NASCAR star Michael Annett died suddenly at the age of 39.
His cause of death was not immediately known.
“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,” 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.”
Full statement from NASCAR:
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Annett made 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series, making a name for himself most prominently in the Xfinity Series where he made 321 starts, 158 of which came with JRM. Annett earned his career-best achievement in 2019, winning the series’ season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway in the No. 1 JRM Chevrolet for his first and only win at the national level.
Annett ascended to the Xfinity Series for his debut in 2008 before going full-time in 2009, entering with Germain Racing before transitioning to Rusty Wallace Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports. He spent three years at the sport’s top level in the NASCAR Cup Series, driving for Turner Scott Motorsports from 2014 through 2016 and making 106 starts across those three seasons.
He then joined JRM in 2017, racing for the company through the remainder of his racing career before stepping away after a stress fracture in his leg sidelined him for parts of the 2021 season.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett,” JR Motorsports shared on social media via X. “Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 until he retired in 2021 and was an important part in turning us into the four-car organization we remain today.”
Annett was also a two-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series, scoring a Talladega Superspeedway victory in 2007 before winning the 2008 series opener at Daytona.
Before making the leap to stock-car racing, Annett was working his way up the ladder in ice hockey, serving as a defenseman on the United States Hockey League’s Waterloo Black Hawks.
His 2004 season with the team earned him a “Most Improved Player” award as he and his team prevailed to win the Clark Cup that year, alongside future NHL player Joe Pavelski, who played for 18 seasons with the San Jose Sharks and Dallas Stars.
Annett won the XFinity series at Daytona in 2019.
WATCH:
RT TO CONGRATULATE MICHAEL ANNETT ON HIS XFINITY SERIES WIN AT DAYTONA! pic.twitter.com/wMFlZZy9mU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2019
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