Michael Annett, Former Xfinity Series Race Winner, Dies at 39: ‘A Great Person to So Many’

Michael Annett, known for winning the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2019, has died. He was 39. 

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JR Motorsports wrote on social media on Friday, Dec. 5.

The organization continued, “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.”

“NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” the company added in its own statement. “Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage.”

“Throughout his career, he represented our sport with integrity and the passion of a true racer,” NASCAR continued, adding that it “extends its condolences to Michael’s family and many friends.”

Annett’s cause of death and other details have not been shared publicly.

Annett made his Xfinity Series debut in 2008, before entering with Germain Racing and going full-time in 2009. He then transitioned to Rusty Wallace Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports, but his most notable accomplishments came after he joined JR Motorsports in 2017. 

The Iowa native, who made 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series, made a name for himself in the Xfinity Series, where he made 321 total starts. In 2019, he went on to win the series’ season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet, landing his first and only win at the national level.

Throughout his career, Annett was also a two-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series, and he won the Talladega Superspeedway race in 2007 and the 2008 series opener at Daytona. 

In 2021, Annett announced his retirement from full-time competition after a stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for part of the season. 

“I’m just so grateful for the opportunities I’ve had,” he said in a release at the time. “Being able to drive race cars for a living is honestly a dream come true for me. It’s been a privilege to work with some great teams and alongside some of the most talented folks in the garage.”

“None of this would have been possible without the support of my partners, and I am happy to call them lifelong friends,” Annett added. “It’s those relationships and friendships that are the most rewarding.”

Reflecting on Annett’s career journey, 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski paid tribute to the late NASCAR star on social media after his death.

“I remember this day vividly,” Keselowski wrote on X alongside a video of one of Annett’s iconic wins at just 21 years old. “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.”

Many others also paid tribute online. “Heartbroken,” Noah Gragson, a former teammate of Annett’s at JRM, said on Instagram. “Going to miss you man. Love you Diesel Mike.”

Fellow Xfinity Series winner Sammy Smith wrote on X, “Very sad to lose someone who meant so much to me and my family. Michael was a great person to so many, and we’ll miss him a lot.”