{"id":255343,"date":"2026-07-30T13:16:42","date_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:16:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/30\/kelley-earnhardt-drops-a-4-word-reaction-as-jrm-driver-honors-late-michael-annett-with-a-special-tribute-at-iowa\/"},"modified":"2026-07-30T13:16:42","modified_gmt":"2026-07-30T13:16:42","slug":"kelley-earnhardt-drops-a-4-word-reaction-as-jrm-driver-honors-late-michael-annett-with-a-special-tribute-at-iowa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/2026\/07\/30\/kelley-earnhardt-drops-a-4-word-reaction-as-jrm-driver-honors-late-michael-annett-with-a-special-tribute-at-iowa\/","title":{"rendered":"Kelley Earnhardt drops a 4-word reaction as JRM driver honors late Michael Annett with a special tribute at Iowa"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><\/p>\n<div id=\"article-content\" data-postid=\"5198219\" data-slug-id=\"2815366\">\n<div class=\"vidazoo-player-container\">\n<span class=\"vidazoo-close-btn  hidden \"><br \/>\n<img data-lazy=\"\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/cmc-predictor\/v2\/cross-icon.png?w=40\" width=\"20\" height=\"20\" alt=\"close\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/span><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/team\/jr-motorsports\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">JR Motorsports<\/a> 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\u2019Reilly Auto Parts Series race at Iowa Speedway. The event is scheduled to be held on Saturday, August 8.<\/p>\n<p>The honor comes less than a year after Annett\u2019s passing in December 2025 at the age of 39. He drove for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/player\/dale-earnhardt-jr\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">Dale Earnhardt Jr<\/a>., and Kelley Earnhardt owned JR Motorsports from 2017 through 2021.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"template__newsletter-inline-banner-form-combo-widget\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"wrapper\">\n<p><img id=\"subscribe-img\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><\/p>\n<p>\nThanks for the submission!\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>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\u2019s iconic 2017 Pilot Flying J paint scheme. The car also features Annett&#8217;s signature shamrock, a symbol long associated with the Iowa native throughout his racing career.<\/p>\n<p><template id=\"also-read-articles-template\"><\/p>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<p>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:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cWe miss you Michael\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><\/noscript><img class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1206\" height=\"2334\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"Kelley Earnhardt insta account\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/9e45a-17854119568424-1920.jpg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201206%202334%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>Kelley Earnhardt insta account<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Annett\u2019s lone win came with JRM in the 2019 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" data-is-sponsored=\"false\">NASCAR<\/a> O\u2019Reilly 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.<\/p>\n<hr\/>\n<h2><strong>Kelley Earnhardt\u2019s JRM driver Sammy Smith reacts to represent Michael Annett-inspired tribute livery at Iowa<\/strong><\/h2>\n<figure class=\"image\"><noscript><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"sk-app-thumbnail\" alt=\"NASCAR O&amp;#039;Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change - Source: Getty\" src=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg\"\/><\/noscript><img class=\"lazy-img\" width=\"1920\" height=\"1280\" data-img=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg\" srcset=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=190 190w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=720 720w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=640 640w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=1045 1045w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=1200 1200w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=1460 1460w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=1600 1600w, https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg 1920w\" alt=\"NASCAR O&amp;#039;Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change - Source: Getty\" data-img-low=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/editor\/2026\/07\/be88b-17854121121798-1920.jpg?w=640\" bad-src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,&lt;svg%20xmlns=%22http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg%22%20viewBox=%220%200%201920%201280%22&gt;&lt;\/svg&gt;\"\/><figcaption>NASCAR O&#8217;Reilly Auto Parts Series Pennzoil 250 Presented by Take 5 Oil Change &#8211; Source: Getty<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The tribute carries added significance as the 2026 season heads to Iowa, Annett\u2019s home-state track. The recreated 2017 Pilot Flying J design pays homage to one of the most recognizable paint schemes from Annett\u2019s career and serves as a reminder of the impact he had on those around him.<\/p>\n<p>Kelley Earnhardt\u2019s JRM driver Sammy Smith\u2019s connection to Annett makes the tribute even more meaningful.<\/p>\n<p>In the video uploaded on Instagram, Smith expressed his emotions paying tribute to Annett, saying:<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cMichael 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&#8217;m from Iowa. He grew up, he&#8217;s pretty much family to us. I think he was kind of right to do it at Iowa.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe Shamrock, it was kind of Michael&#8217;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&#8217;s just something to carry along for me personally and hopefully it&#8217;s making him proud. really cool that Pilot allowed us to do this for Iowa Weekend. It&#8217;s very special.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<p>Kelley Earnhardt\u2019s JR Motorsports is leading the owners&#8217; points standings and is the clear favorite to win the owners championship title.<\/p>\n<div class=\"article-post-rating-widget\">\n<p><template id=\"post-rating-feedback-modal-template\"><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-feedback-box\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-content\">\n<div class=\"post-rating-feedback-data\">\n<p>Why did you not like this content?<\/p>\n<p><textarea id=\"dislike-feedback-text\" rows=\"4\" placeholder=\"Please type your feedback...\"\/>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<button class=\"close\">Cancel<\/button><br \/>\n<button class=\"submit\">Submit<\/button>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><\/template><\/p>\n<div class=\"post-rating-widget-parent hidden\">\n<div class=\"rating-parent-container\">\n<div class=\"rating-content-holder\">\n<p>Was this article helpful?<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p>\nThank You for feedback\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<div id=\"tag-cloud\">\n<div class=\"tags-text\">\n<div class=\"scrollable-content-holder  article-padding\">\n<p class=\"article-p  \">Quick Links<\/p>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerLeft\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Left \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img style=\"background: none;\" data-lazy=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-left.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button><\/p>\n<nav id=\"pnProductNav\" class=\"pn-ProductNav\">\n<\/nav>\n<p><button id=\"pnAdvancerRight\" class=\"pn-Advancer pn-Advancer_Right \" type=\"button\"><br \/>\n<img style=\"background: none;\" data-lazy=\"https:\/\/staticg.sportskeeda.com\/skm\/assets\/article\/article-scroll-right.svg\" loading=\"lazy\"\/><br \/>\n<\/button>\n<\/div>\n<p>More from Sportskeeda<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<p>\n<span class=\"publisher-name\">Edited by Yash Soni<\/span>\n<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.sportskeeda.com\/nascar\/news-kelley-earnhardt-drops-4-word-reaction-jrm-driver-honors-late-michael-annett-special-tribute-iowa\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Source link <\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>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\u2019Reilly 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 [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":255344,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"tdm_status":"","tdm_grid_status":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[6806],"tags":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-255343","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-gossip"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255343","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=255343"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/255343\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/255344"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=255343"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=255343"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sports.runfyers.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=255343"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}