Michael Annett, a former winner in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, has died at age 39. JR Motorsports announced the news Friday on social media and confirmed it to NASCAR.com.
An Iowa native from Des Moines, Annett made 436 total starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series. He was best known for his time in the Xfinity Series, where he ran 321 races — 158 of them with JR Motorsports. His biggest career moment came in 2019 when he won the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway, earning his first and only national-series victory.
Annett debuted in the Xfinity Series in 2008 and went full-time the next year, competing with Germain Racing before later joining Rusty Wallace Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports. He moved up to the NASCAR Cup Series from 2014–16, making 106 starts with Turner Scott Motorsports. In 2017, he signed with JR Motorsports and raced there until retiring after injuries sidelined him during the 2021 season.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JR Motorsports posted on X. “Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and played an important role in helping build the four-car team we are today.”
Beyond NASCAR, Annett was a two-time ARCA Menards Series winner, taking victories at Talladega in 2007 and in the 2008 season opener at Daytona.
JRM co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who brought Annett to the team in 2017, said Annett’s breakthrough win at Daytona in 2019 reminded him of Michael Waltrip’s emotional 2001 Daytona 500 triumph.
“It reminds me of an Earnhardt giving a Michael a chance years ago to show his potential,” Earnhardt said.
Before racing, Annett built his athletic path in ice hockey, playing defense for the USHL’s Waterloo Black Hawks. During the team’s 2004 Clark Cup championship season, he was named “Most Improved Player,” skating alongside future NHL star Joe Pavelski.
Annett’s late father, Harrold Annett — former CEO of TMC Transportation — sponsored much of his son’s racing career and co-owned a sprint-car team that won 35 races with legendary driver Sammy Swindell. Today, TMC Transportation and Pilot Flying J continue their partnership with JR Motorsports through driver Sammy Smith, who currently pilots the team’s No. 8 Chevrolet.
“Very sad to lose someone who meant so much to me and my family,” Smith wrote on X. “Michael was a great person to so many, and we’ll miss him a lot.”
Former teammates and competitors also shared their condolences. Noah Gragson wrote “Heartbroken… Going to miss you man. Love you Diesel Mike,” while Brad Keselowski reflected on their early racing days together.
“Michael was an up-and-comer at the same time I was, and he was looking really good,” Keselowski wrote. “Life took us down different paths, and all of us who knew him and the talent he had are sad to see him go.”
