JR Motorsports is expanding and will field four full-time Xfinity Series cars in 2017, in addition to a part-time car to be shared between Dale Earnhardt Jr. and Kasey Kahne, the team announced Friday.
Dale Earnhardt Jr.’s Xfinity Series team expands for 2017, signs Michael Annett
Earnhardt’s team will field a total of five cars in NASCAR’s No. 2 division, four on a full-time basis.
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JRM’s expansion is brought about by Michael Annett, 30, signing a multi-year contract to drive for the team owned by Earnhardt, sister Kelley Earnhardt Miller, and Rick Hendrick. Annett will drive JRM’s No. 5 Chevrolet with sponsorship from Pilot Flying J, which also signed a multi-year contract with the team.
JRM already announced Elliott Sadler, Justin Allgaier and William Byron will drive the team’s other full-time Xfinity entries. Sadler and Allgaier joined JRM for the 2016 season, while Byron currently drives for Kyle Busch Motorsports in the Camping World Truck Series.
“I’m excited for this opportunity with JR Motorsports,” Annett said. “Dale Jr. and Kelley have done a great job building this organization. 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.”
Annett has competed in the Sprint Cup Series since 2013, the past two seasons for HScott Motorsports with largely middling results. His best finish in 101 career starts is 13th at Daytona International Speedway in 2015, and only twice has Annett recorded a top-10 finish in a non-restrictor-plate race.
Annett’s departure further clouds HScott’s future. The team’s other driver, Clint Bowyer, is moving next season to Stewart-Haas Racing to replace the retiring Tony Stewart. HScott has no drivers under contract for 2017, nor any primary sponsorship in place.
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