Former NASCAR Cup Series Champion and Hall of Famer Passes Away at 93
What’s Happening? Legendary NASCAR driver and broadcaster “Gentlemen Ned” Jarrett has died at 93, his family announced Friday. Ned Jarrett made his…
Recent weeks have been difficult for NASCAR fans. With Kyle Busch’s sudden passing still fresh in the minds of the racing community, the passing of Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett at 93 left the racing community mourning another beloved figure.
Even as the days have gone by since Jarrett’s passing, tributes continue to pour in, with Jarrett’s son, Dale Jarrett, remembering not only one of NASCAR’s greatest champions but also the father and grandfather who served as the pillar of the Jarrett family.
In a recent appearance on SiriusXM NASCAR Radio, the 69-year-old Hall of Famer shared that the family’s pride extends far beyond the trophies and records his father accumulated during one of the sport’s toughest eras.
“We’re all so proud of dad and what he accomplished, certainly. From driving cars to becoming a champion, everything that he had to go through. There was nothing easy back in the late 50s and 60s about being a stock car driver in the world of NASCAR. I mean, it was difficult, dangerous as they could be, and my dad did that.” — Dale Jarrett
Over a career spanning 13 years and more than 350 Cup Series starts, the two-time champion built a resume that firmly places him among NASCAR’s all-time greats with 50 wins, 35 poles, and 239 top-tens.
More remarkably, those achievements came during an era when drivers routinely raced at triple-digit speeds in bare-bones machines with few of the safety measures modern competitors enjoy today.
Dale also highlighted a forgotten piece of NASCAR history. At the time of Ned’s retirement, he owned more championships than “The King” Richard Petty had accumulated, though it was on a two-to-one ratio.
“He was 34 years old when he retired from driving cars, and at that time, he had won 50 races and won two championships in the Cup Series. It’s just phenomenal what he accomplished,” Dale added. “When he actually retired he actually had more championships, two to one versus Richard Petty, I think he was 50-44 wins at that time.”
Yet for all the numbers and accolades, Dale believes his father’s greatest impact came away from the racetrack.
“My dad loved the fans, and it was just amazing,” he said. “I got to see all of the good, wonderful things he had on the inside of him, in treating people.”
Beyond the championships and victories was a man devoted to his children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, whose kindness left a lasting impression on everyone around him.
“He was wonderful to his kids, his grandchildren, and to his great-grandchildren, and it just warms your heart to think about it,” Dale added. “Yes, we’re going to miss him, but we had a lot of time with my dad and learned a lot of things.”
As NASCAR continues to remember one of its pioneering champions, Dale’s reflections paint a picture of a man whose legacy extends far beyond his racing accomplishments.
What’s Happening? Legendary NASCAR driver and broadcaster “Gentlemen Ned” Jarrett has died at 93, his family announced Friday. Ned Jarrett made his…
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