A NASCAR legend giving his two cents on the current state of the sport.
I know the world “legend” can be thrown around a lot, but Darrell Waltrip is truly one of the great names associated with NASCAR. He had a stellar career as the driver of the No. 11 and No. 17 cars (from 1972 to 2000), and racked up an astounding 84 NASCAR Cup Series wins throughout his career.
He’s simply one of the best drivers of NASCAR’s modern era.
But his greatness didn’t stop there. Once he retired from the race track, he put on a headset and became a staple of the NASCAR broadcast booth. Waltrip started working as an analyst in 2001, and called some of the biggest races up until he stepped away from the microphone in 2019.
Waltrip’s absence (specifically his “boogity boogity boogity” catchphrase) was felt after he called it quits. They say you don’t realize what you have until it’s gone, and racings fans certainly missed the great Darrell Waltrip once he stepped away. That is until he came back this past weekend for “Throwback Weekend” at the Goodyear 400.
And he showed everybody that he’s still got it:
That right there takes you back.
NASCAR fans loved hearing DW back in the booth, and celebrated the fact that they got to hear a “Boogity Boogity Boogity, let’s go racing boys” in 2026:
“Boogity boogity boogity” in 2026🙏❤️🔋 pic.twitter.com/6J8Y5qy2Zl
— Andre (@_andre_109) March 22, 2026
As it should be👌 Never gets old @darrellwaltrip
— GunniferJenning (@GunniferJenning) March 22, 2026
So good to get those words again!
— Cheryl Wylde (@caw_gofast) March 22, 2026
He’s still got gas in the tank! My life extended another year. Thanks DW.
— William Brackin (@Brackintology) March 22, 2026
Will ALWAYS BE A CLASSIC and he nailed it as we all knew he would!
— JHillsman (@JHillsman) March 23, 2026
And while he was there at the race in Darlington, South Carolina, Waltrip also fielded some questions about the current state of NASCAR. Racing fans have been quick to notice that the legendary driver and broadcaster doesn’t seem to be too happy about the current state of the sport, and thinks one quick fix could be an emphasis on short tracks:
“Quite honestly, I think short tracks are the backbone of this sport. Nashville could be… it could be a Bristol. So I’m glad they are bringing the short tracks back. They need short tracks badly.”
Most NASCAR fans would agree.
Later on, one reporter decided to blatantly ask if Darrell Waltrip pays attention to NASCAR. He had previously said in the interview that he wasn’t familiar with many of the drivers, and then had this to say as an answer to that question.
“Well… I think the sport’s gone through a transition. From the days when I raced, you dropped the green flag and you ran to the checkered. Now they’ve got all these different stages, so it’s a little different to me. I’m not sure I like it the way it is, but I watch. That’s about it.”
Not hard to read between the lines there.
You can hear more from Darrell Waltrip in the video below:
