Ned Jarrett, a NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and broadcaster, has died aged 93.
“With profound sadness, the family of NASCAR Hall of Fame driver and radio/television personality, Ned Jarrett, announces his passing on Thursday, June 4, 2026. He died peacefully of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, 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.”
A two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1961 and 1965), Ned Jarrett competed at NASCAR’s top-level from 1953 to 1966, winning a total of 50 races. After retiring from competition in 1966, Jarrett returned to racing in a broadcasting role, serving as a voice for MRN Radio starting in 1978.
Jarrett worked as a television broadcaster for CBS Sports, first as a pit reporter from 1979 to 1984, and then as a color analyst from 1984 to 2000; while also serving as an ESPN analyst from 1988 to 2000.
Ned Jarrett is the father of 1999 NASCAR Winston Cup Series Champion and three-time DAYTONA 500 champion, Dale Jarrett, who, like his father, spent time in broadcasting after a fruitful racing career.
“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.”
