Waltrip announces 'victory' plans

But, yesterday, the man known as 'Jaws' in his early days of racing, struggled to get the words out as he announced his retirement.

Speaking at Indianapolis in preparation for Saturday's Brickyard 400, he talked about the plans that he, car owner Travis Carter and sponsor Big Kmart, have for next year.

But then he had to say he would end his 40-year racing career when he shuts the engine off at the 2000 season finale.

'On the racing side, I'm leaving the sport, hanging up my helmet, and that's hard to talk about,' he said.

But, he still managed to, saying, 'I've done this for 40 years. We've gotten up every morning, put on our racing gear and gone to the track,' he said.

'It means a lot. When I tell you next year is my last one, it's not easy. I always thought you've got next week.

'I'm running out of next weeks. In sports, your legs and arms give out. One thing that never gives out is my heart. It's the things that carry it around that have given out.'

He announced he was running a special Ford - Victory Tour 2000 car - in Saturday's Brickyard 400.

The machine unveiled a few minutes later had a colorful paint job with flames dancing along the lower part of the chassis.

'I believe Travis, Carl Haas (co-owner) and Kmart are going to provide me with some victories,' he said.

'It would be kind of a fake tour if I don't get a victory. That's my goal. Winning a race now would be almost as good as winning my first one in 1975,' he said.

'I'm going to drive 18 more months and have a good time.'

Waltrip made his NASCAR debut in 1972, and tomorrow's race will be his 772nd Winston Cup event, in a career that has seen him win 59 poles.

His 84 victories are the most in the modern era of NASCAR Winston Cup racing.