Waltrip tells student-athletes the story of his faith

You can't have a testimony unless you've been tested, and NASCAR legend Darrell Waltrip has sweated his fair share.

• Photos

He shared his trials with almost 200 fans at "Victory Lane," an event held by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes at Warren Baptist Church in Augusta.

"We're called to spread the Gospel, and that's what I'm trying to do here tonight," he said.

Waltrip said he was obnoxious and full of himself early in his career.

But one Sunday in 1984, amid a streak of wins in the Budweiser car, then owned by Junior Johnson, some Christian friends paid him a visit.

He said they prayed that God would present him an opportunity that would remove him from that car.

Shortly after, new team owner Rick Hendrick made him a deal he couldn't refuse, which included building a new team around the star driver. The sponsor would be Tide.

The irony of his new team name was not lost on Waltrip: "(They) prayed me out of the Budweiser car and into a car that would clean me up."

Faith saw him and his wife through five miscarriages, until God blessed them with two children.

It also saw Waltrip through the blackest day in recent NASCAR history: the day Dale Earnhardt died.

Waltrip still can't talk about it without tearing up.

He said the best way to describe his relationship with Earnhardt was "frienemies" - both friends and enemies.

On Feb. 18, 2001, Waltrip's first race as a commentator was at the Daytona 500.

Waltrip said it was an exciting race, because the leader was constantly changing. Waltrip's brother, Michael, and Dale Earnhardt Jr. took turns in the lead during the last few laps.

Waltrip, caught up in the excitement of seeing his brother in position to win his first race, did not immediately realize Earnhardt Sr. had crashed. Watching a replay a moment later left him feeling sick.

By the time Waltrip arrived at the hospital, he learned Earnhardt had died.

Waltrip said he regrets the nature of his relationship with the "Intimidator."

"I never got a chance to make it right," he said.

Fellowship of Christian Athletes area director Frank Hester said he plans to make "Victory Lane" a regular event. The fellowship is a school-based ministry involving athletes.