RISING STAR DRIVER MICHAEL ANNETT POSTS CAREER HIGH FINISH AT MOTORDROME SPEEDWAY

Chicago, IL – July 18, 2006

Rising Star Driver Michael Annett posts his career high finish at ASALMS Northern Division’s event with a second place finish behind the ASA North’s series points leader. Michael made his first appearance on the podium in 2006 and was the highest finishing rookie for the NAPA Auto Parts 100 at the Motordrome Speedway in Smithton, Pennsylvania. Annett said, “Our car was well-prepared and fast throughout practice and qualifying. We started the race with a fast car, but the car developed a tight condition on lap 60 which spoiled our opportunity to contend for the win. We are still very excited with our runner-up finish and everybody on the Lorz Team did an outstanding job Friday night.” Annett qualified 7th and started 3rd with the inverted field on the hot summer night. By managing to be patient but persistent, he made his way to the front during the fast-paced race full of long green flag runs where seven caution flags flew. Kurt Smith, founder of Rising Star, was on hand for the race and said that he was proud of Michael’s podium finish.

Annett is racing in the ASA Late Model Series North Division during their inaugural season this year. He will also be running a select schedule at South Boston, VA (NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series) for Barry Beggarly’s team. He is enrolled in the Rising Star Driver Development™ program and racing for Lorz Motorsports. RSDD is a program that offers a one-stop, comprehensive training and marketing resource that is unmatched in the industry. Lorz Motorsports is a respected team known for excellence in the ASA Series. Annett is sponsored by TMC Transportation, a leader in the open-freight transportation industry and Benson International, one of the largest custom trailer and body builders in the transportation business for over forty years, Pilot Travel Centers, Northland Oil and Allstate Peterbilt Group.

Annett, who drives the TMC black and gold #12 Ford Fusion was born and raised in Des Moines, Iowa. Annett began an ice hockey career at the age of six and retired from minor league hockey at the end of the 2004-05 season after playing for two years on a national championship winning team. The Annett family and TMC have a rich heritage in auto racing spanning a period of over thirty years. Always dreaming of a career in motorsports, this accomplished athlete will now apply his winning ways in the pursuit of the 2006 ASA North rookie of the year title.

About RSDD
Rising Star Driver Development™ was formed to create the most highly trained, marketable and successful race car drivers in the USA and around the world. Their innovative program offers amateur and professional drivers the sort of one-stop comprehensive training and marketing resource that is sure to increase their likelihood of winning on the track. The drivers are hand selected and provided dedicated resources to elevate their status among sponsors, fans and teams – ultimately enabling their transition to the highest ranks of professional racing. The founders have over 40 years of experience in motorsports and sports marketing.

About TMC
The largest privately-held provider of open-freight transportation in the U.S, TMC was founded in 1972 and provides expert transportation service and supply-chain management solutions throughout the 48 contiguous states. TMC is headquartered in Des Moines, Iowa, and is known for its integrity, innovation, superior safety record and unwavering dedication to quality and customer service. TMC’s claim-free, on-time delivery record is the best in the business and is consistently recognized by its customers.

About Benson International
Benson International is a manufacturer of class 6, 7, & 8 specialty trailers and bodies that has served the transportation industry for over 40 years with four locations in Mineral Wells, W.Va.; Cadiz, Ky.; Meyersdale, Pa. and Oneida, Tenn. For more information contact Benson International at 877-489-9020, or visit www.bensonintl.com

About Allstate Peterbilt Group
W.D. Larson Companies LTD., Inc., owner of Allstate Peterbilt Group, was established in 1971 and has grown into the second largest Peterbilt dealership group in North America. With dealership locations in Montana, South Dakota, North Dakota, Minnesota, Wisconsin, Kentucky and Ohio, we are committed to providing the very best in sales, leasing, financing, service and parts support to our customers. We provide a wide range of medium and heavy-duty trucks, trailers and accessories to a diverse customer base.

About Lorz Motorsports
Lorz Motorsports, based in Midlothian, Illinois, has been competing in ASA since 2001. The team has worked with a number of talented drivers including Dave Mader III, two-time champion Gary St. Amant, Ryan Zeck, Dan Frederickson and Erik Darnell. Lorz Motorsports is an established race team with deep knowledge and talent.

ASA Release on Race
http://www.asalatemodelsnorth.com/?p=384

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