Author(s): Darrell Waltrip with Jade Gurss
Copyright Date: 2004
The Good: This book is very well-balanced—DW & Jade don’t skip over anything, nor do they dwell on anything. So we get a relatively fast read that doesn’t feel shallow. Darrell Waltrip had an interesting career, and this book covers all of it, from the highs (his time with Junior Johnson, his Daytona 500 win) to the lows (his disappointing on-track performance at the end of his career). Plus we get a nice little bonus in end-of-chapter blurbs from competitors and friends.
The Not-so-good: For a controversial driver, Darrell sure presents himself as a hero in this book. A lot of his trash-talking and mind games are fobbed off, as are some of his questionable business dealings (like getting out of his contract with Junior Johnson). Also, despite being published in 2004, the book ends with the 2000 awards banquet.
What I’d Change: I’d have encouraged a bit more humility from Waltrip here, as well as perhaps an epilogue about his early broadcasting career.
Read It?: Yes, but keep in mind it’s very one-sided.
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