Mike Joy (left), Darrell Waltrip and Jeff Gordon.

(Fox News) – Fox Sports NASCAR analyst Darrell Waltrip has announced that
he will retire at the end of the network’s broadcast season.

Waltrip was a member of the Fox Sports NASCAR team when it first went on
the air in 2001, when he helped call the Daytona 500 that was won by his
brother Michael, but is mostly remembered for the last-lap accident that
took the life of Dale Earnhardt.

Fox Sports CEO & executive producer Eric Shanks said “Darrell has been
the heart and soul of the Fox NASCAR booth since day one, so it’s incredibly bittersweet to know this is his final season.”

Waltrip, a 3-time series champion, said he has been talking about the decision
with his family for several months.

Darrell Waltrip (far right) with #17 Tide Chevrolet Monte Carlo & Race Team along with transporter.