Ned Jarrett

Ned Jarrett secured his first Grand National Championship in 1961, participating in 46 races and earning 22 top-five and 34 top-ten finishes. His professional racing career began in 1952, where he co-owned a Sportsman Series Ford at Hickory Motor Speedway. He quickly established himself, becoming the 1955 track champion at Hickory Motor Speedway, followed by back-to-back Sportsman Series championships in 1957 and 1958. Jarrett transitioned to the Grand National Series in 1959, winning two races that year to cover the cost of his purchased Junior Johnson Ford, and adding five race wins in 1960.

His historic 14-lap victory at the 1965 Southern 500 at Darlington Raceway remains the largest margin of victory in NASCAR Cup Series history. Jarrett retired from racing in 1966 following Ford’s withdrawal from NASCAR, making him the only driver to retire as a reigning NASCAR champion. Following his retirement from racing, Jarrett seamlessly transitioned into a highly successful career as an influential motorsports broadcaster. He joined MRN Radio in 1978, later becoming a prominent color analyst for CBS from 1984 to 2000, and for ESPN from 1988 to 2000.

Jarrett’s enduring legacy continued to be honored with his induction into the prestigious NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011. Even after his primary broadcasting career concluded in 2000, his passion for the sport brought him back to the booth, calling portions of the Southern 500 alongside his son Dale in 2015, 2016, and 2017. Most recently, in 2023, Ned Jarrett was named one of NASCAR’s 75 Greatest Drivers, reaffirming his legendary status and sustained influence across multiple generations of motorsports.