Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has died at the age of 39.
JR Motorsports announced his passing Friday evening on social media. Annett raced for the team in the Xfinity Series for five seasons, from 2017 to 2021.
Per Marca, neither JR Motorsports nor NASCAR has shared an official cause of death at this time. Friday’s statement simply announced Annett’s passing and offered condolences to his family.
Outlets reporting on the news note that the cause remains undisclosed and are urging fans not to spread unverified rumors or speculation.
Michael Annett (born June 23, 1986 – died December 2025) was an American professional stock car racing driver known for his steady presence in NASCAR’s Xfinity and Cup Series. Raised in Des Moines, Iowa, Annett originally pursued a career in hockey before switching to motorsports in his late teens. His competitive drive and natural skill quickly pushed him through the racing ranks.
Annett made his NASCAR debut in 2008 and went on to compete full-time in the Xfinity Series and later in the Cup Series. Over the course of his career, he drove for several notable teams, including Jericho Racing, HRE Motorsports, Richard Petty Motorsports, and Tommy Baldwin Racing. His longest and most successful run came with JR Motorsports, where he raced from 2017 to 2021.
His breakout moment arrived in 2019 when he earned his first NASCAR Xfinity Series win at the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. The victory was a highlight in a career marked by determination, consistency, and resilience. He collected dozens of top-10 finishes throughout his time in the series and was known within the garage for his professionalism and positive attitude.
Off the track, Annett came from a racing-minded family and was supported throughout his career by his parents, who were involved in the trucking and freight industry. He remained close to his roots in Iowa and often spoke about the importance of hard work, discipline, and gratitude for the opportunities he had in racing.
According to Yahoo Sports, Annett retired after the 2021 season following a long struggle with a stress fracture in his right leg, which caused him to miss seven races that year. He had also missed part of the 2013 season after breaking and dislocating his sternum in a hard crash at Daytona, where his car hit the wall head-on.
