Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion driver and legendary broadcaster, has died at the age of 93. According to a statement from the Jarrett family, Jarrett passed away on Thursday, June 4, of natural causes in his home in the presence of his family.
“With profound sadness, the family of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and radio/TV personality, Ned Jarrett, announces his passing on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, N.C. with his family by his side. He was 93 years old. Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving, family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion. By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in Peace, Dad,” the Jarrett family said in its statement.
Ned Jarrett was a legendary force on and off the track within the world of NASCAR.
As a driver, Jarrett authored a Hall of Fame racing career with 50 victories in the NASCAR Cup Series and a pair of championships in 1961 and 1965.
Jarrett’s most decisive victory was a triumph in the 165 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway, an afternoon where the driver scored the victory by more than 14 laps over Buck Baker, another two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion.
Jarrett’s victory in that race still stands as the largest victory margin in NASCAR Cup Series history, and it will likely never be surpassed.
In 2011, Jarrett was enshrined in the NASCAR Hall of Fame as part of the second class of members to join the prestigious hall in Charlotte, NC.
“Wow, this is special. The NASCAR Hall of Fame. Now, I’m in it,” Jarrett said during his NASCAR Hall of Fame induction speech. “You know, God has truly blessed me in so many wonderful ways. He gave me some talent, willpower, strength, and many opportunities to use those attributes. I’m thankful for all of that.”
In his speech, Jarrett would call his children, Glenn, Dale, and Patti, “three of the greatest blessings” that the lord had bestowed upon him in his life.
Jarrett stepped away from his NASCAR driving career in 1966 at the age of 34 and became dedicated to his craft as a broadcaster of NASCAR racing through radio and television. Over the years, “Gentleman Ned Jarrett” became a fan-favorite on the microphone, whether it be for the Universal Racing, Motor Racing Network, CBS Sports, TNN, or ESPN.
Over his broadcasting career, Jarrett called numerous memorable races, but the most special was undoubtedly the 1993 Daytona 500, where Jarrett called his son, Dale Jarrett, home to the finish.
With the legendary Dale Earnhardt breathing down his son’s neck, Jarrett delivered one of the most emotional calls in NASCAR history, where he coined the name ‘The Dale and Dale Show’ for the finish of the 1993 Daytona 500.
“I know he’s got it to the floorboard; he can’t do any more. Come on, take her to the inside, don’t let him get to the inside of you coming around this turn. Here he comes, Earnhardt, it’s the Dale and Dale Show off of Turn 4,” Jarrett said as Ken Squier gave him the floor to call his son home to the finish line. “You know who I’m pulling for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Bring her down to the inside, Dale, don’t let him get down there. He’s going to make it, Dale Jarrett is going to win the Daytona 500!”
Following the release of the statement from the Jarrett family, which confirmed the loss of one of racing’s greatest legends, Steve O’Donnell, NASCAR’s CEO, issued a statement, in which he thanked Jarrett for his tireless efforts on and off the track, and his grace through it all.
“Despite his calm demeanor, “Gentleman” Ned Jarrett was as fierce a competitor as NASCAR has ever seen. His on-track accomplishments speak for themselves with wins and championships across several NASCAR divisions. But it was his off-the-track persona that separated Ned from his peers. He was as kind as his nickname indicated. And his endearing personality helped him excel in his second career as a broadcaster. Ned was an outstanding ambassador for the sport for more than six decades, and he will be dearly missed. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to all of Ned’s family and friends on the loss of a NASCAR legend,” O’Donnell said.
Winston Kelley, the Executive Director of the NASCAR Hall of Fame, also issued a statement on the passing of Jarrett.
“On behalf of the NASCAR Hall of Fame team, I want to offer our sincere condolences to Ned’s children, Glenn, Dale, and Patti, and all his family.
“Known universally as “Gentleman Ned” for his kind, calm, and gracious off-track presence, Ned Jarrett was a tough competitor on the track and one of NASCAR’s earliest superstars as a two-time premier series champion with 50 premier series wins, along with two Sportsman Division championships.
“His retirement from driving at just 34 years of age opened a new chapter as a versatile and trusted broadcaster, the first former driver to take on such a role. His award-winning career included working for the Universal Racing and Motor Racing (Radio) Networks, and CBS, TNN, and ESPN television networks. He also served as a brand ambassador for several commercial products within NASCAR.
“Coupling his accomplishments on the racetrack with his contributions to NASCAR in a wide range of endeavors off track resulted in Ned being one of the first ten inductees into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. His truly gentlemanly nature and concern for others was never more evident than when the first thing he told me on the day of his selection into the NASCAR Hall of Fame was “I want to make you and your team a good Inductee.
“NASCAR and the NASCAR industry have lost one of our most accomplished and versatile contributors to NASCAR’s remarkable history and one of our staunchest and most active ambassadors of all time. Along with many others, we at the NASCAR Hall of Fame have lost a cherished friend. Ned’s remarkable legacy and accomplishments in and for NASCAR will live in our minds, our hearts, and the archives of the NASCAR Hall of Fame forever.”
Jarrett ended his NASCAR Cup Series driving career with 352 starts, 50 victories, 185 top-five finishes, 239 top-10s, and two championships. Jarrett was also a two-time champion of the NASCAR Sportsman Division, a precursor to what is now known as the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, and he won the NASCAR Convertible Division event at the Charlotte Fairgrounds in 1959.
Jarrett was preceded in death by Martha, his wife of 67 years, in 2023, and is survived by his children Glenn, Dale, and Patti.
