Darrell Waltrip's engine lasted just long enough to win the very first NASCAR All-Star Race in 1985. | NASCAR on FOX

In 1989, Darrell Waltrip conquered the biggest race in NASCAR — the Daytona 500. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Waltrip used experience, strategy, and perfectly timed moves to survive the chaos and cross the line first at Daytona International Speedway. It was a defining moment in an already legendary career and another chapter in NASCAR’s golden era. #DarrellWaltrip #Daytona500 #1989Daytona500 #NASCARHistory #NASCARClassic #HendrickMotorsports #TheGreatAmericanRace #DaytonaInternationalSpeed

Darrell Waltrip remembers his battle with Richard Petty at Darlington in 1979. Waltrip Unfiltered » foxs.pt/Unfiltered | NASCAR on FOX

Darrell Waltrip is the first NASCAR driver I remember knowing about. Even before I learned the names Richard Petty, Bobby Allison, Cale Yarbourough and David Pearson, a 3-year-old me had a plastic DW 88 Gatorade car that I carried, pushed and tossed around like any toddler would. I followed DW as a fan and journalist all the way through his career and into broadcasting where he's always been fun to follow. I've met him in person a handful of times, once when he came to Bowman Gray Stadium to see

Richard Petty blows his engine and crashes in the 1973 Atlanta 500! Darrell Waltrip and Buddy Baker were also involved in the wreck #NASCAR #richardpetty #atlanta #EchoParkSpeedway #darrellwaltrip #nascarcupseries #crash #wreck #winstoncupseries #crashes #nascarcrashes #atlanta500 #motorsports | Christian Wilson

For years, Darrell Waltrip was one of NASCAR’s greatest drivers — except at Daytona. Sixteen attempts at the Daytona 500 ended in disappointment, crashes, or near misses. Then came 1989. Driving for Hendrick Motorsports, Waltrip survived the chaos, outran the field, and finally captured the one victory that had eluded him his entire career. After nearly two decades of trying, Darrell Waltrip crossed the line a Daytona 500 champion — at last. #DarrellWaltrip #Daytona500 #NASCARHistory #1989Dayton

Remember Darrell Waltrip's spectacular crash at Daytona? Go #BehindTheWreck, 25 years later, with DW and former crew chief Jeff Hammond. Daryl Motte for @TheBuzzer. | TheBuzzer