Ned Jarrett, the two‑time NASCAR champion who later became a beloved broadcaster, died on Tuesday at his home in Newton, North Carolina. He was 93 years old.
Jarrett’s racing résumé reads like a Hall of Fame scroll: he captured 50 victories on the sport’s premier circuit and secured season titles in 1961 and 1965, earning the nickname ‘Gentleman Ned’ for his sportsmanship.
Beyond the track, he carved out a distinguished broadcasting career, most famously recalling the excitement of his son Dale Jarrett’s 1993 Daytona 500 triumph, a moment that still resonates with fans.
The father‑son duo made history as the second pair to win championships on NASCAR’s top series, with Dale capturing the 1999 Cup Series title, cementing the Jarrett name into the sport’s lore.
Tributes and Legacy
NASCAR CEO Steve O'Donnell praised Jarrett as a racing legend, noting that his kindness and contributions helped shape the modern era of the sport.
Family members described him as a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man, a testament to the values he lived by both on and off the track.