By the Numbers: Darrell Waltrip

MARTINSVILLE, Va. -- Many of today's NASCAR fans have it all backwards when it comes to Darrell Waltrip.

	Darrell Waltrip got his lone Daytona 500 victory in 1989.

They see the Owensboro, Ky., native as a glib, comedic presence in the broadcast booth without having the full knowledge or appreciation of what Waltrip meant to the sport of Winston Cup racing in his heyday.

When Waltrip is honored in Sunday's NASCAR Victory Lap Tribute, there are a number of things fans need to note.

In his day, Waltrip was the proverbial straw that stirred the Winston Cup cocktail -- more than any driver competing today consistently has been since Jeff Gordon and Ray Evernham were a dominant force.

Waltrip gained most of his recognition during a 16-year stretch in which he drove for owners DiGard Racing, Junior Johnson and Rick Hendrick, in cars numbered 88, 11 and 17, respectively.

1 -- The number of victories Waltrip scored in the Daytona 500.

2 -- The number of NMPA Most Popular Driver Awards won by Waltrip. He received the award in 1989 and 1990.

3 -- The number of NMPA Driver of the Year Awards won by Waltrip. He won the award in 1977, '81 and '82.

ALSO  The Waltrip family has experienced the highest of high points in NASCAR history -- brothers Darrell and Michael Waltrip have both won the Daytona 500.  •  Complete story, click here

3 -- The number of American Driver of the Year awards won by Waltrip. He took the honor in 1979, '81 and '82.

3 -- The number of Winston Cup championships won by Waltrip (1981, '82 and '85).

3 -- The number of NASCAR Craftsman Truck Series victories Waltrip scored as an owner.

4 -- The NASCAR record for consecutive victories in the modern era, held jointly by Waltrip, Earnhardt, Gordon, Cale Yarborough, Harry Gant, Bill Elliott and Mark Martin.

4 -- The modern-era record number of consecutive races Waltrip won from the pole position in 1981.

5 -- The number of victories by Waltrip in the Hershey's 300 Busch Series race at Daytona International Speedway.

6 -- The number of Winston Cup victories Waltrip scored as an owner.

7 -- The number of consecutive races won by Waltrip at Bristol Motor Speedway, from spring 1981 through spring of '84.

8 -- The number of poles Waltrip has won at Martinsville Speedway, the most of any driver.

	Darrell Waltrip

11 -- The number of career victories for Waltrip at Martinsville, second on the all-time list behind Richard Petty's 15 wins.

11 -- The car number with which Waltrip will make his Victory Lap Tribute laps, representing the Chevrolets that Waltrip drove for Junior Johnson.

12 -- The number of victories Waltrip scored in both the 1981 and '82 seasons -- two of the four years in which he led the league in wins.

13 -- The number of victories Waltrip scored as a driver in the NASCAR Busch Series.

13 -- The number of victories by Waltrip at Daytona International Speedway.

15 -- The number of victories Waltrip scored as an owner in the Busch Series.

25 -- The number of pole positions Waltrip won between 1981 and '83. He led the league all three seasons.

29 -- The number of years Waltrip's Winston Cup career encompassed, from 1972-2000.

32 -- Waltrip's superspeedway victory total.

43 -- 43 -- The number of Winston Cup victories Waltrip scored in Junior Johnson's No. 11 Chevrolets and Buicks.

47 -- Waltrip's short-track victory total, best of the modern era.

56 -- Waltrip's age in years as of this writing.

59 -- The number of career pole positions by Waltrip, fourth on the all time list.

84 -- The number of career Winston Cup victories by Waltrip, tied for third on the all-time list with Bobby Allison and the most among drivers in the modern era.

809 -- Waltrip's career starts total, third on the all time list.

19,416,618 -- Waltrip's career winnings in dollars, 15th on the all-time list.