Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett has died at the age of 39, his former team JR Motorsports announced on 5 December. The team paid tribute on X, calling him a key member of the organisation between 2017 and his retirement in 2021.

Annett enjoyed a notable career, including a victory in the 2019 Xfinity Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. His cause of death has not yet been made public.

Annett had retired from NASCAR at the end of the 2021 season after suffering a stress fracture in his right leg, an injury that sidelined him for seven races that year. The fracture, sustained in July 2021, affected his right femur, and he later aggravated the injury, ultimately prompting him to step away from racing. A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone caused by repetitive force or overuse, and typically requires weeks of rest, with the Cleveland Clinic noting that complete recovery may take several months and often requires avoiding sports and strenuous physical activity.

Reflecting on his retirement, Annett said he was grateful for the opportunities he had in motorsport, calling racing “a dream come true”. He credited his teams, partners and colleagues for shaping his career, adding that the relationships he built were among the most meaningful aspects of his time in the sport.

Who was Michael Annett?

Michael Annett, a former NASCAR Xfinity Series driver, has died at the age of 39, JR Motorsports confirmed in a statement on X. The team said it was “heartbroken” by his death and highlighted his importance to the organisation during his tenure from 2017 to 2021. Annett’s cause of death has not been revealed.

Annett’s career included a major highlight in 2019 when he won the season-opener at Daytona International Speedway. He continued racing until 2021, a season marred by a stress fracture in his right leg that forced him to miss seven races. The injury involved a tiny crack in his right femur, caused by repetitive strain. After re-injuring the leg later in the season, Annett made the decision to retire permanently. Medical guidelines from the Cleveland Clinic describe stress fractures as injuries that require extended rest and a temporary halt to physical activities, particularly high-impact sports.

In his retirement remarks, Annett expressed gratitude for his career and the people he worked with, stating that driving race cars had been a lifelong dream and that the friendships built along the way were among his greatest rewards.