MOORESVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Michael Annett, a former racecar driver who made 436 combined starts in NASCAR’s three national touring series, has died. He was 39.

JR Motorsports, one of Annett’s former teams, posted the news on social media on Friday. No cause of death was announced.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” the team wrote. “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.”

According to NASCAR, Annett made 321 starts in the Xfinity Series, 158 of which came with JRM.
In 2019, Annett won the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet for his only win at the national level.

Annett, a native of Des Moines, Iowa, was also a two-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series. He won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 and then took the series opener at Daytona in 2008.

“NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” the racing body said in a 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 extends its condolences to Michael’s family and many friends.”

By Neha Dwivedi, Staff Writer

The NASCAR community was recently dealt a heavy blow with the passing of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett, who died at 39. Annett, who last competed in 2021 and logged time across all three national touring series, made 436 combined starts during his career. Of those, 321 came in the Xfinity Series, including 158 with JR Motorsports, the team that became synonymous with the strongest chapter of his tenure. JRM, co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr., shared the heartbreaking news on Friday through a social media post, though no cause of death was disclosed.

With a picture of the former No. 1 Chevrolet JRM driver, the team wrote on X, “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett. 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 reflected the sentiment in an official statement, honoring the former stock car racing competitor, writing, “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. Throughout his career, he represented our sport with integrity and the passion of a true racer. NASCAR extends its condolences to Michael’s family and many friends.”

While Annett had started racing after high school in his hometown, Iowa, he eventually advanced to the American Speed Association series. As he moved to ARCA, Annett found success in stock car racing, becoming a known face and earning wins at Talladega in 2007 and again at Daytona in the 2008 season opener. 

Annett’s NASCAR path began in 2008, when he transitioned to the Truck and Xfinity Series, and eventually ran full-time in Xfinity from 2009 to 2013. He competed with Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports, delivering his strongest early season in 2012, when he bagged six top 5s, 17 top 10s, and finished P5 in the championship standings.

Then, from 2014 through 2016, Annett advanced to the NASCAR Cup Series before returning to Xfinity competition with JR Motorsports in 2017. His hiring came from Dale Jr.’s belief in the Iowa-born driver’s ability to grow, and that confidence was rewarded in February 2019 when Annett scored a Daytona win, prompting Dale Jr. to draw comparisons to Michael Waltrip’s breakthrough 2001 Daytona 500 win after joining Dale Earnhardt, Inc.

His career, marked by steady progression, came to a close in 2021, when he announced his retirement after a stress fracture in his right femur sidelined him from several events.

But even after stepping out of the driver’s seat, Annett remained respected for his work ethic, his climb through NASCAR’s ranks, and the improbable bridge he once stood on between hockey and motorsports. Before racing, he patrolled the blue line as a defenseman for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League, becoming one of the drivers, legitimately recognized as an athlete.

While hockey was something he tried out, racing ran in his family. His late father, Harrold Annett, served as CEO of TMC Transportation, the longtime backer of his career. Harrold co-owned a sprint-car team as well, famously fielding cars for Sammy Swindell, who won 35 races during their four-year run. Today, TMC and Pilot Flying J continue to appear in NASCAR through JR Motorsports’ No. 8 Chevrolet driven by Sammy Smith.

With Michael Annett’s passing, both the racing fraternity and the hockey circles that shaped his youth are mourning someone who carried himself with a competitor’s heart until the very end.

The NASCAR community continues to grieve the loss of former driver Michael Annett, who passed away Friday at the age of 39. Among the many voices honoring his memory was former Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski.

He shared an emotional tribute on social media reflecting on Annett’s early promise and their time coming up together in the sport: “I remember this day vividly,” Keselowski wrote on X, harkening back to their time together in the ARCA Series. “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. All of us who knew him and the talent he had are sad to see him go, but glad he is no longer suffering.”

Keselowski’s message was one of the many heartfelt responses following news of Annett’s passing. The former JR Motorsports driver, perhaps best known for his 2019 Daytona victory in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series, was remembered with deep admiration by NASCAR and JRM, both of which issued statements on Saturday.

“NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” the sport’s governing body’s statement read. “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.”

JR Motorsports echoed those sentiments, highlighting the impact Annett had on the organization during his five seasons driving the No. 1 Chevrolet from 2017 through his retirement in 2021: “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. “Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family.”

News of Annett’s death was first shared by Rising Star Management Group, his talent agency, which called him “a family member” and expressed deep sorrow on behalf of those closest to him. No cause of death has been revealed publicly.

A veteran across all three national NASCAR series, Annett made 106 Cup Series starts from 2014–2016 and carved out a respected career in the Xfinity ranks, where he earned his breakthrough Daytona win and built a reputation as a well-liked competitor in the garage. He retired after the 2021 season following complications from a right-leg injury.

As tributes continue to pour in, it’s clear Annett’s legacy extends far beyond his results on the track. He leaves behind a meaningful imprint on his teammates, competitors and fans.

Keselowski’s message made it evident, as a generation of drivers saw firsthand his talent and work ethic, and they recognize the unfortunate loss NASCAR is feeling at the moment. Thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends. 

Michael Annett, the former NASCAR driver who died on December 5, 2025, left behind a respected career and a steady financial legacy. His net worth has become a major point of public interest following his passing at age 39. Early reports confirm his long racing career, family background, and limited public details about his private life.

JR Motorsports announced his death on December 5. They did not confirm a cause. Fans and colleagues across NASCAR expressed shock as the news spread. Annett had retired in 2021 after suffering a stress fracture in his right femur.

Michael Annett’s career and earnings overview

Annett competed in NASCAR from 2008 to 2021. He ran 436 national series races across the Cup Series, Xfinity Series, and Truck Series. He earned his biggest career win in February 2019 when he won the Daytona Xfinity season opener. He also finished fifth in the 2012 NASCAR Xfinity standings.

Trusted outlets note that Xfinity veterans of his era often earned between 200,000 and 500,000 dollars per year, depending on results and bonuses. Annett also earned prize money from 321 Xfinity starts, 106 Cup Series races, and several ARCA and Truck Series appearances. His 2019 Daytona win paid a high six-figure purse.

Sponsorship played a key role in his financial stability. Flying J supported him for more than a decade. That long-term sponsorship contributed significantly to his earnings and allowed him to stay in competitive equipment. His career also included two ARCA wins in 2007 and 2008 before he moved into NASCAR full time.

Multiple financial trackers estimate that Annett’s net worth ranged from five to ten million dollars at the time of his death. This aligns with typical earnings for long-tenured drivers with consistent sponsorship backing and steady performance across major NASCAR divisions.

Annett retired in 2021. His retirement statement mentioned gratitude for his team relationships and the opportunities he received through motorsports. He later stepped away from the public spotlight.

Private life details remain limited

There is little verified information about Annett’s private life. There are no official records confirming whether he was married. Social media speculation grew in 2013 about a reported relationship with Heidi Spillane after the pair were linked through an animal adoption story. However, this was never confirmed.

Annett was the son of Harold “Harrold” Annett, the founder of TMC Transportation. His father supported his racing career starting in his earliest racing stages. Harold passed away before Michael, leaving a family legacy tied to both business and motorsports.

Annett rarely discussed personal matters publicly. His private life was mostly separate from his racing identity, and he avoided major media attention off the track.

The racing community continues to honor Michael Annett’s life, career, and the steady presence he brought to NASCAR. His net worth, career milestones, and family connections form the final picture of a respected competitor whose legacy now stands complete.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-