Racing world in shock
The motorsports community is mourning Michael Annett, the Iowa-born driver who passed away at 39. The news came via an announcement from one of his old teams, and sanctioning bodies confirmed his death soon after. No cause has been shared publicly.
A snapshot of his career
Annett spent more than a decade behind the wheel at the national level, piling up roughly 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s top three touring divisions. He was a familiar face in the Xfinity Series, where he ran in the low 300s of events, and he also scored a pair of wins early on in the ARCA series.
Memorable victories
His biggest headline came when he won the season-opening Xfinity race at Daytona in 2019 — a high-octane moment any racer dreams about. Earlier in his career, he also won at Talladega in ARCA (2007) and grabbed the ARCA season opener at Daytona in 2008. Those superspeedway wins were proof he could hang with the best when the restrictor plates came off.
JR Motorsports, Dale Earnhardt Jr., and life in the garage
Annett spent significant time with JR Motorsports after being brought on by co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. in 2017. The team called him a steady, important presence from that signing through his retirement in 2021. Teammates and crew members often praised him for being professional, determined, and easy to get along with — basically the kind of teammate you want in the pits.
Injury and stepping away
A stress fracture in his leg slowed Annett down and kept him out of action for stretches in 2021, and he ultimately stepped away from full-time competition that year. Even after retiring from the regular grind, fans remembered him for his hustle and for making the tough days look routine.
Remembering Michael
Beyond the stats and checkered flags, Annett was someone who carved out a respectable career through grit rather than flash. The racing community has lost a respected competitor and teammate, and many will recall his upbeat attitude and steady work ethic. For fans, family and colleagues, the memories of his on-track battles and friendly demeanor are what will stick around.
What’s next
Officials and former teams have shared condolences, and no further details about the circumstances have been released. As more information becomes available, those who followed his career will be watching and remembering a driver who lived for the next green flag.
