The name Waddell Wilson more often than not rings a personality that is multi-faceted in nature. Such has been the indelible presence of the Hall of Fame engine builder and crew chief that one cannot ignore Wilson while speaking on technical acumen and engine-building expertise. However, there have been instances when this legendary engine builder has been mired in controversies and accused of cheating in races. Even years later, NASCAR members are seen weighing in with their take on the accusations, with the latest being Dale Earnhardt Jr’s close aid in the CARS Tour World, Kip Childress. 

Kip Childress thinks Waddell Wilson was very smart

If impeccable had a personification, Waddell Wilson would surely define it. The master craftsman of engines not only honed the perfect skills for creating a fast engine but was also endowed with a profound understanding of the nuances of the car that propelled drivers like David Pearson and Mario Andretti to the limelight in the world of NASCAR. 

Moreover, Wilson’s accolades are not restricted to being a legendary engine builder but also a crew chief. He seamlessly flaunted both feathers during his time with Harry Ranier’s team in 1978. Amidst this acclamation, the engine builder often found himself entangled in cases where he was accused of disregarding the rules laid by the authorities through his engine designs. Even Kip Childress, the Executive Director of CARS Tour, seemed to back the fact that there might be something going on in Wilson’s garages without specifying any wrongdoing. 

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Rewinding to a past conversation on the Dale Jr Download podcast when Waddell Wilson had paid a visit to the studio, Dale Jr was heard saying, “The fact that bottled nitrogen had this little spell in the 70s that must have been fascinating as a mechanic and an engine guy back then to have that all go around you.” To this, Wilson had promptly replied, “I remember that era that was going on and I was not going to do that because the thing is that it is blatant cheating as you can get.”

“I never bring it in the shop. I never wanted to mess with it, got afraid of having our mess and I love it. I wouldn’t do it and I never had a hold of it. The only time I got accused of it but I have never done it,” Wilson concluded by saying.

Cut to the present day and this time the guest was former NASCAR Assistant Director Kip Childress. Listening to the conversation between the Hall of Famer and Dale Jr, Childress shared his opinion and said “I won’t say cheated by using that term. Waddell was a Hall of Famer. He was able to do a lot of great things in our sport because of how smart he was and if says he didn’t cheat, I won’t accuse him of being a cheater. I will guarantee there were some innovations that were going on within his race shop, within his engine shop where he was building engines.”

That being said, no matter how many times the former engine builder has been accused of cheating, he has always maintained the stance that there was nothing untoward happening in the shop.

Waddell Wilson shrugs off cheating accusations

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Such was the popularity of Waddell Wilson and his extraordinary skills, that accuses flew left and right in the NASCAR paddock. However, the Hall of Famer time and again underscored the importance of staying true to beliefs. It was evident during his presence on Dale Jr Download.

He emphasized the fact that none of his critics were able to provide a shred of tangible evidence, to prove that Wilson bent the rules. He stated, “A lot of people accused me of cheating throughout the years. Nobody ever proved anything because there was nothing to prove because we didn’t cheat.”

“There were a lot of things involved there. If you knew anything about rolling resistance, aerodynamics, and horsepower, it took those three ingredients to make a race car go fast. Different drivers come in to work on the race car and they’d have different ideas. You’d always pick up on their ideas, what they had,” he further added.

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With designs that were impossible to replicate and decode, it is apparent that Waddell Wilson would have faced resistance from his competitors. However, without conclusive shreds of evidence, these accusations fall flat.