Former NASCAR driver dies at 39, racing team confirms

Michael Annett, a former NASCAR driver known for winning the organization’s Xfinity Series season opening race in 2019, has died. He was 39.

Annett’s former team, JR Motorsports, announced his death on Friday via a social media post on X.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JR Motorsports posted.

The cause of Annett’s death has not been disclosed.

Annett, an Iowa native, began his race car driving career in 2007. He became a two-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series, earning his first win at the Talladega Superspeedway in Alabama during his racing debut year, AP News reported.

In 2008, Annett then won the series’ opening race at Daytona International Speedway in Florida.

Annett went on to drive for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series for five seasons from 2017 to 2021.

During his racing career, Annett made 321 starts in NASCAR’s Xfinity Series, 158 of which came with JR Motorsports, according to NASCAR’s website.

Annett also made over 100 starts in the NASCAR’s Cup Series, the organization’s top racing series.

In 2019, Annett won the Xfinity Series’ opener at Daytona International Speedway, his first and only win at that level, according to NASCAR’s website.

“Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage,” NASCAR said in a statement.

Annett retired after the 2021 season after dealing with a stress fracture in his right leg for a majority of the season. He missed seven races that same year.