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Michael Annett Who Used to Win Races in the Xfinity Series Passed Away at the Age of 39
Michael Annett, 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, passes away at 39
Michael Annett, the 2019 NASCAR Xfinity Series champion, has died at age 39.
JR Motorsports sent out a message of condolence on social media: “With the passing of our friend Michael Annett, we are thinking of the Annett family and praying for them.” The team wrote that Annett was their “cornerstone” from 2017 until his retirement in 2021 and that he was instrumental in the team’s transition to a four-car operation.”
NASCAR, in a statement, also expressed its grief over the demise of the driver whom they respected and admired and commended his determination, professionalism, and positive attitude. “He was a man of great integrity, and he had the love for the sport of a real racer, and this is what he exhibited to our sport all through his career,” said NASCAR while offering condolences to his family and friends.
Information about the cause of death of Annett has not been revealed.
Michael Annett NASCAR career highlights
Michael Annett first appeared in the NASCAR Xfinity Series in 2008 and in 2009 he went full-time with Germain Racing. After a while, he drove for Rusty Wallace Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports but it was only after he joined JR Motorsports in 2017 that he made the most significant accomplishments.
The Des Moines, Iowa native has a total of 436 combined starts across the three national touring series of NASCAR with 321 of them being in the Xfinity Series. In 2019, he was the winner of the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet – his first and only victory at the national level.
Moreover, Annett was twice victorious in the ARCA Menards Series, winning the Talladega Superspeedway race in 2007 as well as the 2008 series opener at Daytona.
Michael Annett leaves full-time racing after 2021
Michael Annett announced his retirement from full-time NASCAR racing after a stress fracture in his leg which caused him to be out of the track for a part of the season. He made this announcement in 2021.
“Thank you, thank you very much for the opportunities I have been given,” he said in a statement. “To be able to make a living out of racing is in fact a dream come true for me. I have been very lucky to work with some great teams and to be alongside some of the most talented people in the garage,” he said.
Annett also said, “It wouldn’t have been possible for me to do all this if I didn’t have the support of my partners and I am proud to call them my friends for life. It is these connections and friendships that are the most valuable.”
Brad Keselowski remembers NASCAR driver Michael Annett who passed away
Upon reflecting on Michael Annett’s journey, 2012 Cup Series champion Brad Keselowski remembered the late driver via his social media.
“I remember this day very clear,” Keselowski wrote on X along with a clip of Annett’s legendary road to victory which he achieved at a mere 21 years of age. “Michael was a rise and I was a rise too, and he was looking really good. At the end of the day, Life took us different ways and all of us who knew him and the talent he had are sad to see him go, but glad he is not suffering anymore.”
NASCAR community mourns Michael Annett’s passing
A number of Michael Annett tributes were made by members of the NASCAR community on social media. One of the closest friends and former JR Motorsports teammates, Noah Gragson, broke the silence of his grief on Instagram, posting: “Going to miss you man. Love you Diesel Mike.”
Another fellow Xfinity Series winner, Sammy Smith, posting on X, wrote, “Extremely sad to lose a person who meant the world to me and my family. Michael was an awesome guy for so many, and we are going to miss him dearly.”
