NASCAR Community Mourns the Loss of Ned Jarrett

The NASCAR community is facing tough times as it mourns the death of famed driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett. He was 93 years old.

Jarrett, a member of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, passed away from natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. In 1998, he was honored as one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers.

His racing career in the Cup Series began in 1953 and lasted until 1966. Interestingly, he started racing while managing responsibilities on his family’s farm and sawmill when Hickory Speedway launched. Reflecting on his beginnings, he once noted, “I played a little bit of basketball and baseball in high school, so I thought I had some athletic ability. When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ran there. I was hooked.”

Jarrett holds the record for the most wins by a Ford driver, triumphing in 43 races—an impressive feat that seems unlikely to be surpassed anytime soon.

In addition to his achievements on the track, Jarrett also made a name for himself in broadcasting after retiring as a driver. His career took off as a pit reporter for Motor Racing Network (MRN) radio, eventually transitioning to television roles with CBS and ESPN.

His most unforgettable moment as a broadcaster came during the 1993 Daytona 500, which showcased an intense final showdown between his son Dale Jarrett and racing icon Dale Earnhardt Sr. The excitement peaked when he passionately exclaimed on air, “Dale Jarrett is going to win the Daytona 500! All right!”

Interestingly, both of Jarrett’s sons, Dale and Glen, followed their father into the broadcasting world after wrapping up their racing careers.

Outside his professional accomplishments, Jarrett faced personal loss too. His wife of 67 years, Martha, passed away in 2023.