Waltrip's brief stint replacing the injured Steve Park in the No. 1 car got his juices flowing, but the rest of the 1998 season was an embarrassing debacle for this NASCAR legend. He says he doesn't want to ever use the former champion's provisional again, but he's with a new team that might come in handy.
Career
In 1998 he shut down his truck team and brought McCarty, its crew chief,
over to Cup team along with several from crew. Said team lost momentum
after decent '97 start. "Sometimes, you try to get better and you do the
wrong thing. We made a few changes here and there and we were upside down
again. ... You've got to have the results to keep your people charged up."
In 1997, one of season's saddest moments came in October when Waltrip
walked out of Charlotte Motor Speedway garage after failing to make UAW-GM
500 field. After 21 races, he was 15th in points and had, at times, been
competitive. Plunged to 26th at finish of season and had just one finish
better than 26th after that. Spend offseason finding new sponsor.
In 1996, struggled through fourth winless season. As owner-driver of Western Auto Parts America Chevrolet, scored two top-10 finishes. Now in seventh season as car owner.
Began racing go-karts in '59, then moved to Late Model Sportsman division at
local Kentucky short tracks. First Winston Cup race, 1972 Winston 500. First win came in 50th start in 1975. 1981, '82 and '85 NASCAR Winston Cup Champion. NPMA Driver of the Year (1977, '81 and '82). First three-time winner of American Driver of the Year Award (1979, '81 and '82). 84 wins is most in modern era, ranking him third on all-time win list.
Only
five-time winner of Coca-Cola 600. Won modern-era record eight races from pole
(1981) and tied all-time record of four straight. Won 1989 Daytona 500 in 17th
try. Winner of inaugural The Winston Select in 1985. Won seven of 10
short-track
races 1982 to tie record. Has 13 career Busch Grand National wins.
Only driver to
win $500,000 or more in a season 15 times. $835,680 in '94 winnings
finished ninth in '94 Winston Cup standings. Inspired by hard-charging driver
C.C.
Spencer. Credit 1972 USAC stock car win at Nashville in 1972 as biggest break
for Winston Cup career. Earned invitation to Busch Clash by winning pole in the
final race of 1995 season at Atlanta, the 59th pole of his career and his first
since 1992. Took seventh at Richmond, third at Bristol and fourth at
Martinsville, Talladega and fall Bristol and eighths at Watkins Glen and fall Martinsville. Ended season 19th in final point standings.
Sources: NASCAR Press Guides, Star and News staff reports.
