Michael Annett; Looking ahead to the 2nd annual Michigan Doubles Weekend
Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene this weekend!

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

Des Moines, Iowa (08/15/2006):

The ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Presented by GM Performance Parts took last weekend off. Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title contender, Michael Annett wasn't sitting idle though!

The Des Moines, Iowa freshman made the haul to South Boston, Virginia and ran in the NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series competition at the South Boston (VA) Speedway on Saturday August 12, 2006 in a Barry Beggarly owned Late Model.

Although the results weren't up to what Annett's growing accustomed to in the ASALMS Northern Division, he nevertheless gained more valuable experience that he hopes will be useful as the ASALMS Northern Division swings back into action this weekend with two events in two days!
After running in the Top 10 for the majority of the 150-lap feature at the 4/10s mile semi-banked paved oval, Annett was an innocent bystander in a massive five car accident during the event and was done for the evening.

"We went out for the first practice and right away I knew there was a problem with the clutch," explained Annett. "I brought the car in and we found that our clutch was burned up. It took the rest of the first practice and the second practice to get the clutch changed," he added.

Annett managed to make it out for the third and final practice session and in Qualifying, the Hawkeye State freshman would post the 13th quickest lap out of the 29 cars on hand.

As for the 150-lap Feature, Annett would start inside of the seventh row of what would be a caution filled feature. "The car felt good during the beginning of the race and we were running about where we started in. After a few cautions in the first 50 laps of the race, we were running 10th," remarked Annett.
On lap 75, Annett tapped the wall coming out of turn four and it was a hard enough hit to affect the handling of the car. "We got extremely tight center off after the hit," he added.

On lap 98 a car in front of Annett got sideways and started to spin. "I tapped the brakes to avoid him as he started to spin and at that time I hit the same oil on the track that he did and the car turned around immediately and backed into the wall and the following car then backed into me," stated Annett.
With his night over, Annett reflected on the evening; "I felt bad for Barry (Beggarly) leaving there with a torn up race car, but I knew there was nothing I could do." continued the 20-year-old. "We found out later that is was the car two places ahead of me lost the rear end and dumped the fluid
all over the track," he added.

In the caution filled event, of the 29 cars that started, only 16 finished and five machines total were taken out in the wreck that Annett was involved in. "I'm excited to get back down to South Boston, every time we go down there, Barry has put together a fast car that is competitive and I am getting more and more confident every time we go there." Annett added.

Annett will now shift his focus back to 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.
In the last ASALMS Northern Division event; the Wisconsin 151 Presented by Sign 1-1 at the tight 1/4 mile of the Columbus 151 (WI) Speedway in Columbus, Wisconsin, 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.

In the 151-lap Feature and after early race contact, Annett then proceeded to put on a clinic on passing on the tight Columbus, Wisconsin speed plant. 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.

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.

If you would like a PDF version of this article, Click Here >>

Back to, "In The News", Click Here >>