NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip is "stepping further away" from public life due to a recent diagnosis of frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), his family said in a statement to FOX Sports on Sept. 23.
Retiring from commentating for NASCAR on FOX in 2019, the 79-year-old made his last guest appearance during the March 2026 race at Darlington Raceway, where he delivered his signature "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!" before the start of the race.
"We wanted to share a health update with all of Darrell's friends and fans who have supported him throughout his racing career," the Waltrip family said in the statement. "Recently, Darrell has been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD) complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), likely
from injuries incurred during his racing career."
Here's what to know about Darrell Waltrip's health condition.
What is Darrel Waltrips health condition?
In the statement, Waltrip's family said that his recent FTD diagnosis was complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), likely caused by head injuries he sustained during his racing career.
CTE is a progressive brain disease associated with repeated head impacts and brain trauma over time, according to the Mayo Clinic. Common among athletes who participate in contact sports and military veterans exposed to blast injuries, CTE has impacted the lives of fellow professional athletes such as Hall of Fame linebacker Junior Seau, Muhammad Ali and former NHL player Derek Boogaard.
"While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully, it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms," the Waltrip family statement added.
"As a result, he will be stepping further away from the public limelight. Be assured, Darrell is happy and otherwise healthy — spending his time with his wife, Stevie, two daughters and his three young grandchildren. We are all grateful for your continued prayer, love and support!"
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What is frontotemporal degeneration?
According to the Mayo Clinic, frontotemporal degeneration is a form of dementia that impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain, which control behavior, personality and language.
When diagnosed with FTD, the affected parts of the brain gradually shrink as nerve cells are damaged and die, resulting in language problems, personality changes and cognitive thinking skills.
Symptoms of FTD may include:
- Socially inappropriate behavior
- Loss of empathy
- Poor judgment
- Impulsivity
- Loss of inhibitions
- Apathy or lack of interest
- Compulsive or repetitive behavior
- Difficulty speaking
- Difficulty understanding spoken or written language
- Problems or reading or writing
- Problems organizing task
- Difficulty making decisions
Is CTE linked to frontotemporal degeneration?
CTE and FTD are different neurodegenerative disorders, but according to the Mayo Clinic, people with CTE may show signs of FTD and other forms of dementia.
"It's possible that people with CTE may show signs of another neurodegenerative disease, such as Alzheimer's disease, amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Parkinson's disease or frontotemporal dementia," says the Mayo Clinic's report of CTE.
What causes frontotemporal degeneration?
While the root cause of FTD is not fully understood, researchers have linked the disease to abnormal changes in certain proteins inside the brain that damage and kill nerve cells in the frontal and temporal lobes, according to the Mayo Clinic.
In some instances, FTD is inherited, as the Mayo Clinic says there have been genetic mutations linked to the disorder and an increased risk linked to patients who have a family history with the disease.
Is there a cure frontotemporal degeneration?
The Mayo Clinic says there is currently no cure for FTD, as the disease is progressive, meaning symptoms worsen over time.
FTD treatment focuses on managing symptoms and helping patients maintain quality of life rather than stopping or reversing the disease.
Peter Burditt covers trending news and service journalism for The Tennessean. Contact him at PBurditt@nashvill.gannett.com
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: What is Darrell Waltrip's health condition? Is frontotemporal dementia tied to CTE?
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