Darrell Waltrip to step back from public life after frontotemporal degeneration diagnosis
FOX Sports reports that Waltrip and his family disclosed frontotemporal degeneration complicated by possible CTE. They said his symptoms were minor and he was happy and otherwise healthy.
TLDR
Darrell Waltrip, 79, will step further away from public appearances, FOX Sports reported on September 23, 2026, citing a statement from the three-time NASCAR Cup champion and his family. They said he had been diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration (FTD), complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE)—likely from injuries during his racing career. The family said the disease would progress but was limited to minor noticeable symptoms at the time. They said he was happy and otherwise healthy, spending time with his wife, two daughters and three grandchildren. FOX Sports notes that CTE can only be fully diagnosed after death. Waltrip won 84 Cup races and spent 19 seasons as FOX's primary NASCAR analyst.
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