Ned Jarrett was an American race car driver and broadcaster. He became a two-time NASCAR Grand National Series champion and earned the nickname “Gentleman Ned Jarrett.” He was inducted into the Motorsports Hall of Fame of America in 1997 and passed away from natural causes on June 4, 2026.
Ned Jarrett Biography
| Full Name | Ned Jarrett |
| Nickname | Ned Jarrett |
| Profession | Race car driver and broadcaster |
| Date of Birth | 12 October 1932 |
| Age | 93 years old (at the time of his death in 2026) |
| Birth Place | Conover, North Carolina, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Education Qualification | Not publicly disclosed |
| Gender | Male |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Ethnicity | White |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Date of Death | 5 June 2026 |
| Place of Death | Newton, North Carolina, USA |
| Cause of Death | Natural death |
Ned Jarrett Age
Ned Jarrett was born on 12 October 1932 in Conover, North Carolina, United States of America. He was 93 years old at the time of his death in June 2026, and his zodiac sign was Pisces.
Ned Jarrett’s Wife | Children
| Marital Status | Widower |
| Affairs/Girlfriend | Rebecca Proctor Martha Ruth Bowman |
| Spouse/wife | Rebecca Proctor (m. 1950, div. 1965) Martha Ruth Bowman (m. 1956, death. 2023) |
| Children | Glenn Ned Jarrett (with. Rebecca) Dael Jarrett (with Martha) Patricia Dawn Jarrett (with Martha) |
Ned Jarrett Family
| Father’s Name | Homer Keith Jarrett |
| Mother’s Name | Eoline Maire |
| Brother’s Name | Unknown |
| Sister’s Name | Unknown |
Career Highlights
| Early Racing Career (1952-58) | 1952 – Made his professional debut at Hickory Motor Speedway 1953 – Entered his first top-tier NASCAR Grand National Series 1957-1958 – Clinched back-to-back NASCAR National Sportsman Division Championship |
| Grand National Dominance (1959 to 1965) | 1959 – Committed full-time to the Grand National 1960 – Won 5 races on the Circuit, setting up a historic championship run 1961 – Captured his First NASCAR Grand National Championship 1964 – Joined team owner Bondy Long with factory backing from Ford 1965 – Had a career-defining season, winning 13 races |
| 1966 | Retired from active racing at the age of 34 |
| Track Management & Elite Broadcasting (1968 to 2000) | 1969-1977 – Took over operations as the track promoter for Hickory Motor Speedway 1978-1984 – Transitioned to radio broadcasting 1984-2000 – Became a premier television color commentator for CBS Sports and ESPN 1993 – Delivered his most famous broadcast call at the 1993 Daytona 5000 |
| Awards | 2004 – Inducted into the 12 motorsports and sports hall of Fame 1997 – Motorsports Hall of Fame of America 2010 – Inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame 2011 – NASCAR Hall of Fame |
Ned Jarrett Height And Weight
| Height (approx) | In centimeters – 183 cm In meters – 1.83 m In feet & inches – 6’0” |
| Weight (approx) | In kilograms – 70 kg In pounds – 156 lbs |
| Eye Colour | Brown |
| Hair Colour | Brown |
Ned Jarrett Net Worth
At the time of his death in June 2026, American race car driver and broadcaster Ned Jarrett had an estimated net worth of approximately $16 million. He amassed this wealth during his long and successful career in racing. His endorsements included products and services related to racing, automotive supplies, and sports broadcasting channels.
| Net Worth (Approx) | $16 million (at the time of his death in June 2026) |
| Real Estate | Not publicly disclosed |
| Income sources | Racing career, broadcasting career, endorsement, etc. |
Some Interesting Facts About Ned Jarrett
- Ned Jarrett was born and raised in Conover, North Carolina, to Homer Keith Jarrett and Eoline Maire.
- He was introduced to cars early in life; his father let him drive the family car to church when he was 9.
- He started working for his father in the sawmill by the time he was 12.
- Jarrett drove in his first race in 1952 at Hickory Motor Speedway.
- He drove a Sportsman Series Ford that he co-owned with his brother-in-law.
- His father told him that if he was going to drive, to at least use his own name.
- He raced his first Grand National Series Race in the 1953 Southern 500 at Darlington Speedway.
- Ned Jarrett was the 1995 track champion at Hickory Motor Speedway.
- In 1960, he won five races before winning the 1961 Grand National Championship.
- In 1965, Jarrett became a star when he won 13 races and another Grand National Championship.
- In 1966, Jarrett raced in only 21 of 49 races, achieving eight top ten finishes.
- In the early 1960s, Jarrett began a radio program on WNNC in Newton, North Carolina.
- Later, in 1978, Jarrett became a radio broadcaster for MRN Radio.
- Jarrett was a host for the original Inside Winston Cup Racing on TNN and NASCAR Tech on FSN.
- Dale’s son Jason Jarrett also had a few Busch and Cup starts with wins in the ARCA Re/Max Series.
- Ned Jarrett was married to Olene Rebecca Proctor from 1950 to 1956.
- In 1956, he married his second wife, Martha Ruth Bowman, and remain together until she died in 2023.
- Ned Jarrett died at his home in Newton, North Carolina, of natural causes on 4 June 2026.
FAQ:
How old was Ned Jarrett?
At the time of his death in June 2026, Ned Jarrett was 93 years old.
Who is Ned Jarrett’s wife?
Olena Rebecca Proctor (1950 to 1956)
Martha Ruth Bowman (from 1956 to her death in 2023)
What was Ned Jarrett’s net worth?
As of June 2026, Ned Jarrett’s net worth was around $14 million.
What happened to Ned Jarrett?
Ned Jarrett died on 4 June 2026 from natural causes.
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