Michael Annett to return to the scene of his first ever ASALMS race in Odessa, Missouri. The North VS South Shootout/World Cup 200 is next

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

Des Moines, Iowa (09/12/2006):

Michael Annett had high hopes entering the 10th event of the 2006 season for the ASA Late Model Series Northern Division Presented by GM Performance Parts; The 34th annual Keith Fleck Miller 100 Presented by Barron Motor Supply.

This would be Annett's first ASALMS North show in his home state of Iowa at the famed Hawkeye Downs (IA) Speedway in Cedar Rapids, Iowa were the hosts for the ASALMS Northern Division.
Unfortunately, Annett's night ended earlier than he had planned as on lap 41, The TMC Transportation Ford Fusion pulled onto pit road and was done for the evening with a sour motor, leaving Annett with a disappointing 20th place finish.

" I thought we were going to have a really good run at Cedar Rapids because we had tested there the week before the race and it went really well." Annett said as he reflected on his disappointing run in his home state. "I knew there was something wrong with the motor right away when I got out on the track for the first practice," explained the 20-year-old.

" We tried to fix the problem hoping it was just the timing that was off but that was not the case," continued the Des Moines, Iowa freshman. "We also tried a different ignition box but that did not help either. We qualified 15th which actually was better than I thought it would be just because the motor was not running at all," he added.

Annett had a difficult time in the early stages of the event, as engine problems continued to plague his Ford Fusion. "We started the race 15th but I really could not pass cars because I had no pull off of the corners. After dodging some wrecks early, the vibration that I had been feeling all day went from bad to horrible,” stated Annett.

The Hawkeye state freshman logged some more laps before the problem became terminal. "I looked at the oil pressure and it was on zero!" continued Annett. “I knew that was it and we were done for the night. These DNF's (Did Not Finish) are frustrating especially when we were trying to run for rookie of the year," Annett added.

Despite the cancellation of the ASALMS North event at the Jennerstown (PA) Speedway on Saturday September 16, 2006, Annett and crew are still heading over to the .522 mile semi-banked paved oval to run in the Laurel Highlands speed plants weekly Super Late Models division.
Then the next event on the ASALMS Northern Division schedule for Annett will be back at the track where Annett's ASALMS Northern Division career started; the wicked fast high-banked of the I-70 (MO) Speedway in Odessa, Missouri on Saturday and Sunday September 23-24, 2006.

The ASALMS Northern and Southern Divisions will go head to head in the running of the North VS South Shootout/World Cup 200. The 11th race of the 2006 season for the ASALMS Northern Division and the first ever combined event with the North's companions in the ASALMS Southern Division.
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 I-70 on May 6, 2006.

" We're going to I-70 next in the ASALMS North and I have had a good run there in the past so I hope we can turn our luck around and get a good finish," ended Annett.

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.
The Des Moines, Iowa freshman still 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 stands 104 points out of the Rookie Points Lead as well as an overall Top Five in the season long points chase.

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 and ASI Adhesive Systems.
To learn more about Michael Annett, log onto to his website at www.michaelannett.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.

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