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| | Tuesday, November 30 | |||||||||||||||||||
Special to ESPN.com | ||||||||||||||||||||
| Just so you know, this column is not unbiased. It is not without personal prejudice. The writer has clearly been influenced by time.
What you get in the next 775 or so words is just opinion and perception. Of course, that's pretty much what you get every week from me, right? What did you expect, 20/20? I don't have enough ties.
So, as Dale Jarrett celebrates his first Winston Cup title, I want to talk about a very influential member of D.J.'s championship race team that probably doesn't get the credit he deserves.
Yet, the man I'm speaking of has an invaluable role in Jarrett's life both on and off the track. He's been a leader. He is a champion. He'll always be a legend. And, he is a father. In fact, he's Dale's father -- two-time NASCAR Winston Cup champion Ned Jarrett. To Dale, he's Dad. To just about everybody else, he's just plain ole, Ned. Charming, funny, polite and professional. A friendly face in a hostile place.Yes, he is an ESPN colleague (See, I told you this column wasn't going to be unbiased). But even before I arrived at the "World Wide Leader in Sports," Ned hosted a show I co-produced, as they say, on another network. In fact, when I made the decision to join ESPN, I turned to Ned Jarrett for two reasons: One was for career advice, and the other was to make sure he was keeping his seat in the broadcast booth. You see, once you work with Ned, you want to keep working with Ned.
During races, Ned was not a spotter. He wasn't even the back-up spotter. The spotter watches for wrecks and helps with traffic. Ned is more like a co-driver. "Try this. Try that. Other guys are running in this groove and here's how it's helping them." Dale can ask questions. Ned can provide answers because he was usually watching from a different location than the crew and the spotter. Ned knows the sport, but he knew his son better. That's a valuable combination to bring to a race track each week. Shocks. Springs. Tire pressure. Chassis setup. Those are all critical components to having a successful race team. But so are poise and professionalism, along with confidence and comfort. Ned possesses all of those qualities, which he instilled into his son.This year, on most weekends, you saw more of Dale Jarrett's personality. You could say, you saw more of Ned in Dale. Dale was more cheerful. He had a more positive attitude. He was more like Ned. But it was a gradual transition. Over the years, Ned said he has tried to help Dale learn that you do your best and accept the results. Dale has always tried to do his best. He hasn't always accepted the results. Ned is a sounding board with sound advice. A man so full of love, life and kindness he makes Doogie Howser look like a bad guy. He is both a spiritual and inspirational leader. "Is Ned really that nice?" fans ask. "No," I am forced to tell them. "He's nicer than that!" So, even though I may be biased, it's not hard to see why Ned was such an important link to his son's championship run. Ned helped Dale on and off the track. He helped him as a person, which made him a better racer. Ned Jarrett won his first championship in 1961. He won his second championship in 1965. He shared in a third championship, certainly one as meaningful and emotional as the first two. See, I told you. Nice guys don't always finish last. | ALSO SEE No. 88 in '99
Jarrett, Yates earn well-deserved championship
Yocum: Gamble pays off for Jarrett
Parsons: A true championship season
AUDIO/VIDEO   Ned Jarrett talks to RPM 2Night about how his son had to learn to become a champion.RealVideo: | 28.8  | |||||||||||||||||||
