The "Jaws" that roars: after retiring from driving, it was only natural that this two-time Cup champion—and dynamic, insightful racing mouthpiece—would step into the TV booth - Interview: Darrell Waltrip - Interview

Auto Racing Digest, May, 2002 by Ashley Jude Collie

LEGENDARY STOCK CAR DRIVER Darrell Waltrip--a three-time Winston Cup champion--left the hard-charging sport for the broadcast booth last season, one that he won't easily forget. It was, of course, a season that many in NASCAR won't soon forget.

Entering the second year of its six-year, $2.4-billion national TV contract with Fox and NBC/Turner, NASCAR has entered America's sporting mainstream. Races are held all around the country from California to Illinois, Michigan to North Hampshire, and, of course, in the Deep South.

Even the dramatic death of Dale Earnhardt didn't put a damper on the attendance and TV ratings--which rose more than 25% over those from 2000.

AUTO RACING DIGEST caught up with Waltrip--the winner of 84 career NASCAR Winston Cup Series races--to review the groundbreaking 2001 season, and preview what's next for NASCAR.

AUTO RACING DIGEST: Last season was the first year of new national TV contract for NASCAR. The sport was also flush with new sponsorships and the return of Dodge after a 20-year absence. What was the atmosphere like entering into the season?

DARRELL WALTRIP: There was a lot of skepticism about the new TV package. People were worried about Fox and NBC-Turner taking over for ESPN and others after 20 years. They wondered if we could make it better or if were going to screw it up. In the end, most people were complimentary.

Let's face it, there was a lot of controversy with Dale's death, the head/neck restraint device debate, and other safety issues. But I was pleased with how we handled everything and I think the fans look back and realize it definitely set it up for this year, where we have to continue working to grow the sport.

ARD: It must have been such a bittersweet situation for you, announcing your brother's win and then finding out about the tragedy?

DW: Even before my brother earned his first win, just being at Daytona as an analyst was exciting. The show was great. We could feel we were doing a good job, and the race was going--well, you could just feel it in the air. Emotionally, I was as high as a kite. I was screaming for my brother and he won the biggest race of them all--in his first ride with Dale's team. The next thing I knew, I had to get to the hospital. Yeah, it was bittersweet.

At the end of the race, the big crash looked scary but everybody walked away. I knew it was bad, I knew Dale was hurt, but I didn't think he'd been killed. We did our Victory Circle interview with my brother, Michael, and the info we were receiving about Dale wasn't anything to get alarmed about. Then shortly after we went off the air, we learned Dale didn't make it.

ARD: Can any positives be taken from the tragedy?

DW: By all means. We had a huge audience--everybody was watching--and because of his death people continued to watch to see what was going to happen next. We were able to do an incredible job of hanging on to that 20% increase in ratings. We knew what Dale meant to the sport and we were able to tell a story week in and week out. We were able to honor Dale with the No. 3 and silence on the third lap. I think it mesmerized all the fans we had in the past and it brought us a bunch of new ones.

ARD: What do people mean when they say Dale was the "face of NASCAR"?

DW: Dale was the connection to the past. Most of the guys from our era--Richard Petty or Benny Parsons or Bobby Labonte--have pretty well moved on. Dale still represented what our sport was when it began. Even though we've worked on our image and come a long way, he never changed. Like it or not, he didn't make any excuses for what he did or who he was. He was one tough customer. It's as if we lost our heritage, because he was the last one of those guys.

ARD. Will it be a group of guys who now make up the new face of NASCAR?

DW: I think you kind of line `em all up now and nobody sticks out like the guys we had in the past. Guys are just a lot slicker than they used to be. They avoid controversy. They argue a little bit about someone pushing or shoving them on the track, but there's just nobody who single-handedly represents what the sport is all about. That is unfortunate.

ARD: What does it take to win the Winston Cup championship? Does Jeff Gordon have what it takes to repeat?

DW: I don't know where Jeff stacks up with the all-time greats, but he's better than any other current driver. He's a very intelligent driver, very patient-and he proves it week in, week out. His consistency is what wins him championships.

Until something changes, I don't see anyone topping Gordon. He's got everything. I had it when I drove for Junior Johnson--we won 24 races in two years. I had the right car (a Buick), the right sponsor (Mountain Dew), the right pit crew, and I was on the top of my game. That's what Jeff has. There are no missing links in his combination. He's even good on every type of track.

ARD: Tony Stewart, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Rookie of the Year Kevin Harvick all had multiple wins last year. Which of the young guns could make a move for the title?