Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509250098
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C9 EDITION: METRO
SOURCE: BOB ZELLER STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium
But he is already talking like a driver looking forward to retirement.
``When you get to be my age, [an injury is] the thing that takes the wind out of your sails. It takes so long to get over it,'' Waltrip said in a remarkably frank interview this week.
Waltrip, who cracked some ribs in his crash with Dale Earnhardt in The Winston Select in May, said, ``I got over the rib injury finally, then I crashed there at Darlington and now my leg hurts. This year, it's been one thing after another.
``Sitting around in the afternoons with the leg propped up with ice on it or going to the doctor to get something done about busted ribs, those things get real old and aggravating. They really make you wonder how much more abuse you can take.''
At the same time, Waltrip has come to really enjoy doing color commentary on race telecasts.
``I love doing TV, and it's one of those things, the more I do the more I enjoy it. But, it's scary. I don't want to get comfortable doing TV work and really get good at that and become known as a TV commentator when I'm still trying to drive my race car. A lot of times, I look at what I'm doing and wonder if I'm giving enough attention to my race car [and] my team ...''
Waltrip also said the most fun he's had this year was in the truck race at Richmond, sounding a little like Harry Gant, who at the end of his career enjoyed Grand National races far more than Winston Cup events.
``Next year,'' Waltrip said, ``will be a real pivotal year for me as far as whether I continue on as a driver or just consider being an owner.''
DIAL 900: Beginning Monday, the National Motorsports Press Association will have a 900 number for voting in the NASCAR Winston Cup Most Popular Driver contest.
Fans can call 1-900-737-2378 and cast ballots at a cost of 99 cents a call. It's one vote per call, but fans may call as many times as they wish.
ONLY IN NASCAR: One moment, David and Elaine Lamphere were just a couple of NASCAR fans making a rather long journey to see a race. The next moment, they found themselves being treated as VIPs at Martinsville Speedway, complete with garage passes and a personal visit with Earnhardt.
What changed their trip so dramatically was a chance encounter in the Chicago airport with Unocal NASCAR publicist Bill Brodrick, otherwise known as ``The Hat Man.''
When Brodrick found out the older couple was from Kona, Hawaii, and was flying some 6,000 miles just to see a race at Martinsville, he pulled the necessary strings.
``They're just having a field day,'' Brodrick said after arranging a quick hello with Earnhardt.
``This is way past first class,'' said David Lamphere.
by CNB