The two-time Cup champion and longtime broadcaster was known across racing as “Gentleman Ned.”
NEWTON, N.C. — Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion, Hall of Fame member and longtime television and radio broadcaster, died Thursday at his home in North Carolina. He was 93. His family said he died of natural causes with relatives by his side.
Jarrett’s death marks the loss of one of the most influential figures in NASCAR history. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, he became known not only for winning championships and races but also for helping introduce generations of fans to the sport through his broadcasting work. At the time of his death, he was widely recognized as NASCAR’s oldest living champion and remained a respected ambassador for stock-car racing.
Born in North Carolina, Jarrett built a reputation as one of the sport’s toughest and most consistent competitors during NASCAR’s formative years. His driving career stretched from 1953 through 1966 and included 50 victories on NASCAR’s top circuit. He won championships in 1961 and 1965, joining a small group of elite drivers who helped establish the sport’s national identity during a period of rapid growth. Fellow racers and fans nicknamed him “Gentleman Ned” because of his calm demeanor and sportsmanship. Despite that image, competitors knew him as a relentless racer who rarely made mistakes. His 1965 championship season became one of the most remarkable campaigns in NASCAR history. Even after suffering a broken back in a crash at Greenville-Pickens Speedway during the season, Jarrett continued competing and finished among the top five in 42 of 54 races. That performance cemented his place among the sport’s all-time greats.
Jarrett retired from full-time racing at age 34 after the 1966 season, a decision influenced in part by changing manufacturer support within the sport and by the physical toll of competition. Yet retirement from driving did not end his NASCAR career. More than a decade later, he returned as a broadcaster, joining Motor Racing Network before moving to television roles with major networks. His voice became familiar to millions of viewers as NASCAR expanded nationally during the 1980s and 1990s. One of the most memorable moments of his broadcasting career came during the 1993 Daytona 500. Calling the race from the booth, Jarrett watched his son, Dale Jarrett, battle for victory. As the finish approached, the elder Jarrett openly expressed his excitement on air, creating a moment that remains among the most cherished calls in NASCAR history. His enthusiasm reflected both his role as a father and his lifelong connection to racing.
The Jarrett family became one of the most celebrated families in NASCAR when Dale Jarrett later captured the Cup Series championship in 1999. That achievement made the Jarretts only the second father-son pair to win NASCAR’s top title, following Lee and Richard Petty. The accomplishment highlighted the family’s deep roots in the sport and strengthened Ned Jarrett’s legacy beyond his own driving achievements. Throughout his life, Jarrett also played a role in preserving NASCAR’s history. He frequently appeared at racing events, Hall of Fame ceremonies and community gatherings, sharing stories from an era when drivers often raced several times a week and traveled long distances with small crews. His firsthand knowledge connected modern fans to NASCAR’s earliest decades and helped explain how the sport evolved from regional competition into a national entertainment industry.
Recognition for Jarrett’s contributions continued long after his retirement. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 as part of the institution’s second class. NASCAR executives, former drivers and broadcasters regularly cited him as one of the sport’s most respected figures. Following news of his death, NASCAR officials described him as a fierce competitor whose accomplishments extended far beyond victories and championships. NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said Jarrett’s personality and professionalism made him an ideal ambassador for the sport. Family members remembered him as a devoted Christian, husband, father and friend. Their statement described him as someone who treated everyone with kindness and remained deeply committed to his family throughout his life. Jarrett was preceded in death by his wife, Martha, who died in 2023. He is survived by his children Dale, Glenn and Patti, each of whom maintained connections to the racing world.
Those who worked with Jarrett often recalled the contrast between his gentle public image and his competitive drive. Former colleagues described him as thoughtful, patient and generous with younger racers and broadcasters seeking guidance. Fans remembered hearing his voice during major NASCAR moments and seeing him at tracks long after his driving days ended. For many, his emotional call during Dale Jarrett’s Daytona 500 victory captured the authenticity that made him beloved. Others pointed to his championship seasons and remarkable consistency behind the wheel. At race tracks across the South and beyond, Jarrett represented a generation that helped build NASCAR from a regional pastime into a major American sport. His career connected multiple eras of racing, from the dirt-track roots of the 1950s to the nationally televised events of the modern age.
NASCAR and the Jarrett family said memorial plans would be announced at a later date. As tributes continue to arrive from across the motorsports community, Jarrett’s legacy remains defined by championships, broadcasting excellence and a reputation for integrity that endured throughout more than 60 years in the sport.
Author note: Last updated June 5, 2026.