Social Darwinism at 200 mph.(Column)(Editorial)

Byline: Dutch Mandel

Could someone who sounds like the Lucky Charms leprechaun be the hardest-working man in automotive show business?

Derek "Lookitdiss! Lookitdiss!'' Daly hustles into a small conference room in an immaculately tailored suit. He's been stuck in traffic and finds himself 40 minutes behind schedule, though he's not flustered. To those sitting here he says he'll be entertaining, insightful and perhaps, yes, even life-changing.

Heady words for a journeyman race driver, but that Daly came to this place at this time might well be preordained. First, a crib sheet of his racing credentials: Born in Dublin, Ireland, on the cusp of St. Patty's Day 50 years ago, Daly launched his F1 career at Long Beach in 1978. To say he was a utility fielder is an understatement. He raced for six teams-Hesketh, Ensign, Tyrrell, March, Theodore and Williams-with 10 different car numbers in 64 races in four years. On his CV he has no F1 wins, no F1 poles, no F1 fast laps and no F1 podium finishes. His F1 teammates included Brett Lunger, Didier Pironi, Jean-Pierre Jarier, Eliseo Salazar and Keke Rosberg.

Though Daly didn't light up the F1 world, he didn't scorch the CART series, either. But Daly took more out of CART than you can imagine, and this is what's brought him here. He understands racing was a part of his greater life's plan-a plan that should well make him more famous than any open-wheel stat. He came to the States 20 years ago and found, if not the Indy 500 winner's jug of milk and honey, that this is the land of oil and money that rewards hard work and a bit of the Irish luck, both of which he could do.

He fell into broadcasting-and sometimes he falls when broadcasting-when CART's TV producers asked if he'd comment on air about a race. Sure, he said, though he didn't know anything about television. Three races later he had a contract.

Fast-forward. He's out of racing. ...