By Neha Dwivedi, Staff Writer
The NASCAR community was recently dealt a heavy blow with the passing of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett, who died at 39. Annett, who last competed in 2021 and logged time across all three national touring series, made 436 combined starts during his career. Of those, 321 came in the Xfinity Series, including 158 with JR Motorsports, the team that became synonymous with the strongest chapter of his tenure. JRM, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., shared the heartbreaking news on Friday through a social media post, though no cause of death was disclosed.
With a picture of the former No. 1 Chevrolet JRM driver, the team wrote on X, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett. Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.”
NASCAR reflected the sentiment in an official statement, honoring the former stock car racing competitor, writing, “NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett. Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage. Throughout his career, he represented our sport with integrity and the passion of a true racer. NASCAR extends its condolences to Michael’s family and many friends.”
While Annett had started racing after high school in his hometown, Iowa, he eventually advanced to the American Speed Association series. As he moved to ARCA, Annett found success in stock car racing, becoming a known face and earning wins at Talladega in 2007 and again at Daytona in the 2008 season opener.
Annett’s NASCAR path began in 2008, when he transitioned to the Truck and Xfinity Series, and eventually ran full-time in Xfinity from 2009 to 2013. He competed with Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports, delivering his strongest early season in 2012, when he bagged six top 5s, 17 top 10s, and finished P5 in the championship standings.
Then, from 2014 through 2016, Annett advanced to the NASCAR Cup Series before returning to Xfinity competition with JR Motorsports in 2017. His hiring came from Dale Jr.’s belief in the Iowa-born driver’s ability to grow, and that confidence was rewarded in February 2019 when Annett scored a Daytona win, prompting Dale Jr. to draw comparisons to Michael Waltrip’s breakthrough 2001 Daytona 500 win after joining Dale Earnhardt, Inc.
His career, marked by steady progression, came to a close in 2021, when he announced his retirement after a stress fracture in his right femur sidelined him from several events.
But even after stepping out of the driver’s seat, Annett remained respected for his work ethic, his climb through NASCAR’s ranks, and the improbable bridge he once stood on between hockey and motorsports. Before racing, he patrolled the blue line as a defenseman for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League, becoming one of the drivers, legitimately recognized as an athlete.
While hockey was something he tried out, racing ran in his family. His late father, Harrold Annett, served as CEO of TMC Transportation, the longtime backer of his career. Harrold co-owned a sprint-car team as well, famously fielding cars for Sammy Swindell, who won 35 races during their four-year run. Today, TMC and Pilot Flying J continue to appear in NASCAR through JR Motorsports’ No. 8 Chevrolet driven by Sammy Smith.
With Michael Annett’s passing, both the racing fraternity and the hockey circles that shaped his youth are mourning someone who carried himself with a competitor’s heart until the very end.