NASCAR Legend Ned Jarrett Passes Away at 93

The NASCAR community is grieving the loss of legendary driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett, who passed away at 93. Jarrett, a Hall of Famer, died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. Celebrated as one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998, his legacy is firmly etched in the sport’s history.

Jarrett began his racing career in the Cup Series in 1953, after being inspired by the opening of Hickory Speedway. Reflecting on his early days, Jarrett said, “I played a little basketball and baseball in high school and thought I had some athletic ability. When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever ran there. I was hooked.”

As a driver, he holds the top spot on the all-time wins list for Ford drivers, with 43 victories. His record appears secure, with the closest active driver being Team Penske’s Joey Logano, who has 35 wins with Ford out of 37 total.

Ned Jarrett prepares for practice at Darlington Raceway. (Photo by ISC Images & Archives via Getty Images)

Transitioning to a broadcasting career after retiring from racing, Jarrett began as a pit reporter on the radio for the Motor Racing Network. He later joined TV networks CBS and ESPN. One of his most memorable moments in broadcasting came during the 1993 Daytona 500 when he called an intense late-race battle involving his son Dale Jarrett and Dale Earnhardt Sr., which saw his son victorious.

This emotional moment was captured as Jarrett exclaimed during the broadcast, “You know who I’m pulling for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Bring her to the inside, Dale, don’t let him get down there. He’s gonna make it! Dale Jarrett’s gonna win the Daytona 500! Alright!”

Jarrett’s sons, Dale and Glenn, continued the family tradition by pursuing careers in broadcasting after their own racing days concluded. Ned Jarrett’s wife, Martha, who shared 67 years of marriage with him, predeceased him in 2023.

Matthew Reigle contributed as a writer for OutKick.