Michael Annett, Former NASCAR Race Winner, Dies At Age 39

Former NASCAR race winner Michael Annett has died at age 39, JR Motorsports confirmed Saturday.

Annett made his NASCAR debut in 2008 and won his first national victory in 2019 during the Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway.

JRM said in a statement the Des Moines native was "an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today."

NASCAR said in a statement the organization was "deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett."

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

Former JR Motorsports teammates Sammy Smith, Noah Gragson and Brad Keselowski meanwhile shared tributes to Annett on social media.

Before he was a race car driver, Annett was a junior ice hockey defenseman for the USHL's Waterloo Black Hawks, where he played two seasons and won the Clark Cup Championship in 2004.

The Black Hawks honored Annett in a statement crediting him for giving back by making the largest individual donation in the organization's history in 2012.

Annett earned two ARCA Menards series wins early in his career with a 2007 Talladega Superspeedway victory and a 2008 series opener win in Daytona.

He went on to make 106 starts in three seasons driving for Turner Scott Motorsports in the NASCAR Cup series from 2014 to 2016.

Annett joined JR Motorsports when co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. signed him in 2017 and made 158 starts for the company.

He battled a stress fracture in his right femur throughout his final campaign before retiring at the end of the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season.

Annett closed out his NASCAR career having made 436 combined starts across three national series.