The Waltrips

Darrell Waltrip, 52, the brother of Michael Waltrip, 35. Darrell Three-time Winston Cup champion, tied with Bobby Allison for third on the all-time wins list with 84. Michael Hasn't won a points race but won The Winston all-star race in 1996.

By Tom Gillispie
Special to The Washington Post
Friday, February 12, 1999; Page N7

In the early 1980s, Darrell Waltrip was the hottest – and loudest – thing in NASCAR's Winston Cup series. He talked on and on, enough to earn the nickname "Jaws."

Meanwhile, back in his home town of Owensboro, Ky., little brother Michael was watching Darrell on television, and he was proud. Who wouldn't be? His big brother was not only a great driver, he was a star.

But Michael and Darrell were not close. A few years ago, Michael was asked about his relationship with Darrell. He said he had no relationship with Darrell, other than seeing him at Christmas or other holidays.

"I was 16 years younger than Darrell," Michael Waltrip said. "How could we be brothers?"

Michael finally tried his hand at racing, and he found out he was pretty good. He won the NASCAR Goody's Dash series title in 1983 and moved up to the Winston Cup. He raced continously, but never won.

Although he has earned more than $8 million in his career, Michael has gone 394 career Winston Cup points-race starts without a victory, the most among active drivers.

However, Michael Waltrip has won several Busch Grand National series races, and when he took the 1996 all-star race, The Winston, at Charlotte, Darrell proudly hugged his younger brother as if he were his son.