The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of legendary driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett. He passed away at the age of 93 from natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. Jarrett, a NASCAR Hall of Famer, was named one of NASCAR’s 50 Greatest Drivers in 1998.

He began his racing career in the Cup Series in 1953, retiring in 1966. Jarrett first took up racing while working on his family’s farm and sawmill when Hickory Speedway opened. ‘I played a little basketball and baseball in high school, thought I had some athletic ability,’ he once said, according to NASCAR. ‘When they opened the speedway, I ran the first race they ever run there. I was hooked.’

Jarrett holds the top spot on the all-time wins list for Ford drivers, with 43 victories. The highest active driver on that list, Joey Logano of Team Penske, has 35 of his 37 career wins with Ford.

After his driving career, Jarrett transitioned into broadcasting. He started as a pit reporter on radio for Motor Racing Network (MRN) before moving to television with CBS and ESPN. A memorable moment from his broadcasting career was during the 1993 Daytona 500. He called a late-race battle between his son, Dale Jarrett, and Dale Earnhardt Sr., which ended with his son winning. ‘You know who I’m pulling for, it’s Dale Jarrett. Bring her to the inside, Dale, don’t let him get down there. He’s gonna make it! Dale Jarrett’s gonna win the Daytona 500! Alright!’ he exclaimed during the broadcast.

Jarrett’s sons, Dale and Glenn, followed in their father’s footsteps both in racing and broadcasting careers. His wife of 67 years, Martha, died in 2023.