Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett passes away at the age of 39

Michael Annett, a former NASCAR driver, has passed away at the age of 39. His death was confirmed by JR Motorsports in a social media statement on Friday evening.

Annett competed in over 300 races in the Xfinity Series and participated in more than 100 Cup Series events. He spent five seasons driving for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series, from 2017 until his retirement in 2021.

Our thoughts are with the Annett family during this difficult time. Michael was an integral part of JRM from 2017 until his retirement, playing a key role in developing our four-car program, JR Motorsports wrote.

His career highlights include a victory at the 2019 season-opening Xfinity Series race at Daytona, along with five additional top-five finishes that year, culminating in a ninth-place finish in the points standings. His most successful Xfinity season came in 2012 with Richard Petty Motorsports, achieving six top-five finishes, 17 top-10 finishes, and ending the season fifth in the points.

During his time with JR Motorsports, Annett consistently finished within the top 15 in the points standings. In the Cup Series, he made 106 starts between 2014 and 2016, driving for teams with limited resources such as Tommy Baldwin Racing and HScott Racing. He recorded six top-20 finishes, with his best result being 13th at the 2015 Daytona 500.

Annett retired following the 2021 Xfinity Series season after struggling with a stress fracture in his right leg, which caused him to miss seven races. His career also included time sidelined due to a fractured and dislocated sternum sustained in a crash at Daytona in 2013.

Author: Noah Whitman