Slumping Waltrip Plans To Sell Race Team

Three-time Winston Cup champion Darrell Waltrip is selling his race team and could end up out of the cockpit.

The 51-year-old Waltrip, in his eighth season as an owner-driver, said he will sell the Charlotte, N.C.-based team after Sunday’s race at Darlington, S.C.

“I’ve tried it and it hasn’t worked (as an owner-driver),” Waltrip said Tuesday at a practice session at Nashville Speedway.

Waltrip, in the midst of the worst season of his 27-year career, said the new owner will determine if he remains as the team’s driver.

“If (the new owner) wants someone else to drive, I’ll try to find another driving job,” he said.

“I know I can still drive and win races. I feel confident I’ll get an offer from somebody, somewhere.”

Waltrip said problems with sponsors have distracted him from the sport.

“Not having to deal with the day-to-day operation … will free me to concentrate solely on driving. Maybe that’s what I should have been doing all along,” he told The Tennessean.

Last week, Waltrip dropped his primary sponsor, Speedblock Inc. of Kent, Ohio, in a contract dispute.

“I’ve spent $1 million out of my pocket so far this season, and I can’t keep doing that,” he said.

Waltrip is 40th in the driver standings.

Tough place

Most Winston Cup drivers consider Darlington Raceway’s 1.366-mile egg-shaped oval the most challenging track on NASCAR’s top circuit.

Among them is Ricky Craven, who has a love-hate relationship with NASCAR’s oldest superspeedway.

“It’s such a tricky track,” Craven said. “Attitude means a lot everywhere, but especially at Darlington. You either like it or you don’t.

“You have to attack the race track. It’s not an easy place to get around. It’s not the type of track where you can finesse your way around.”

Come on along

ESPN and NASCAR are at it again with more promotional spots hyping the mythical “Ride-Along Program.”

In one, Kyle Petty gets tired of his father’s back-seat driving and says, “If you think you can do better, get up here and drive.” Richard Petty, a NASCAR car owner and the career victories leader, responds by attempting to climb over the driver’s seat.

In another, Mark Martin steers according to directions from Jets wide receiver Keyshawn Johnson, who is hoping to catch a football being thrown toward the car. After he drops the ball, Johnson complains that there was pass interference and a penalty flag flies into the car.

Other drivers featured in the latest ads include defending series champion Jeff Gordon, Terry Labonte and Rusty Wallace. Also featured are Joan Embry of the San Diego Zoo and Baltimore Orioles pitcher Mike Mussina.

In all, there are five spots that will be shown throughout the 1998 season on ESPN and ESPN2.