The racing world is mourning the loss of Michael Annett, a former NASCAR driver who died at age 39, his longtime team JR Motorsports announced Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. No cause of death was released by the team or NASCAR officials.
Annett, a Des Moines, Iowa native, compiled 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series during a career that spanned from 2008 to 2021. His racing journey included 321 Xfinity Series starts, 106 Cup Series starts, and multiple appearances in other NASCAR divisions, establishing him as a dedicated competitor in the sport’s competitive landscape.
The pinnacle of Annett’s racing career came in 2019 when he captured his only NASCAR national series victory at Daytona International Speedway. Driving for JRM Chevrolet in the season-opening Xfinity Series race, Annett’s triumph held special significance for the sport. The victory at Daytona, one of NASCAR’s most prestigious venues, represented the culmination of years of perseverance in a sport where wins at the national level are difficult to achieve.
JR Motorsports, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., played a central role in Annett’s career trajectory. The team signed him in 2017, and he competed with the organization through 2021, making 158 starts during that five-year period. The organization credited Annett with helping transform JRM into the four-car team it remains today, highlighting his contributions both on and off the track.
During his tenure with JR Motorsports, Annett recorded 61 top-10 finishes, demonstrating consistent performance in NASCAR’s highly competitive Xfinity Series. The series serves as a developmental platform for drivers aspiring to reach the Cup Series, though many established competitors also participate regularly. Annett’s ability to run competitively week after week contributed to the team’s overall success during a period of organizational growth.
Before his years with JRM, Annett competed at NASCAR’s highest level in the Cup Series from 2014 through 2016, driving for Turner Scott Motorsports. Those three seasons provided valuable experience competing against the sport’s elite drivers, though the results proved challenging. His Xfinity Series debut came in 2008, and he transitioned to full-time competition in that series in 2009.
Annett also found success in the ARCA Menards Series, securing two victories in that developmental series. He won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 and captured the series opener at Daytona in 2008, demonstrating his ability to compete on NASCAR’s most demanding superspeedway tracks early in his career.
His racing career ended in 2021 when a stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for parts of the season. The injury ultimately led to his retirement from competition, closing a chapter on more than a decade of racing at NASCAR’s national level.
Before pursuing stock-car racing, Annett played ice hockey as a defenseman for the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks. His 2004 season earned him a Most Improved Player award as his team won the Clark Cup alongside future NHL player Joe Pavelski. The transition from ice hockey to racing demonstrated Annett’s athletic versatility and competitive drive.
Annett’s father, Harrold Annett, served as CEO of TMC Transportation, which sponsored much of his son’s racing efforts throughout his career.
NASCAR released a statement expressing condolences: “NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett. Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage.”
Fellow NASCAR driver Brad Keselowski said Annett was no longer suffering, suggesting the driver may have faced health challenges, though details were not publicly disclosed.
The racing community’s tributes reflected Annett’s impact on those who worked alongside him throughout his career.
The motorsports world continues to honor Annett’s memory as details regarding memorial services have not yet been announced. His career, marked by determination and professionalism, left an impression on teammates, competitors, and NASCAR officials who recognized his contributions to the sport.
