Despite social media reports to the contrary, NASCAR legend Ned Jarrett has not gone to the great racetrack in the sky.
The 91-year-old Jarrett, the father of former NASCAR champion and now NASCAR on NBC analyst Dale Jarrett, is alive, according to a report by Fox Sports’ Bob Pockrass.
“For those asking having seen social media posts,” Pockrass posted, “Ned Jarrett’s granddaughter-in-law posted that he is alive and she had just talked to him.”
For those asking having seen social media posts … Ned Jarrett’s granddaughter-in-law posted that he is alive and she had just talked to him.
— Bob Pockrass (@bobpockrass) June 28, 2024
It’s not clear how the social media rumors started. But they may have been influenced by an apparent tribute published Wednesday in the The Tennessean. Headlined, “Ned Jarrett: NASCAR driver, Cup champion, broadcaster who retired, Dale Jarrett’s father,” the tribute featured many photos from throughout Jarrett’s career as a racer and later broadcaster.
It has the appearance of an obituary. If that’s how the newspaper publishes random tributes to past sports greats, perhaps a disclaimer is needed to prevent possible confusion.
Jarrett is a two-time NASCAR Cup Series champion (1961, 1965) who won 50 Cup races before retiring in 1966. One of the most beloved drivers in the sport’s history, he earned the nickname “Gentleman Ned” for his likable demeanor. The NASCAR Hall of Fame inducted him in 2011.
After his retirement, Jarrett worked for years as a broadcaster, first with MRN on the radio side, then with CBS and ESPN in the television booth. He provided one of the most emotional moments in NASCAR broadcast history in the 1993 Daytona 500, when he willed his son Dale to victory in a last-lap battle with Dale Earnhardt.
The finish to the 1993 Daytona 500 is known as “The Dale and Dale Show” but it’s truly extra special because of being such an incredible family moment.
The look in Ned and Martha’s eyes as proud parents? Priceless.
Thinking of the entire Jarrett family at this time. ❤️ pic.twitter.com/bWRZRZesuN
— Seth Sharp (@SethSharp35) February 6, 2023
Fans were relieved to see Pockrass’ report that ‘Gentleman Ned” is OK.
I once heard Ned call in to one of the radio shows to scold the hosts about an inaccuracy they broadcast. He should call in to @SiriusXMNASCAR and report that the reports of his death are greatly exaggerated.
— Gregory D. Howe (@wood_brothers21) June 28, 2024
How do gross rumors like this just come from nowhere?
— bad nascar opinions (@badnascarops) June 28, 2024
Thanks for the great news!
— ben moritz (@benmoritz28) June 28, 2024
I didn’t want to believe the rumors were true until you or a small handful of reporters posted it. Thanks for confirming it wasn’t.
— Andy Roberts (@w3kn) June 28, 2024
[Bob Pockrass on X/Twitter]
