NASCAR’s ‘oldest residing champion’ and broadcast legend Jed Jarrett has died
NASCAR Hall of Famer and broadcast icon Jed Jarrett has sadly passed away from natural causes as the racing world has paid tribute to the man dubbed the ‘Gentleman’
NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett (right) interviewing his son Dale Jarrett(Image: AP Photo/Ric Feld)
A motorsport legend who turned from driver to much-loved broadcaster has sadly passed away at the age of 93.
Jed Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, died Thursday (June 4) of natural causes in his home, his family announced. He was 93.
Jarrett was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011 after 50 career wins on the sport’s top circuit, including championships in 1961 and 1965. He was part of the second five-member NASCAR Hall of Fame class.
His championships came with two team owners — his ’61 title was won while competing for shipping heir B.G. Holloway, while his ’65 title came with owner Bondy Long. It was also in ’65 that Jarrett suffered his worst injury in racing — breaking his back in a crash at Greenville-Pickens Speedway.
That injury, and the temporary withdrawal of Ford Motor Company from stock-car racing the next year, hastened Jarrett’s retirement at the age of 34.
Jarrett, known as “Gentleman Ned” for his demeanour, may have been better known by younger NASCAR fans for his broadcasting career. He quickly became a fan favourite behind the microphone. “Ned Jarrett’s World of Racing,” a daily radio news show, became a staple among those in the sport and those who followed it.
One of his signature moments in the booth came in the 1993 Daytona 500 when he didn’t try to restrain from rooting as his son, Dale Jarrett, held off Dale Earnhardt for the win.
Dale Jarrett won the Cup Series in 1999. The Jarretts became the second father-son combination to win Cup Series championships, following Lee and Richard Petty. Bill Elliott and his son, Chase, later completed the father-son achievement.
NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell said Ned Jarrett was a racing legend.
“Despite his calm demeanor, `Gentleman’ Ned Jarrett was as fierce a competitor as NASCAR has ever seen,” O’Donnell said in a statement. “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.”
Jarrett’s family described him as “a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man.”
In a statemen t, the Jarrett family said: “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, 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.”
