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It’s been a difficult stretch for the NASCAR community, and now it’s mourning another loss with the passing of legendary driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett.
He was 93.
Jarrett, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, 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 raced in the Cup Series from 1953 to 1966, and first started 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) thought I had some athletic ability,” he said, according to NASCAR. “When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever run 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 in front, and his place on the 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 & 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 began as a pit reporter on radio for the 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 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, when he called a late battle between his son, NASCAR great Dale Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Sr. that ended with his son winning.
“You know who I’m pulling for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Get her to the inside, Dale, don’t let him get down there,” Jarrett said during the broadcast. “He’ll make it! Dale Jarrett will win the Daytona 500! All right!”
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Jarrett’s sons – the aforementioned Dale and brother, Glenn – both followed in their old man’s footsteps by going into radio after their racing careers ended.
Martha, his wife of 67 years, died in 2023.
