Legacy
Waltrip is considered by most in the racing community as a true ambassador to the sport of motor racing. He is a passionate promoter of all forms of racing, especially stock car auto racing.
Waltrip is recognized by many who closely follow motorsports as NASCAR's first "total package" driver. He was media savvy, articulate, attractive and possessed the driving skills that would take him to the pinnacle of the sport. His style attracted big-budget sponsors that are necessary to fund the multi-million dollar NASCAR teams. Today, it is customary for the team's sponsor to have considerable input into who the team's driver will be that represents their brand or product on the track. Today's NASCAR driver fits the mold that Waltrip first ushered in to NASCAR in the 1970s.
As a Fox Sports analyst and broadcaster, Waltrip's opinions, views and comments carry considerable weight with drivers, team owners, fans and NASCAR heads. Waltrip has never been shy about expressing his views, even if controversial. His critical comments about safety have played a significant role in many safety innovations current drivers enjoy today. As is his custom he has yet again raised eyebrows by announcing Danica Patrick as the "face of Nascar" during prereace interviews before the 2012 Daytona 500. Ms. Patrick has yet to win a NASCAR sponsored event.
Waltrip has been a design consultant on some of the newer tracks including the Kentucky Motor Speedway, and the Nashville Superspeedway.
Waltrip has a building which holds many of the race cars he drove throughout his career.
On June 14, 2011, he was selected to the NASCAR Hall of Fame Class of 2012.
Read more about this topic: Darrell Waltrip
Famous quotes containing the word legacy:
“What is popularly called fame is nothing but an empty name and a legacy from paganism.”
—Desiderius Erasmus (c. 1466–1536)