Michael Annett, the former NASCAR driver known for his long career in the Xfinity Series, has died at the age of 39. JR Motorsports confirmed his death on December 6, 2025, but no cause of death has been released. Fans and the racing community have been searching for answers about what happened to Michael Annett after the news broke.

NASCAR issued a statement acknowledging his passing and honoring his contributions to the sport. The sudden announcement has left supporters looking back at his career, family background, and legacy in motorsports.

Michael Annett’s Career and Achievements

Michael Annett made 436 combined starts across NASCAR’s three national touring series, including 321 starts in the Xfinity Series. He became known for his consistent performance, professionalism, and steady growth across multiple racing divisions.

His biggest career highlight came in 2019 when he won the Xfinity Series season-opener at Daytona International Speedway while racing for JR Motorsports. He started 158 races with the team, earning widespread respect across the garage.

Annett also competed in the ARCA Menards Series, grabbing wins at Talladega in 2007 and Daytona in 2008. Before entering stock-car racing, he played hockey for the Waterloo Black Hawks in the United States Hockey League, showing his athletic versatility.

A stress fracture in his leg affected part of his 2021 season, and he retired later that year. In his retirement message, Annett thanked his teams, sponsors, and fans for supporting his career, calling racing the greatest chapter of his life.

Trusted outlets such as NASCAR and major U.S. sports media confirmed key details about his career and contributions. His professional journey remains a major part of modern NASCAR history.

Family Background and Personal Life

Michael Annett was born in Des Moines, Iowa, to Harrold Wayne Annett and Deborah Annett. His father, who passed away in 2021, was the CEO of TMC Transportation, a company that helped support his early racing efforts.

Annett grew up around racing and often spoke about how deeply his family influenced his motorsports ambitions. He once shared that his parents even scheduled his C-section birth around a race weekend, reflecting their commitment to the sport.

His siblings and extended relatives remained a close part of his life. He dated Heidi Spillane in 2013, though he generally kept his personal life private. Friends and family have remembered him as loyal, dedicated, and deeply connected to his Iowa roots.

What Is Known About Michael Annett’s Cause of Death?

As of now, officials have not released the cause of death. JR Motorsports and NASCAR confirmed the news but did not provide medical details. No reports from trusted media outlets have indicated foul play or specific health causes.

The lack of public information has prompted significant online discussion, but all verified sources emphasize that the family’s privacy is being respected at this time. Any official update from NASCAR or JR Motorsports will likely be made public only when the family approves it.

Michael Annett’s Net Worth and Legacy

Financial analytics platforms estimate Michael Annett’s net worth between $5 million and $10 million. His earnings came from long-term sponsorships, consistent starts, and contract arrangements across NASCAR’s major divisions.

Annett leaves behind a respected legacy built on determination, consistency, and a strong work ethic. His Daytona Xfinity win remains one of JR Motorsports’ most celebrated victories. Fans and fellow drivers have shared tributes across social media, honoring his impact on the sport.

Michael Annett’s story continues to inspire racing fans, and his contributions to NASCAR will be remembered for years to come. The question of what happened to Michael Annett remains unanswered until officials provide additional information.

FYI (keeping you in the loop)-

UTICA, N.Y. – The Hamilton College Continentals competed against 13 teams at the non-team scoring 2025 Utica University Track & Field Holiday Classic inside the Todd & Jenn Hutton Sports and Recreation Center on Saturday, Dec. 6.
 
The meet was the first of the 2025-26 season for the Hamilton women, who will be back at Utica for the Pioneers’ Winter Opener on Friday, Jan. 16 after taking a break for finals and the winter holiday.
 

The Continentals qualified for the 2026 All-Atlantic Region Track & Field Conference Indoor Championships in four different events and finished first in three events.
 
Emily Pogozelski ’26 won the 3,000-meter run by over 20 seconds with a regional-qualifying time of 10:27.93. Mackenzie Loudon ’29, who was competing in her first collegiate meet, took first place and qualified for regionals in the triple jump.
 
Loudon was also part of Hamilton’s winning 4×200-meter relay with Tatiana McCray ’28, Ava Chiappinelli ’29 and Marley Meyers ’28. Their performance was more than five seconds faster than the regional-qualifying time.
 
McCray ran a regional-qualifying 7.96 seconds and finished in second place in the 60-meter dash final. Chiappinelli also qualified for regionals in her first collegiate meet and finished right behind McCray with a time of 7.99 seconds.
 
TOP PERFORMANCES

300-Meter Dash (17 Runners)

4. Marley Meyers ’28, 43.08

7. Hannah Turner ’26, 43.91

 

60-Meter Dash (35 Runners)

2. Tatiana McCray ’28, 7.96 (PR, AARTFC)

3. Ava Chiappinelli ’29, 7.99 (AARTFC)

 

600-Meter Dash (16 Runners)

5. Aisha Kandji ’29, 1:47.31

 

4×200 Meter Relay (9 Teams)

1. McCray ’28, Mackenzie Loudon ’29, Chiappinelli ’29, Meyers ’28 (1:46.42, AARTFC) 

3000-Meter Run (19 Runners)

1. Emily Pogozelski ’26, 10:27.93 (PR, AARTFC) 

Triple Jump (15 Athletes)

1. Loudon, 11.29 meters (37 feet, 0.5 inches; AARTFC)

 

DALLAS (SMU) – For the first time in program history, SMU volleyball is headed to the Sweet Sixteen after sweeping Florida (16-12) in the Round of 32 on Saturday with set scores of 25-11, 25-21, 26-24.    

With the win, SMU won its 27th match of the season, tying the program record for single-season wins. It also gave coach Sam Erger her 100th victory at SMU and in her Division I head coaching career.    

Averi Carlson dished out 38 assists, the most in a three-setter for the senior setter this season. Carlson led the Mustangs to a .370 hitting percentage in the win. Kennedi Rogers went for 14 kills, hitting .440, with four digs and three blocks. Malaya Jones closely trailed Rogers with 13 kills, eight digs and seven blocks, tying her career high.   

SMU out-blocked the Gators 15-4, spearheaded by a career-high nine blocks from freshman Maggie Croft. The Mustangs’ blocking efforts helped hold the Gators to a .156 hitting percentage for the match.  

 

MATCH NOTES        

• With 13 kills against Florida, Jones (503) is now the second player in SMU Volleyball history to reach 500 kills in a season. She joins Rachel Giubilato, who notched 568 kills in 2006.    
• Averi Carlson (1,341) moved to third in the rally scoring era and sixth all-time for single-season assists at SMU.    
• Jones reached the double-digit kill mark for the 26th time this season and for the ninth straight match.   
• Rogers recorded double-digit kills for the sixth time this season.       
• It marked Schilling’s 22nd time in double-figures this season and her fifth straight.
• With six blocks against the Gators, Anyanwu draws within 14 of breaking the program record for most blocks in a season. (188 by Janelle Giordano in 2015)   
• SMU had double-digit blocks (15) for the 17th time this season and for the second straight match.    
• SMU has won 20 of its last 21 matches and its 12th straight.       
• The Mustangs end the 2025 season with 15 wins at Moody Coliseum, tying the program record for most in a season.    
• The win marks the Mustangs’ 15th sweep, 11th at home this season.  

HOW IT HAPPENED:       

SMU controlled the first set from start to finish in all phases of the game. SMU hit .483 with no errors on 29 swings in the first, while holding Florida to a .000 hitting percentage. Rogers put in five kills to lead the Mustangs, who got point production from six different players to help propel them to a 25-11 set one victory. SMU commanded the net with a 5-0 advantage in blocks.    

Down four (16-12) in the second frame, SMU responded with five straight points on a run that included two aces from Madison Scheer. After trading points, SMU went on a 4-0 run to pull away in the frame. The Mustangs went on to win the frame 25-21.    

Tied 20-20 entering the red zone of the third set, SMU got the first two points on an ace from Carlson and a block from the freshman tandem of Rogers and Croft. Despite a 3-1 run by Florida that put the Gators at set point first, the Mustangs responded with three straight to close the match, ending the frame with their sixth block of the set to win 26-24.    

SMU LEADERS:         

SMU Kills Leader: Kennedi Rogers (14)   

SMU Assists Leader: Averi Carlson (38)     

SMU Digs Leader: Jordyn Schilling (11)   

SMU Blocks Leader: Maggie Croft (9)   

SMU Ace Leader: Madison Scheer (2)   

SMU Points Leader: Malaya Jones (17.5)     

  

Up Next: SMU will get a rematch with No. 3 seed Purdue in the NCAA Regional Semifinal on Thursday evening in Pittsburgh, Pa.  

 

Max Verstappen is on pole for the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix, beating runner-up Lando Norris by 0.201s – sublime pace from the Red Bull driver, who even improved on his second lap without a tow. 

Oscar Piastri is third but, I’m sure to Max’s dismay, George Russell is only fourth. As it stands, Norris is world champion.

Max Verstappen, Red Bull Racing

Photo by: Sam Bagnall / Sutton Images via Getty Images

Sports Director

Grand Junction, Colorado

Garrett was born and raised in the heart of California’s Central Valley in Clovis, California.

He graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo in 2021 with a degree in Journalism.

While there he was involved with student media and interned at an ESPN radio station.

Garrett then returned to his hometown for his first job after college as a Digital Content/News Producer in Fresno. While getting to cover news in his hometown was special, Garrett wanted to get back to doing what he really loved: covering sports and telling the stories of amazing athletes.

When he’s not covering sports in the Grand Valley Garrett, no surprise can often be found watching sports. His favorite teams are the San Francisco Giants and 49ers, Golden State Warriors, and his hometown Fresno State Bulldogs. He says you can probably guess his mood on any given day based solely on how one of his favorite teams did that day.

Outside of sports Garrett loves live music, traveling, and cooking.

Garrett says he would appreciate anyone reaching out with story ideas, or to complain about your fantasy football team, so long as you’re ready to hear how bad his team is as well.

Transgender college volleyball player Blaire Fleming has hit back at claims that she triggered her teammate’s eating disorder due to emotional distress — and said that she doesn’t “feel bad for her.”

Fleming, 23, was at the center of a scandal last year involving Brooke Slusser, who filed multiple lawsuits against her San Jose State University (SJSU) teammate after discovering that she was transgender.

Slusser alleged that the panic and stress from that period of her life led her to develop an eating disorder, leading to anorexia so severe that her menstrual cycle stopped for nine months.

The pair had previously shared hotel rooms and changing spaces for a whole season in 2023 before Slusser said she found out that Fleming, who is biologically male but reportedly started medically transitioning at 14, was trans.

“From the stress and how anxious I was every single day, I just wasn’t eating really at all,” Slusser told Fox News Digital last week.

“I went from around 160 to 128 [lbs] in that one semester. It definitely isn’t healthy for someone of my size to be that weight, and I ended up losing my menstrual cycle for nine months. So it was definitely severe,” she said.

Slusser later dropped her classes in the final semester this past spring, citing constant in-person harassment by students who opposed her stance.

Fleming has since responded, claiming that Slusser’s eating disorder dated back for as long as she knew her, prior to her learning that she was trans.

“She’s been anorexic and struggled with food since I’ve known her aka since 2023. She literally would weigh herself 2-3x a day and keep track of it on her whiteboard in her room,” Fleming told Fox News Digital on Sunday.

“So I really don’t care or feel bad for her. And she didn’t drop her classes, she failed out, hope that helps!” Fleming said.

Slusser has now come back and disputed Fleming’s allegations.

“These statements are just not true. I have always lived a very healthy lifestyle. Before these events took place I was very disciplined in fueling myself for athletics and [kept] track to make sure I was where I need to be to be the best athlete,” Slusser told Fox News Digital.

“It wasn’t until all the craziness started that my healthy lifestyle turned very unhealthy into not eating the amount I should,” Slusser said.

“As for school, I decided to stay home after fall 2024 to better myself and heal. So no, I did not return to San Jose and enroll myself in more courses at an institution that didn’t have my best interest,” she added.

Slusser alleged that she was never told Fleming’s birth sex and said the two regularly shared hotel rooms on away trips, according to her lawsuits filed against the NCAA and Mountain West Conference.

Fleming allegedly requested to be roomed with Slusser, a request she said was granted by team leadership, according to lawsuits.

Slusser said that the 6ft1 Fleming confessed to being transgender during a conversation over ice cream with another teammate in April 2024.

In September 2024, Slusser joined swimmer Riley Gaines’ lawsuit against the NCAA.

At the same time, SJSU’s volleyball team saw a series of forfeits by opposing teams, with police protection regularly assigned.

The US Department of Education is currently investigating SJSU for potential Title IX violations.