'Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!' NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip diagnosed with cognitive disease; three-time champion ranks fifth on all-time wins list with 84 victories

NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip, who is known for his signature race-day call 'Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!', has been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), further complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), his family announced on Wednesday. According to the diagnosis, the 79-year-old’s health condition is believed to be linked to injuries sustained during his lengthy racing career. At the moment, however, Waltrip is suffering from just minor symptoms, but the family recognized that the illness would progress. The triple NASCAR Cup Series champion will now withdraw even more from public events to be with his family.



"While this disease will inevitably progress, thankfully it is currently limited to some minor noticeable symptoms. As a result, he will be stepping further away from the public limelight," the family said in a statement.


"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!"



Waltrip, who remains one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history, clinched Cup Series championships in 1981, 1982 and 1985 and won a total of 84 races during his career. The career victories placed him fifth on NASCAR’s all-time Cup wins list. His triumphs include winning the Daytona 500 race in 1989 and a record five Coca-Cola 600 races. Waltrip retired from the NASCAR Cup Series at the end of the 2000 season before he began his second career in broadcasting.

For 19 years, Waltrip exhibited his usual energy into NASCAR on FOX, creating his famous catchphrase "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!" before the start of races. Waltrip stopped broadcasting in 2019, and he was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

According to the Waltrip family, the racing legend is still happy and healthy in every other way, spending time with his wife Stevie, their two daughters and three grandchildren. The health update was rightly concluded with the phrase quite common among millions of NASCAR fans: "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!"