Richard Petty issues statement on death of fellow | Sports News

Richard Petty penned a touching tribute to Ned Jarrett after NASCAR’s oldest residing champion handed away on the age of 93.

On Thursday, Jarrett died of natural causes at his home in Newton, North Carolina. The NASCAR icon loved unbelievable careers each on the monitor and within the broadcast sales space, along with his even-keeled nature and sportsmanlike demeanor incomes him the nickname “Gentleman Ned.”

Taking to social media, Petty — who not too long ago warned that the Cup Series has a main drawback relating to its subsequent famous person — honored Jarrett whereas offering condolences to his household. The pair of adorned drivers competed in opposition to each other in NASCAR’s prime sequence from 1958-1966, ultimately developing into championship rivals.

“The Petty family is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Ned Jarrett,” an official statement learn. Ned was one of the true gents of our sport and a fierce competitor whose expertise, integrity, and dedication helped form NASCAR into what it’s immediately.

“His contributions as a champion driver, broadcaster, and ambassador for the sport will never be forgotten. Our family shared many years of competition, friendship, and mutual respect with Ned and his family.”

From 1953-1966, Jarrett gained 50 NASCAR races, changing into simply the third-ever driver to perform the feat. The two-time Cup Series champion secured titles in 1961 and 1965, with the second proving even more unbelievable than the primary.

Despite breaking his back in a midseason crash at Greenville-Pickens Speedway, Jarrett nonetheless managed to assert top-5 finishes in 42 of 54 races during the 1965 marketing campaign. Due to the debilitating harm and Ford Motor Company’s non permanent withdrawal from NASCAR in 1966, he opted to hold up the racing gloves at 34 years outdated.

Following a 12-year hiatus from NASCAR, Jarrett returned as a broadcaster for Motor Racing Network Radio in 1978. He subsequently joined the tv cubicles at CBS and ESPN earlier than cementing himself as one of essentially the most revered voices within the sport.

“Despite his calm demeanor, ‘Gentleman’ Ned Jarrett was as fierce a competitor as NASCAR has ever seen,” NASCAR CEO Steve O’Donnell mentioned in a statement. “His on-track accomplishments speak for themselves with wins and championships across several NASCAR divisions. But it was his off-the-track persona that separated Ned from his peers.

“He was as kind as his nickname indicated. And his endearing personality helped him excel in his second career as a broadcaster. Ned was an outstanding ambassador for the sport for more than six decades, and he will be dearly missed. On behalf of the France family and all of NASCAR, I offer my deepest condolences to all of Ned’s family and friends on the loss of a NASCAR legend.”

Jarrett, who was inducted into the NASCAR Hall of Fame in 2011, is survived by his three youngsters — Dale, Glenn and Patti. “Our father was a devout Christian and a devoted, loving family man. He was a friend to everyone he met and NASCAR’s oldest living champion,” the household mentioned. “By all accounts, he was a true NASCAR legend. While we mourn his passing, we celebrate the remarkable life of an amazing man and truly the best father anyone could have wished for. Rest in Peace, Dad.”