"Gentleman" Ned Jarrett, a Two-Time NASCAR Cup Champion and Hall of Famer, Passes Away at 93

NASCAR has lost one of its most revered figures with the passing of Ned Jarrett, a two-time Winston Cup Series (now Cup Series) champion and a 2011 inductee into the NASCAR Hall of Fame. He died at the age of 93. Jarrett, widely known as "Gentleman Ned" for his impeccable sportsmanship both on and off the track, leaves behind a significant legacy in the sport, including his son, Dale Jarrett, who also became a NASCAR Cup Series champion in 1999.

Jarrett’s illustrious career as a driver spanned from 1953 to 1966, during which he competed in 352 Cup Series races. He achieved victory in 50 of these starts, a remarkable feat that places him 14th on the all-time wins list. His championship-winning seasons came in 1961 and 1965, cementing his status as one of the era’s elite competitors.

Beyond his statistical achievements, Jarrett was a consistent presence in NASCAR’s most prestigious events. He participated in seven of the first eight Daytona 500 races, with his best finish being third. His mastery of the sport was further underscored by a crown jewel victory in the 1965 Southern 500. He was also part of the inaugural field for the World 600 (now the Coca-Cola 600) in 1960, a testament to his early impact on the sport’s marquee races.

Perhaps one of the most extraordinary chapters of Jarrett’s career was his decision to retire at the young age of 34, just one year after securing his second championship. This retirement followed an exceptionally dominant 1965 season, where he amassed 13 victories. To this day, Ned Jarrett remains the only NASCAR Cup Series champion in history to voluntarily retire the season immediately following his title win. His final Cup Series start in 1966 saw him achieve a strong third-place finish, a fittingly competitive end to his driving career.

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Following his retirement from active competition, Ned Jarrett transitioned into a highly respected and enduring role as a motorsports broadcaster. For decades, he provided insightful commentary and analysis, witnessing and recounting many of the sport’s most memorable moments. A particularly poignant moment in his broadcasting career was calling his son Dale’s victory in the 1993 Daytona 500, a race that etched another chapter in the Jarrett family’s rich NASCAR history.

Jarrett’s contributions to motorsports were recognized with numerous accolades, including inductions into a dozen Halls of Fame. His enshrinement in the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in 1991 and the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011, as part of its second induction class, highlight the profound and lasting impact of his career.

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell issued a statement acknowledging Jarrett’s passing and celebrating his legacy: "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."

Ned Jarrett Career Highlights:

• NASCAR Cup Series Champion: 1961, 1965
• Starts: 352
• Wins: 50
• Poles: 35
• Top 5 Finishes: 185
• Top 10 Finishes: 239
• Laps Led: 10,358
• Average Finish: 9.2

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