Remembering Michael Annett's day in the sun at Daytona

There is perhaps no greater thrill for a NASCAR driver than winning a race at the Daytona International Speedway. 

The hallowed Florida ground that was envisioned and subsequently built less than five miles from the birthplace of NASCAR at the Streamline Hotel is the equivalent of Fenway Park, Lambeau Field and Madison Square Garden.

Winning at Daytona is akin to winning at Indianapolis — the accomplishment sticks with a driver not just for the rest of their career, but for the rest of their life and beyond.

Former NASCAR driver Michael Annett, who died Friday at age 39, scored his only career victory in NASCAR's top-three series at Daytona in February 2019. 

For Annett, whose career had lasted just over a decade to that point, the win was vindication for his hard work and a ticket to the postseason. For his team, JR Motorsports, it was a victory that proved little had changed in the hierarchy of the NASCAR Xfinity Series following Tyler Reddick winning the 2018 championship with the organization.