NASCAR Hall of Famer and longtime broadcaster Darrell Waltrip is stepping further away from public appearances after being diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, his family announced.

Waltrip, 79, was diagnosed with frontotemporal degeneration, or FTD, complicated by possible chronic traumatic encephalopathy, or CTE, according to a statement released by Waltrip, his wife Stevie and their family. They said the condition may be connected to injuries he sustained during his racing career.

The family said the disease will inevitably progress but is currently producing only minor noticeable symptoms. They added that Waltrip is "happy and otherwise healthy" and is spending time with his wife, two daughters and three grandchildren.

Waltrip is one of the most accomplished drivers in NASCAR history. He won three Cup Series championships and 84 races during a career that stretched from 1972 to 2000, including the 1989 Daytona 500. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2012.

After retiring from competition, Waltrip remained a major presence in NASCAR as a broadcaster. He joined the FOX Sports broadcast booth in 2001 and spent 19 seasons as the network's primary NASCAR analyst, helping introduce generations of fans to the sport through his distinctive personality and racing knowledge.

Frontotemporal degeneration affects areas of the brain involved in personality, behavior and language, according to the Mayo Clinic. CTE is associated with repeated head injuries and can affect thinking, mood and behavior, although a definitive diagnosis of CTE can only be made after death.

Waltrip's family asked fans to continue offering their prayers, love and support as he steps back from the public spotlight. The statement closed with the familiar phrase that became synonymous with Waltrip during his broadcasting career: "Boogity! Boogity! Boogity!"