324 - Darrell Waltrip (Part One): Ole DW

It's been a long time coming! Finally, racing legend Darrell Waltrip joins Dale Earnhardt Jr. and co-host Mike Davis at the table for a much anticipated two-part interview. Ole DW discusses his early days on the short tracks of Nashville and how an unknown driver made an instant splash in the big leagues of NASCAR, despite showing up with little-to-no tools.. DW talks about his upbringing and how he went from a house filled with four-letter words, to media-darling racecar driver and broadcaster. He was known by competitors as "Jaws," and as usual, doesn't hold back from honest takes on his life in the sport. Waltrip shares stories of racing with Dale Jr.'s grandfather Robert Gee, the genius he was with racecars and how he liked to eat steak and drink Crown Royal. The Gee years saw both Dale Earnhardt and Waltrip piloting the famed #17, a head-turning piece of shiny machinery. One of the most successful cars was a Camaro Modified with Volkswagen fenders. Waltrip's first Cup car was a famous one, but at first, he didn't know it. Crew Chief Jake Elder made the discovery and it had the young driver excited. So excited that year's later he bid on the car to get it in his possession once again. Waltrip talks of his early years with Bud Moore and the tumultuous partnership with DiGard racing. Was he really going to get replaced by Bruce Jenner? The Junior Johnson years brought forth some of the most successful years in his career. It also brought Tim Brewer and some shag-carpeted walls. DW discusses why drivers back in the 70's and 80's didn't want teammates. His Junior Johnson racing teammate Neil Bonnett was awarded the win after a controversial yellow-flag pass which led to Johnson protesting his own team! DW tells the story. Dale Jr. answers fan questions in the AskJr segment on the show. Will Lost Speedways go to Canada now that Canadian's can watch the show on History Channel Canada? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices