1996 Ford Thunderbird NASCAR ‘Dale Jarrett’

Part of the second generation of the Jarrett racing family, Dale Jarret is the son of two-time Grand National Champion and beloved broadcaster “Gentleman” Ned Jarret. Dale entered his first Winston Cup Series race at Martinsville in 1984 and would achieve his first victory in the series at Michigan in 1991.

Remarkably, his second win would take place at the biggest race of them all the 1993 Daytona 500 and thus began the momentum of what would become a hall-of-fame career. Dale and Ned would eventually become the second father-and-son duo to become national champions after Dale sat atop the points table in 1999.

Starting the 1996 Daytona 500 on the inside of the fourth row Dale Jarrett would face off against stiff competition at the front of the field which included Dale Earnhardt, Terry Labonte, Sterling Marlin, and Jeff Gordon. After the caution came out at lap 160 for a seven-car incident at the tri-oval, the final run to the checkered flag turned into a familiar scene for NASCAR fans of 1990s.

“The Dale & Dale show,” as the broadcast crews affectionally called it saw Jarrett and Earnhardt battle for every inch of the racetrack. Looking to pick up track position the #3 car fitted only two tires for his final pit stop which would prove to be a strategic error. Jarrett with a set of four fresh Goodyears maintained a traction advantage that allowed him to hold off Richard Childress’ hard charger. When the flag dropped on lap 200 Dale Jarrett became a two-time Daytona 500 champion.

On an episode of Legendary Motorcars, team owner Robert Yates confirms that after pulling into victory lane and then passing tech inspection the car was sent to be put on display at the Victory Lane exhibit in Daytona for a year. The Thunderbird would then spend the next 15 years at the International Motorsports Hall of Fame in Talladega, Alabama before being sold. Due to these circumstances, Yates further adds the state of the car to be “untouched.” This status is further revealed by the markings on the tires, front quarter damage from a bird strike and worn paint from the Daytona grit impacting at 190 mph. This car is well-preserved Daytona 500-winner raced by one of the sport’s greatest champions.

The Ron Sturgeon Collection