NASCAR star Ross Chastain reacts to Darrell Waltrip’s ‘sad’ frontotemporal degeneration diagnosis
The NASCAR community is rallying around Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip.
Waltrip and his family announced in a statement last week that he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). NASCAR star Ross Chastain said Waltrip has been a staple of the sport for Chastain’s entire life.
“Sad. I mean, Darrell’s a guy that I’ve known his name my entire life, and then I’ve gotten to meet him just a few times. Yeah, it’s just, it’s sad to think of age and everything that they said the announcement is, I read it just like everybody else did, and I haven’t talked to anybody,” Chastain told OutKick in a recent interview on behalf of Busch Light.
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Ross Chastain waves to fans during driver introductions before the NASCAR Cup Series Playoffs Cook Out Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway in Darlington, S.C., on Sept. 6, 2026. (Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Chastain said that he and the community will support Waltrip however they can. Waltrip’s family said his condition was likely caused by injuries sustained during his illustrious racing career.
“While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms,” the statement, put out by Darrell and his wife, Stevie, 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!”
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A fan shows support for Darrell Waltrip during the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series Toyota/Save Mart 350 at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif., on June 23, 2019. (Getty Images)
The family signed the statement with Waltrip’s famous “Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!” catchphrase, which he said as a NASCAR on FOX analyst at the beginning of every race. Waltrip was a broadcaster for 19 years before retiring in 2019.
He has made a few brief appearances in the booth since his retirement, with his most recent appearance coming in March at Darlington, when he delivered his trademark catchphrase.
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Fox Sports NASCAR announcer Darrell Waltrip speaks with Clint Bowyer, driver of the Rush Truck Centers Ford, during Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series practice for the Toyota/Save Mart 350 on June 21, 2019, at Sonoma Raceway in Sonoma, Calif. (Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
As a driver, Waltrip is a three-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and a Daytona 500 winner. His 84 Cup Series wins are the fifth-most in NASCAR history.
