Former NASCAR Driver Michael Annett Dies at 39

Michael Annett, a former NASCAR driver known for his victory in the 2019 Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway, died Friday at the age of 39.

JR Motorsports, the team co-owned by Dale Earnhardt Jr. and his sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, announced Annett's death on social media that evening. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett," the team stated. "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." No cause of death was disclosed.

Annett, an Iowa native who relocated to North Carolina to pursue racing, began his professional career in the ARCA Menards Series. He secured two wins there: the 2007 ARCA Re/Max 250 at Talladega Superspeedway and the 2008 Daytona ARCA 200 at Daytona International Speedway, both driving for Bill Davis Racing. He transitioned to NASCAR's national series, competing across all three levels over more than a decade.

In the NASCAR O'Reilly Auto Parts Series, formerly known as the Xfinity Series, Annett made 321 starts from 2008 to 2021. His lone victory came in the...