NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett dies at 93

WASHINGTON — NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarret has died. He was 93. 

His family released a statement Friday confirming the former NASCAR driver’s death at his North Carolina home. 

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“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,” the statement said. “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,” the family statement continued. 

NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell paid tribute to the Hall of Famer. 

“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. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to all of Ned’s family and friends on the loss of a NASCAR legend,” O’Donnell added.

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Jarrett held the record for premier series’ largest margin of victory, claiming the 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway by 14 laps. That year, he suffered his worst racing injury, breaking his back in a crash at Greenville-Pickens Speedway. 

The injury led to Jarrett’s retirement at the age of 34. 

He is considered one of the greatest NASCAR drivers. He was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. 

After retiring, he became a beloved voice behind the microphone as he led “Ned Jarrett’s World of Racing,” a daily radio show that became a staple in the sport, according to NASCAR. 

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