Darrell Waltrip Takes One Last Lap

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) â€” Darrell Waltrip got to run at the front one last time. <br><br>The other 42 cars in Monday's NAPA 500 moved aside to let Waltrip take a ceremonial pace lap at the head of the

Tuesday, November 21st 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

HAMPTON, Ga. (AP) â€” Darrell Waltrip got to run at the front one last time.

The other 42 cars in Monday's NAPA 500 moved aside to let Waltrip take a ceremonial pace lap at the head of the field. For ol' D.W., it was a fitting sendoff.

``I tell these guys all the time, 'Capture the moment, the precious present,''' Waltrip said. ``There's nothing like it.''

Alas, Waltrip was at the back of the line when it was time to start racing at Atlanta Motor Speedway. A few hours later, his storied NASCAR Winston Cup career came to a humbling end in 34th place.

So much for the ``Victory Tour 2000.''

``I have one piece of advice,'' the 53-year-old Waltrip said, getting off one more zinger before he moves into the broadcast booth. ``Unless you have a very serious reason to believe that you're going to win a race in your last year, don't call it a 'Victory Tour,' no matter what you do. Find another name.''

Sadly, Waltrip's final ride was a rather routine performance for the latter stage of his driving career. His last victory came in 1992.

``You know, it's kind of like the old saying, 'The more it changes, the more it remains the same,''' Waltrip said. ``The run I had today was very reminiscent of some of the runs I had early in my career. I think that's what careers are all about. They go full circle.''

Still, it was hard to crawl from the car one last time after a 29-year Winston Cup career that included 809 races, 84 victories and three Winston Cup championships.

``I'm brokenhearted,'' Waltrip said. ``It's hard to believe, man, that I ain't going to do this no more.''

There were two separate commands to start the NAPA 500. First, Jessica and Sarah Waltrip said, ``Daddy, start your engine.'' They were then joined by their mother, Stevie, for the command to the entire 43-car field.

Waltrip drove slowly down pit road, where crew members from each team lined up to salute him. Out on the track, he was allowed to take a ceremonial pace lap at the front of the field, with his family in front of him in a convertible.

The same honor was given to Richard Petty when he drove his farewell race at Atlanta in 1992.

While Waltrip circled the 1.54-mile track, placards in the main grandstand spelled out ``Thanks DW.'' A somber song by Garth Brooks, ``The Dance,'' blared from the loudspeakers.

Waltrip basically kept out of trouble for the next 3 1/2 hours, winding up seven laps behind winner Jerry Nadeau.

``In some ways, it was a lot of relief knowing that I made it through the day,'' Waltrip said. ``I've got to tell you, I've been nervous the last several weeks.''

Afterward, he cut the steering wheel out of his Ford Taurus. It will go on the mantle at home, along with the steering wheel from the first Winston Cup car, a Mercury he drove in 1972.

``I've gotten a lot of nice gifts this weekend, a lot of things I'll cherish,'' Waltrip said. ``I just wanted that to go home with me. That and my uniform.''

He also was presented with the green and checkered flags used in the race. Both had been autographed by all the other drivers.

``What a great day for my brother,'' said Michael Waltrip, whose own race was cut short by a crash. ``I'm really proud of the way everyone sent him off.''

Darrell Waltrip won more races than anyone but Richard Petty and David Pearson, tying for third on the career list with Bobby Allison.

``I've loved this and I've done so much,'' Waltrip said. ``Racing has been my best friend, next to my wife. She's my best friend, but racing has been our best friend.''

He spent the past several years running at the back of the pack, toying with the idea of retirement but â€” like so many athletes â€” unable to walk away.

Unfortunately, there's a whole generation of fans who don't remember the outspoken, swashbuckling driver who was nicknamed ``Jaws'' by Cale Yarborough.

Waltrip will become an analyst for Fox next year, bringing his quick wit and homespun humor to the next generation.

But he's not ready to think about the rest of his life just yet.

``My heart hurts so bad right now,'' Waltrip said, before lightening the mood. ``I just want to go home and eat a turkey. I think that's what I'll do.''