JR Motorsports co-owner Kelley Earnhardt reacted with a four-word message after the team revealed a special tribute paint scheme honoring the late NASCAR driver Michael Annett for the upcoming O’Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Iowa Speedway. The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 8.
The honor comes less than a year after Annett’s passing in December 2025 at the age of 39. He drove for Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Kelley Earnhardt owned JR Motorsports from 2017 through 2021.
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To celebrate his lasting legacy, JRM driver Sammy Smith, who shared a close friendship with Annett, will pilot a throwback version of the #8 Chevrolet inspired by Annett’s iconic 2017 Pilot Flying J paint scheme. The car also features Annett’s signature shamrock, a symbol long associated with the Iowa native throughout his racing career.
JRM shared the video of the special livery on Wednesday on their official social media accounts. Kelley Earnhardt posted the video on her Instagram story and wrote:
“We miss you Michael”
Annett’s lone win came with JRM in the 2019 NASCAR O’Reilly Auto Parts Series season opener at Daytona International Speedway. The Iowa-native also had three playoff berths and three ninth-place finishes in the points standings over the five years at JRM.
Kelley Earnhardt’s JRM driver Sammy Smith reacts to represent Michael Annett-inspired tribute livery at Iowa
The tribute carries added significance as the 2026 season heads to Iowa, Annett’s home-state track. The recreated 2017 Pilot Flying J design pays homage to one of the most recognizable paint schemes from Annett’s career and serves as a reminder of the impact he had on those around him.
Kelley Earnhardt’s JRM driver Sammy Smith’s connection to Annett makes the tribute even more meaningful.
In the video uploaded on Instagram, Smith expressed his emotions paying tribute to Annett, saying:
“Michael meant so much to me personally. I would say he probably was one of the biggest reasons I probably started racing. Kind of just growing up around the track watching him. Being from Iowa, I’m from Iowa. He grew up, he’s pretty much family to us. I think he was kind of right to do it at Iowa.”
“The Shamrock, it was kind of Michael’s thing. He always ran it on the back of his helmets pretty much through his whole career. I plan on carrying it with me the rest of my career and I think it’s just something to carry along for me personally and hopefully it’s making him proud. really cool that Pilot allowed us to do this for Iowa Weekend. It’s very special.”
Kelley Earnhardt’s JR Motorsports is leading the owners’ points standings and is the clear favorite to win the owners championship title.
Edited by Yash Soni