Michael Annett's Successful Debut in the ASALMS Challenge Division. A Third Place Showing After Leading the First 20 Laps at the Iowa Speedway.

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

Chicago, Illinois (10/18/2006):

Michael Annett made his debut in the televised ASA Late Model Series Challenge Division Presented by GM Performance Parts a successful one at the Iowa Speedway, a Rusty Wallace Signature Track, near his hometown of Des Moines, in Newton, Iowa during the crown jewel of the ASALMS, the Challenge Divisions Season Championships.

The Northland Oil 250 Presented by TMC Transportation, both sponsors are on the side of Annett's Ford Fusion, was the Des Moines, Iowa freshman's maiden voyage in the premiere traveling series within the ASALMS after spending the 2006 season in the ASALMS' Northern Division.

The competition level is the highest in the country in the ASALMS Challenge Division as Annett and his TMC Racing crew put a lot of stock into this event, just 30 minutes from home. For Annett it was also his first time racing in a car with radial tires and also the challenge of racing in a new series.
" Going into this weekend all I was thinking about was showing the kind of team that we had put together and what we were capable of," stated Annett as he reflected on his first career start in the crown jewel of the ASALMS three divisions.

" Throughout practice on Friday and practice Saturday morning my team listened to what I felt in the car and they kept making the car better," he added. "I knew my qualifying lap was not going to be the fastest time, but I knew it would be decent." Annett would qualify seventh out of the 32 cars on hand.
It was so decent that after ARP Bodies/Aluminum Racing Products Fast Qualifier, Travis Dassow drew the "Lucky" seven putting Annett on the pole of the Northland Oil 250 Presented by TMC Transportation along-side 2006 ASALMS Northern Division Champion, Jesse Smith.

At the start of the longest distance race in ASALMS history as well as Annett's brief career, Annett and Smith battled side by side for the first lap before Annett beat out the 17-year-old North Champion to the start/finish line to take the lead, his first career laps led!

" It was great to lead some laps in front of all the people that came out from TMC, Northland, Benson, and all the sponsors that allow us to compete in the series," continued the 20-year-old. "I wish we could have gotten the win but I will take the podium finish and everything I learned throughout the weekend to make sure we come back next year and finish on top," he added.

Annett never strayed out of the Top Two throughout the event and was running second until lap 202 when eventual runner-up finisher, Kris Stump edged by and tried in vain to catch Feature winner and 2006 ASALMS Challenge Division Champion and Pat Bourdow Memorial Rookie of the Year, Kelly Bires. Annett would go on to finish on the podium in third spot!

" I cannot be happier with my TMC Racing team, they gave me 100% effort all weekend and did everything they could to make sure we showed what kind of team we are and I cannot ask for more." Annett said as he praised his new TMC Racing Team.

" We are only going to get better from this past weekend. Yeah there will be some bad times in the future but with the kind of team I have behind me I know we will only learn from them and move forward in the direction that we will always be striving for and that's in the front," Annett ended.
As for the ASALMS Northern Division, the Hawkeye State driver 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 finished eighth overall in the ASALMS Northern Division and fourth in the Appleton Rack and Pinions Rookie of the Year title chase,

The 2006 season marked 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 as 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).

Annett also ran a select schedule of events at the South Boston (VA) Speedway in a car provided by Barry Beggarly in the tracks NASCAR Dodge Weekly Series Late Models division.

For 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 and Northland Motor Oil and Lubricants.

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. You can visit the RSDD web site at – www.risingstardd.com

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. You can visit the TMC web site at – www.tmctrans.com

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. You can visit the Allstate Peterbilt web site at - www.allstatepeterbilt.com
About Northland Products Company

Northland Products Company, headquartered in Waterloo, Iowa, formulates, manufactures, markets and distributes premium quality engine oil, lubricants, engine coolants and associated fluids throughout North America. Since 1908, Northland’s superior products and customer-driven service are provided to trucking fleets, OEM factory-fill, industrial, automotive and agriculture markets.
Northland Technical Laboratories, a division of Northland, provides extensive oil analysis and lubricant performance evaluation services performed in state-of-the-art laboratory facilities. Norsolv Environmental Services, another division of Northland, offers shop waste management throughout Iowa. Norsolv services include parts washer machines and service, used oil filter collection, and used fluid reclamation.

Northland Products has enjoyed continued customer growth due to a staff of experienced and talented employees, advanced lubricant technology, a customer focused service strategy and premium quality products. Uncompromising quality, professional service, and superior customer support is the foundation of Northland’s success. Northland Products Company is certified to the ISO 9001 and the ISO 14001 standards.

About Pilot Travel Centers
Headquartered in Knoxville, Tenn., Pilot operates 271 travel centers across the United States; one travel center in Tilbury, Ontario, Canada; and 39 convenience stores in Tennessee.
For more information about Pilot Travel Centers, visit www.pilottravelcenters.com.

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