Darrell Waltrip is stepping further away from the public eye following a diagnosis of frontotemporal degeneration. As the NASCAR icon begins a quieter chapter, take a closer look at his family.
See more of our coverage in your search results.
Add BollywoodShaadis on GoogleDarrell Waltrip has lived his life at full speed. The NASCAR legend and Hall of Famer not only became a notable figure in the sport but also established a life beyond racing. Waltrip has been a beloved television personality who spent decades in front of roaring crowds and television cameras.
After a legendary run, Waltrip is choosing a much quieter chapter. He has been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), a progressive brain disorder, and will be stepping away from public appearances. The once outspoken racer has now chosen a quieter life to spend more time with the people closest to him: his wife, Stevie, their two daughters, and three young grandchildren.
Waltrip's family announced his FTD diagnosis on September 23, 2026, saying his condition is currently limited to minor symptoms. The family released a statement detailing his condition and announcing why he will not be making public appearances anymore. The statement reads:
"While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully, it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms. As a result, he will be stepping further away from the public limelight."
The Waltrip family also reassured fans that the former driver is “happy and otherwise healthy” and spending time with his loved ones. The family said Waltrip's FTD is complicated by a possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), which they believe may be linked to injuries sustained during his racing career.
Waltrip may have been outspoken on the racing track, but in his personal life, he has been a loving husband and devoted family man. The NASCAR legend spent most of his life with his wife, Stephanie 'Stevie' Waltrip, by his side. The couple married in 1969 and have been together for over five decades now.
Stevie was far more than a spectator during Waltrip's years behind the wheel. For over five decades, she has been a race strategist and foundational pillar of the NASCAR garage community. Yes! At a time when women were a common sight in the pit lanes, Stevie broke barriers, becoming the first NASCAR wife to work directly on pit road with the race team.
In 1989, Stevie helped calculate the fuel numbers that secured Darrell's career-defining Daytona 500 victory. Over the years, she has tracked lap intervals, monitored competitor spacing, and calculated fuel mileage.
Darrell and Stephanie are known to have one of the longest-lasting marriages in motorsports, but it certainly hasn't been a smooth journey. The couple has spoken about their years-long struggle to have children. After two miscarriages, they finally welcomed their first daughter, Jessica, in 1987, and had their second daughter, Sarah, in 1992.
The Waltrip sisters largely grew up away from the constant attention surrounding their father's NASCAR career. Darrell has previously spoken about how becoming a father changed his priorities and softened the personality fans saw at the racetrack.
Jessica tied the knot with Fausto Rocha in the early 2010s, and the couple has since been actively involved in the Waltrip family's charity initiatives. They are now parents to three children. Sarah, on the other hand, married Matthew Kuhn on May 24, 2014, in an intimate ceremony at their home.
Darrell's daughters and grandchildren remain an important part of the NASCAR legend's life. His family's latest statement revealed that he is "spending his time with his wife, Stevie, two daughters and his three young grandchildren."
Long before becoming a familiar voice on television, Waltrip established himself as one of NASCAR's greatest drivers. He competed at NASCAR's top level from 1972 through 2000, winning 84 Cup Series races and three championships in 1981, 1982, and 1985. Among his most famous victories was the historic 1989 Daytona 500. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.
Waltrip joined FOX Sports when the network launched its NASCAR coverage in 2001 and spent nearly two decades as one of its leading analysts. Fans came to know him for his energetic personality and his iconic race-starting catchphrase:
"Boogity! Boogity! Boogity! Let's go racing, boys!"
Now, after decades of living in the public eye, Waltrip is choosing to spend more time at home. His family said the disease will inevitably progress but emphasized that he is currently doing well overall.
Read Next: Who Is Harvey Weinstein's First Wife? All About Eve Chilton And Where Is She Amid His Sentencing