Darrell & Michael Waltrip To Be Honored at High Performance Expo

The North Carolina Motorsports Association (NCMA) and the High Performance Expo (HPX) have jointly announced that Darrell and Michael Waltrip will be honored with the North Carolina Achievement Motorsports Tribute Award, celebrating their outstanding accomplishments and contributions to automotive racing. The Waltrip brothers are the only brother racers in NASCAR history to individually win the Daytona 500.

The brothers will be honored during the NCMA’s 2025 annual Tribute in Motorsports Award Ceremony, held at the Charlotte Convention Center, the evening of Wednesday, June 4, during the inaugural HPX.

“Honoring Darrell and Michael Waltrip for their life’s passion and work in motorsports will be an exciting and memorable evening,” said Greg Walter, NCMA board chair and Charlotte Motor Speedway president and general manager. “This will be an exciting celebration of racing and a night to honor two great racers who inspired and entertained us for many, many years.”

The Achievements of Darrell Waltrip

Darrell Waltrip, the senior Waltrip brother, raced from 1972 to 2000 in the NASCAR Cup Series, known as the NASCAR Winston Cup Series during his time as a driver, most notably driving the No. 11 Chevrolet for Junior Johnson. Waltrip is a three-time Cup Series champion (1981, 1982 and 1985).

Widely regarded as one of the greatest drivers in NASCAR history, Darrell won 84 NASCAR Cup Series races throughout his career, including the 1989 Daytona 500; a record five wins in the Coca-Cola 600 (formerly the World 600) in 1978, 1979, 1985, 1988 and 1989; and a track and Series record for any driver at the Bristol Motor Speedway with 12 wins (seven consecutive from 1981 to 1984). He is fifth on NASCAR’s all-time wins list in the Cup Series, one behind Bobby Allison, and second to Jeff Gordon for the most wins in NASCAR’s modern era.

The Achievements of Michael Waltrip

Michael, the younger brother of Darrell, is a former professional stock car driver, racing commentator, racing team owner and published author. Michael Waltrip is a two-time winner of the Daytona 500, having won the race in 2001 and 2003. He is also a pre-race analyst for the NASCAR Cup Series and color commentator for the Xfinity Series and the Craftsman Truck Series broadcasts for Fox Sports. He last raced in the 2017 Daytona 500. All four of his NASCAR Cup Series wins came on superspeedways driving for Dale Earnhardt Inc.

“Holding the NCMA awards during HPX in June allows for more racing suppliers and industry supporters from outside the Charlotte area to join in the celebration to honor the Waltrip brothers,” said Greg Fornelli, NCMA former chairperson, current board member and president of Stock Car Steel and Aluminum, as well as SRI. “Charlotte might be the Queen City, but motorsports is king; it’s a natural fit, and linking these events together will broaden awareness, increase participation and raise more money for charity.”

Past Winners of the North Carolina Achievement Motorsports Tribute Award

During the annual ceremony, several awards are handed out, but according to event organizers, the most prestigious is the North Carolina Achievement Motorsports Tribute Award. Past honorees include:

• Bill France Jr.
• Benny Parsons
• Richard Petty
• Dale Earnhardt
• Richard Childress
• Junior Johnson
• Bruton Smith
• A. “Humpy” Wheeler
• Ned Jarrett Family
• Mike Helton
• Jeff Gordon
• Roger Penske
• Jack Roush
• Dale Earnhardt Jr.
• Robert Yates
• Joe Gibs
• Bobby Allison/Donny Allison
• Hendrick Motorsports

“HPX is committed to bringing tremendous excitement to the show, and the NCMA’s annual ceremony is another proof point differentiating HPX,” said Dana Teague, general manager of HPX. “We are working hard to create value for exhibitors, attendees and the racing and aftermarket industry in general.”

The inaugural High Performance Expo, the exclusive business and enthusiast show hosted by the North Carolina Motorsports Association, will be held from June 3-5, 2025, at the Charlotte Convention Center. The event will bring together all segments of the automotive aftermarket industry for the first time in the heart of the auto racing community.