NASCAR Legend Darrell Waltrip Diagnosed With Progressive Brain Condition FTD

NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip is facing a major health challenge.

Seven years after calling his final race from the broadcast booth in 2019, the three-time Cup Series champion and his family announced that he has been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) along with potential complications from chronic traumatic encephalopathy linked to his decades on the racetrack.

For generations of racing fans, Waltrip, 79, was a permanent fixture of the sport. Long before he became known for his signature catchphrase — “Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let’s go racing, boys” — and spent nearly two decades as a lead analyst for Fox Sports, he was a dominant force behind the wheel.

Waltrip earned the nickname “Jaws” early in his career for his competitive spirit and outspoken personality. He secured 84 premier series victories and clinched championship titles in 1981, 1982, and 1985 before notching a well-deserved spot in the NASCAR Hall of Fame.

When Waltrip officially stepped down from broadcasting in 2019 at age 72, he assured fans he was happy, healthy, and eager to embrace retirement alongside his family.

In their recent statement, his relatives echoed that sentiment, noting that while the neurological condition will progress over time, his current symptoms remain minor.

Surrounded by his wife, Stevie, their daughters, and his grandchildren, the legendary driver is choosing to step back further from the public spotlight. While the diagnosis marks a sobering development for the motorsports community, which has seen similar cognitive health battles affect other athletes, his family emphasizes that Waltrip remains in good spirits and is focusing entirely on his loved ones.

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— Matt Weaver (@MattWeaverRA) September 23, 2026

“Rest assured, Darrell is happy and otherwise healthy,” the family said in a statement.

Supporters across the racing world have since rallied around the Hall of Famer, offering prayers and well wishes for the driver who helped define modern NASCAR broadcasting.

Fox analyst Larry McReynolds shared on a post on X, saying that his heart was broken to learn of the news about Waltrip. “He was my teammate for (19) years, and DW, @mikejoy500 & I stood shoulder to shoulder for (15) years with @NASCARONFOX in the broadcast booth, and without sounding arrogant, I’m confident what we did with #NASCAR race broadcast will never be duplicated again!”

Meanwhile, former NASCAR driver Morris Coffman also expressed sadness after finding out the news about Waltrip.

“I always looked up to Darrell and had tremendous respect for him,” Coffman wrote on X. “Having the opportunity to share a racetrack with him a few times was special.”