Jarrett, Ned M.
Auto Racing
b. Oct. 12, 1932, near Newton, NC
Growing up in stock car country, Jarrett saw a lot of races as a youngster. He debuted as a driver in 1952, finishing 10th, but his parents disapproved. For a time, he raced under another driver's name but, after several victories in the sportsman class, his secret was revealed.
But he kept racing, under his own name now, and won the national sportsman championship in 1957 and 1958. The following year he entered his first Grand National race. As an independent, he won five races in 1960 and he also got a sponsor, enabling him to run better equipment.
In 1961, Jarrett won only one race, but finished in the top ten 34 times in 46 starts to win the Grand National title. He was third in the point standings in 1962, fourth in 1963. His best year may have been 1964, when he won 15 GN races but finished second to Richard Petty in the championship.
Jarrett claimed his second GN title in 1965, with 13 victories and 42 top-five finishes in 54 races. During the 1966 season, Ford suddenly pulled out of NASCAR racing, leaving Jarrett without sponsorship. He announced his retirement. Later he promoted races at North Carolina tracks, and he is now a highly-respected commentator on NASCAR racing, both on television and radio.
A master of the short track, Jarrett had 50 Grand National victories, only two of them on super speedways.