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Sundays Will Never Be the Same: Racing, Tragedy, and Redemption--My Life in America's Fastest Sport
From the former NASCAR champion and current Fox Sports announcer, an intimate account of one of the most dramatic and tragic days in the history of the 2001 Daytona 500—the day that racing legend Dale Earnhardt, Sr. died.
In Sundays Will Never Be the Same, former NASCAR champion and current FOX Sports racing analyst Darrell Waltrip provides an intimate account of one of the most dramatic and tragic days in the history of the 2001 Daytona 500—the day that racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. died.
The sudden death of Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 was a traumatic loss for the entire NASCAR family, and few were affected more deeply than Darrell Waltrip. During the course of their tumultuous thirty-year association, Dale and Darrell had been friends, then “frenemies,” and finally friends again. Darrell takes us through the fascinating history of racing in Daytona, offering glimpses of some of the sport’s most colorful characters. He recounts the highs and lows of his relationship with Earnhardt through the twin arcs of their overlapping careers, and concludes with a heart-wrenching insider account of that pivotal weekend in Daytona.
In Sundays Will Never Be the Same, former NASCAR champion and current FOX Sports racing analyst Darrell Waltrip provides an intimate account of one of the most dramatic and tragic days in the history of the 2001 Daytona 500—the day that racing legend Dale Earnhardt Sr. died.
The sudden death of Earnhardt on the final lap of the 2001 Daytona 500 was a traumatic loss for the entire NASCAR family, and few were affected more deeply than Darrell Waltrip. During the course of their tumultuous thirty-year association, Dale and Darrell had been friends, then “frenemies,” and finally friends again. Darrell takes us through the fascinating history of racing in Daytona, offering glimpses of some of the sport’s most colorful characters. He recounts the highs and lows of his relationship with Earnhardt through the twin arcs of their overlapping careers, and concludes with a heart-wrenching insider account of that pivotal weekend in Daytona.
272 pages, Paperback
First published February 7, 2012
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 15, 2013
Best Book Ever!
Sundays will never be the same is a very comical book. The main character,Darrell Waltrip, was a NASCAR driver. Darrell is the protagonist of the story. He lived in Owensboro, Kentucky and Franklin, Tennessee. In his younger years when he live in Owensboro, he was always in trouble with the local police department.
Darrell Waltrip was a determined race car driver. He was never afraid to speak his mind. He would wreck drivers while trying to go for a race win. He never feared of getting hurt and felt it would never happen to him.
He lived in Owensboro, Kentucky. After he started his racing career he moved to Franklin, Tennessee. During the NASCAR season he lived in his motorhome at the race track.
Darrell was in trouble with the Owensboro Police Department almost all the time. The police were always watching for him. His girl friend is a flat character because she supports the main character. Her name is Stevie. Her dad a dynamic character thought he was too wild for her. He is a dynamic character because at the beginning of Darrell and Stevie’s relationship he didn’t like Darrell but after they got married he began to like him. Other drivers would get mad at the way he drove and the way he would talk trash about them and how he was better than them.
I think the theme of this book is, never give up on your dreams. If you don’t read this book you will miss the experience of one man trying to accomplish his dreams with zeal. It was so good I was sad when it ended. Darrell Waltrip has written an action packed book. I liked the book because it had multiple settings and it also reminded me of my favorite tv show, The Dukes of Hazzard. Darrell was a lot like the Duke boys because he was always trying to evade the police; and they drove their car fast.
Sundays will never be the same is a very comical book. The main character,Darrell Waltrip, was a NASCAR driver. Darrell is the protagonist of the story. He lived in Owensboro, Kentucky and Franklin, Tennessee. In his younger years when he live in Owensboro, he was always in trouble with the local police department.
Darrell Waltrip was a determined race car driver. He was never afraid to speak his mind. He would wreck drivers while trying to go for a race win. He never feared of getting hurt and felt it would never happen to him.
He lived in Owensboro, Kentucky. After he started his racing career he moved to Franklin, Tennessee. During the NASCAR season he lived in his motorhome at the race track.
Darrell was in trouble with the Owensboro Police Department almost all the time. The police were always watching for him. His girl friend is a flat character because she supports the main character. Her name is Stevie. Her dad a dynamic character thought he was too wild for her. He is a dynamic character because at the beginning of Darrell and Stevie’s relationship he didn’t like Darrell but after they got married he began to like him. Other drivers would get mad at the way he drove and the way he would talk trash about them and how he was better than them.
I think the theme of this book is, never give up on your dreams. If you don’t read this book you will miss the experience of one man trying to accomplish his dreams with zeal. It was so good I was sad when it ended. Darrell Waltrip has written an action packed book. I liked the book because it had multiple settings and it also reminded me of my favorite tv show, The Dukes of Hazzard. Darrell was a lot like the Duke boys because he was always trying to evade the police; and they drove their car fast.
August 12, 2012
For true NASCAR fans, this is a must read. Waltrip is as entertaining as ever. Quite the pompous ass in his younger days. I really enjoyed reading about interactions with his fellow drivers. The premise of the book is Daytona 2001, and how Sundays will never be the same since the death of Dale Earnhardt Senior. Learn the behind the scenes details and dramas of pit road. Feel the emotion....happiness and heartbreak on that fateful day. Waltrip overjoyed that his brother one the Daytona 500- his first win EVER in NASCAR's top tier racing body (after 400+ starts), to the devastation of losing a good friend. Add Waltrips endless chatter and uncanny ability to speak his mind before he thinks, and you have an entertaining must read!
February 21, 2013
This book relives what happened at the Daytona 500 on 2/18/2001 and it's true, Sundays are not the same. Even though I am a huge NASCAR fan, I had forgotten some of the happenings leading up to the crash. I thoroughly enjoy books written about NASCAR--the people involved are like extended family to me. Let's be honest, I spend time with them for at least 36 weekends a year. I think even though he is working with a writer, DW's unmistakable personality comes through in this book, his brashness, his faith, and his raw sorrow at the death of his friend as well. Sunday marks the 12th edition of the Great American Race since the loss of #3 and I will watch the coverage--pre-race, post race and flag to flag. Sundays aren't the same but I still love them.
August 2, 2013
I read this book knowing it would be tough. Once I finally picked it up, I never put it down. Waltrip did a great job at telling the stories of his life. At points I laughed, hard. At some points, I was so tense I had to make myself relax.
Knowing beforehand what ultimately happens is what made it so hard to read. The accounts of that day and the immediate aftermath were heartbreaking, again.
You'll learn a lot about Waltrip, where he came from, what drove him, his relationships and his ultimate love for the people and his sport. One thing that really weighs heavy on my mind, though, is what he didn't say about Earnhardt. It may not be obvious to some, but those pick up on it are sure to be saddened.
Great book by a really good guy!
Knowing beforehand what ultimately happens is what made it so hard to read. The accounts of that day and the immediate aftermath were heartbreaking, again.
You'll learn a lot about Waltrip, where he came from, what drove him, his relationships and his ultimate love for the people and his sport. One thing that really weighs heavy on my mind, though, is what he didn't say about Earnhardt. It may not be obvious to some, but those pick up on it are sure to be saddened.
Great book by a really good guy!
February 24, 2017
Sped through this - pardon the pun - journey through Darrell Waltrip's NASCAR career. Easy but informative read. The chapters about the death of Dale Earnhardt during the 2001 Daytona 500 are particularly well written and, therefore, tough to read.
December 10, 2013
What can I say? Nobody can tell a DW story like DW! Simply enjoyed this book.
August 21, 2014
DW has been my favorite announcer since I started watching NASCAR back in 2010-ish. And so when my brother got this book, I knew that I wanted to read it as I knew that DW had been a driver but that was before my days as a fan.
The story jumps the way that most biographies do (I'll never understand that) but to me this was more than just a book about Darrell Waltrip, it was a nod to all things NASCAR and a touching look at Dale Sr by a man that seemed to know him better than most.
It was an easy read filled with funny antidotes about DW's life and his wife and how he met "The Man in Black", a friend turned "frienemy" due to battles on the racetrack. It wasn't all funniness and humor as the book took a darker turn when remembering the crash that took Dale Sr.'s life.But I thought that it was handled well, told by a friend in honest terms, remembering the good and the bad. (I liked the part about how Dale Sr wouldn't race without his Bible verse from Stevie, DW's wife)
I was a bit shocked to find out what a hellion that DW had been in his past and I was almost disturbed by him letting a "friend" take the blame for an incident while driving. I do hope that somewhere in there, DW at least told Patrick "Sorry".
A really good book that most NASCAR fans would enjoy, those of DW and Dale SR, mostly, but still fans in general as so much about NASCAR and other drivers from past and present are talked about.
The story jumps the way that most biographies do (I'll never understand that) but to me this was more than just a book about Darrell Waltrip, it was a nod to all things NASCAR and a touching look at Dale Sr by a man that seemed to know him better than most.
It was an easy read filled with funny antidotes about DW's life and his wife and how he met "The Man in Black", a friend turned "frienemy" due to battles on the racetrack. It wasn't all funniness and humor as the book took a darker turn when remembering the crash that took Dale Sr.'s life.But I thought that it was handled well, told by a friend in honest terms, remembering the good and the bad. (I liked the part about how Dale Sr wouldn't race without his Bible verse from Stevie, DW's wife)
I was a bit shocked to find out what a hellion that DW had been in his past and I was almost disturbed by him letting a "friend" take the blame for an incident while driving. I do hope that somewhere in there, DW at least told Patrick "Sorry".
A really good book that most NASCAR fans would enjoy, those of DW and Dale SR, mostly, but still fans in general as so much about NASCAR and other drivers from past and present are talked about.
August 26, 2012
February 18, 2001, was the day NASCAR racing changed forever. It was the first race of the first season of Fox NASCAR coverage (they had been covering speedweeks for the last two weeks); it was Darryl Waltrip's first race as an announcer; it was Michael Waltrip's first Daytona 500 win, and it was the day Dale Earnhardt crashed in the next to last lap of the race and died.
This book is more than a discussion of Earnhardt's death. Waltrip covers his career from young dirt track racer, to NASCAR, to the announce booth. Although encouraged by his parents, he created his career from the ground up. He was lucky, sincere, and hard working. He was also honest and funny. He tells how his faith in God helped him overcome his bad boy behavior. It's a great read if you are interested in the 80's and 90's in NASCAR.
If you want to read more about the events surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death, read Michael Waltrip In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything.
This book is more than a discussion of Earnhardt's death. Waltrip covers his career from young dirt track racer, to NASCAR, to the announce booth. Although encouraged by his parents, he created his career from the ground up. He was lucky, sincere, and hard working. He was also honest and funny. He tells how his faith in God helped him overcome his bad boy behavior. It's a great read if you are interested in the 80's and 90's in NASCAR.
If you want to read more about the events surrounding Dale Earnhardt's death, read Michael Waltrip In the Blink of an Eye: Dale, Daytona, and the Day that Changed Everything.
July 10, 2012
I don't give out 5 star reviews very often....usually only to books that have a profound impact on my life or a book that just literally moves me emotionally. This is one of those books. Granted, I'm a big NASCAR fan, so no doubt that allowed me to really enjoy this book, but Waltrip wrote the book (with Larkin's help) in such a way that it brought to the surface his ever changing relationship with Dale Earnhardt as he describes how he grew up and became a racer from the small town of Owensboro, KY. The last two chapters, which describe his racing career coming to an end and moving into the broadcast booth, and that fateful day where he witnessed Dale's accident and subsequent demise are pure gold. If you like NASCAR, you need to read this book.
February 18, 2020
What I know about NASCAR:
(cue crickets)
Despite my lack of knowledge, this was a good book. I can't say that Darrell Waltrip was a well-behaved young adult. A few too many police chases, speeding tickets and lots of drinking seemed to be his way of life. He was always interested in racing and made his first appearance at Daytona in 1965 when he was only 18. The race was going well until the engine blew up but a lifelong love of the track was born. He says to this day that the best decision he ever made was marring his wife Stevie. The two spent many years travelling from one race to another. There were many ups and downs for Darrell; years when he spent more times up against a wall than taking the checkered flag. My favorite story in the book was about the CBS agreement to televise NASCAR which was still considered a niche sport in the South. It was the 1979 Daytona 500 and the contract between CBS and NASCAR stated that the race must begin on time or NASCAR would get no money from the network. Of course it rained and as the televised start time was drawing near, NASCAR officials had a brilliant idea. They started the race under the yellow caution flag and the field of cars drove sedately around the track for 30 minutes until the rain stopped and the true competition could begin. No one said how fast they had to be going, right?
When Darrell retired from racing he was hired by NBC/FOX to be a commentator. His first national broadcast was on February 18, 2001. It would turn out to be his most memorable day at Daytona. Darrell's brother Michael was driving for Dale Earnhardt's team and Michael won the race, his very first. Dale Earnhardt himself was in the race and this would prove to be his last as he died on impact when his car hit the wall. Dale had been Darrell's rival/friend for years and this was a gut wrenching loss for himself and the entire racing world. It fortunately led to some much needed safety enhancements for the drivers but for Darrell - "Sundays will never be the same."
(cue crickets)
Despite my lack of knowledge, this was a good book. I can't say that Darrell Waltrip was a well-behaved young adult. A few too many police chases, speeding tickets and lots of drinking seemed to be his way of life. He was always interested in racing and made his first appearance at Daytona in 1965 when he was only 18. The race was going well until the engine blew up but a lifelong love of the track was born. He says to this day that the best decision he ever made was marring his wife Stevie. The two spent many years travelling from one race to another. There were many ups and downs for Darrell; years when he spent more times up against a wall than taking the checkered flag. My favorite story in the book was about the CBS agreement to televise NASCAR which was still considered a niche sport in the South. It was the 1979 Daytona 500 and the contract between CBS and NASCAR stated that the race must begin on time or NASCAR would get no money from the network. Of course it rained and as the televised start time was drawing near, NASCAR officials had a brilliant idea. They started the race under the yellow caution flag and the field of cars drove sedately around the track for 30 minutes until the rain stopped and the true competition could begin. No one said how fast they had to be going, right?
When Darrell retired from racing he was hired by NBC/FOX to be a commentator. His first national broadcast was on February 18, 2001. It would turn out to be his most memorable day at Daytona. Darrell's brother Michael was driving for Dale Earnhardt's team and Michael won the race, his very first. Dale Earnhardt himself was in the race and this would prove to be his last as he died on impact when his car hit the wall. Dale had been Darrell's rival/friend for years and this was a gut wrenching loss for himself and the entire racing world. It fortunately led to some much needed safety enhancements for the drivers but for Darrell - "Sundays will never be the same."
March 4, 2023
I was fascinated to discover that Darrell Waltrip had written the book he had mentioned in the afterword of his earlier autobiography, DW and decided to give it a read. It's a quick and well-written story supported by a much better ghost writer than his prior oeuvre, and the author manages to bring DW's personality into the story while also lending appropriate gravitas in light of the overarching topic. Some episodes are presented in less detail than DW's first book, and other aspects of his story are given more consideration, like his Christian walk and his early immaturity. This work definitely does not emphasize Dale Earnhardt's death as much as one might be led to believe, but it was nevertheless interesting and worth the time.
October 11, 2013
I am not a NASCAR fan although I have watched portions of a race or two at my son's house. I bought the book for him but thought I'd read it first. It was very well written; the story flowed seamlessly, and the characters were colorful and interesting. It is really Darrell Waltrip's story, but it gives a glimpse into the NASCAR fraternity and its growth over the years. I was taken in by the story and read it quickly. Darrell portrays himself as an ordinary rural kid who loved to race and had the good fortune to make it big time. I enjoyed the book and recommend it, especially to NASCAR fans.
August 15, 2014
My actual rating would be 4.5 stars. I've liked DW since I was a kid and figured this would be one entertaining read. I was not wrong. This rather short book is packed with tons of stories from the last 50 years of DW's life. Some of those stories are hilarious. Others are really sad. The one negative thing that I have to say is that it jumps big pieces of time between some stories or even in the middle of stories. I know that this is the 3rd book DW has co-written and you wouldn't want to put in all the same info from the other two. That just makes me want to read the others now to fill in the gaps. This is a great read for any Nascar fan especially fans of DW himself.
Read
March 7, 2013This book was part of the "Blind Date" event at the library. DW is a good ol' boy who tells about his life up through Dale Earnhardt's death and DW's appearance as a TV analyst and race commentator for the FOX network. His early racing experiences ring true and he talks about the background of racing, the tracks and the people in racing in an entertaining manner. Race fans will enjoy this book!
February 18, 2015
If you love NASCAR and reading then pick up this book!! Darrell Waltrip tells his story in the same way he spent his career as a driver and now as a NASCAR analyst, with humor, wit, and insight. From his early life up to his hall of fame induction, Darrell brings the reader an up close and personal view of himself, the good and the bad. I could not put this book down
May 3, 2012
An enjoyable book about NASCAR racing and its many colorful characters. If I have a nit to pick, it's that DW's quirky voice is mostly missing...this narrative sounds more like his ghostwriter to me.
August 30, 2012
This is a must read for any NASCAR fan. Despite the name, it focuses on the career of Darrell Waltrip, and later explains the emotions felt by all during the race that killed Dale Earndhart. The book is filled with humor, which is to be expected from Waltrip. I absolutely loved it!
June 20, 2017
This autobiographical book gives a great look at life behind the scenes for NASCAR fans. It goes into very personal aspects of the sport, including the death of Dale Earnhardt. Great read for racing fans
April 22, 2012
Lovely racing book. I enjoyed reading of DW's career.
July 21, 2012
One of Nascar's veteran drivers shares his personal history in the sport; his triumphs, mistakes, and the profound effect that the death of friend and formal rival, Dale Earnhardt, had on him.
August 4, 2013
Really enjoyed this book, excellent read for all NASCAR fans!
June 12, 2015
Loved this book
January 26, 2016
What a story of Darrell Waltrip's life! Great background info
October 8, 2022
Very emotional read from a drivers life to the death of a legend
July 10, 2016
If you like Nascar - this is a Good Read
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews