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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsMichael Annett, the former NASCAR Xfinity Series race winner, has died at 39. JR Motorsports announced his death in December 2025, and NASCAR confirmed it. The official reports reviewed did not announce a cause of death.
Michael Annett, the former NASCAR Xfinity Series race winner, has died at 39. JR Motorsports announced his death in December 2025, and NASCAR subsequently confirmed it. The official reports reviewed did not announce a cause of death.
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Annett was a Des Moines, Iowa, native who made 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series. His defining achievement came on February 16, 2019, when he won the Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway for his first and only victory in NASCAR’s national series.
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What was reported about Michael Annett’s death?
JR Motorsports, Annett’s former team, announced his death in a social-media statement in December 2025. NASCAR later confirmed the news and remembered Annett as a respected competitor known for his determination, professionalism and positive presence in the garage.
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The Associated Press and CBS/AP also reported that Annett was 39 and that no cause of death had been announced. That is the most precise wording based on the available reporting: the official sources reviewed do not disclose a cause.
The date requires a small qualification. NASCAR’s official report is dated December 5, 2025, and centers on the announcement that day. A separate obituary listing gives December 2, 2025, as Annett’s date of death. Because those sources serve different purposes, December 5 is best treated as the official announcement date, while December 2 should be attributed specifically to the obituary listing rather than presented as an uncontested fact.
Michael Annett’s NASCAR career by the numbers
- 436: combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series
- 321: Xfinity Series starts
- 158: of those Xfinity starts with JR Motorsports
- 106: Cup Series starts from 2014 through 2016
- 1: national-series victory, at Daytona in 2019
- 5th: Annett’s best Xfinity Series points finish, achieved in 2012
Annett first competed in the Xfinity Series in 2008 and became a full-time driver in 2009. Before joining JR Motorsports, he drove for Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing and Richard Petty Motorsports.
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Annett’s defining moment: the 2019 Daytona Xfinity win
Annett’s biggest NASCAR achievement came at Daytona International Speedway on February 16, 2019. Driving JR Motorsports’ No. 1 Chevrolet, he won the NASCAR Racing Experience 300, the Xfinity Series season opener.
The victory was Annett’s first Xfinity Series win and his only victory in NASCAR’s national touring series. It came in his 230th Xfinity Series start, making the result a particularly notable milestone in a career built on longevity and persistence.
Annett held off JR Motorsports teammate Justin Allgaier in the closing stages on Daytona’s 2.5-mile superspeedway. The win also extended JR Motorsports’ strong run at the track: NASCAR reported that it was the organization’s third Daytona victory in four races.
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His years with JR Motorsports
Annett joined JR Motorsports for the 2017 Xfinity season and remained with the organization through the end of his full-time driving career. He made 158 of his 321 Xfinity Series starts with JRM.
His place at JR Motorsports mattered beyond the statistics. The team brought him in as a veteran while it expanded to four full-time cars, and he became a steady presence in the organization’s later Xfinity program. JRM was also the team that publicly announced his death, making the organization central both to the final phase of his racing career and to the first public news of his passing.
Why Michael Annett retired in 2021
Annett’s final full-time season was affected by a recurring stress fracture in his right femur. He underwent surgery in July 2021, returned after recovery and medical clearance, and then reinjured the leg while working out in September.
On October 6, 2021, Annett announced that he planned to retire from full-time competition after the Xfinity season. NASCAR reported that the injury was a major factor in the decision. At the time of the announcement, he had not competed since finishing 22nd at Richmond Raceway after the reinjury.
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The 2021 injury and retirement should not be confused with the circumstances of Annett’s death. The available official reports document the leg injury and its role in his retirement, but they do not connect that injury to his death or identify a cause of death.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.A career defined by persistence and one major Daytona breakthrough
Annett’s résumé was not built around a championship or a long list of wins. Instead, it reflected more than a decade of competition at NASCAR’s highest levels: 436 combined national-series starts, three Cup seasons, 321 Xfinity starts and a sustained role with JR Motorsports.
His 2019 Daytona victory remains the signature result. It was his first and only national-series win, arrived at a track where he had already won in ARCA, and came after 229 Xfinity starts without a victory. That combination made the race one of the most memorable moments of his career.
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For collectors, a Michael Annett 2019 Daytona diecast is a directly relevant way to commemorate that achievement. Pyramid Racing lists a 1:64 raced-version collectible depicting the No. 1 Flying J/American Heart Association Chevrolet associated with the win. Availability can change, so readers should verify the current retailer listing before purchasing; this article does not imply that Amazon currently stocks the item or that it was officially endorsed by Annett or JR Motorsports.
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Michael Annett will be remembered as a durable NASCAR competitor, a former Xfinity race winner and a professional presence within the garage. His Daytona victory gave that long career its clearest competitive landmark, while his years with JR Motorsports established the team as the organization most closely associated with his later racing life.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to Michael Annett?
JR Motorsports announced Michael Annett’s death in December 2025, and NASCAR subsequently confirmed it. The official reports reviewed did not announce a cause of death.
When did Michael Annett die?
Annett’s death was announced in December 2025, when he was 39. NASCAR’s official report is dated December 5, 2025. A separate obituary listing gives December 2 as the date of death, so that date should be attributed to the listing rather than stated without qualification.
Was Michael Annett an Xfinity Series champion?
No. The available official reporting describes Annett as a former Xfinity Series race winner. It does not identify him as an Xfinity Series champion.
What race did Michael Annett win?
Annett won the 2019 NASCAR Racing Experience 300, the Xfinity Series season opener, at Daytona International Speedway. It was his first and only victory in NASCAR’s national touring series.
Why did Michael Annett retire?
Annett retired from full-time competition after the 2021 season following a recurring stress fracture in his right femur. He had surgery, returned after medical clearance and then reinjured the leg while working out. The available reports do not connect that injury to his death.
The Bottom Line
Michael Annett died at 39 after a NASCAR career spanning 436 combined national-series starts. His defining achievement was winning the 2019 Xfinity season opener at Daytona—his first and only national-series victory. JR Motorsports and NASCAR confirmed his death in December 2025, but the official reports reviewed did not announce a cause.
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