CONCORD, N.C. - Martinsville Speedway always seemed to fit Darrell Waltrip like a glove. So much so that his 11 Cup Series victories on the half-mile short track still ranks second on NASCAR’s all-time list. Only “The King” Richard Petty has more, with 15.
The facility also holds a lot of significance, as the paperclip-shaped circuit in Southern Virginia is the only one that remains from NASCAR’s original 1948 regular season schedule.
But no win at the track was more memorable than Waltrip’s last lap triumph in September 1987, when the NASCAR Hall of Famer and driver of the now famous orange, black and white No. 17 Chevrolet found his way to victory lane in what might be the most dramatic finish in the track’s illustrious history.
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Much had changed for the Franklin, Tennessee veteran heading into 1987. The three-time champion had won a lot of races with the legendary Junior Johnson but decided it was time for a switch. And after many conversations, Waltrip agreed to drive for up-and-coming car owner Rick Hendrick’s newly formed third race team.
“I’m going to build an organization here that someday will dominate the sport,” said Waltrip, in describing his conversations with Mr. Hendrick to HendrickMotorsports.com back in 2017. “Now, that was in 1986, so that was out there in 1986, but you know what? His vision and what he said all came true.”
After joining the team in '87, Waltrip would drive for Hendrick Motorsports through 1990. Both Hendrick and Waltrip remain tight to this day and still partner on multiple automotive dealerships.
“The car and the people that he surrounded me with,” Waltrip added. “It was just everything I could ever ask for.”
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While his first season with Hendrick Motorsports was successful, scoring six top fives, 28 top-10 finishes and 11 pole positions, that coveted first race win with the Concord, North Carolina-based team proved to be elusive.
But with Martinsville Speedway on the schedule, there was still quite a bit of hope in the No. 17 pit. Waltrip said this to NASCAR.com back in 2023.
“It was important to win that race and of course, I loved that track.” Waltrip said. “It just meant the world to me to win there. Those clocks are special (winner’s trophy).
“It takes a lot of finesse and 500 laps around that joint is a lot of laps, so you have to learn how to pace yourself, (know) what your car is capable of, know you’ll have chances to work on the car and make it better,” Waltrip later said. “It’s a race with a lot of strategy – it might not look like it. It looks like a short track where you beat and bang, but it’s a race with a lot of strategy and I think the best driver always wins the race.”
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Despite his previous success, winning on this weekend in the fall of 1987 was still going to be a big challenge.
Hendrick Motorsports teammate, Geoff Bodine, was on the pole, while NASCAR Hall of Famer, Dale Earnhardt, dominated short-track racing up until that point having won six races in a row. With an extremely fast Terry Labonte also in the mix, Waltrip had his work cut out for him starting from the 14th spot.
At the wave of the green, Bodine established himself as the one to beat early in the afternoon, streaking away from the field almost at the jump. However, caution periods started to pile up, including the second of the race when the lap vehicle of Bobby Hillin set off a chain reaction that claimed Bodine. He was leading the race at the time.
Ironically, it benefitted Waltrip, who had moved to the front of the field and was able to restart the race in the runner-up spot. Behind only Labonte, the veteran racers established an on-track back and forth that would prove significant later on.
With 10 laps remaining, the eighth and final caution waved when Ken Schrader looped his No. 90 Junie Donlavey-owned car coming out of turn two, also collecting Bobby Allison. At the time, Earnhardt, Waltrip and Labonte each had taken turns out front, and all three came to pit road to acquire four new tires.
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With three laps to go, Earnhardt led Labonte and Waltrip to the green. A heady group of Hall of Famers, who had a combined 12 NASCAR Cup Series championship among them by the end of their careers, were now the only three cars remaining on the lead lap. Game on.
Sparks flew on the final lap. Exiting turn two, Labonte jumped to the outside lane, but Earnhardt blocked and drove him towards the retaining wall. Meanwhile, Waltrip had momentum and moved to the inside groove and underneath Labonte heading into turn three.
Waltrip held his line when Labonte moved back down the track. Attempting to dive underneath Earnhardt, Labonte hit Waltrip’s right front fender, hurtling him towards the wall and into the left rear of Earnhardt. Carnage ensued, knocking both Labonte and Earnhardt out of the lead. Waltrip drove underneath and went on to take the checkered flag.
“It was a tough race,” said an exhausted Waltrip in victory lane to Special Event Television Network’s Pat Patterson. “I hate what happened over there, but that’s what happens when three cars are racing on the last lap. That time, I was in the right place.
“Dale ran Terry into the wall going down backstretch,” Waltrip continued. “Terry tried to get back under him and got a little sideways. I bumped him and that was it.”
it was a special moment for his family as well. Before the race, Waltrip’s daughter sent her dad a rose. It was a nice bit of inspiration for the day.
“Jessica sent that this morning,” Waltrip said. “She had a little note that said how lucky she was to have a dad like me and the God had really blessed her. And to win the race. I won this for Jessica. That’s for you, honey.”
Waltrip would go onto win nine races for Hendrick Motorsports, including a very famous DAYTONA 500 victory in 1989 – also a career first.