Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has died at age 39, his former team JR Motorsports announced on Dec. 6, 2025. No cause of death was disclosed.
Annett, a Des Moines, Iowa native, made 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series during a career that spanned over a decade. The driver retired from professional racing in 2021 after a stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for portions of that season.
Rising Star Management Group, which represented Annett throughout his racing career, made the first social media post announcing his passing. JR Motorsports followed with their own statement honoring the driver who competed for their organization from 2017 through his retirement.
“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,” the team stated in their tribute.
Annett’s career highlight came in 2019 when he won the Xfinity Series season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. The victory marked his first and only win at NASCAR’s national level, a breakthrough moment that held special significance for JR Motorsports co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr., who had signed Annett to the team in 2017.
During his five seasons with JR Motorsports, Annett competed in 158 races, recording 12 top-five finishes and 61 top-10 finishes. These statistics reflected steady performance in one of the sport’s most competitive series, where consistency often proves as valuable as outright speed.
Of his 436 total NASCAR starts, 321 came in the Xfinity Series, where Annett spent the majority of his career. He also made 106 starts in the Cup Series from 2014 through 2016 with Turner Scott Motorsports, competing at NASCAR’s highest level during those three seasons. Additionally, he recorded nine starts in the Truck Series early in his career.
Before ascending to the Xfinity Series full-time, Annett proved his abilities in the ARCA Menards Series with two victories. He won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 and then captured the series opener at Daytona in 2008, demonstrating early success at superspeedway venues that would later define his NASCAR career.
Annett’s best points finish in the Xfinity Series came in 2013 when he placed fifth in the championship standings, a career-high achievement that showcased his development as a driver during that period of his career.
NASCAR released an official statement expressing condolences following news of Annett’s death. “NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” the organization said. “Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage.”
Before pursuing a career in stock car racing, Annett competed in ice hockey as a defenseman for the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League. His performance during the 2004 season earned him recognition as the team’s Most Improved Player, demonstrating the athletic versatility that would later translate to motorsports.
Annett’s racing career benefited from substantial support through family connections to the trucking industry. His father, Harrold Annett, served as CEO of TMC Transportation, a company that sponsored much of his son’s racing efforts throughout his career. The elder Annett also co-owned a sprint-car team that fielded cars for notable dirt track competitors.
TMC Transportation’s involvement with JR Motorsports continues beyond Michael Annett’s retirement. The company, along with Pilot Flying J, remains a sponsor of the team’s Xfinity Series program through driver Sammy Smith, who currently pilots the No. 8 Chevrolet.
Throughout his time in NASCAR’s national series, Annett competed during an era of intense competition in the Xfinity Series, which serves as a developmental platform for drivers aiming to reach the Cup Series. His longevity in the sport reflected both determination and the ability to secure consistent sponsorship support, factors that remain crucial for sustained careers in professional motorsports.
The racing community’s response to Annett’s death highlighted the relationships he built throughout his career. Fellow drivers, team members, and NASCAR officials shared memories and condolences across social media platforms, reflecting the tight-knit nature of the motorsports community.
Annett’s 2019 Daytona victory represented the culmination of years competing at superspeedway tracks, venues known for unpredictable racing where drafting and positioning often matter more than raw speed. That win came during his third season with JR Motorsports, a period when he had established himself as a reliable presence in the team’s lineup.
His retirement in 2021 came after the stress fracture limited his participation that season, marking the end of a career that began with ARCA competition in the mid-2000s and evolved into over a decade of racing at NASCAR’s national level. The injury that concluded his driving career underscored the physical demands placed on professional race car drivers, who endure significant forces during competition.
Details regarding memorial services have not been announced. The Annett family has not released additional information about the circumstances surrounding his death.
