Michael Annett will drive for JR Motorsports in 2017 NASCAR Xfinity Series
JR Motorsports expanding, team is adding a 4th car for next year. Michael Annett signed as 2017 JR Motorsports driver in new team. But team will have up to 5 cars entered in select events.
MOORESVILLE, N.C. (Nov. 4, 2016) – JR Motorsports will expand its NASCAR Xfinity Series program to four full-time teams in 2017. The Dale Earnhardt Jr. owned racing team has signed a multi-year agreement with driver Michael Annett and Pilot Flying J.
Pilot Flying J is the largest operator of travel centers and travel plazas in North America. Michael Annett will compete full-time for an NXS championship with JRM’s No. 5 Pilot Flying J entry next year.
A native of Des Moines, Iowa, Annett will join a 2017 JRM roster that already includes full-season drivers Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier and rookie William Byron.
JR Motorsports will run a fifth car, the No. 88 entry, in select races with NASCAR Sprint Cup Series stars. Those partial drivers will include Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne.
“What a great opportunity it is to bring Michael and Pilot Flying J on board with JR Motorsports,” said Kelley Earnhardt Miller, general manager of JR Motorsports.
She continued, “To expand our presence in the NASCAR Xfinity Series truly shows the commitment JRM and our sponsors have made to the series. By partnering with Pilot Flying J, all the pieces are in place to run four competitive, full-time cars for a championship next year. We’re confident this will make our organization even stronger.”
A partnership with Pilot Flying J is familiar territory for Annett, who has been aligned with the Knoxville, Tenn.-based company and its more than 650 retail locations since he first entered the NASCAR scene in 2008. In that time, Pilot Flying J has supported Annett in each of NASCAR’s top three series.
“Pilot Flying J is excited to continue our long-standing relationship with Michael,” said Ken Parent, president of Pilot Flying J. “We look forward to working with JRM and wish Michael the best of luck and success in the 2017 season.”
The 30-year-old Annett will make his return to NXS competition after a three-year stint in the NASCAR Sprint Cup Series. He previously competed as an NXS regular from 2009 through 2012, finishing a career-best fifth in the championship standings in 2012 and totaling 34 top-10 finishes.
“I’m excited for this opportunity with JR Motorsports,” said Annett. “Dale Jr. and Kelley have done a great job building this organization.”He contunued, “They have put the right people in place and have a championship to their name. I look forward to joining them and competing for wins and a championship next season in the Xfinity Series.”
Additional details surrounding NASCAR Xfinity Series crew duties on the new JR Motorsports No. 5 Pilot Flying J team will be announced at a later date.
New to Michael Annett? Previously, Michael Annett was the driver of the #46 HScott Motorsports Xfinity Series car. That car was also sponsored by Flying J. Annett is bringing his sponsor along with him to JR Motorsports in 2017.
Michael Annett has won at Daytona Internatio
Away from the track, the new JR Motorsport driver Michael Annett enjoys bowling, golfing and spending time on the lake with friends. He favors the Discovery Channel when watching television
Source: JR Motorsports
