It was 2017 when Michael Annett, driver of the No. 5 JR Motorsports Chevrolet Camaro in the NASCAR Xfinity Series, traded the racetrack for the ice. Annett simply threw on some gear and joined the Checkers for drills. He didn’t look out of place, considering he was a defenseman for the Waterloo Black Hawks from 2003-05 in the USHL. But he was also suiting up after a decade and was a bit hard on his performance.

But that is who he was. His love for both sports helped him persevere; at least that’s what his NASCAR career showed. He made 436 combined starts in NASCAR’s three series. He recorded 321 starts in the Xfinity Series, and 158 of those were for JRM. In 2019, the driver won the season-opening race at Daytona International Speedway. That was his only win at the national level.

Unfortunately, the driver who retired in 2021 has died. JRM confirmed this in its statement: Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Annett family with the passing of our friend Michael Annett. 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 has been shared.

Annett made his final start at the national level of NASCAR in 2021, finishing eleventh in the Phoenix finale of the Xfinity Series. He also missed a handful of races that year due to a stress fracture in his right femur. That eventually became the reason he walked away from racing.

He was also a two-time winner in the ARCA Menards Series. He recorded a Talladega Superspeedway victory in 2007 before winning the 2008 series opener at Daytona. Although he stepped away from racing later, he remained in touch with industry members. His family company, Pilot Flying J, supported JRM driver Sammy Smith’s debut in 2022.

“Very sad to lose someone who meant so much to me and my family. Michael was a great person to so many, and we’ll miss him a lot, ❤️” Sammy Smith wrote on X.

Other NASCAR personalities also remembered the bygone talent.

Ricky Stenhouse Jr., a full-time Cup Series driver, also paid his respects. He remembered his time together with Michael Annett.

“Sad to get the news of Big Mikes passing. Raced each other for a long time coming up through ARCA together. Spent a lot of days in the gym together before he retired,” he wrote. Fans, too, are heartbroken.

NASCAR fans pour their hearts out

The NASCAR world lost a dedicated and passionate racer. And other members of the community are also keeping Michael Annett close to their hearts in times of distress.

“Our deepest condolences to Michael family and friends! I’m so glad that I got to see Michael and got his autograph on my shirt when we went to Dover Speedway. 😢”

Although Michael Annett actively raced for only 16 years, he made a deep impact. He became a mainstay with some of the biggest owners, making 436 starts across all NASCAR national series. And across his ventures, he touched many hearts, like that of one fan at Dover.

Another fan concurred, “Man, may he rest in peace. He’ll forever live on through the memories y’all shared together!!”

What’s more, Annett’s historic run with JR Motorsports also turned heads. Besides his Daytona win, he also clinched three 9th-place points finishes, led for 94 laps in 2019, and earned 22 top tens in 2020.

One fan wrote, “Wow, wasn’t expecting to be sad today. Was always an Annett fan as he was the JR Underdog. RIP man, this sucks.”

Further, Sammy Smith’s heartfelt tribute touched another fan. And so, that fan supported the current JRM driver: “May his memory be a blessing to you, Sammy ❤️.”

Steven Taranto, a renowned reporter and NASCAR expert, also expressed his emotions on this heavy loss. “Tough to fathom. Never had the opportunity to get to know Michael Annett, but all indications were he was a solid dude and easy to like. Always thought he was a better driver than he was given credit for. I’m so glad he got his day in the sun at Daytona in 2019. RIP.”

Michael Annett’s passing at 39 has deeply shaken the sport. With heavy hearts, let’s look forward to a NASCAR enriched with Annett’s memory!