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It’s been a difficult time for the NASCAR community, and now it’s mourning another loss, with the passing of legendary driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett.
He was 93 years old.
Jarrett, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. A famous driver and broadcaster, he was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.
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He competed in the Cup Series from 1953 to 1966, first getting into racing while working on his family’s farm and sawmill when Hickory Speedway opened.
“I played a little basketball and baseball in high school (and) I thought I had some athletic ability,” he said, according to NASCAR. “When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever had there. I was hooked.”
Jarrett is still No. 1 on the all-time wins list for Ford drivers. He won 43 races behind the wheel of a car with a blue oval on the front, and his position on this list seems secure for a while.
Ned Jarrett straps on his helmet as he prepares for a practice session at Darlington Raceway. (Photo by ISC Images and archives via Getty Images)
The highest active driver on the list is Team Penske’s Joey Logano, who has 35 of his 37 career wins with Ford.
Jarrett is also remembered for his career in broadcasting which began after he retired from driving. He started as a radio reporter for Motor Racing Network (MRN), then moved to television with CBS and ESPN.
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CHARLOTTE, NC – JANUARY 29: NASCAR Hall of Famers Dale Jarrett (left) and his father Ned Jarrett pose for a portrait session during the NASCAR Hall of Fame induction ceremony. (Photo by Jared C. Tilton/NASCAR via Getty Images)
There is probably no moment in his broadcasting career as memorable as the 1993 Daytona 500 in which he called a late-race battle between his son, NASCAR great Dale Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. that ended in his son’s victory.
“You know who I’m campaigning for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Take it inside, Dale, don’t let it go down there,” Jarrett said on the show. “He’s going to do it! Dale Jarrett is going to win the Daytona 500! Very good!”
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Jarrett’s sons – the aforementioned Dale and his brother Glenn – both followed in their old man’s footsteps by going into broadcasting after their racing careers ended.
Martha, his wife of 67 years, died in 2023.
