Sad news from NASCAR this afternoon. NASCAR Hall of Famer and two-time Cup Series champion, Ned Jarrett, has died at the age of 93. Jarrett, the patriarch of one of the sport’s family dynasties, leaves an immeasurable mark on American motorsports.
Ned Jarrett had 50 wins in his Cup Series career to go along with the 1961 and 1965 Cup Series championships. He was one of the earliest stars in the sport, making his debut at Hickory Motor Speedway in 1953.
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Jarrett, the father of NASCAR champion Dale Jarrett, and former driver Glenn Jarrett. From his time as a driver to his time on TV as a broadcaster, Jarrett helped define multiple generations of stock car racing for fans at home.
The career of “Gentleman” Ned behind the wheel was legendary. When you consider that his Cup Series career only lasted from 1953 to 1966, it is remarkable how much he achieved and all he was able to do in the series.
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Over the course of 352 races, Ned Jarrett won 50 races, 35 poles, and finished in the top-10 239 times. Any driver would love to win 14.20% of their races. His racing career was only rivaled by his outstanding career in broadcasting.
Jarrett helped birth the sport of NASCAR in the early days. He was then one of the most iconic voices in sports broadcasting, helping to define decades of NASCAR racing on the radio and television.
One of the most remarkable moments in Ned Jarrett’s time on TV came in 1993. The “Dale and Dale Show,” as Ned called his son, Dale Jarrett, to the finish line in his battle against Dale Earnhardt for the win in the Daytona 500. Of course, in 1996, it was the Dale and Dale Show 2.0, with the younger Jarrett once again getting the best of the Intimidator.
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Rest in peace to one of the giants of NASCAR. His impact on the sport will always be felt.
This story was originally published by Athlon Sports on Jun 5, 2026, where it first appeared in the Racing section. Add Athlon Sports as a Preferred Source by clicking here.