Michael Annett continues to shine in his first season behind the wheel of a race car in the ASALMS Northern Division

By Rising Star Driver Development/M.P.H. Promotions

Des Moines, Iowa (08/08/2006)

It's hard enough to start your racing career at your local Saturday night bull ring and expect to do well and compete against the established regulars you're competing against.

Sometimes the accomplished regulars won't give the new rookies that come in much slack their first few events. The thinking behind that is the rookies in question have to earn the respect of his fellow peers to be considered an equal.

For Des Moines, Iowa freshman, Michael Annett, the success he's generated in his first season behind the wheel of any race car has earned the 20-year-old a great deal of admiration from his fellow competitors who still find it hard to believe that Annett had never driven a race car before the 2006 season.

What makes Annett's success so unique is that he began his career this season in one of the premiere traveling series' in the country; The ASA Late Model Series Presented by GM Performance Parts and the series' Northern Division.

In the ASALMS Northern Division's eighth event of the 2006 season; The Wisconsin 151 Presented by Sign 1-1 at the tight 1/4 mile of the Columbus 151 (WI) Speedway in Columbus, Wisconsin, any doubts about Annett's driving ability were erased with his back to front adventure on his way to tying a career high second place finish!

The Des Moines, Iowa freshman started the day by winning his first career Fast Qualifier Award by turning a quick 13.118 around the 1/4 mile semi-banked paved oval. After Annett drew a seven for an inversion, he would start the extended distance 151-lap feature from the inside of the fourth row.
"It was nice to get my first Fast Qualifier Award. We've been working on qualifying a lot lately and it is nice to see some results." Stated Annett as he reflected on his performance during the Wisconsin 151 Presented by Sign 1-1.

After early race contact, Annett was sent to the rear of the field and then proceeded to put on a clinic on passing on the tight Columbus, Wisconsin speed plant. "When we got sent to the back I knew we had the car to get back to the front but by the time I got up there, there wasn't much of the car left," continued Annett.

Getting through the field on such a tight race track would be a chore in itself for an experienced driver and Annett didn't get through without some bumping and banging along the way, which is normal for such a tight race track as the Columbus 151 Speedway.
Showing some cosmetic damage on the front end of his Ford Fusion, Annett earned the unofficial Hard-Charger Award by making it all the way back up to second place and that's where he stayed to tie a career high finish of a second place!

With the ASALMS Northern Division taking the weekend off, Annett will shift focus to his ride in NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series competition at the South Boston (VA) Speedway on Saturday August 12, 2006 in a Barry Beggarly owned Late Model.

As for the ASALMS Northern Division, Annett's next two events will be during one of the biggest weekends of the season in the ASALMS Northern Division. The cars and stars of the ASALMS North will return to the series' home state of Michigan on Friday and Saturday August 18-19, 2006 for the 2nd annual Michigan Doubles Weekend!

The cars and stars of the ASALMS Northern Division will spend the weekend in the ASALMS home state of Michigan for a weekend double header beginning with the ninth race of the season at the Kalamazoo (MI) Speedway on Friday August 18, 2006 for the Lane Automotive 100 Presented by Tough Coat Powder Coatings.

The 10th race of the 2006 campaign will be the next night at the famed Berlin (MI) Raceway on Saturday August 19, 2006 for the running of the U.A.W./United Auto Workers 100.

So far his first season in ASALMS Northern Division competition, the Hawkeye State driver has recorded three Top Five finishes with two of those being runner-up showings. His first podium finish came back on July 14, 2006 at the Motordrome (PA) Speedway during the NAPA Auto Parts 100.

Annett's first ever appearance in the ASALMS Northern Division resulted in a strong fourth place showing in the Missouri 100 Presented by Midwest Diesel Performance in the North's inaugural event at the fast high-banks of the I-70 (MO) Speedway on May 6, 2006.

The Des Moines, Iowa freshman sits third in the chase for the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title and is seventh overall behind brothers; Derek and Nick Neville. Annett is only 42 points out of the Rookie Points Lead as well as an overall Top Five in the season long points chase; (1074-1064-1032).

This is Annett's first season behind the wheel of a race car! Prior to beginning his racing career this year, Annett was an accomplished Minor League Hockey Player. Annett began his hockey career at six years old and retired at the end of the 2004-2005 season after completing the season with the Waterloo Black Hawks of the United States Hockey League (USHL).

In his last two seasons of his hockey career, the now 20-year-old Annett played on two Clark Cup Championship teams for Waterloo. Prior to his career in Waterloo, Annett played for Team Illinois that won the 2002 Calgary Mac's AAA Hockey Tournament.

In addition to Annett's chase for the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title in the ASALMS Northern Division, Annett will also be running a select schedule at the South Boston (VA) Speedway in a car provided by Barry Beggarly in the tracks NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series.

For the remainder of the 2006 season, Annett will carry sponsorship on the side of his Ford Fusion from; TMC Transportation as well as Benson International, Allstate Peterbilt Group, Rising Star Driver Development, Pilot Travel Centers, Northland Motor Oil and Lubricants, ASI Adhesive Systems, Lorz Motorsports

To learn more about Michael Annett and the Lorz Motorsports Racing Team, log onto their websites. For Annett, go to; www.michaelannett.com and for Lorz Motorsports click on; www.lorzmotorsports.com.

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.

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