NEWTON, N.C. — Ned Jarrett, a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion and longtime broadcaster, died Thursday of earthy causes successful his home, his household announced. He was 93.
Jarrett was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame successful 2011 aft 50 vocation wins connected the sport’s apical circuit, including championships successful 1961 and 1965. He was portion of the 2nd five-member NASCAR Hall of Fame class.
Jarrett, known arsenic “Gentleman Ned” for his demeanor, whitethorn person been amended known by younger NASCAR fans for his broadcasting career. One of his signature moments successful the booth came successful the 1993 Daytona 500 erstwhile helium didn’t effort to restrain from rooting arsenic his son, Dale Jarrett, held disconnected Dale Earnhardt for the win.
Dale Jarrett won the Cup Series successful 1999. The Jarretts became the 2nd father-son operation to triumph Cup Series championships, pursuing Lee and Richard Petty. Bill Elliott and his son, Chase, aboriginal 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 arsenic fierce a rival arsenic NASCAR has ever seen,” O’Donnell said successful a statement. “His on-track accomplishments talk for themselves with wins and championships crossed respective NASCAR divisions.
“But it was his off-the-track persona that separated Ned from his peers. He was arsenic benignant arsenic his nickname indicated. And his endearing property helped him excel successful his 2nd vocation arsenic a broadcaster. Ned was an outstanding ambassador for the athletics for much than six decades and helium volition beryllium dearly missed.”
Jarrett’s household described him arsenic “a devout Christian and a devoted, loving household man.”
“He was a person to everyone helium met and NASCAR’s oldest surviving champion,” Jarrett’s household said successful a statement. “By each accounts, helium was a existent NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we observe the singular beingness of an astonishing antheral and genuinely the champion begetter anyone could person wished for. Rest successful Peace, Dad.”
English (US)·