Xfinity Series champion Michael Annett died this week at the age of 39. (Photo credit: Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Michael Annett, a retired NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, has died at the age of 39.
Annett’s death was announced Friday (December 5) by JR Motorsports, the company he represented for four years prior to his retirement.
The company wrote, “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.”
Michael Annett’s cause of death has not been made public.
About Michael Annett’s Racing Career
Michael Annett was born and raised in Iowa where he grew up with a passion for playing hockey. Annett was playing for Triple-A hockey team, Team Illinois, at the age of 16. He joined the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks, a top-tier amateur hockey league reserved for those who want to go professional.
But in 2005, Annett transitioned to motorsports and kicked off his racing career two years later. He quickly found success as an ARCA driver, earning two wins (Talladega and Daytona), five top-five finishes, and eight top-ten finishes in his first ten races from 2007 to 2009, according to his website.
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In 2009, Michael went full-time as a driver in the NASCAR Cup Series. He raced for Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Turner Scott Motorsports, and JR Motorsports over the course of his 14-year career.
Annett scored his first and only career victory at the NASCAR Racing Experience 300 at Daytona International Speedway in 2019.
A stress fracture forced Michael Annett to retire in 2021.
Annett Remembered By NASCAR Colleagues
Many of Annett’s fellow NASCAR drivers, former teammates, and sponsors expressed their grief over his death and shared condolences to his family. Among those were NASCAR drivers Jeremy Clements, Brad Keselowski, Xfinity Racing, Pilot (Annett’s sponsor for 14 years), former Sprint Car driver Brad Doty, and Greg Wallace (son of legendary driver Rusty Wallace).
I remember this day vividly. Michael was an up and comer at the same time I was and he was looking really good. In the end, Life took us different paths and all of us who knew him and the talent he had are sad to see him go, but glad he is no longer suffering. #RipMichael https://t.co/2imAJrMFM9
— Brad Keselowski (@keselowski) December 6, 2025
We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett at the age of 39.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the Annett family in this difficult time. pic.twitter.com/j01CCbbQFp
— Xfinity Racing (@XfinityRacing) December 6, 2025
I am just absolutely gutted to hear that we’ve lost Michael Annett! The more I think about it the harder it gets! Thoughts and prayers are with his entire family!😭
— Brad Doty (@braddoty18) December 6, 2025
Passing along our sincere condolences to the Annett family. I enjoyed getting to know Michael during the time he drove our 62 car and I learned a lot from the experience. Rest in peace. https://t.co/gOYSn89hEy
— Greg Wallace (@GregWallace66) December 6, 2025
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