MOORESVILLE, N.C. – JR Motorsports driver Michael Annett will miss Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway after an MRI revealed a stress fracture in his right femur.
Josh Berry, who ran 12 races for the team in the No. 8 Chevrolet this season and scored a victory at Martinsville (Va.) Speedway, will replace Annett in the No. 1 Chevrolet this weekend.
The MRI revealed the fracture on Monday, and surgery to repair it will take place on Tuesday. Annett is targeting a return to the NASCAR Xfinity Series on Aug. 7 at Watkins Glen (N.Y.) Int’l. Following Saturday’s race at New Hampshire Motor Speedway, the Xfinity Series takes two weeks off due to the Tokyo Olympics.
Annett was scheduled to compete in last Friday’s NASCAR Camping World Truck Series race at Knoxville (Iowa) Raceway and Saturday’s NASCAR Xfinity Series race at Atlanta Motor Speedway in Hampton, Ga., but sat out both races due to the injury.
JR Motorsports has requested and been granted a medical waiver for Annett from NASCAR regarding his status for the Xfinity Series playoffs. Following the Atlanta race, Annett stands 11th in the playoff field.