Former NASCAR racing star Michael Annett dies at 39

Former NASCAR racing star Michael Annett dies at 39
Former NASCAR racing star Michael Annett dies at 39

Michael Annett, a former racing driver who made a combined 436 starts in NASCAR’s three national touring series, has died. He was 39 years old.

JR Motorsports, one of Annett’s former teams, posted the news on social media on Friday. The cause of death was not announced.

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NASCAR also confirmed the death in a statement on its website, saying, “NASCAR is deeply saddened to learn of the passing of former NASCAR driver Michael Annett” and describing him as a “respected competitor, whose determination, professionalism and positive spirit were felt by everyone in the garage.”

Michael Annett, on September 4, 2021 in Darlington, South Carolina. / Credit: Jared C. Tilton / Getty Images

According to NASCAR, Annett made 321 starts in the Xfinity Series, 158 of which were with JRM. JRM co-owner Dale Earnhardt Jr. hired Annett in 2017. The team said Annett was “a key member of JRM from 2017 until his retirement in 2021.”

His career achievement came in 2019 when he won the series’ season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. A stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for parts of the 2021 season, NASCAR said.

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Annett, originally from Des Moines, Iowa, also won twice in the ARCA Menards Series. He won at Talladega Superspeedway in 2007 and then won the series opener at Daytona in 2008.

Michael Annett at Nashville Superspeedway on June 19, 2021 in Lebanon, Tennessee. / Credit: Sarah Stier / Getty Images

Michael Annett at Nashville Superspeedway on June 19, 2021 in Lebanon, Tennessee. / Credit: Sarah Stier / Getty Images

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