JR Motorsports CEO Kelley Earnhardt shared her condolences for the premature passing of Michael Annett. The previous NASCAR driver, who competed within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components (previously Xfinity) Collection between 2008 and 2021, is greatest identified for profitable the 2019 season-opening occasion at Daytona.
It was his first and solely victory as a NASCAR driver. Notably, Annett received the race with JR Motorsports, which Kelley owns alongside her brother, NASCAR Corridor of Famer Dale Earnhardt Jr. At present, JR Motorsports fields three full-time and one part-time entries within the NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Collection.
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Saying Annett’s demise, JR Motorsports took to Instagram and wrote,
“Our ideas and prayers are with your complete Annett household with the passing of our buddy Michael Annett. Michael was a key member of JRM from 2017 till he retired in 2021 and was an vital half in turning us into the four-car group we stay in the present day.”
In addition to JR Motorsports, Annett additionally acquired the backing of Germain Racing, Rusty Wallace Racing, and Richard Petty Motorsports all through his NASCAR profession. Saddened by his dying, Kelley Earnhardt commented,
“Heartbroken and unhappy. Grateful for the time we needed to know Michael and his household.”
As per stories, Annett made 9 begins within the NASCAR Craftsman Truck Collection. He started competing within the ARCA Menards Collection facet by facet, bagging a complete of two profession wins. Each had been with Invoice Davis Racing.
The primary one got here within the 2007 ARCA RE/MAX 250 at Talladega Superspeedway, whereas the opposite got here within the 2008 Daytona ARCA 200 on the iconic Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Annett made his ultimate NASCAR begin again within the 2021 collection finale at Phoenix Raceway. He was 39 on the time of his dying.
Kelley Earnhardt and Dale Earnhardt Jr. to pay a touching tribute to their father, the legendary Dale Earnhardt Sr., in 2026
Kelley Earnhardt Miller and her brother, Dale Earnhardt Jr,. have determined to pay homage to their late father with a model new livery for considered one of their automobiles. Backed by Carolina Carports, the No. 7 Chevrolet Camaro SS will likely be pushed by former NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Components Collection champion Justin Allgaier.
Kelley Earnhardt went on social media and shared a six-photo carousel to announce the identical. She wrote,
“An excellent day revealing the brand new Carolina Carports design for subsequent 12 months! This design is considered one of many who Sam Bass created for Dad and it’ll be nice to see this hit the monitor subsequent 12 months!”
It’s at the moment the low season for JRM. Subsequent up for its drivers is the United Leases 300 at Daytona Worldwide Speedway. Scheduled for February 14, 2026, the 120-lap occasion will likely be televised on CW (ranging from 5 pm ET) with reside radio updates on MRN and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio.
Edited by Tushhita Barua