Michael Annett, a familiar and respected face in the NASCAR Xfinity Series and the winner of the 2019 season opener at Daytona, has died at the age of 39. JR Motorsports, the team he spent the final stretch of his career with, confirmed the news on Friday, leading to an outpouring of condolences across the racing community.
Born in Des Moines, Iowa, Annett earned a reputation as a dedicated, tough, and consistent competitor. Before ever stepping into a stock car, he was climbing the ranks of junior ice hockey, but shifted gears in the mid-2000s and quickly proved he had natural talent behind the wheel. His early successes included wins in the ARCA Menards Series at Talladega (2007) and Daytona (2008), setting the stage for a long run in NASCAR.
A Career Built on Hard Work
Annett made his Xfinity Series debut in 2008 and went full-time the following season. Over the next decade, he drove for several well-known teams — Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports — before earning a spot in the NASCAR Cup Series from 2014 to 2016 with Turner Scott Motorsports.
Although his Cup Series stint came with smaller teams and fewer resources, Annett still logged more than 100 starts and delivered a notable 13th-place finish in the 2015 Daytona 500.
His most memorable achievement came after joining JR Motorsports in 2017. Dale Earnhardt Jr. saw promise in him, and Annett validated that confidence with a milestone victory in the 2019 Daytona Xfinity season opener — his first and only win at NASCAR’s national level. Earnhardt Jr. later said the moment reminded him of the emotional support his father once gave Michael Waltrip before his breakthrough Daytona 500 win in 2001.
A Beloved Teammate
During his time with JR Motorsports, which lasted through 2021, Annett became known for his steady mindset and team-first attitude. He never placed outside the top 15 in championship points while with the team, and many credited him with helping strengthen JRM’s four-car operation.
Sammy Smith — who now carries sponsorship once linked to Annett’s No. 1 car — described him as “a great person to so many.” Former teammate Noah Gragson said he was “heartbroken,” remembering Annett as someone who brought warmth and friendship to the garage.
Brad Keselowski, who rose through the ranks alongside Annett, called him a talented driver whose loss hits deeply for those who knew the promise he showed early on.
A Life Before Racing
Long before NASCAR, Annett’s competitive career began on ice skates. As a defenseman for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks, he played alongside future NHL star Joe Pavelski. His 2004 season earned him the team’s “Most Improved Player” honor as he helped the Black Hawks win the Clark Cup championship.
Annett’s racing career was supported heavily by his father, Harrold Annett, former CEO of TMC Transportation. Harrold also co-owned a successful sprint-car team that collaborated with legendary dirt racer Sammy Swindell.
Final Chapter and Lasting Legacy
A stress fracture in his leg sidelined Annett for part of the 2021 season, ultimately leading to his retirement later that year. Though injuries pushed him out earlier than expected, he remained respected by peers for his resilience, humility, and unwavering professionalism.
In a statement, NASCAR remembered him as “a respected competitor whose determination and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the sport.”
Michael Annett’s story is one of persistence and passion — a driver who fought for every opportunity, made the most of every moment on track, and left an enduring mark on the people who raced beside him.