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)-

NASCAR during the early 2010s was a desert for young talent. With all-time bad Cup Series ROTYs like Stephen Leicht, Andy Lally, and Kevin Conway. Due to bushwhacking and teams being comfy with their veterans, leading them not to want to develop talent. Doesn’t mean there was no talent.

A Window Into A World That Never Was

Looking at the standings and many of the winners shows a plethora of young talents who never lived up to their full potential. Starting with the very first winner of the year, John King. Now, King wasn’t a young talent wasted but a guy who was lucky to be there at all.

Before 2012, the man from Kingsport, Tennessee, made only seven starts in the NASCAR Truck Series for three different owners, with his best finish on debut. So, a lot of people were shocked when a top-tier team, Red Horse, signed him for 2012.

And he would really shock people when, in his first ever race at a superspeedway, he would win his first ever NASCAR race after he accidentally hooked Sauter to set up a final restart where Joey Coulter, going flying into the catchfence, would end things under yellow.

King would go from leading the NASCAR Truck Series standings for two weeks to being fired midseason for underperformance and a lack of sponsorship. He never went full-time, instead picking up PT rides. Many at Daytona, where he never could recapture that magic he had in 2012.

Then There Was Justin Lofton, Cale Gale, and Eddie Sharp Racing

A what-if driver and a what-if team for the price of one. Lofton was the 2009 ARCA champion, holding off another 2012 NASCAR truck winner and what-if driver Kligerman, who won nine races that ARCA season.But entering 2012, while Lofton had shown flashes of speed in NASCAR, he’d still been fired by top truck teams like Red Horse and Germain before being picked up by Eddie Sharp Racing.

2012 looked to be a massive year for the team after being outbid by KHI, another top truck team. And it looked like they’d be a top NASCAR truck when Lofton won at Charlotte on pure speed, beating Cup driver Keselowski.Then, in the finale with the ESR No.33, Cale Gale, an RCR development driver, also beat Keselowski in a memorable photo finish.

But all these promises would go unfilled. ESR, due to the expansion to four trucks, would shut down after 2013 due to financial constraints. And neither Lofton nor Gale would go full-time in any NASCAR series again. Both are remembered as busts.

Now for Nelson Piquet Jr.

Piquet Jr. will not be remembered most for anything he did in NASCAR but for the “crashgate” scandal in F1 where Renault told the Brazilian to crash on purpose to give teammate Alonso a strategic advantage, which led to him winning that GP.

His NASCAR career is underrated, though, as his 2012 season showed. After he was rejected by F1 and left amid a scandal, he crossed that massive pond and went into NASCAR. In his second full-time truck, he improved from his tenth-place points finish to seventh, winning two races.

At Michigan and Las Vegas, two oval trucks. Making him one of the few drivers who started racing out in road course-based series to come over to NASCAR and win at any oval. Something not like what Montoya, Ambrose, or currently SVG has done.

He even won at Road America in the Nationwide Series in 2012, his only Nationwide Series win. In 2013, he went full-time in the NASCAR Nationwide Series with his NASCAR Truck Series team, Turner Scott. He didn’t win in 2013, and not only would he never be full-time in NASCAR again, but he would do only one Cup Series start in 2014.

Bonus Round: The 2012 Truck Series Champion: James Buescher

But the weirdest thing to look back on is, of course, that year’s champion. James Buescher also won the opening NASCAR Nationwide Series race at Daytona that year. And went on to compete in four NASCAR Truck Series races in 2012, winning the championship.

He returned to the NASCAR Truck Series in 2013 and finished third in the points standings after winning two races. But after his full-time season in the NASCAR Nationwide Series in 2014 with RAB, his career would dissipate, and today he’s made a career for himself in real estate.

A lack of funding, plus his truck and nationwide series team, Turner Scott, peaking at this time, before overambition and internal politics kill the team from within. It meant that James’s garage connections were useless, and nobody wanted to give the young talent a chance without sponsorship backing.

Final Thoughts

Something that’s even more awkward to remember when seeing his cousin Chris Buescher winning in the Cup Series. As he’s an Xfinity and ARCA Series champion with a top ride, he’s shown he’s a top-ten or better driver in the top division of NASCAR. Emphasizing how much untapped potential we can see from this one truck series season alone, thanks a bunch for reading!

The NASCAR community is mourning the loss of former driver Michael Annett. He passed away Friday at the age of 39. 

Annett, the winner at Daytona in the O’Reilly Auto Parts Series in 2019 and a veteran across all three national NASCAR levels, was remembered with heartfelt statements from both NASCAR and JR Motorsports. His loss is weighing on the two organizations.

NASCAR issued a statement Saturday morning, expressing deep sadness over Annett’s passing, honoring both his competitive spirit and the way he carried himself throughout his career: “NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” NASCAR’s statement read, via FOX’s Bob Pockrass.

“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.”

Annett spent five seasons driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports, from 2017 through his retirement in 2021. The team credited him with helping build the foundation of the organization as it stands today. 

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

News of Annett’s death was first shared by his talent agency, Rising Star Management Group, which wrote, “We are sad to have lost a family member. Michael Annett will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts are with the Annett family at this time. Rest in peace MA.” No cause of death has been released in the time since.

Annett had an impressive career, making 106 Cup Series starts between 2014 and 2016 and spending the majority of his NASCAR career in what was formerly called the Xfinity Series. His 2019 Daytona victory marked the biggest moment of his time in the sport, punctuating a career defined by perseverance and respect within the garage.

He stepped away after the 2021 season, due to complications from a right-leg injury that sidelined him late that year. The Xfinity Series paid tribute as well, writing, “We are heartbroken to learn of the passing of former Xfinity Series driver Michael Annett at the age of 39. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Annett family in this difficult time.”

As you can tell, Annett was a respected competitor, loyal teammate and universally liked figure in the motorsports world. He leaves behind a lasting impact across the NASCAR community, and thoughts and prayers are with his family and friends.