Fox Sports analyst Larry McReynolds has shared a tribute to longtime colleague Darrell Waltrip, who has a serious medical condition.
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Waltrip, a three-time champion forever immortalized in the Hall of Fame, announced on Wednesday that he has been diagnosed with Frontotemporal Degeneration (FTD) complicated by possible Chronic Traumatic Encephalopathy (CTE).
The statement from Waltrip and his family said that this diagnosis is likely from injuries sustained during his NASCAR career. As a result, he will step away from public life.
🙏🙏🙏❤️❤️❤️ https://t.co/mNX3jvuc25
— Larry McReynolds (@LarryMac28) September 24, 2026
"My heart is broken this morning to the news on (Darrell) Waltrip," McReynolds wrote on X. "He was my teammate for (19) years and DW, (Mike Joy) & I stood shoulder to shoulder for (15) years with (NASCAR on Fox) in the broadcast booth and without sounding arrogant, I'm confident what we did with #NASCAR race broadcast will never be duplicated again!
"More than anything he became a very close friend! Our thoughts & prayers go out to him, Stevie & their entire family! We Love You Guys! (praying hands emoji)(heart emoji)."
McReynolds, a former crew chief for Dale Earnhardt and several other drivers, spent extensive time working with Waltrip after stepping away from NASCAR. In fact, they both joined Fox Sports the same year.
Waltrip and McReynolds both moved from the competition side of the sport to the broadcast booth in 2001. They joined Mike Joy in the booth and began providing analysis during Cup Series races.
This trio became a mainstay on TV for 15 years. Joy, Waltrip, and McReynolds called the biggest race of the season, the Daytona 500, each year while showcasing their chemistry.
The lineup changed in 2016 as the former crew chief moved to the studio to provide analysis. Four-time NASCAR champion Jeff Gordon then joined the booth to call races alongside Joy and Waltrip.
Waltrip ultimately exited the booth after the 2019 season. He closed out his time having called 280 Cup Series races at 18 tracks for Fox Sports. This included 36 wins by Jimmie Johnson.
But the Hall of Famer did ultimately return to the booth on occasion. He reunited with Joy and he worked with new analyst Clint Bowyer during multiple guest appearances. This included the 2022 Bristol Dirt Race and the 2026 spring race at Darlington Raceway.
You know how DW is going to get this race started. pic.twitter.com/KKaZbkKHdi
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) March 22, 2026
