NASCAR Hall of Famer Ned Jarrett, a two-time Cup champion and longtime broadcaster, died peacefully Thursday of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina, his family announced. He was 93.
Jarrett won 50 races during his career and was the champion of NASCAR’s top series in 1961 and 1965, when he won 13 races and finished in the top five in 42 of 54 races despite breaking his back in a June wreck at Greenville-Pickens (SC) Speedway.
During the 1966 season, Jarrett lost his manufacturer support when Ford Motor Co. pulled out of the sport. Jarrett opted to retire while on top at just age 34 and spend more time with his family.