Former NASCAR competitor Michael Annett has passed away at the age of 39.
Videos by FanBuzz
Team RSMG, which worked with the Iowa native, announced the news on Friday, Dec. 5. The company did not provide any further details.
"We are sad to have lost a family member," Team RSMG wrote on X. "Michael Annett will always be in our hearts. Our thoughts are with the Annett family at this time."
Annett competed in all three national series, as well as the ARCA Menards Series, while driving for multiple teams and celebrating multiple wins. He proved particularly successful at superspeedways.
Annett made 10 starts in the ARCA Menards Series while celebrating wins at Talladega Superspeedway (2007) and Daytona International Speedway (2008).
He also made nine Craftsman Truck Series starts, 106 Cup Series starts, and 321 Xfinity Series starts. He drove for such teams as Germain Racing, Richard Petty Motorsports, Rusty Wallace Racing, and JR Motorsports while winning an Xfinity Series race at Daytona International Speedway.
RT TO CONGRATULATE MICHAEL ANNETT ON HIS XFINITY SERIES WIN AT DAYTONA! pic.twitter.com/wMFlZZy9mU
— FOX: NASCAR (@NASCARONFOX) February 16, 2019
Annett's final season in NASCAR was 2021. He made 26 starts for JR Motorsports, but he did not run the full season. He missed the July 2021 race at Atlanta Motor Speedway after sustaining a leg injury, an issue that he had dealt with for multiple weeks.
He then scheduled surgery after the Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, which kept him out of the car for multiple races. JR Motorsports turned to Josh Berry, Chase Elliott, and Austin Dillon to fill out the schedule.
Annett returned to the No. 1 for the Charlotte Roval. He then closed out the season with starts at Texas Motor Speedway, Kansas Speedway, Martinsville Speedway, and Phoenix Raceway. He retired after the season's end.
"Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett," JR Motorsports said in a statement. "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."
NASCAR released a statement on Friday evening, saying, "NASCAR is 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. 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."
