BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: Dale Earnhardt, Jr 88 JR Motorsports Hellmann s Chevrolet talks with members of his crew during practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series Food City 300 on September 20, 2024 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240920807300
BRISTOL, TN - SEPTEMBER 20: Dale Earnhardt, Jr 88 JR Motorsports Hellmann s Chevrolet talks with members of his crew during practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series Food City 300 on September 20, 2024 at Bristol Motor Speedway in Bristol, TN. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: SEP 20 NASCAR Xfinity Series Food City 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon240920807300
Dale Earnhardt Jr has once again shown that the people who helped shape JR Motorsports are never forgotten. At this weekend’s NASCAR O’Reilly race at Iowa Speedway, JR Motorsports will pay tribute to the late Michael Annett, a gesture that quickly caught the fans' attention.
Michael Annett drove for Dale Jr’s JR Motorsports from 2017 through 2021. He won the 2019 season opener at Daytona, and he also had three playoff berths and three ninth-place finishes in the standings over the five years at JR Motorsports. Annett was also the key figure in bringing JR Motorsports the big sponsor from Pilot Flying J and TMC Transportation. He passed away back in December 2025.
To celebrate this long-lasting impact, Annett's legacy Earnhardt Jr’s JR Motorsports driver Sammy Smith, who also happens to be Annett’s close friend. He will be driving the replica of Michael Annett’s 2017 Pilot Flying J scheme along with his signature shamrock. JRM unveiled the livery on Wednesday via their X account.
"The shamrock was kind of Michael’s thing," Sammy Smith said in the video uploaded by JRM on X. "He always ran it on the back of his helmets."
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Dale Earnhardt Jr. watches the action from the garage prior to practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 on February 14, 2025 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25021410552300
DAYTONA BEACH, FL - FEBRUARY 14: Dale Earnhardt Jr. watches the action from the garage prior to practice for the NASCAR, Motorsport, USA Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 on February 14, 2025 at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, FL. Photo by Jeff Robinson/Icon Sportswire AUTO: FEB 14 NASCAR Xfinity Series United Rentals 300 EDITORIAL USE ONLY Icon25021410552300
The Shamrock, or the four-leaf clover, was something that Michael Annett carried on most of his racing gear, and Sammy Smith has continued to carry this four-leaf clover since JR Motorsports' tribute to their late driver at Daytona earlier this year.
As for the tribute this weekend, it pulled at the heartstrings of the NASCAR fans.
NASCAR fans react to Dale Earnhardt JR and JR Motorsports tribute to Michael Annett
Under the post uploaded by JR Motorsports to their X account, several fans flooded the comment section as they expressed their appreciation towards the NASCAR Hall of Famer and his team.
One fan thanked Sammy Smith and Dale Jr’s team for the tribute. They wrote,
"literally crying right now. Thank you for doing this @sammysmithSS Go get it done for Michael dude."
Sammy Smith reposted the video on his social media account and wrote,
"This one means a lot. Excited to run this @pilotflyingj throwback at Iowa next week to honor Michael."
Another fan reflected on Annett’s character. They wrote,
"Hubby worked for his father. Was a good kid. If you need help ask for help, Michael would say this himself. Very tribute. RIP."
A fan admired the tribute and hoped that Sammy Smith can cap the tribute off with a win. They commented,
"Amazing scheme! Love the scheme and the respect you have for Michael! Really hoping this car gets parked in victory lane! Let the hometown guy take the checkered flag!"
Yet another fan thanked JR Motorsports for ensuring that Michael Annett’s legacy is not forgotten. They wrote,
"Thank you for paying the dues Michael deserved the respect But at the time It all got clouded by Lawsuit & Biffle's Tragedy and everything Thank you for not forgetting him."
What did you think of the tribute to Michael Annett by Dale Jr’s JRM and Sammy Smith? Let us know in the comments.
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Written by
Chionia Libania Colaco