (Google Images) |
When the checkered flag falls, the champagne is sprayed, and the photos taken, the traveling circus that is the NASCAR Monster Energy Cup Series will fold up their tents, load their haulers, and head back east to prepare for Chicagoland Speedway.
However, when the lights go out in the Fox Sports broadcast booth, it will mark the final cup race for 3-time champion Darrell Waltrip as a broadcaster, closing the curtain on a NASCAR career that spans 50 years.
Many of us, myself included, grew up with Waltrip in the booth for Fox, alongside Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds, and Jeff Gordon. Whether you loved his folksy, homespun, matter-of-fact broadcasting style, or if the mere mention of "boogity, boogity, boogity" made you cringe on Sunday afternoon, one thing is certain: our sport was much better for having ol' D.W. as a part of it for as long as he was, and his absence will leave a big hole that will be very hard, if not impossible, to fill.
Many would lump Waltrip in the same category as John Madden, Dick Vitale, and Chris Collinsworth — a former athlete/coach-turned-broadcaster whose style of commentary left fans either wanting more or wishing they'd muted their television sets. This polarity among the fan base was something Waltrip also faced during his career behind the wheel. So, by the time he got behind the microphone, he handled his critics the same way he did as a driver.
You can't please everybody, so why try.
 |
| Waltrip does the Ickey Shuffle after winning the 1989 Daytona 500 (Google Images) |
Early in his career, he once told reporters that Richard Petty needed the prescription for his windshield changed so he could see better. A brash, young racer from Kentucky calling out NASCAR's "King"? D.W. liked to stir the pot from the very beginning, and this gift of gab earned him the nickname "Jaws" on the racetrack.
He was cocky, he was confident, but he had the moves and the talent to back it up. Waltrip amassed three championships, 84 wins, and over 23,000 laps led when he hung up his helmet. That's very rarefied air.
But time catches up to us all, and after several seasons of sub-par performance, Waltrip made the decision to hang up his helmet following the 2000 campaign and 30 years behind the wheel. Not long after, Fox - fresh off signing their new NASCAR television contract - approached him about climbing into the booth with Joy and McReynolds, saying that they wanted Waltrip to be to their NASCAR telecasts what Madden had become to NFL broadcasts. This would allow him the best way to remain a part of the sport he loved so much.
The trio's first race was the 2001 Daytona 500, which would turn out to be a very significant, emotionally charged event for Waltrip.
The field came off turn four for the final time, like so many races before; D.W. cheering his brother Michael to his first Cup Series win ("You got him, Mikey! You got him, man, you got him! You got it, you got it, you got it!! Mikeeeey!!"). But, Earnhardt, Sr had wrecked behind the leaders; an accident that we would later learn had taken The Intimidator from us. The broadcast cut to an ecstatic Waltrip who, through the tears of joy for his brother's first win, looked anxiously towards the accident scene, concerned for his friend.
The words, "This is great. I just hope Dale's ok. I guess he's alright, isn't he?" are now seared into the memory of anyone watching that day.
But, Waltrip is also a man of great faith. So, one week after that tragedy, he and his wife Stevie led the fans in prayer before the race at Rockingham. While this moment can go unnoticed, it illustrates how D.W. served as a rudder to help guide the sport and its fans through one of its lowest points.
During his 19 years in the booth, his voice provided a comfortable familiarity that will be sorely missed. He also provided a level of genuine excitement and love for NASCAR that will be hard to replace.
 |
| D.W. waves the green flag at Bristol earlier this year (Google Images) |
Like Waltrip, Dale Jr was a polarizing figure during his career. Many loved him because of his father. Others loved him because he didn't try to be his father. Still others saw him as an entitled, silver spoon-fed kid who only ascended to the sport's highest ranks because he's an Earnhardt.
Next Sunday's race at Chicago will mark one year since Junior excitedly screamed "slide job!" as Kyle Busch and Kyle Larson bounced off each other, fighting for the lead on the last lap. Whether you like Dale Jr or not, that call will go down as one of the best in the history of the sport. That energy; that sincere passion for our sport is what our broadcasters need, and whether you liked him or not, that's what Waltrip brought each and every week.
His trademark call of, "Boogity, boogity, boogity! Let's go racing, boys!" was annoying to plenty of people, but to others it was a call to arms; to gather around the television and settle in for another exciting afternoon of NASCAR action. Waltrip himself has said that he wanted to be different than other broadcasters. He wanted to do something to get the fans at home energized for what they were about to watch. The fact that today, parents post videos on social media of their child reciting that same three-boogity call along with Waltrip each week is proof that he's done just as much to engage with fans and grow the sport from the booth as he did from the driver's seat.
So, as D.W. brings his hall of fame career to a close, we wish him the best and all we can do is say thank you. We'll miss you in the booth at Daytona next year, but we'll always remember the laughs, the excitement, and all the great memories you gave us on and off the track.
No comments:
Post a Comment