Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has died. He was 39. (NASCAR)
The motorsport world is mourning the death of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett.
JR Motorsports announced Annett’s death Friday evening.
Annett was 39 years old.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” the company shared online.
He drove for JR Motorsports in the Xfinity Series for five seasons from 2017 to 2021.
“Michael was a key member of JRM … and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today,” team members wrote.
According to NASCAR, the Des Moines, Iowa, native earned his career-best achievement in 2019, winning the series’ season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet.
Annett made his debut in the Xfinity Series in 2008 and spent three years at the sport’s top level in the NASCAR Cup Series with Turner Scott Motorsports from 2014 through 2016.
He finished his career with JRM in 2021 after a stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for parts of the season.
“NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett,” NASCAR said in a statement. “Michael was a respected competitor whose determination, professionalism, and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage.”
Annett’s cause of death was not immediately released.