THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, September 24, 1995 TAG: 9509240161
SECTION: SPORTS PAGE: C8 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY BOB ZELLER, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: MARTINSVILLE LENGTH: Medium: 63 lines
Next year, Darrell Waltrip says, is his make-or-break season in the Winston Cup series. 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, 48, told Chevrolet's Ray Cooper last week.
Waltrip, who cracked some ribs in his crash with Dale Earnhardt in The Winston Select in May, said, ``takes so long to get over it. 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. Next year will be a real pivotal year for me as far as whether I continue on as a driver or just consider being an owner.''
MOST POPULAR DRIVER: Beginning Monday, the National Motorsports Press Association will have a 900 number for voting in the Winston Cup Most Popular Driver contest. Fans may call 1-900-737-2378 and cast ballots at a cost of 99 cents a call. Fans may vote as many times as they wish to call.
ONLY IN NASCAR: One moment, David and Elaine Lamphere were just NASCAR fans making a rather long journey to see a race. The next moment, they found themselves credentialed as VIPs at Martinsville Speedway, complete with garage passes and a visit with Dale Earnhardt.
What changed their trip so dramatically was a chance encounter in the Chicago airport with Unocal publicist Bill Brodrick, otherwise known as ``The Hat Man.''
When Brodrick learned that the Lampheres were from Kona, Hawaii, and were flying some 6,000 miles east 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.
TEAM CHANGES: Silly Season changes announced this week:
Hut Stricklin has been named the new driver of the Stavola Brothers' No. 8 Ford Thunderbird for 1996, replacing Jeff Burton, who will drive for Jack Roush. Sponsorship plans are to be revealed next month.
Bobby Labonte and crew chief Jimmy Makar have signed five-year contracts with car owner Joe Gibbs that will keep the team intact through the year 2000.
Derrike Cope and Bobby Allison announced that Allison has exercised the second-year option in their contract, keeping Cope in the driver's seat of the No. 12 Ford Thunderbird for 1996. by CNB