NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip is "stepping further away" from public life after a recent diagnosis of frontotemporal degeneration, his family said in a statement on Sept. 23.
Waltrip, 79, has been retired from the NASCAR on FOX booth since June 2019, last making a guest appearance during a March 2026 race at Darlington to give his famous "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!" line at the start of the event.
"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.
Frontotemporal degeneration is a form of dementia, according to the Mayo Clinic, that impacts the frontal and temporal lobes of the brain. Those areas of the brain are "associated with personality, behavior and language."
"While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully, it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms," the Waltrip family statement said. "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!"
Waltrip made his name before his Cup Series career at the Fairgrounds Speedway in Nashville, then won 83 races and three Cup Series championships at NASCAR's top level until his retirement in 2000. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012 and was named as one of NASCAR's 75 greatest drivers in 2023.
To a generation or more, Waltrip's legacy is as a loquacious and clever announcer for 19 years with FOX. For the majority of that time, he teamed with Mike Joy and Larry McReynolds to form a legendary three-man booth.
This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Darrell Waltrip diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, stepping away from public life
