NASCAR Community Heartbroken as Michael Annett Passes Away at 39

Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett, a beloved figure in the Xfinity Series and a key part of JR Motorsports’ success, has died at the age of 39. The news was confirmed on December 5, 2025, by JR Motorsports, his longtime team, and his management group, RSMG.

Annett, born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa, spent more than a decade competing in NASCAR’s national series. He made 106 starts in the Cup Series (2014–2016) and over 330 starts in the Xfinity Series, where he scored one victory (Daytona, February 2019) while driving the No. 1 Chevrolet for JR Motorsports. Known for his consistency, he recorded 19 top-fives and 95 top-tens in Xfinity competition and finished inside the top ten in points four times.

A former hockey player turned racer, Annett was the son of trucking executive and dirt-track team owner Harrold Annett. He began his stock-car career in ARCA, winning at Talladega and Daytona, before progressing through the Truck Series and into full-time Xfinity competition in 2009.

Annett played a pivotal role in JR Motorsports’ growth into a four-car powerhouse and was widely respected for his professionalism and positive attitude in the garage. He stepped away from full-time racing after the 2021 season due to a recurring leg injury but remained a popular figure among fans and competitors.

At this time, no official cause of death has been released, and the Annett family has requested privacy during this difficult period. Tributes have poured in from across the NASCAR world, with drivers, teams, and fans remembering Michael as a fierce competitor, a supportive teammate, and a proud Iowan, and, above all, a genuinely good person.

Rest in peace, Michael Annett (1986–2025). The NASCAR family has lost one of its own far too soon.