Darrell Waltrip

High school

Owensboro Senior High School

Pro team(s)

DiGard Motorsports, Junior Johnson & Associates, Hendrick Motorsports, Darrell Waltrip Motorsports

Hall of Fame

⭐ NASCAR Hall of Fame

Darrell Lee Waltrip was born on February 5, 1947, in Owensboro, Kentucky, and grew up racing anything he could get his hands on before making his way to the NASCAR Cup Series in 1972. Over a 29-year Cup career he won 84 races — third on the all-time list — and three NASCAR Cup Series championships (1981, 1982, 1985), all three with team owner Junior Johnson. Known for his brash personality, quick wit, and relentless self-promotion that earned him the nickname "Jaws" from fellow drivers, Waltrip backed up the talk with one of the most statistically accomplished careers in stock car history. His most emotionally powerful win came at the 1989 Daytona 500 — the race that had eluded him throughout his career — when he crossed the finish line and leaped from his car in celebration of the victory he had spent years chasing. He later became one of the most beloved television broadcasters in NASCAR history, his "Boogity boogity boogity!" call at race starts becoming one of the sport's most recognizable signatures. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012. Born and raised in Owensboro, Kentucky.