His engine blew as he took the checkered flag. Darrell Waltrip remembers winning the very first 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

Happy Birthday to NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip — a champion, a trailblazer, and one of the greatest personalities the sport has ever known. 🏁🎉 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.

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

During practice for the Pepsi 400 on July 6, 1990, Darrell Waltrip was involved in one of the most violent crashes of his career at Daytona International Speedway. Waltrip hit oil left on the racing surface during a multi-car incident and was then struck driver-side by Dave Marcis. The impact left Waltrip with a fractured femur, broken elbow, and a concussion, requiring more than three hours of surgery and an 18-inch metal plate in his leg. The injuries forced him out of the Pepsi 400 and severa