20-year-old Michael Annett looks ahead to Hawkeye Downs and his first race in his home state in the ASALMS Northern Division.

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

Des Moines, Iowa (08/24/2006):

The ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Presented by GM Performance Parts was in its' home state of Michigan for the 2nd annual Michigan Doubles Weekend Presented by the Michigan Racing Scene.

Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title contender, Michael Annett was looking forward to the double dip in the Great Lakes State with two events back to back at the Kalamazoo (MI) Speedway on Friday August 18, 2006, followed by the Berlin (MI) Raceway the next day, Saturday August 19, 2006.
As for Day One of the Michigan Doubles, Mother Nature intervened prior to the start of the Lane Automotive 100 Presented by Tough Coat Powder Coatings. Forcing ASALMS Series and Kalamazoo track officials to postpone and eventually cancel the event in Alamo, Michigan. Annett would've started outside the seventh row in the 14th spot!

Day Two of the Michigan Doubles saw the TMC Transportation team make the hour long haul North and then West to the famed Berlin (MI) Raceway in Marne, Michigan for the U.A.W./United Auto Workers 100.

"I was excited to get to Berlin because I had heard how challenging of a track it was and it was going to be good experience for me," explained Annett as he talked about his first experience on the famed 7/16’s mile progressively banked paved fairgrounds oval in Western Michigan.
"I went out in the first practice and ran some pretty good laps that put us sixth on the speed charts, but then I realized the car was developing a front break problem that was causing the car to pull to the right entering the corners and this was a big problem considering we make left hand turns in racing," laughed Annett.

"Our break problem got progressively worse as the day went on and we had no access to any new break calipers that day so we had to live with it," he continued. After qualifying a disappointing 19th out of 26 cars, Annett would start the 100-lap Feature from the inside of the 10th row.
"We planned on starting the race and then pulling the car in because the car was not going to be competitive," Annett continued. "The car was driveable, but not competitive, but I was able to stay out of the way of the leaders and get some laps and experience at Berlin," he added.
Annett would finish well off his normal pace and would salvage a 16th place showing. "We are getting the brake problem fixed and the car ready to go for Hawkeye Downs," the Hawkeye State freshman stated.

The next event on the ASALMS Northern Division schedule will be a homecoming of sorts for the Des Moines, Iowa freshman. The 10th race of the 2006 season will be in Annett's home state of Iowa at the famed Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa.

The 34th annual Keith Fleck Miller 100 Presented by Barron Motor Supply will give Annett the rare chance this season to race in his home state of Iowa. "I am excited to race at Hawkeye Downs next weekend because I have raced there before and feel like we are going to have a successful weekend at the track," Annett ended.

So far in his first season of 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 in the freshman title chase. Annett is only 66 points out of the Rookie Points Lead as well as an overall Top Five in the season long points chase; (1224-1202-1158).

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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